2024 Rookie/Training Camp Thread

[Wyopen]

Would someone be kind enough to recap the game? Good, bad, or indifferent. Thx.

[FLPensFan]

Would someone be kind enough to recap the game? Good, bad, or indifferent. Thx.

I'd say Penguins defense and goaltending started off a bit slow. I would also guess d-pairs are a little harder to throw together and click. Pickering was on ice for a couple of goals, but he was very noticeable in directing guys. I don't believe he was any way responsible for at least one of the goals he was on for.

Game got a little more chippy as time went on. Hard to get a good recap overall without announcers and not being able to recognize a lot of numbers. I'd have to keep looking down to see who is 41, 45, 76 vs 78, etc.

Best recap I can give, as I said earlier:
--Broz with 2 goals
--McGroarty with a goal and an assist
--Ponomarev looked really good; really slick skater almost giving me Kovalev vibes
--Koivunen looked really good
--Pickering looked good
--Belliveau looked good
--Brunicke looked good; again, a really good skater
--Murashov didn't allow a goal in his half of the game (I wasn't watching the 2nd half as much, so I don't know how much he was really challenged)

Overall, the guys that I mentioned above are the players who SHOULD HAVE had an impact and they did, which is very good to see. I'd also say Avery Hayes, Atley Calvert, and Beau Jelsma (3 undrafted guys) were noticeable for me as well.

On McGroarty, if I saw any issue with his skating, it may be that he's a bit slow/awkward to get going at times. His acceleration from a standstill isn't the best, but again, this was noticed on a few occasions in one game.

[Wyopen]

Thank you for the recap FLPF. As you said it hard to assess the game with the numbers and no sound.

[BigMcK]

Are these team sanctioned games? Just curious if there are personnel from the team in attendance: training staff, coaches, scouts...

Anybody know?

[FLPensFan]

Are these team sanctioned games? Just curious if there are personnel from the team in attendance: training staff, coaches, scouts...

Anybody know?

Yes, they are team sanctioned games. WBS new coach was behind the bench today.

[BigMcK]

Are these team sanctioned games? Just curious if there are personnel from the team in attendance: training staff, coaches, scouts...

Anybody know?

Yes, they are team sanctioned games. WBS new coach was behind the bench today.

Thanks for the info.

Being that there is a team coach behind the bench, I would imagine that the advice is to KIS,S. Being that it is the AHL coach, he must feel pretty good seeing the players that he will coach display their talent.

[Puck-Lurker]

Another Broz goal. Broz, Pickering, McGroarty, and Ponomarev may all be NHL ready by mid-season this year, with Pickering potentially being the furthest away from that group. Koivunen has looked good too.

Definitely. Good to see the right guys perform. Pickering.. I don't know why pundits put him as the Pens top prospect. He's our top D prospect, yes, but the forwards are further along as you said.

I was also keeping an eye on Calvert and Belliveau. Calvert is a long, long shot for a fourth line role I think and not anytime soon, maybe never. Looked good though.

Belliveau looks like he spent last season in Wheeling and not like someone who should go to Wilkes-Barre. He can move the puck and does well to contribute in the offensive zone, but he's too weak in his own end. I hope he gets to play in the A so they can at least figure out whether it's time to move on or not. He's only 21 and was a 5th round pick, but signs point towards bust I feel. Sullivan would never play this guy.

EDIT: It was just one game -- willing to be convinced otherwise

[Pens4Life]

Good to hear that McGro, Broz, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Brunicke, Murashev played well., too bad Tanner Howe is injured.

Im surprised we played with so many undrafted guys..

its also dissapointing it seems we didnt sign this year 4th round draft pick Chase Pietila, he is big guy 6'3, physical right handed D - we signed his older brother Logan tho?! Is it possible that the contract will be signed next year, because he will go back to college this year?

[Puck-Lurker]

Are these team sanctioned games? Just curious if there are personnel from the team in attendance: training staff, coaches, scouts...

Anybody know?

Yes, they are team sanctioned games. WBS new coach was behind the bench today.

Thanks for the info.

Being that there is a team coach behind the bench, I would imagine that the advice is to KIS,S. Being that it is the AHL coach, he must feel pretty good seeing the players that he will coach display their talent.

