2023 Training Camp thread

[Puck-Lurker]

https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2023/09/ ... -smith-tlh

Geno is loquacious as usual.

"It's new for me, we changed a lot this year," Malkin said after the Penguins' third day of training camp Saturday at the Lemieux Complex. "I hope it helps the team to be stronger, better. We weren't happy last year, for sure -- owners, coaches, players, we're here to win. Last season was very disappointing for us, but now we look forward. New teammates, new faces here, and we try to be better every day."

Funny…I guess last year’s GM was happy.

It does rather seem like he's singling someone out there. Mentioned everyone up and down the chain, 'cept Xtall.

This year's team will be a lot different and it needed to be. What the team ends up doing is anyone's guess, but it'll at least not be the same mess.

[Three Stars]

Phil Bourque made a good point during the early CBJ game. Drew O'Connor needs to take that next step. Paraphrasing, there are a lot of guys who are big and strong and fast in the AHL who look a lot like DOC does, but a lot of those guys don't turn into anything special in the NHL.

The bottom of the lineup has a fair number of fast/strong/big guys, but DOC needs to be more than that if the Pens are to do something with this season. He needs to score and feast on weak matchups, because right now any team with half a brain knows which lines need to be stopped.

[KG]

First cuts are in...nobody surprising yet.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pengu ... x-penguins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pysyk moved to the injured list...

[Three Stars]

First cuts are in...nobody surprising yet.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pengu ... x-penguins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pysyk moved to the injured list...

One of us, one of us.

Abbandonato has been abandoned.

[Three Stars]

Oh, and Yager is still on the team. A nice little reward for a good showing so far.

[FLPensFan]

First cuts are in...nobody surprising yet.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pengu ... x-penguins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pysyk moved to the injured list...

One of us, one of us.

Abbandonato has been abandoned.

So does that mean Pysyk is...sick?

[Three Stars]

First cuts are in...nobody surprising yet.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pengu ... x-penguins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pysyk moved to the injured list...

One of us, one of us.

Abbandonato has been abandoned.

So does that mean Pysyk is...sick?

Gauthier was told to Gau away.

[Admin]

Enjoy your misconduct penalties.

[Pitts]

First cuts are in...nobody surprising yet.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pengu ... x-penguins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pysyk moved to the injured list...

One of us, one of us.

Abbandonato has been abandoned.

So does that mean Pysyk is...sick?

Gauthier was told to Gau away.

MISS! You mean Gau there (WBS).

[largegarlic]

Phil Bourque made a good point during the early CBJ game. Drew O'Connor needs to take that next step. Paraphrasing, there are a lot of guys who are big and strong and fast in the AHL who look a lot like DOC does, but a lot of those guys don't turn into anything special in the NHL.

The bottom of the lineup has a fair number of fast/strong/big guys, but DOC needs to be more than that if the Pens are to do something with this season. He needs to score and feast on weak matchups, because right now any team with half a brain knows which lines need to be stopped.

I agree with this. I think he got to be a little overrated amongst us fans last season, because he was basically the only bottom-6 guy with a pulse, but he needs to show more to be considered anything above a solid 4th-liner.

[Maestro]

Top 6 is cemented (upon return of Jake)
Then Acciari, Carter, Eller, Nieto will be in bottom 6.

So really only 2 spots open with DOC having an edge I'd say but how much of one? Nylander and Zohorna looked good imo - but time (a very limited one at that) will tell.

I could see Hinostroza filling in for Jake for first week or 2 then go to 13th fwd.

Puustinen I think gets lost in the shuffle.

[Three Stars]

First cuts are in...nobody surprising yet.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pengu ... x-penguins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pysyk moved to the injured list...

One of us, one of us.

Abbandonato has been abandoned.

So does that mean Pysyk is...sick?

Gauthier was told to Gau away.

MISS! You mean Gau there (WBS).

All of these guys have to follow Jagger Joshua and move out to Wilkes-Barre.

Yes, they've got to move like Jagger, they've got to move like Jagger, they've got to moooooooooooooove like Jagger. whistles

[FLPensFan]

Phil Bourque made a good point during the early CBJ game. Drew O'Connor needs to take that next step. Paraphrasing, there are a lot of guys who are big and strong and fast in the AHL who look a lot like DOC does, but a lot of those guys don't turn into anything special in the NHL.

The bottom of the lineup has a fair number of fast/strong/big guys, but DOC needs to be more than that if the Pens are to do something with this season. He needs to score and feast on weak matchups, because right now any team with half a brain knows which lines need to be stopped.

I agree with this. I think he got to be a little overrated amongst us fans last season, because he was basically the only bottom-6 guy with a pulse, but he needs to show more to be considered anything above a solid 4th-liner.

