Pittsburgh Penguins: Five Thoughts Entering Training Camp
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup begins anew this week. The Black and Gold has 53 players coming to their 2015 National Hockey League training camp.
More from Pittsburgh Penguins
- Pittsburgh Penguins: A Look Back at 2019
- Penguins Will Continue to Persevere Despite Injuries
- Penguins: Alex Galchenyuk May Finally Start Meeting Expectations
- Penguins’ Three Keys to Help End Islanders’ Point Streak
- Penguins: Without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin Will Be an MVP Candidate
They report to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Center for physical examinations Thursday, Sept. 17 and don the skates Friday morning for their first official practice. Locker room space may be at a premium in Cranberry. The training camp roster that head coachMike Johnstonassembled consists of 32 forwards, 17 defensemen, and four goaltenders.
Johnston and his assistant coaches have a total of eight preseason games in just 12 days to evaluate their players. The Penguins open the preseason Monday, Sept. 21 with the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
The Black and Gold do not get a break as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday, Sept. 22 in their preseason home opener. The Canes and Pens drop the puck at 7 p.m.
Sidney Crosbyand Company wrap up the preseason Friday, Oct. 2 in Carolina at PNC Arena. The Penguins meet the Hurricanes at center ice at 7:00 p.m. You can listen to all seven preseason match-ups on 105.9 FM – The X.
With skates being sharpened and sticks taped up, I have some thoughts and questions.
1)One possibililty is that we could seeChris KunitzandPascal Dupuisskate on the third line with Nick Bonino at center. Do you like putting the veteran forwards together here?
Pittsburgh Penguins
2)If goalie prospectMatt Murraycontinues to show progress in camp, how long do you think it will be before general manager Jim Rutherford entertains calls about his availability in a trade? Would it be wise to obtain some of the draft picks lost in prior deals?
3)It could get interesting in the defenseman pairings. IsIan Colethe right choice to work withDerrick Pouliot? Could Adam Clendening or Tim Erixon be a good fit?
4)Staying with the blue line crew, who do you put with defensemanRob Scuderiat this point? CouldBrian DumoulinorBen Lovejoybe the one?
The better question would be, can the Penguins trade Scuderi? Would any trade partner want Pittsburgh to pick up some of his contract?
5)Is there room for one of the young forwards likeOskar Sundqvist,Scott Wilson, orConor Shearyto make this team? All three are below the age of 24. Will Johnston add more youth to the Penguins bench?
Bonus Thought:Kevin Allen reported in theUSA Todaythat the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association have agreed to permit extra experimenting time during select preseason contests of the new 3-on-3 overtime format.
Many believe that the 3-on-3 scheme will diminish the number of shootouts. The outlook is approximately 75% of contests that are tied after three periods will be determined by this new arrangement.
However, no one is sure how the coaches will deploy their players. How do you like this change? It could get interesting with a trio of Crosby,Evegeni Malkin, andKris Letangto begin a 3-on-3 session.
Itis time to break out your Penguins gear! Take time out to let me know your thoughts about the upcoming season in the comments section below.
Next: NFL: Week One Short Takes