The Pens re-signed Max Talbot for two more years. Talbot is a hard worker with a decent offensive touch. He brings a lot of character to the game on and off the ice that percolates throughout the team. It helps to have guys like him around who can switch between a center and wing position and he definitely keeps the team loose at home and on the road. Talbot was in the draft class with Crosby and I have a feeling they will be playing together for a long time.

Talbot is expected to return to the line-up for the game against an average Toronto team where they will dawn the well-recieved third jersey. There is some bad news for the Pens though, forwards Mike Zigomanis and Pascal Dupuis are scratches for tonight's game. Dupuis is listed day-to-day after an injury against the Thrashers on Thursday night.

Ryan Whitney is also getting ready to make a return. Saturday night he is scheduled to play with the WBS Penguins and he is expected to return on December 23 against Tampa Bay. Our defense is effective, but ready for some help with the impending return of Gonchar and Whitney coming very soon.