2024 Rookie/Training Camp Thread

[100565]

While Sullivan says don't pay much attention to the lines, a few notes:

--Taylor says Letang and Grzelcyk have been paired together all camp. (Hard not to see that as a pairing)
--Pettersson has been paired with multiple people while EK65 is out, but I expect that to be another pairing
--Graves and St. Ivany paired together now, which I do expect to be the 3rd pairing.
--Not reading too much into Beauvillier on the top line for now. I expect to see a few people rotated in there over the next week.
--Hayes-Eller-Glass makes me think maybe Hayes and Eller play together on a 3rd line, and the RW spot is open for audition from guys like Glass, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and McGroarty
--X-Lizotte-Acciari kind of makes me think the same thing, where Beauvillier, Poulin, Bemstrom

Maybe we end up with this?

DOC-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Hayes-Eller-Puljujarvi
Beauvillier-Lizotte-Acciari
X-Puustinen, Glass

I agree with this. I am still hoping a youngster makes enough impact to earn a spot over Hayes - at least to start the season. I think Hayes is a safe player to cut and not fear losing. However, as of now I am hunk Hayes makes the team.

Also, if Glass isn’t good enough to earn a spot on a line, then I would hope they waive him and keep extra D or Poulin.

As of now, I think these lines are it.

[KG]

Have to get Bunting on the top PP. He is the only forward that will go to the net. We need dirty goals on the PP.

Also, I don't like Hayes and Eller together. Sullivan likes his speed. Hayes and Eller aren't it. I'm surprised they haven't used Hayes at center and flank him with speedy wingers. Center doesn't need to be uber fast in a Sullivan system, but the wing do. Hayes with OC and Beauvillier looks good on paper to me. Guess the plan is to keep Eller at 3C and Glass as 3RW...

[FLPensFan]

Have to get Bunting on the top PP. He is the only forward that will go to the net. We need dirty goals on the PP.

Also, I don't like Hayes and Eller together. Sullivan likes his speed. Hayes and Eller aren't it. I'm surprised they haven't used Hayes at center and flank him with speedy wingers. Center doesn't need to be uber fast in a Sullivan system, but the wing do. Hayes with OC and Beauvillier looks good on paper to me. Guess the plan is to keep Eller at 3C and Glass as 3RW...

I think we need to see more Hayes, Glass, Beauvillier, Lizotte, and Poulin. Hoping they all get in the next game. I want to see what Hayes looks like at NHL speed. He did good earlier in the week in the scrimmage. I just don't have any data on Glass, Beauvillier, Lizotte or Poulin right now. Not really hearing their names in the scrimmages last week, or seeing them in game action. Actually, Glass played against Buffalo and was barely noticed, so I don't have him high on my list right now for earning a spot.

[BigMcK]

Did Sullivan have any post-game comments on Saturday's game? Things he liked, needs upgrades???

[FLPensFan]

Did Sullivan have any post-game comments on Saturday's game? Things he liked, needs upgrades???

I think he made a few individual comments, but as a whole, I think he said it was a pretty tough one to gauge based on the outcome.

[Puck-Lurker]

Have to get Bunting on the top PP. He is the only forward that will go to the net. We need dirty goals on the PP.

Also, I don't like Hayes and Eller together. Sullivan likes his speed. Hayes and Eller aren't it. I'm surprised they haven't used Hayes at center and flank him with speedy wingers. Center doesn't need to be uber fast in a Sullivan system, but the wing do. Hayes with OC and Beauvillier looks good on paper to me. Guess the plan is to keep Eller at 3C and Glass as 3RW...

I think we need to see more Hayes, Glass, Beauvillier, Lizotte, and Poulin. Hoping they all get in the next game. I want to see what Hayes looks like at NHL speed. He did good earlier in the week in the scrimmage. I just don't have any data on Glass, Beauvillier, Lizotte or Poulin right now. Not really hearing their names in the scrimmages last week, or seeing them in game action. Actually, Glass played against Buffalo and was barely noticed, so I don't have him high on my list right now for earning a spot.

