2023 Training Camp thread

[Puck-Lurker]

The PP should be the 5 guys who fit best. Not assembled to placate the 5 biggest names. They better get it right, because the PP will make or break the Penguins. 0/6 last night.

--Mark Madden

Cannot say that I disagree here.

Letang said, when Karlsson was coming here, that he was fine giving up his QB spot on PP1. He then went on to say he was happy to play off the wall --- the implicit message being "so long as it is on PP1".

I am convinced for the Penguins to function effectively, there are two coaching choices that must be made:
- Limit JMFC's games. He should play fewer games than Jarry.
- Get Letang off PP1 to QB PP2. There are enough pieces on this team to make a decent secondary group. Stacking the five biggest contracts together is not a recipe for success. For that matter, I think if we put Karlsson and Letang on different power plays, we should also separate Crosby and Malkin. Put their usual "tandem winger" with them and then fill in the blanks.

[Antonio]

I have said it before and I'll say it again, I think anyone who expects any changes with MS in charge is kidding themselves. Until his ass is shipped out nothing will change here. Sure, change the personnel some here and there but the same mentality, the same fixations, the same stubbornness and the same country club "the stars love him" BS isn't going to change.

[Pitts]

Surprised no one mentioned it here, but Smith, Pitlick and Hayes all recalled this morning. Apparently, they could only take a limited number of players to Nova Scotia. Expect to see these guys play this week.

Question as my memory is foggy: do any of them need to pass waivers again? I do not think so since they already did once. At least not within 30 or 60 days?

[Pitts]

Powerplay Unit 1A:
Crosby, Guentzel, Rakell, Karlsson, Peterssen (Rust)

Powerplay Unit 1B:
Malkin, Smith, Rust, Letang, PO Joseph (DOC)

The unit that starts the PP is the one who was on the bench the longest before the call. Play 1 minute, switch it out. Easy-peasy.

[KG]

Surprised no one mentioned it here, but Smith, Pitlick and Hayes all recalled this morning. Apparently, they could only take a limited number of players to Nova Scotia. Expect to see these guys play this week.

Question as my memory is foggy: do any of them need to pass waivers again? I do not think so since they already did once. At least not within 30 or 60 days?

FLP has it in the page before in the thread

[Three Stars]

The latest Rossi missive on the Athletic can be broken down into 3 sentences.

- Fenway Sports is deliberately “overspending” on WBS by planning on having players with NHL salaries there to enhance the overall talent level that was terribly depleted by Burxtall.

- Sidney Crosby is “hockey’s Tom Brady” and will expect a long term commitment from the Penguins for his next contract, according to Sid’s agent.

- Guentzel was permitted to have surgery done by non-team doctors, an act of trust on the team’s part.

The standard disclaimer for all Rossi written material applies.

[pens_CT]

The latest Rossi missive on the Athletic can be broken down into 3 sentences.

- Fenway Sports is deliberately “overspending” on WBS by planning on having players with NHL salaries there to enhance the overall talent level that was terribly depleted by Burxtall.

- Sidney Crosby is “hockey’s Tom Brady” and will expect a long term commitment from the Penguins for his next contract, according to Sid’s agent.

- Guentzel was permitted to have surgery done by non-team doctors, an act of trust on the team’s part.

The standard disclaimer for all Rossi written material applies.

In Crosby's case when you're 36 (and will be 37 when his current deal expires) what is long term? 3 Years? People may forget that Crosby's deal was signed under the old rules where you could really front load the contract with salary. So while his cap hit is 8.7 million, he is making 3 million in actual salary this year and next.

[FLPensFan]

The latest Rossi missive on the Athletic can be broken down into 3 sentences.

- Fenway Sports is deliberately “overspending” on WBS by planning on having players with NHL salaries there to enhance the overall talent level that was terribly depleted by Burxtall.

- Sidney Crosby is “hockey’s Tom Brady” and will expect a long term commitment from the Penguins for his next contract, according to Sid’s agent.

- Guentzel was permitted to have surgery done by non-team doctors, an act of trust on the team’s part.

The standard disclaimer for all Rossi written material applies.