I don't think he was overrated. I think his stock rose quite a lot this offseason because of his play in the World Championships. He was another highly sought after college UFA. He was a point per game player at Dartmouth, which, doesn't translate the same way to the NHL but still is a good indicator. He has also been a point per game player in the AHL, 73 games for WBS, 27 goals, 46 assists. There's nothing really for him to prove in WBS.

He needs to be able to score more, and maybe use the body a bit more to separate himself from the others. I think he is a bit of the Mike Sullivan "concentrate on defense, defense, defense" that hit guys like ZAR too. But, looking at his numbers last season, he had only 1 goal in 1 assist in 20 games where he got over 10 minutes TOI. He had 4 goals and 5 assists in the 26 games where he had 10 minutes or LESS TOI.

So if he wants to hold down a 3rd line spot (which is where he should be looked at to start the season)...convert more chances into goals, use his 6'3" body a bit more. If he isn't showing signs of that in the first 20 or so games...time to give someone like Poulin or Puustinen or Hinostroza types the chance instead.

[Maestro]

Phil Bourque made a good point during the early CBJ game. Drew O'Connor needs to take that next step. Paraphrasing, there are a lot of guys who are big and strong and fast in the AHL who look a lot like DOC does, but a lot of those guys don't turn into anything special in the NHL.

The bottom of the lineup has a fair number of fast/strong/big guys, but DOC needs to be more than that if the Pens are to do something with this season. He needs to score and feast on weak matchups, because right now any team with half a brain knows which lines need to be stopped.

I agree with this. I think he got to be a little overrated amongst us fans last season, because he was basically the only bottom-6 guy with a pulse, but he needs to show more to be considered anything above a solid 4th-liner.

I don't think he was overrated. I think his stock rose quite a lot this offseason because of his play in the World Championships. He was another highly sought after college UFA. He was a point per game player at Dartmouth, which, doesn't translate the same way to the NHL but still is a good indicator. He has also been a point per game player in the AHL, 73 games for WBS, 27 goals, 46 assists. There's nothing really for him to prove in WBS.

He needs to be able to score more, and maybe use the body a bit more to separate himself from the others. I think he is a bit of the Mike Sullivan "concentrate on defense, defense, defense" that hit guys like ZAR too. But, looking at his numbers last season, he had only 1 goal in 1 assist in 20 games where he got over 10 minutes TOI. He had 4 goals and 5 assists in the 26 games where he had 10 minutes or LESS TOI.

So if he wants to hold down a 3rd line spot (which is where he should be looked at to start the season)...convert more chances into goals, use his 6'3" body a bit more. If he isn't showing signs of that in the first 20 or so games...time to give someone like Poulin or Puustinen or Hinostroza types the chance instead.

If it's clear that Poulin has more upside maybe just go with it out the gate? I would hate to think the 3rd line is not being maximized simply due to waiver issues.
DOC has had opportunities and like Nylander has tended to disappear - not what is needed with this team. They need a strong, consistent, goal threatening, 3rd line to be legit. The 3rd line could be the key to glory.

[dark_forces]

Top 6 is cemented (upon return of Jake)
Then Acciari, Carter, Eller, Nieto will be in bottom 6.

So really only 2 spots open with DOC having an edge I'd say but how much of one? Nylander and Zohorna looked good imo - but time (a very limited one at that) will tell.

I could see Hinostroza filling in for Jake for first week or 2 then go to 13th fwd.

Puustinen I think gets lost in the shuffle.

Going off of those names—which I completely agree with—I'd say we're looking at:
[DOC/Johnsson]-Eller-[Nylander/Hinostroza]
Nieto-Acciari-Carter (I think this is a good bet to start the season)

Because of his versatility and speed, I'm pulling for White as the 13th forward. Unfortunately, the younger guys (Puustinen and Poulin) get squeezed out. Zohorna is the wild card. Maybe they keep him around as the 13th forward. I wouldn't mind that scenario, especially if Carter continues to regress.

[Three Stars]

The lineup for tomorrow's preseason game:

Forwards

9 Marc Johnstone

12 Corey Andonovski

13 Vinnie Hinostroza

15 Joona Koppanen

16 Rem Pitlick

18 Andreas Johnsson

22 Sam Poulin

36 Colin White

44 Jonathan Gruden

48 Valtteri Puustinen

62 Brayden Yager

63 Radim Zohorna

85 Avery Hayes

Defensemen

3 Jack St. Ivany

4 Taylor Fedun

5 Ryan Shea

24 Ty Smith

42 Libor Hajek

52 Mark Friedman

73 P.O Joseph

78 Isaac Belliveau

Goaltenders

30 Joel Blomqvist

39 Alex Nedeljkovic

Yager gets another game, as do Poulin, Zohorna and Puustinen.

Nylander notably does not, so feel free to jump to a conclusion about that. It's possible that they're saving him for the Buffalo game when hypothetically a fuller lineup will appear.

POJ and Friedman anchor the defense. Ty Smith will be out there too.

