2024 Rookie/Training Camp Thread

[FLPensFan]

Per Taylor Haase....Crosby, Malkin, and St. Ivany joined the skating sessions today. Here are how the groups broke down yesterday:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1

• Main rink: Kevin Hayes, Jonathan Gruden, Valtteri Puustinen, Noel Acciari, Sam Poulin, Ryan Shea, Lars Eller, Jesse Puljujarvi, Marcus Pettersson, Bryan Rust, Drew O'Connor, John Ludvig, Ryan Graves, Erik Karlsson, Cody Glass, Matt Grzelcyk, Corey Andonovski, Rutger McGroarty, Rickard Rakell, Vasily Ponomarev, Blake Lizotte, Anthony Beauvillier, Alex Nedeljkovic, Tristan Jarry

• Second rink: Sergei Murashov, Taylor Gauthier, Joel Blomqvist, Filip Larsson, Marc Johnstone, Isaac Belliveau, Joona Koppanen, Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, Ville Koivunen, Scooter Brickey, Tristan Broz, Nathan Clurman, Raivis Ansons, Cooper Foster, Filip Kral, Boko Imama

May be a few others that she missed because she doesn't recognize them yet. Rakell was on the main rink, but he cut his hair, hoping to see improved results with less flow a la Letang.

I don't think Nieto skated with the group yesterday, but he did show up on the bench and was chatting with Jeff Carter, who has been on the ice for these informal sessions, acting as a coach with Ty Hennes and Andy Chiodo.

Later in the session yesterday, Jarry and Ned left, and Murashov and Gauthier went over the the main rink with the NHL level talent. 2 comments from that:
• Murashov just robbed three guys back-to-back-to-back. He's a brick wall down there.
• Ponomarev and Rust have each had like, three Grade-A chances on Murashov and can't beat him. Some frustrated looks after, haha.

[FLPensFan]

Taylor reported a week or so ago that Nieto, who was supposed to be out 5-7 months (November/December timeframe) had been lifting weights (squats) and skating. He was on the bench yesterday at practice but not sure if he participated in anything on ice.

Today, Taylor reports that John Ludvig has been on the ice at camp. Ludvig had wrist surgery in April and was supposed to miss 4-6 months, possibly missing training camp or a few weeks of the season. Like Nieto, Ludvig appears to be well ahead of schedule.

Some line combos (split into two teams, not sure which set of players is with which....in other words, Malkin may not be on the same team as Bunting/Rakell:

Drew O'Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Anthony Beauvillier-Evgeni Malkin-Kevin Hayes
Michael Bunting-Lars Eller-Rickard Rakell
Jesse Puljujarvi-Noel Acciari-Valtteri Puustinen

Petterson working with St. Ivany, Graves working with Ludvig. EK65 is off today and not practicing.

[KG]

Tanner Howe is injured and wont be playing in the prospect tournament unfortunately...

[Pitts]

Later in the session yesterday, Jarry and Ned left, and Murashov and Gauthier went over the the main rink with the NHL level talent. 2 comments from that:
• Murashov just robbed three guys back-to-back-to-back. He's a brick wall down there.
• Ponomarev and Rust have each had like, three Grade-A chances on Murashov and can't beat him. Some frustrated looks after, haha.

Lordy, Lordy!!! We might have a gem here!!!

[dark_forces]

Later in the session yesterday, Jarry and Ned left, and Murashov and Gauthier went over the the main rink with the NHL level talent. 2 comments from that:
• Murashov just robbed three guys back-to-back-to-back. He's a brick wall down there.
• Ponomarev and Rust have each had like, three Grade-A chances on Murashov and can't beat him. Some frustrated looks after, haha.

Lordy, Lordy!!! We might have a gem here!!!

It gets you excited. Could we see another Patrick Lalime or Matt Murray scenario where this youngster gets a chance and just doesn't lose? Perhaps the team starts to gain momentum and finds ways to score just enough to win games.
What a story that would be! Then you have a choice of goalies (Jarry, Ned) you could swap for assets.

[KG]

PTO day league wide: Yamamoto (UTH), Bellemare (COL), Pacioretty (TOR)

[Antonio]

Sounds like I'm continually hearing enough to tell me that if the organization didn't have it's head up it's ass, that Murashov should already be getting real game looks at the first chance possible immediately to see what is there. We will see if that happens, which I'm sure it won't. The really need to find a way to dump Jarry no matter what.

[Wyopen]

Where do Pens rank in the NHL regarding goaltending?

[Coffey Break]

Sounds like I'm continually hearing enough to tell me that if the organization didn't have it's head up it's ass, that Murashov should already be getting real game looks at the first chance possible immediately to see what is there. We will see if that happens, which I'm sure it won't. The really need to find a way to dump Jarry no matter what.

That contract extension last summer looks worse and worse. Not only is he ALWAYS unavailable when they need him the most, but to make things worse, him being on the team is holding back young guys like Blomqvist and Murashov from even getting a look.

