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I must read the article about them buying stuff for the kids.  That's so sweet they do that every year.  I was also thinking the other day--when is Skates and Plates?  Some years it's in December...has anyone heard anything?

Here's the article that talks about Feds and Geno doing dinner together alot.  Much give and take between all 3 members of the new Sid line all thru the article...

By Josh Yohe
Daily News Staff Writer
Monday, November 16, 2009

Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined for six points in Saturday's 6-5 overtime victory over Boston. While they were working their usual magic, the third member of the team's newly-formed top line was doing a little bit of everything.

Ruslan Fedotenko had two assists and will get another look on the top unit tonight when the Penguins face Anaheim at Mellon Arena.

All parties involved believe Fedotenko is a good fit with the dynamic duo of Crosby and Malkin.

"I felt really good playing with those guys," Fedotenko said. "There is definitely some added responsibility when you're on the ice with them. You know you have to produce, but I think it is fun."

With wingers Chris Kunitz, Tyler Kennedy and Max Talbot out of the lineup, the Penguins have a limited number of experienced wingers to play with Crosby and Malkin. And, make no mistake, it appears having an experienced winger playing with the superstars is what the coaching staff prefers.

"Playing with those guys, you always want to please them," coach Dan Bylsma said. "I think it's tough to be comfortable in that role at times. It's why Billy (Guerin) is a good fit with them, too."

Young players, Bylsma said, are more likely to force the puck to Crosby and Malkin even when they aren't open.

Fedotenko does no such thing.

"With Feds it's pretty simple," Crosby said. "He's going to stay on his wing and forecheck. When he has an open shot, he's going to take it."

The Penguins also were pleased with the room Fedotenko created Saturday. A perfect example is the role Fedotenko played in Mark Eaton's third-period goal. Crosby skated with the puck down the left wing, while Fedotenko made a beeline toward the net.

This opened room in the center of the ice, allowing Crosby to make a perfect pass to Eaton, who buried a shot past Boston goalie Tim Thomas.

"That's the kind of stuff you need to do when you're playing with Sid and Geno," Fedotenko said. "You always have to drive to the net. That's part of my game."

Fedotenko and Malkin are familiar with one another. Those two played together almost exclusively during the 2009 postseason on a line with Talbot.

Fedotenko and Crosby, however, have rarely been on the same unit.

"They are different players, so there was a little bit of an adjustment," Fedotenko said. "But Crosby's a great player, just like Malkin. If you get open, Crosby will find you every time. You just always have to be aware of that when you're on the ice."

Fedotenko, who historically scores more regularly in the postseason, has enough skill and grit in his game to look comfortable on the top line.

His relationship with Malkin helps.

"He goes to dinner with Geno, so there's a comfort level there," Bylsma said. "He's in around the net. He's in the corner winning battles. He brings stability to the line."

It probably isn't a line that will stick together forever. After all, Kunitz, Kennedy and Talbot are expected back in the lineup by early December at the latest, and the Penguins prefer to have their two best players at their natural center position.

Crosby and Malkin, however, enjoy being on the same line and appear to enjoy having Fedotenko as the third wheel.

"Geno and I haven't played on the same line for a long time, and it was a lot of fun," Crosby said. "It didn't take long to adjust. Geno has a way of backing up defenders and creating room. It was great being out there and I think Feds really fit in well."