In Crosby's case when you're 36 (and will be 37 when his current deal expires) what is long term? 3 Years? People may forget that Crosby's deal was signed under the old rules where you could really front load the contract with salary. So while his cap hit is 8.7 million, he is making 3 million in actual salary this year and next.

I have no problem giving Sid a longer term contract IF...he is open to a rebuild during his contract. The Penguins run with this core should end when Malkin's contract ends.

Sometimes the wrong moves can undo a lot of good over the course of a players career. Extending Crosby, then Malkin, plus Letang, all into their 40s and making the fans sit through a team that everyone knows is not good enough to win anything or possibly even make the playoffs, but lets the core 3 retire as Penguins on their terms may be enough to get Penguins fans to turn on them and tarnish their legacies.

This team should not be expected to be a playoff contender after 24-25 season. If Dubas can trade off Guentzel, Rakell, Rust, Karlsson, Pettersson, Graves, and Jarry at the 2025 and 2026 drafts, stockpile a ton of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks, and hit on a few lottery picks to START a rebuild with the core still here...great. But running the core here into their 40s and not allowing a rebuild to take place while they are here is going to turn out as well for them as things are for Mike Tomlin these days.

[Dynasty1970]

I have said it before and I'll say it again, I think anyone who expects any changes with MS in charge is kidding themselves. Until his ass is shipped out nothing will change here. Sure, change the personnel some here and there but the same mentality, the same fixations, the same stubbornness and the same country club "the stars love him" BS isn't going to change.

I am with you 110% on this one.

[FLPensFan]

Didn't see if this was posted anywhere else here, but POJ was apparently banged up in the game the other day, and is now out day to day. Xavier Ouelett was recalled from WBS to take his spot in practice. This could be Ty Smith's last shot to impress.

[Dynasty1970]

POJ took a nice hit from his brother in the last game.

[Pitts]

Surprised no one mentioned it here, but Smith, Pitlick and Hayes all recalled this morning. Apparently, they could only take a limited number of players to Nova Scotia. Expect to see these guys play this week.

Question as my memory is foggy: do any of them need to pass waivers again? I do not think so since they already did once. At least not within 30 or 60 days?

FLP has it in the page before in the thread

Still wonder about sending him down again - waivers or not?

[KG]

Surprised no one mentioned it here, but Smith, Pitlick and Hayes all recalled this morning. Apparently, they could only take a limited number of players to Nova Scotia. Expect to see these guys play this week.

Question as my memory is foggy: do any of them need to pass waivers again? I do not think so since they already did once. At least not within 30 or 60 days?

FLP has it in the page before in the thread

Still wonder about sending him down again - waivers or not?

I forget the exact rule, but he does not have to go back on waivers to be sent down. Unless he stays up for a certain amount of days and games played.

[Pitts]

Interesting angle there.

[Three Stars]

Jayson Megna and Mark Jankowski are on waivers today, in case anyone wants to relive the past.

[Maestro]

Jayson Megna and Mark Jankowski are on waivers today, in case anyone wants to relive the past.

Not that past.

[dark_forces]

Jayson Megna and Mark Jankowski are on waivers today, in case anyone wants to relive the past.

I'm surprised that any NHL team is even interested in Jankowski, and that he even was in the NHL last year.
He was a complete waste of a perfectly good Penguin sweater.

[Three Stars]

DK’s site notes that O’Connor is skating as first line left wing in practice today. Rakell is now second line RW with Malkin.

[Puck-Lurker]

Surprised no one mentioned it here, but Smith, Pitlick and Hayes all recalled this morning. Apparently, they could only take a limited number of players to Nova Scotia. Expect to see these guys play this week.

Question as my memory is foggy: do any of them need to pass waivers again? I do not think so since they already did once. At least not within 30 or 60 days?

FLP has it in the page before in the thread

Still wonder about sending him down again - waivers or not?

I forget the exact rule, but he does not have to go back on waivers to be sent down. Unless he stays up for a certain amount of days and games played.

< 30 days OR < 10 games -- so effectively 29 days OR 9 games that a player can be up for, without having to clear again.

