The puck drops tonight on a new NHL season, and, as a new chapter unfolds for hockey fans across North America, a new page is being written for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After failing to make the cup finals for the past five years, head coach Dan Bylsma was fired this past summer and replaced with Dartmouth native, Mike Johnston.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review sports reporter Josh Yohe said, as a coach, Johnston promotes an offensive style.
“Our players are going to like to hear that, because those guys don’t want to be playing the trap either. They want to be able to skate and show the world what they can do.”
Yohe said both Crosby and Johnston spent time this summer in Nova Scotia and Pittsburgh discussing the upcoming season.
“I think it’s been a great relationship,” he said. “A good match so far between Johnston and Crosby.”
And, despite Crosby’s health concerns last season, Yohe said the Cole Harbour native is ready to get back on the ice.
“I watched him very closely just shooting the puck and handling the puck and he looks fine, and he said his wrist is 100 per cent.”
The Penguins open the season tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.