McGroarty pretty much confirmed that was the instruction given. They'd only practiced once as a group.

[alancac98]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl-prospects- ... 33985.html

Here's a breakdown of a few players from the Boston game.

[FLPensFan]

Good to hear that McGro, Broz, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Brunicke, Murashev played well., too bad Tanner Howe is injured.

Im surprised we played with so many undrafted guys..

its also dissapointing it seems we didnt sign this year 4th round draft pick Chase Pietila, he is big guy 6'3, physical right handed D - we signed his older brother Logan tho?! Is it possible that the contract will be signed next year, because he will go back to college this year?

I'm assuming that is the case. He likely went back to college, and it could even be that if he was on the fence, the Penguins may have told him that college was the better option for playing time for him.

In regards to "so many undrafted guys," it is a rookie tournament, not a prospect tournament. So guys like Blomqvist, Poulin and some others from WBS are considered too old for the tournament. I was a bit surprised that Gauthier was there because he's older than Blomqvist, but I guess maybe they wanted to get him some more ice time and maybe help his case to move on...not sure that worked.

I also liked their 2nd line LW yesterday, Beau Jelsma, and I saw a few people saying he had a good game. Don't remember if it was Kingerski or Taylor saying the Penguins might have signed him, but he is still draft eligible. They'd have to either draft him in this year's draft, or hope that he goes undrafted and sign him afterwards.

[FLPensFan]

Taylor Haase confirmed on DK's Penguins feed that Chase Pietila went back to college because he wasn't ready for the pro game, just being drafted this year.

Taylor also pointed out that a lot of fans on the internet seemed to be saying Belliveau had a bad game yesterday. She disagreed, saying just watching the stream wasn't enough. In person, he was very physical, very effective clearing the crease, made some good plays offensively and constantly getting under opponents skin. People might have noticed the two penalties (one was very questionable, and the other, he tripped and tripped the opponent while going down).

[FLPensFan]

What should be a free live feed (commenting, not streaming) of the game:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/live ... lights-tlh

[FLPensFan]

It's 2 games into rookie camp, but...the Penguins may actually have a good problem on their hands.

--They have too many goalies that are close to pushing for NHL time.
--They have too many bottom 6 capable forwards in their system who are close to pushing for NHL time.

Broz and Ponomarev both so far look like they should be permanent mid-season callups battling for a 3C spot of the future. Very interested to see how they do at the main camp.

[KG]

Pens win 4-2. Solid effort all around.

Really impressed with Koivunen. He may be a pass first type of player but you can tell he thinks the game at a high level.

Ponomarev is constant hustle. Always on the puck. If we are looking to get some young legs and skill into the bottom 6, he is it.

Brunicke looks to be a player. His speed and skill is noticeable for sure.

[Puck-Lurker]

It's 2 games into rookie camp, but...the Penguins may actually have a good problem on their hands.

--They have too many goalies that are close to pushing for NHL time.
--They have too many bottom 6 capable forwards in their system who are close to pushing for NHL time.

Broz and Ponomarev both so far look like they should be permanent mid-season callups battling for a 3C spot of the future. Very interested to see how they do at the main camp.

Really liked what Broz and Ponomarev are showing so far. Only been two games but they've been the standout players.

Koivunen had a few shifts where he consistently threw pucks towards net, either to the crease or to goal.

What I saw of McGroarty.. not a smooth start to his skate, looks strange how he gets his stride going but he isn't especially slow. He knows a thing or two about positioning himself and opening the way for others. Can and will deliver good passes. Based on just two games, not my first call up. Give him some time to work on skating.

[BlackNGold4Life]

Watched the steam today on and off. Some comments:

Broz skill definitely noticeable. Hes carried the puck well too. That year or college really helped. He looked much more like a pro out there.

Pickering: Wow what 2 years has done for him. Stronger. Much better in front of his net. Looks so good IMO. One more year of AHL work and maybe 10-20 games in NHL next year will do amazing for him. He just seems like a guy in control of the back end when he’s out there.

McGroarty: He’s skating is his issue getting in and out tight spaces in his own zone. But he eventually gets there and has great hockey sense - good shot and offensive smarts. Similar to Chris Kunitz type
Just didn’t see the physicality. Some rust in his game too. Made some great decisions and some major gaffs too.


