isaitl said, who had two goals for the victors.BEREA, Ohio --?Clevel

PITTSBURGH -- In the end, familiarity was the deciding factor for Rob Scuderi. For the Pittsburgh Penguins, too. Less than an hour into NHL free agency, the Penguins were reunited with an old friend. Four years after he signed with the Los Angeles Kings weeks after helping the Penguins to their third Stanley Cup, Scuderi signed a four-year, $13.5 million contract with Pittsburgh early Friday afternoon. "When moving your family, the transition can be kind of odd and awkward," the 34-year-old defenceman said. "I thought going to Pittsburgh, the familiarity with the area would make for an easier transition. "And most important, the team in a win-now mode." Scuderi, who also won the 2012 Cup with Los Angeles, missed only nine games over his four seasons with the Kings. The Penguins advanced to the Stanley Cup Final during Scuderis final two seasons with the Penguins; since, they have won three playoff series in four years. They were swept by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals last month. Scuderis teams are 13-5 in playoff series with two Stanley Cups, three appearances in the final and four conference finals over the past seven years. "Lets face it, Im a plug," Scuderi said of his simple game. "I play good defence, Im going to move the puck tape-to-tape when I can, and when I dont have an opportunity to, Im going to put the puck in the safest areas. Its not the prettiest thing in the world, everyone knows that. But it can be effective. "One of the reasons I felt comfortable coming back is that the Penguins said that was what they were looking for. I want to make sure Im a good fit for what they need and that together we can do some good things." Scuderi has seven goals and 79 assists in 585 career NHL games, including one goal and 11 assists in 48 games last season. He had a career bests in points (16) and plus-minus (+23) with the Penguins in 2008-09. A 1998 fifth-round pick of Pittsburghs, the Syosset, N.Y., native became a regular with the Penguins following the 2004-05 lockout. He was a reliable presence on the ice and popular in the dressing room, but with the Penguins up against the salary cap he was let go in free agency in July 2009, signing a four-year, $13.6 million deal with Los Angeles. His extended family remains in Long Island, and thats where his wifes family also resides. Scuderi said that was no small factor in his decision to relocate back east. Other than the Kings, Scuderi said he was only willing to consider signing with Eastern Conference teams. "To be able to play (the three New York City area-based) teams consistently wand with Pittsburgh being a seven-hour drive or a one-hour flight as compared to a cross-country flight is something that I missed over the last few years. I missed having them be part of our lives and their grandkids lives." Scuderi has appeared in 515 of a possible 540 regular-season games since the 2006-07 season, including the past 264 consecutive regular-season contests. He hasnt missed a game since Dec. 7, 2009, playing in every game of the past three seasons.Marvin Bagley Kings Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Iman Shumpert Kings Jersey . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. https://www.kingslockerroom.com/Bruno-Caboclo-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Mitch Richmond Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. DeAaron Fox Kings Jersey . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors.BEREA, Ohio --?Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III?will practice next week, coach Hue Jackson said Friday.Though Griffin will be able to practice, he needs to clear one more medical hurdle before he will be cleared for contact to play in a game.Jackson said he thought that exam would take place next week.He will have the opportunity to start practicing next week and go out there with his teammates and perform and do what he can do, Jackson said. But there will still be one more medical hurdle for him to clear to be totaally cleared to play.ddddddddddddIts possible and perhaps even likely that Griffin will return to practice in a limited capacity. He is returning from a broken coracoid bone and has not played since the season opener.Jackson gave that tidbit of information while answering a question from junior reporter Jaden Berk, 14, from Warren, Ohio. Two years ago, Berk made a guest appearance on ESPNs SportsNation. ' ' '