HOCKEY'S HERE: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

The first hint of fall is in the air. It's getting dark earlier, and soon it will be too cold to spend Saturday nights sharing a 2-4 of Blue and listening to Guns N' Roses at the gravel pit. It's time to air out your gear, sharpen your skates and tape your stick -- it’s hockey season. Sure, your team flat-out ached last season, but there's hope, unless you're an Islanders fan. In that spirit, Out of Left Field offers looks at all 30 NHL teams. Presenting: The Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last season: 58 points, last in Atlantic Division; missed playoffs Coach: Michel Therrien (1st full season with team)
Young gun not named Crosby, Malkin or Staal: Colby Armstrong
Store this name away: Alex Gogoloski (NCAA prospect)
Hey, get a load of the new guy: Nils Ekman (57 points with San Jose in '05-06)
Blogs (including but not limited to): Igloo Dreams, The Hockey Knight
Pop culture moment: Jean-Claude Van Damme playing goalie (?!) for the flightless birds in the 1995 action movie Sudden Death (don't ask)

Sidney Crosby, all of 19 years old, might end up being captain of the Penguins. There's 20-year-old Evgeni Malkin, 18-year-old Jordan Staal (who will at least start the season with the big club), and a 21-year-old No. 1 goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury.

Looks a lot like a team that could be contending for the Stanley Cup in three years, and some of you wiseacres will ask if that's going to happen in Hamilton, Hartford, Kansas City or Omaha -- all rumoured possible homes for the flightless birds. (Local officials in Pittsburgh have done their part in securing land for a new arena for the Pens, so it looks like Crosby and Co. are staying home, although nothing is finalized.)

It's a little far-fetched to see the Pens rising from 58 points in '05-06 to a playoff berth, but having the Islanders in their division means they won't finish last again. With the young stars up front, Sergei Gonchar quarterbacking the power play and a maturing Fleury in goal, they will jump up and bite a few unsuspecting teams every now and again. On the flip side, though, they'll probably endure a few 6-1 and 7-1 poundings on the road back to respectability.

Also in Atlantic Division: New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers

Back with more later. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.