Pono looks NHL ready


There’s about 5-6 from this tournament I’d like to see get some NHL exhibition minutes.

[Wyopen]

I’m more excited for the WBS penguins than the NHL Pens. They really are a breath of fresh air.

[Pens4Life]

I kinda felt Ponomarev and Koivunen could be two great additions thru trades, but was also kinda mad Dubas went after 263 bottom 6 centers in offseason (Hayes, Glass, Lizotte) ,so Pono has really tough road ahead to crack lineup with stubborn Sully.

WBS more interesting to watch than Pens in the end LOL..

Ponomarev to get any real chance to be in NHL we need to see few vets shipped out and Lizotte as LW, Glass as RW..
Lizotte - Ponomarev - Glass/Puljujarvi potential 4th line down the road after first 1/3 of games..

Koivunen alongside Malkin maybe, Rakell bumped to 3rd line for balance.. Koivunen I feel is upgrade over Puusty..

Murashev - Hoping he is regular NHL goalie next season.. get him few games this year, next he is backup, next takeover hehe

Good to hear for Pickering, maybe we have cheap replacement for MP in the system.. or cheap replacement for Graves,if he cant pick up.

Thanx FLPens for additional info on Chase Pietila..

[Wyopen]

Why does Dan Kingerski have negative views or reports on Ponomarev? Every other report I see is very positive, even MacDonald said he’s winning battles, making plays, and is close to NHL ready.

[FLPensFan]

Why does Dan Kingerski have negative views or reports on Ponomarev? Every other report I see is very positive, even MacDonald said he’s winning battles, making plays, and is close to NHL ready.

Because Dan Kingerski doesn't know jack about prospect evaluation. Ponomarev may not have top 6 upside, but if I'm not mistaken, Kingerski put Ponomarev's upside ceiling as Noel Acciari, and said his skillset is too similar to Lizotte and Acciari.

Kingerski may get one in 5 evaluations somewhat accurate. He has no background in talent evaluation. He thinks he does. To be fair, when do you ever see Dejan doing prospect evaluation? He rarely does, because that's not his expertise and he knows it. Taylor Haase, on the other hand, has spent a lot more time with AHL/Junior level players. She's never going to be scout-level accurate on guys, but she has a much better background and exposure to the younger guys to get a sense of what their floor or ceiling may be.

[joeyg412]

Dan Kingerski stinks

[Puck-Lurker]

Why does Dan Kingerski have negative views or reports on Ponomarev? Every other report I see is very positive, even MacDonald said he’s winning battles, making plays, and is close to NHL ready.

Pono could start in the NHL and be okay right now. I picture his ceiling as a good 3C / weak 2C. His floor as a fourth liner. He plays the game the right way for a bottom six role and does it really well. They don't necessarily play alike, but the name that comes to my mind in Penguins history is Teddy Blueger.

[FLPensFan]

Why does Dan Kingerski have negative views or reports on Ponomarev? Every other report I see is very positive, even MacDonald said he’s winning battles, making plays, and is close to NHL ready.

Pono could start in the NHL and be okay right now. I picture his ceiling as a good 3C / weak 2C. His floor as a fourth liner. He plays the game the right way for a bottom six role and does it really well. They don't necessarily play alike, but the name that comes to my mind in Penguins history is Teddy Blueger.

I'd have to think for awhile on a good comparison name, but I think he skates much better than Blueger and is more physical. His ceiling will depend on how much he can finish at the NHL level.

[Puck-Lurker]

Why does Dan Kingerski have negative views or reports on Ponomarev? Every other report I see is very positive, even MacDonald said he’s winning battles, making plays, and is close to NHL ready.

Pono could start in the NHL and be okay right now. I picture his ceiling as a good 3C / weak 2C. His floor as a fourth liner. He plays the game the right way for a bottom six role and does it really well. They don't necessarily play alike, but the name that comes to my mind in Penguins history is Teddy Blueger.

I'd have to think for awhile on a good comparison name, but I think he skates much better than Blueger and is more physical. His ceiling will depend on how much he can finish at the NHL level.

Yeah Pono has more physicality. I remember Teddy being a bit faster though that could be my mind playing tricks.

Maybe he surprises everyone and becomes a solid 2C. Geno won't be here forever and that will create opportunities