13°c Overcast
11°c Cloudy with clear breaks
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Tangradi's first game as a Jet against old teammates on Pens
Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, right, blocks a first-period shot by Pittsburgh Penguins' Eric Tangradi (25) during an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 11, 2012. (GENE J. PUSKAR/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)
WINNIPEG — Eric Tangradi’s first game as a member of the Winnipeg Jets and Zach Bogosian’s first NHL game in 10 months are the morning headlines ahead of tonight’s contest at the MTS Centre between the Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins (6 p.m. CT, CBC, TSN1290).
Bogosian, fully recovered from off-season wrist surgery, plays his first game of the season.. He’s been practising with team for more than a week.
Tangradi arrived via a Wednesday trade with Pittsburgh and had his first on-ice time with his teammates this morning.
He skated on a line with Olli Jokinen and Kyle Wellwood.
Wellwood said he’s more than happy to be matched with a new teammate.
"It’s a blessing," Wellwood said. "It’s nice to have him on our team now and playing his old team at home here with the Jets and he should be really excited to play and we’re going to do everything we can as his linemates to get him involved in the play and get him some chances.
"I don’t know too much about him but from practice, he’s got a lot of size and speed and he seems to want to go to the net so that should be a good combination for me to try to get him the puck in those areas."
Tangradi, 24, has played only five games this season with the Pens and is goalless in his last 39 NHL starts.
He had 10 goals and 18 points in 34 AHL games this season with Wilkes-Barre.
He said this morning though he has had opportunities to play with some of Pittsburgh’s stars like Evgeni Malkin, they weren’t reflective of his real abilities.
"Sometimes I felt like I had a short leash out there," Tangradi said. "Playing games, that I was playing just not to make a mistake instead of getting to my game. I think that’s what held me back and really prevented me from really getting to my game and doing the things that got me into the NHL."
He said all the talk of potential and opportunity with the Penguins is now water under the bridge.
"Coulda, shoulda, woulda," he said. "I feel at times I had a shorter leash than most guys there. I know the way I’m capable of playing and I can honestly say at times I showed my game in Pittsburgh and other times it was tough to be in the lineup.
"I’m here, I think I’m getting a fair opportunity and I’m looking forward to it."
The opportunity with the Jets is his focus now, he said.
"I’ve been told it is an opportunity," he said. "I’m just looking forward to it. It’s up to me whether I stay there or not. It’s an opportunity I feel I’ve been given in the past so I’m looking forward to it."
Meeting his old team right away provides an interesting storyline.
"It’s a little bit different," Tangradi said. "My first game (is) against the Penguins. It’s kind of like seeing your ex-girlfriend at the bar the next night.
"It’s a little bit different feeling. I have the mindset of no friends tonight. I have new teammates on my side and I’ll play my game and be physical.
"I think this one will be the most nervous I’ll be for the whole season."
Jets coach Claude Noel has jumbled two lines in concert with Tangradi’s arrival.
Evander Kane has now gone to play with Alex Burmistrov and Nik Antropov.
The Jets, 5-6-1, are home for one more game after tonight, that against Boston on Sunday. The Penguins, 9-5-0, played the Jets earlier this season here, losing 4-2.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 25 articles for today)
Overnight stabbings probed
12:32 PMWinnipeg police are investigating a pair of early-morning stabbing incidents.
A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening ...
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Systemic approach to voter interference 'extremely worrisome': Trudeau
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- City's first urban reserve born
- 'I do not use crack cocaine': Ford ends week of silence on crack video scandal
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Toews 'disappointed' U.S., Canada at loggerheads over meat labeling regulations
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Charges laid against Sharon Home over resident's death
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- City's first urban reserve born
- Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.