Yeah, Glass kind of disappeared after the puck dropped, kinda why I dropped him further down my list. That was a game he should have been noticed as "well at least this guy looks like he's NHL material", didn't notice him in a bad way either, but we've enough players that can play unnoticed. Hope he adjusts and stands out, got excited we got him for basically nothing but taking on his salary.

I tell you, if Hayes doesn't end up playing 3C or 4C, I want him waived. Not interested in Hayes playing a role on the wing. I'd play Letang there before Hayes.

Be nice to see some of the closer-to-the-NHL guys to also get their reps soon so we can compare.

[Ericf]

Yeah, that’s great but do we have anyone with great shots on this PP? The best guys are really old. I’d really love to see someone like Puusty or Broz with a great release and shoot first mentality make the team and be on the PP

[Antonio]

Did Sullivan have any post-game comments on Saturday's game? Things he liked, needs upgrades???

I think he made a few individual comments, but as a whole, I think he said it was a pretty tough one to gauge based on the outcome.

He liked the compete level, they were getting to their game, blah blah ****.

[Puck-Lurker]

Did Sullivan have any post-game comments on Saturday's game? Things he liked, needs upgrades???

I think he made a few individual comments, but as a whole, I think he said it was a pretty tough one to gauge based on the outcome.

He liked the compete level, they were getting to their game, blah blah ****.

PIT NHL'ers: DOC, Glass, Puustinen, Puljujärvi, Bemström, Graves, Shea, Ludvig.
BUF NON-NHL'ers: Kulich.

This game was always going to be a stomp for BUF. Penguins can play an extra full roster that doesn't include these guys, where everyone has NHL pedigree. It's next to meaningless, but for looking at little things of what players do. I'm not sure winning or losing does anything for anyone. Could be me, but the only big name that came to my mind as "missing" from BUF was Dahlin.

Some people invisible, some people kinda bad, Puljujärvi king of the locker room

[Dynasty1970]

Did Sullivan have any post-game comments on Saturday's game? Things he liked, needs upgrades???

I think he made a few individual comments, but as a whole, I think he said it was a pretty tough one to gauge based on the outcome.

He liked the compete level, they were getting to their game, blah blah ****.

Beat me to it

[FLPensFan]

Roster for tomorrow's game released. No top 6 players playing. All guys battling for spots, minus DOC and Poolparty:

GOALIES

30 – Joel Blomqvist

39 – Alex Nedeljkovic

DEFENSE

3 – Jack St. Ivany

5 – Ryan Shea

25 – Sebastian Aho

27 – Ryan Graves

38 – Owen Pickering

45 – Harrison Brunicke

82 – Filip Kral

FORWARDS

2 – Rutger McGroarty

9 – Marc Johnstone

13 – Kevin Hayes

14 – Boko Imama

15 – Joona Koppanen

19 – Cody Glass

22 – Sam Poulin

44 – Jonathan Gruden

46 – Blake Lizotte

55 – Noel Acciari

72 – Anthony Beauvillier

74 – Tanner Howe

85 – Avery Hayes

[Pruezy11881]

Giving Blomqvist a spot versus getting a look at Murashov is interesting. Wonder if they are going for rebound and if there's a reason to make a goalie move...

[FLPensFan]

Sabres lineup is all rookies and prospects tonight. I don't think there's one player dressing for them expected to make the final roster. Two former WBS Penguins are in their lineup on defense...Jack Rathbone and Ethan Prow.

I would expect a better performance from the Penguins tonight.

[FLPensFan]

Lines at practice for tonight's game (per Taylor Haase here: https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1 )

Rutger McGroarty - Kevin Hayes - Cody Glass
Anthony Beauvillier - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari
Boko Imama - Joona Koppanen - Marc Johnstone
Jonathan Gruden - Sam Poulin - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Jack St. Ivany
Ryan Shea - Sebastian Aho
Owen Pickering - Filip Kral
Tanner Howe - Harrison Brunicke

Top power play: Sebastian Aho, Rutger McGroarty, Kevin Hayes, Cody Glass, Anthony Beauvillier

Second power play: Filip Kral, Avery Hayes, Noel Acciari, Marc Johnstone, Sam Poulin

Kral quarterbacking the second unit suggests Harrison Brunicke is the one out on defense tonight.

