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Joe Vitale | Center

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Age / DOB:  (27) / 8/20/1985
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 205
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Joe Vitale isn't available for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Ottawa Senators in Game 3 on Sunday.
It's unclear if he's injured or just a healthy scratch because he didn't participate in the morning skate. Vitale has managed an assist in four games during the 2013 playoffs. May 19 - 1:16 PM

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Date:

Penguins forward Joe Vitale is working hard to make sure he remains in the Pittsburgh lineup for as long as he can.

Vitale watched the first four games of the postseason from the press box, but has been active ever since, contributing in ways that add value for the team. "I don't think I'm ever solidified," he said. "You look at the depth on this team. There's so much talent from one to four [lines] and the extras. It's kind of having that desperate mentality every time I play [that] any night I could be out again. That's kind of been my motivation since I got back in. It's gone well since then, so I'm hoping to keep it going." Provided he can remain productive centering the fourth line Vitale will continue to dress for the club.
May 19 - 8:32 AM

Joe Vitale looks like he'll be back in the lineup for Pittsburgh Thursday night.

He hasn't played in the team's previous four playoff games, but could bring some energy to the table if he dresses. Vitale skated on the fourth line at the Penguins' morning skate. In 33 games this season, he had five points and 45 hits.
May 9 - 3:23 PM

Joe Vitale is healthy enough to play, but he'll probably start the playoffs as a scratch.

He sat out two games at the end of the regular season with a lower-body injury, but practiced Monday and has been deemed good to go.
Apr 30 - 10:42 AM

Joe Vitale (lower body) rejoined the Penguins on Monday.

Vitale probably won't play that big of a role this postseason and will likely serve as a depth player who is scratched most nights.
Apr 29 - 10:26 PM

Joe Vitale has a lower-body injury.

He didn't travel with the team to Newark for Thursday's contest versus the Devils. Consider him day-to-day.
Apr 25 - 2:16 PM

Joe Vitale enjoyed a strong game in Saturday's win over Florida.

He won 13 of his 17 faceoffs, delivered five hits and registered an assist in 12:39 of ice time. Vitale hadn't played since April 3 and he was thrust into action because of Evgeni Malkin's shoulder issue, but he was up to the task. He shouldn't be on your fantasy radar down the stretch though.
Apr 16 - 9:53 AM

Joe Vitale scored his first goal of the season on Sunday.

Vitale has three points in 25 games this season. He's been great on the draw this season, Vitale doesn't have any fantasy value in standard leagues.
Mar 18 - 10:59 AM

Joe Vitale made his season debut on Sunday after being a healthy scratch Saturday.

"I was a little disappointed," Vitale said of spending the season opener in the press box. "Obviously, you want to be out there, you want to play, especially with the long break [because of the NHL lockout] that we had." He had an assist in the Penguins' 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers.
Jan 21 - 10:29 AM

NHL players are well compensated, but the lockout has made some more conscious of how they're spending their money.

The average pay in the NHL is $2.44 million and the minimum salary is $525,000. Players like Sidney Crosby don't have to worry too much about missed checks, but fourth-liners such as Joe Vitale, who is earning the league minimum, have to alter their habits. "You just obviously have to prioritize a little better, as far as getting the on-sale bread instead of the whole-grain," he said. "Little things like that. But that's the only change, financially."
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 10:55:00 AM

Joe Vitale is interested in playing overseas during the NHL lockout.

"I definitely have my agent looking around," he said. "I don't know exactly what's going to happen, but yeah, I'm interested. It could happen pretty soon." Vitale skated in 68 games with the Penguins last season, while posting 14 points, 56 penalty minutes and 106 hits. He'll serve as the team's fourth-line center when NHL play resumes.
Mon, Oct 8, 2012 11:33:00 AM

Joe Vitale will be back in Pittsburgh's lineup for Game 4 on Wednesday night after he was a healthy scratch last Sunday.

He skated on the team's fourth line at practice Tuesday, between Eric Tangradi and Richard Park. The Penguins needed to fill holes left in their active roster due to suspensions to Arron Asham, Craig Adams and James Neal.
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 09:33:00 AM

The Pittsburgh Penguins have decided to sit Joe Vitale and Ben Lovejoy out after Friday's Game 2 meltdown against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Vitale and Lovejoy are healthy scratches while Richard Park will bring a veteran presence to the lineup. This is a high-pressure game for Pittsburgh so it makes sense that they're leaning on experience.
Source: Josh Yohe
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 03:10:00 PM

Joe Vitale is alright to play Thursday after he was struck in the face by a shot in Tuesday's win over Boston.

His jaw was reportedly not broken after he took a Zdeno Chara shot up high late in the third period. Vitale has recorded 14 points and 105 hits in 66 games with the Penguins this season.
Thu, Apr 5, 2012 01:24:00 PM

Joe Vitale was hit in the face by a Zdeno Chara shot late in the third period on Tuesday night.

Vitale had an assist and played 11:23 of ice time prior to leaving the contest. His status will be re-evaluated when the Penguins get back to Pittsburgh.
Wed, Apr 4, 2012 09:33:00 AM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Sidney Crosby
2Evgeni Malkin
3Jussi Jokinen
4Brandon Sutter
5Dustin Jeffrey
6Joe Vitale
LW1Chris Kunitz
2Brenden Morrow
3Matt Cooke
4Tanner Glass
RW1James Neal
2Jarome Iginla
3Pascal Dupuis
4Beau Bennett
5Tyler Kennedy
6Craig Adams
D1Kris Letang
2Paul Martin
3Matt Niskanen
4Brooks Orpik
5Deryk Engelland
6Doug Murray
7Simon Despres
8Robert Bortuzzo
G1Marc-Andre Fleury
2Tomas Vokoun
3Eric Hartzell