[KG]

Pens Inside Scoop

@PensInsideScoop
Here are the Penguins lines and D-pairs:

O’Connor-Crosby-Rust (Guentzel did a rotation)
Smith-Malkin-Rakell
White-Eller-Harkins (Zohorna did a rotation)
Nieto-Acciari-Carter

Graves-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Joseph-Ruhwedel
Shea-Friedman

If we read into the lines. DOC is a place holder for Jake until he gets back, then DOC will go back with his boy Eller. White being on PTO still has an uphill battle. Of course JMFC is forevvvva in the lineup.

[Pruezy11881]

Really wish they would do better than Ruh on the third pairing. Good 7th to have, but feel he shouldn't have a sweater every game.

[KG]

Really wish they would do better than Ruh on the third pairing. Good 7th to have, but feel he shouldn't have a sweater every game.

Pysyk getting hurt so early in camp was tough. He would have most likely won the #6 spot. That said there should be some decent enough players available on the waiver wire coming up.

[FLPensFan]

Pens Inside Scoop

@PensInsideScoop
Here are the Penguins lines and D-pairs:

O’Connor-Crosby-Rust (Guentzel did a rotation)
Smith-Malkin-Rakell
White-Eller-Harkins (Zohorna did a rotation)
Nieto-Acciari-Carter

Graves-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Joseph-Ruhwedel
Shea-Friedman

If we read into the lines. DOC is a place holder for Jake until he gets back, then DOC will go back with his boy Eller. White being on PTO still has an uphill battle. Of course JMFC is forevvvva in the lineup.

I'm a bit surprised White is still there. Not saying he has been bad, but I see White, Zohorna, and Harkins all fighting for the same spot. Maybe management goes with both Harkins and Zohorna, and nobody else. But White seems to have an impossible battle at this point based on Zohorna's play and the recent addition of Harkins.

[KG]

Pens Inside Scoop

@PensInsideScoop
Here are the Penguins lines and D-pairs:

O’Connor-Crosby-Rust (Guentzel did a rotation)
Smith-Malkin-Rakell
White-Eller-Harkins (Zohorna did a rotation)
Nieto-Acciari-Carter

Graves-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Joseph-Ruhwedel
Shea-Friedman

If we read into the lines. DOC is a place holder for Jake until he gets back, then DOC will go back with his boy Eller. White being on PTO still has an uphill battle. Of course JMFC is forevvvva in the lineup.

I'm a bit surprised White is still there. Not saying he has been bad, but I see White, Zohorna, and Harkins all fighting for the same spot. Maybe management goes with both Harkins and Zohorna, and nobody else. But White seems to have an impossible battle at this point based on Zohorna's play and the recent addition of Harkins.

Saw Sully praised White's game last night. He was assigned to check the Larkin line, and did a good job. We'll see.

Regarding D depth. I see Cal Foote was waived by the Devils. He's probably not better than anything we already have though.

[FLPensFan]

Pens Inside Scoop

@PensInsideScoop
Here are the Penguins lines and D-pairs:

O’Connor-Crosby-Rust (Guentzel did a rotation)
Smith-Malkin-Rakell
White-Eller-Harkins (Zohorna did a rotation)
Nieto-Acciari-Carter

Graves-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Joseph-Ruhwedel
Shea-Friedman

If we read into the lines. DOC is a place holder for Jake until he gets back, then DOC will go back with his boy Eller. White being on PTO still has an uphill battle. Of course JMFC is forevvvva in the lineup.

I'm a bit surprised White is still there. Not saying he has been bad, but I see White, Zohorna, and Harkins all fighting for the same spot. Maybe management goes with both Harkins and Zohorna, and nobody else. But White seems to have an impossible battle at this point based on Zohorna's play and the recent addition of Harkins.

Saw Sully praised White's game last night. He was assigned to check the Larkin line, and did a good job. We'll see.

Regarding D depth. I see Cal Foote was waived by the Devils. He's probably not better than anything we already have though.

Foote is not. Neither is Jacob Bernard-Docker, who was also waived. Both guys are Ty Smith 2.0 at best.