Pens Points: Opening season rosters due today
News and notes for the Penguins and around the NHL
Good morning, the season is almost here! The Penguins were off yesterday and have a practice today. GM Kyle Dubas will be holding a season-opening press conference today as the team gears up to host the Rangers on Wednesday and then hit the road to play in Detroit on Friday and up in Toronto on Saturday. It’s about to get busy right from the jump.
Let’s catch up on the news and notes from the weekend before diving into the start of another year.
Don’t be surprised to see transactions where the Penguins assign Rutger McGroarty and/or Jack St. Ivany to Wilkes-Barre today. It doesn’t necessarily mean one or either won’t be back in the NHL lineup by the opener on Wednesday, it’s about the salary cap and they are the only skaters who can be sent down without waivers. [Pensburgh]
Erik Karlsson pronounced himself ready and good to go for playing in the regular season opener on Wednesday after injury held him out for almost all of the preseason. [NHL.com]
The Pens’ goalie depth is getting tested right out the gates due to Alex Nedeljkovic’s preseason injury that will see Joel Blomqvist stick around in Pittsburgh as the team’s second goaltender. [Penguins.com]
Jesse Puljujarvi put in the work during the offseason, which helped him have a tremendous training camp. He’s looking to build on that in the regular season to get his career back on track. [Penguins.com]
Kris Letang can’t get enough of Steelers football, showing up on the sidelines for the second home game in a row. [Twitter - Steelers]
Out in Wilkes, the WB/S Penguins ended a 3-0-1 preseason on a high note with a 5-1 victory over Lehigh Valley yesterday. Emil Bemstrom and Tristan Broz each had 1G+1A days. Avery Hayes tacked on three assists and Joona Koppanen, Raivis Ansons and Ville Koivunen added goals. [WBS Pens]
A bullish and positive outlook on Pittsburgh’s season comes from Justin Bourne. [Sportsnet]
The Penguins have made a lot of changes in their power play, from coaching to personnel. Will it pay off? [Trib Live]
Before the season starts let’s track some old faces in new places. Do you remember Jake Debrusk is now in Vancouver? (I kinda forgot about that one). Or that Mikhail Sergachev is with Utah? There’s going to be some acclimation this year after the movement in the summer. [TSN]
Boston and Jeremy Swayman tabled an emotional and public negotiation to find middle ground on an eight year $66 million dollar contract that will carry a $8.25 million annual cap hit. [Daily Faceoff]
Igor Shesterkin is the writer’s favorites for the Vezina trophy this season. [NHL]
Best and worst moments from the NHL’s new documentary series on Amazon Prime. [The Athletic $]
Negotiations in the league’s next collective bargaining agreement with players are going to include looking at dropping the number of preseason games and moving the regular season start date up to October 1st. [The Athletic]