Faceoff Factor

"Big deal, he breaks your face. Get it fixed."

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Oct 3, 10:26 AM | Hype this story!

‘Biz’ Gets Nasty

Paul Bissonnette, also known as “Biz Nasty,” has made quite the impression in the NHL in just four preseason games. In those games, he fought four times, winning two, losing one, and tying the other.

But it’s not necessarily his fighting skills that have turned heads. Instead, it’s his willingness to go with anyone at anytime and his knack for giving great quotes.

When asked about potentially fighting Georges Laraque down the line, he said he would be a bit nervous, but that his attitude is, “Big deal, he breaks your face. Get it fixed.”

While Bissonnette has not yet officially made the team, he clearly has made an impression on his coaches and other coaches around the league by sticking with the Penguins for so long.

If he is cut from the roster, it shouldn’t be long before “Biz Nasty” finds himself patrolling the ice in NHL arenas full time.

Final Round Of Cuts To Come Today

The heat is on as the Penguins are forced to make one final roster cut before two games in Stockholm, Sweden against the Ottawa Senators.

As mentioned above, Bissonnette is in a fight for one of three roster spots up for grabs. Also fighting for a roster spot are Finnish star Janne Pesonen (3 pts in 4 games), Pittsburgh native Bill Thomas (1 pt in 3 games), and veteran Jeff Taffe (0 pts in 4 games).

Jonathan Bombulie notes in his blog that he is hearing word that Janne Pesonen likely will be the odd man out. The move, however, seems designed more to give Pesonen an opportunity to adjust to the North American game on a top line in the AHL than to punish him for a bad camp.

A look at the current roster can be found here.

Faceoff Factor will have news on today’s roster cut when it happens.

Malkin, Orpik Serve As Alternates

As was indicated a few days back, Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik will serve as alternate captains, while Sidney Crosby remains the captain of the team.

“I feel great. Thank you, guys. Thank you, coach,” Malkin said of being awarded an alternate captaincy, according to Shelly Anderson of the Post-Gazette.

Orpik took it a bit more in stride, mentioning that, while he will wear an “A,” the locker room is filled with leaders who speak up and step up when needed.

Talbot Cleared To Play

Despite missing yesterday’s scrimmage against Jokerit Helsinki, center Max Talbot is expected to play in tomorrow’s season opener. Talbot was held out because of a bruised leg.

Winger Petr Skyora, sore groin, also missed yesterday’s scrimmage. There is no word yet on his status for tomorrow.

Stone Finally Put On Waivers

Ryan Stone, who was cut from the Penguins roster, then put back on it, despite staying in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton, is finally on waivers.

Initially, the Penguins thought Stone would clear waivers. But, when teams showed interest in the scrappy forward, general manager Ray Shero hesitated to put him on waivers without first seeking a trade. When no trade was available, Shero put him on waivers.

Stone has until noon today to clear.

Bombulie wrote the following about Stone’s attitude:

“He’s been pretty clear about his intentions throughout this whole process. He deperately wants to play in the NHL. He doesn’t desperately want out of the Penguins organization. He hasn’t demanded a trade. He just thinks there might be a team out there with a spot for him, and if there is, he’d like to go there.”

More news throughout the day, including an in-depth preview of tomorrow’s game featuring team leaders from last year and from the preseason.