Pittsburgh Penguins option Beau Bennett and make more roster moves

The Pittsburgh Penguins had until 5 p.m. Monday to set their 23-man roster and they did so with a flurry of roster moves.

While the 23-man roster needed to be in today, there’s a better than average chance that these won’t be the same 23 players who suit up against the New Jersey Devils Thursday night.

Sep 23, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) at the face-off circle against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the biggest name to be moved was young winger Beau Bennett, who was optioned to Wheeling of the ECHL.

Before you have a heart attack, I wouldn’t worry. There is very little chance that Bennett suits up for the Nailers as it appears to be simply a procedural move for the sake of the salary cap. It is assumed he will be on the opening night roster.

The other big news came in the form of defenseman Kris Letang, who was placed on IR.

Letang suffered what is believed to be a knee or lower leg injury Friday in practice, and initial indications were that it was not serious or long-term. By being placed on IR, Letang will miss Thursday’s season opener, but he could be eligible to come off of IR before Saturday’s home game against Buffalo if the IR designation is retroactive to Friday.

Also put on IR Monday was goaltender Tomas Vokoun, but that was expected.

The Penguins also sent defenseman Simon Despres and winger Andrew Ebbett to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Ebbett cleared waivers to do so.

Winger Chris Conner also cleared waivers but remains on the 23-man roster.

Finally, defenseman Derrick Pouliot, a first-round draft pick in 2012, was returned to his junior club, the Portland Winterhawks.

Now let’s look at who is still here.

Right winger Chuck Kobasew remains on a professional tryout contract and is not officially part of the roster.

Jeff Zatkoff right now makes the team as the No. 2 goaltender behind Marc-Andre Fleury.

In a curious move, Harrison Ruopp was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He did not appear in a preseason game and was injured most of camp so this is likely also a procedural move for salary cap reasons.

After a pretty solid preseason, defenseman Olli Maatta looks like he will stick around for a nine-game tryout as a junior eligible player. The 2012 first-round pick will probably stick until Letang is ready to return.

Here’s a look at the complete 23-man roster as it was made official today; but again, things are expected to change by Thursday.

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