[KG]

Wouldn't mind Imama run around a little bit tonight. That Kubel hit on Pono was dirty last game. Pens haven't had an enforcer in their lineup since Reaves I would guess. Knowing he won't get into a game in the regular season, this is probably Imama's time to shine lol.

[Puck-Lurker]

Lines at practice for tonight's game (per Taylor Haase here: https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1 )

Rutger McGroarty - Kevin Hayes - Cody Glass
Anthony Beauvillier - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari
Boko Imama - Joona Koppanen - Marc Johnstone
Jonathan Gruden - Sam Poulin - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Jack St. Ivany
Ryan Shea - Sebastian Aho
Owen Pickering - Filip Kral
Tanner Howe - Harrison Brunicke

Top power play: Sebastian Aho, Rutger McGroarty, Kevin Hayes, Cody Glass, Anthony Beauvillier

Second power play: Filip Kral, Avery Hayes, Noel Acciari, Marc Johnstone, Sam Poulin

Kral quarterbacking the second unit suggests Harrison Brunicke is the one out on defense tonight.

What I read:
3rd line
4th line
Spare parts (zero interest in this line, WBS 4th line?)
Spare parts (long shots all)

3rd pair
4th pair
Spare parts.

I think the thing is that the Sabres actual team are going to Czechia and Germany. That's why they fielded an NHL team before. This roster should beat a bunch of Sabres nobodies with some ease.

[KG]

Ned getting the start tonight.

[Puck-Lurker]

Ned getting the start tonight.

That's maybe a bit odd. I'd have started Murashov, if he was in the lineup and else, Blomqvist again and see what happens. I don't think Ned has anything to particularly prove or demonstrate?

[Antonio]

I seriously don't understand anything that imbecile does.

[FLPensFan]

Ned getting the start tonight.

That's maybe a bit odd. I'd have started Murashov, if he was in the lineup and else, Blomqvist again and see what happens. I don't think Ned has anything to particularly prove or demonstrate?

I don't think Murashov is getting any consideration to make the roster. I think they just want him to get a year of AHL work under his belt.

I don't think Blomqvist is under consideration either, but where he is in his progression, it is good to let him face some NHL level work, build up some video on himself and what he'll need to improve to make the jump to the NHL full time. Judging by the game the other day, he needs some work on tracking long range shots or adjusting to the speed of those shots.

Not sure if Ned will play the whole game, but I'd like to see Blomqvist get at least a half a game somewhere this preseason against mainly NHL competition...to hopefully boost his confidence and let him have a good showing.

[Puck-Lurker]

Ned getting the start tonight.

That's maybe a bit odd. I'd have started Murashov, if he was in the lineup and else, Blomqvist again and see what happens. I don't think Ned has anything to particularly prove or demonstrate?

I don't think Murashov is getting any consideration to make the roster. I think they just want him to get a year of AHL work under his belt.

I guess it's natural he starts in the A, his KHL experience is only 7 games with Yaroslavl. That's fine.

I don't think Blomqvist is under consideration either, but where he is in his progression, it is good to let him face some NHL level work, build up some video on himself and what he'll need to improve to make the jump to the NHL full time. Judging by the game the other day, he needs some work on tracking long range shots or adjusting to the speed of those shots.

Not sure if Ned will play the whole game, but I'd like to see Blomqvist get at least a half a game somewhere this preseason against mainly NHL competition...to hopefully boost his confidence and let him have a good showing.

I don't imagine anyone aside from Ned and Jarry get even a second thought for the NHL jobs. I just imagined they wanted to see their depth goalies, I guess. I'd like to see what Larsson looks like, to be honest.

[FLPensFan]

Ned getting the start tonight.

That's maybe a bit odd. I'd have started Murashov, if he was in the lineup and else, Blomqvist again and see what happens. I don't think Ned has anything to particularly prove or demonstrate?

I don't think Murashov is getting any consideration to make the roster. I think they just want him to get a year of AHL work under his belt.

I guess it's natural he starts in the A, his KHL experience is only 7 games with Yaroslavl. That's fine.