Blomma and Ned in goal.

[Three Stars]

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The lines for tonight:

Hinostroza-Zohorna-Puustinen --> The High Expectations line.
Johnsson-Poulin-Hayes --> The Goin' to Wilkes but let's see what you've got line.
Pitlick/Johnstone-Yager-White --> The Thanks For Coming, Yags line.
Koppanen-Gruden-Andonovski --> The Our Stuff Is Already On Its Way to Wilkes line.

Joseph-Friedman --> The Adults In The Room pair
Belliveau-Fedun --> The WBS Pair
Shea-Smith --> The Ryan Shea better stay behind the blue line at all times pair.
Hajek-St. Ivany --> The You Haven't Done Anything with your PTO and Jack St. Ivany pair.

[FLPensFan]

A rare good article from Kingerski, talking about how players like Zohorna and Poulin are having good camps, but due to mistakes of the past (cough, Carter) they may be destined to start in WBS.
Zohorna had direct quote that time is running out for him to stick on an NHL roster. Poulin and Nylander were mentioned to have made similar comments, and DK's site has article about Puustinen really wanting more NHL time this year.

https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... am-poulin/

This is a drum I've been banging for a few years. Yes, are prospect pool isn't very strong, but the team often blocks them from giving them a decent shot at showing their skills at the NHL level.

[KG]

The lines for tonight:

Hinostroza-Zohorna-Puustinen --> The High Expectations line.
Johnsson-Poulin-Hayes --> The Goin' to Wilkes but let's see what you've got line.
Pitlick/Johnstone-Yager-White --> The Thanks For Coming, Yags line.
Koppanen-Gruden-Andonovski --> The Our Stuff Is Already On Its Way to Wilkes line.

Joseph-Friedman --> The Adults In The Room pair
Belliveau-Fedun --> The WBS Pair
Shea-Smith --> The Ryan Shea better stay behind the blue line at all times pair.
Hajek-St. Ivany --> The You Haven't Done Anything with your PTO and Jack St. Ivany pair.

If they aren't high on Pitlick, then it's a good thing all of his $1.1mill salary can be buried in WBS when he's waived. Big Z playing first line minutes. I prefer to have Acciari play 3rd line wing minutes as opposed to 4th line C. He's a solid player that shouldn't be buried in the lineup. Big Z can start the season as 4C here. He isn't a prospect anymore so it's not like the limited minutes will stunt his growth (like a Poulin)...

[Daniel]

A rare good article from Kingerski, talking about how players like Zohorna and Poulin are having good camps, but due to mistakes of the past (cough, Carter) they may be destined to start in WBS.
Zohorna had direct quote that time is running out for him to stick on an NHL roster. Poulin and Nylander were mentioned to have made similar comments, and DK's site has article about Puustinen really wanting more NHL time this year.

https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... am-poulin/

This is a drum I've been banging for a few years. Yes, are prospect pool isn't very strong, but the team often blocks them from giving them a decent shot at showing their skills at the NHL level.

I think the prospect pool would be fine if they had better opportunities. They don't have to be a strong group but I think the bottom six with most of those who have left over the past year would be better than it's been in awhile.

[Pitts]

Pysyk out long term. I wonder if they just let him go at this point?
https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... 23-season/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Three Stars]

Pysyk out long term. I wonder if they just let him go at this point?
https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... 23-season/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With all that talk he had about "not running or jumping", you gotta think that it was his Achilles tendon again.

[Puck-Lurker]

Pysyk out long term. I wonder if they just let him go at this point?
https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... 23-season/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Makes all the sense in the world to let him go, now. He may have been a useful 3rd-4th pairing RD and could've bumped Chad to Wilkes. But if he's going to be plagued by injury, he doesn't add much. It would be just another veteran contract in WBS, benching one more of our spare parts. I'd let him go and wish him luck.

[FLPensFan]

Pysyk out long term. I wonder if they just let him go at this point?
https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... 23-season/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With their cap issues, I cannot see them keeping him. It's a shame because if he was healthy, I think he had the inside track on the 3rd pairing RD spot. Definitely a blow to our potential depth.

If he was out maybe a few weeks only, maybe a slight chance he would have been kept. I guess we don't know for sure, but I'm guessing he ends up being released. Taylor says if they signed him, he would go on SOIR (Season opening IR), which could give them some cap relief to have another extra forward.

[Three Stars]

Lines in practice. All you Nylander fans can exhale. All you Zohorna fans can inhale.

Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Reilly Smith - Evgeni Malkin - Alex Nylander
Drew O'Connor - Lars Eller - Matt Nieto
Vinnie Hinostroza/Austin Wagner - Noel Acciari - Jeff Carter/Radim Zohorna

Ryan Graves - Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson - Erik Karlsson
P.O Joseph - Chad Ruhwedel
Ryan Shea - Mark Friedman