I don't think Blomqvist is under consideration either, but where he is in his progression, it is good to let him face some NHL level work, build up some video on himself and what he'll need to improve to make the jump to the NHL full time. Judging by the game the other day, he needs some work on tracking long range shots or adjusting to the speed of those shots.

Not sure if Ned will play the whole game, but I'd like to see Blomqvist get at least a half a game somewhere this preseason against mainly NHL competition...to hopefully boost his confidence and let him have a good showing.

I don't imagine anyone aside from Ned and Jarry get even a second thought for the NHL jobs. I just imagined they wanted to see their depth goalies, I guess. I'd like to see what Larsson looks like, to be honest.

I would imagine Blomqvist and Larsson will get at least a half game each, if not a full game, somewhere down the stretch. Jarry seems to be having a medical issue, which Sullivan says was scheduled. I wouldn't doubt if Jarry only gets 1 preseason start, and doesn't even play a full game.

Larsson looked fairly good when he came in relief for Blomqvist the other day.

[Antonio]

Yeah but in my opinion that's a big problem this organization suffers from. This stodgy antiquated thinking that we can't even conceive of certain players that don't meet certain existing specifications and guidelines as possible contributors. The notion that only the two existing NHL goal tenders could possibly be considered is absurd. To me it's exactly the kind of thinking that Sullivan would have, that there's just not even a theoretical chance that one of these other goaltenders could be valuable and playable right now. It's his typical mindset, anyone who doesn't already have a hundred games of NHL experience can't possibly be in the lineup right now. This team isn't going anywhere and if they finally accept that, they can play higher risk younger guys and see what they've got because it's not like they're going to miss out on some cup winning opportunity this year by taking a risk on some younger inexperienced players.

[FLPensFan]

Through training camp and pre-season game 1, here's my rankings for the 12 forwards fighting for 6-8 bottom 6 jobs. This assumes DOC on line 1 next to Rakell, and that Broz, Ponomarev, and Koivunen have no shot to make the opening NHL roster.

Eller
Hayes
Acciari
Puljujarvi
McGroarty
Glass

Puustinen
Lizotte
Beauvillier
Bemstrom
Poulin
Gruden

Right now, Eller and Acciari are incumbents.
Hayes is there based on his vet status and scrimmage showing the other day
Puljujarvi there due to scrimmages and preseason Game 1 performance
McGroarty and Glass there simply because they played a game. McGroarty was more noticeable yesterday than Glass, IMO

The bottom 6...I didn't really notice Puustinen or Bemstrom in yesterday's game.
Lizotte, Beauvillier, Poulin and Gruden have yet to get in a game or doing anything noticeable in camp.

Updating my forward competition after tonight's game in how I think each guy is performing in terms of securing a roster spot:

In the lineup:
Eller
Hayes
Acciari
Puljujarvi
Beauvillier
Puustinen

Healthy scratch:
McGroarty
Glass

WBS bound:
Lizotte
Bemstrom
Gruden
Poulin

So far, I don't think McGroarty has done enough to put him in the lineup, and, if he's only a healthy scratch, I think they'll send him to WBS...which helps Lizotte's case.


On defense, I think the top 6 is set with Letang, Grzelcyk, MP28, EK65, Graves and St. Ivany. Aho as the 7th, and Ludvig as the 8th if we keep 2 d-men. Didn't get to see Kral live tonight to get more of a reading on him. I know Ludvig was only so-so in the other game.

Again, these are very subjective without seeing some of the action, seeing none of tonight's game, etc. Just going off what I have seen, what I heard in game recaps, and putting more weight on the "old 3" getting spots because they have played bad enough to take themselves out.

[BigMcK]

I am of the opinion that GMKD had enough time to rid the roster of ghosts and goblins since being hired. Keeping in the Halloween theme, he is the scarecrow afraid to bring in a brute to force his way onto the roster, no matter what sullivan wants on his lineup card. Or, even at the AHL level.

Graves is the tough guy on the roster, year two? Rooty Tooty pancake player. Malkin will be the Penalty Minutes leader again, and no minutes will be for fighting.

Nothing so far to pay a NHL subscription for me.

I want to believe, really I do.

Penguins, please prove me wrong once the season starts.