[Puck-Lurker]

Sounds like I'm continually hearing enough to tell me that if the organization didn't have it's head up it's ass, that Murashov should already be getting real game looks at the first chance possible immediately to see what is there. We will see if that happens, which I'm sure it won't. The really need to find a way to dump Jarry no matter what.

Yeah, Jarry is baggage. I don't see how you trade him with his deal though. But let's suppose you could.

If somehow Murashov gets promoted to play tandem with Ned... You'd still have Blomqvist behind that in the AHL, Larsson behind him. He'd be fine as AHL backup and injury rash backup in the NHL. Gauthier might have been in the ECHL last year, but he was great at it and under normal circumstances might have earned a bump up to the A, but there's a log jam.

Jarry though.. ughhhh... he pretty much *forced* the Penguins to resign Nedeljkovic with his shaky second halves of the season. Ned's the lower ceiling goalie, but not a massive head case.

I don't expect Murashov up unless one of Jarry/Ned gets injured. Maybe he gets a game or two along the way and then he goes back down.

[FLPensFan]

Where do Pens rank in the NHL regarding goaltending?

I don't know anyone who has a good ranking on organizational goaltending depth. (new data for me to search for... )

I forgot the Athletic did a piece on this a few weeks ago, and had the Penguins ranked 30th. I thought this was absolute garbage. Part of the issue is they don't seem to be as high on Blomqvist, and they seem to have almost no clue about Murashov's upside. This report was more future looking, but the authors seemed to wildly flip flop on how they were rating the current goalies and the future prospects. They ranked PIT as 27th for current depth, and 18th for future depth.

Example, PIT was 30th, saying there isn't much more upside available from Jarry or Ned, and not being extremely high on Blomqvist or Murashov. But then Florida was ranked 10th because Bob was great last season (true...but at 36, where's his upside...not up).

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/564647 ... e-jackets/

[Wyopen]

Where do Pens rank in the NHL regarding goaltending?

I don't know anyone who has a good ranking on organizational goaltending depth. (new data for me to search for... )

I forgot the Athletic did a piece on this a few weeks ago, and had the Penguins ranked 30th. I thought this was absolute garbage. Part of the issue is they don't seem to be as high on Blomqvist, and they seem to have almost no clue about Murashov's upside. This report was more future looking, but the authors seemed to wildly flip flop on how they were rating the current goalies and the future prospects. They ranked PIT as 27th for current depth, and 18th for future depth.

Example, PIT was 30th, saying there isn't much more upside available from Jarry or Ned, and not being extremely high on Blomqvist or Murashov. But then Florida was ranked 10th because Bob was great last season (true...but at 36, where's his upside...not up).

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/564647 ... e-jackets/

Thanks FLPF. I knew you’d have the answer!

[Daniel]

Where do Pens rank in the NHL regarding goaltending?

I don't know anyone who has a good ranking on organizational goaltending depth. (new data for me to search for... )

I forgot the Athletic did a piece on this a few weeks ago, and had the Penguins ranked 30th. I thought this was absolute garbage. Part of the issue is they don't seem to be as high on Blomqvist, and they seem to have almost no clue about Murashov's upside. This report was more future looking, but the authors seemed to wildly flip flop on how they were rating the current goalies and the future prospects. They ranked PIT as 27th for current depth, and 18th for future depth.

Example, PIT was 30th, saying there isn't much more upside available from Jarry or Ned, and not being extremely high on Blomqvist or Murashov. But then Florida was ranked 10th because Bob was great last season (true...but at 36, where's his upside...not up).

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/564647 ... e-jackets/

In all fairness because of their age I think it's safe to rank Blomqvist and Murashov pretty low. For Blomqvist the 2nd season is usually the key since now teams have made their adjustments, so how will he? For Murashov he can be anything from a hall of famer with more wins than Fluery or never make the NHL. If Blomqvist follows up last season with a 2nd All Star season and Murashov shows he belongs in the AHL I think the ranking might be top half of the NHL.

For now I imagine it's low because of the unknown factor rather than skillset and it's smart to not be high on Blomqvist since it's so early in his career. If they're not high on him after an All Star 2nd season, then they might just be ignorant.

[KG]

Sharks are having their 2 big rookies, Celebrini and Smith live with Thornton and Marleau. Wonder if McGroarty will live with Sid this season?, like Sid did with Mario, Or is McG not considered a big enough prospect to get offered that luxury?

[FLPensFan]

Where do Pens rank in the NHL regarding goaltending?

I don't know anyone who has a good ranking on organizational goaltending depth. (new data for me to search for... )

I forgot the Athletic did a piece on this a few weeks ago, and had the Penguins ranked 30th. I thought this was absolute garbage. Part of the issue is they don't seem to be as high on Blomqvist, and they seem to have almost no clue about Murashov's upside. This report was more future looking, but the authors seemed to wildly flip flop on how they were rating the current goalies and the future prospects. They ranked PIT as 27th for current depth, and 18th for future depth.

Example, PIT was 30th, saying there isn't much more upside available from Jarry or Ned, and not being extremely high on Blomqvist or Murashov. But then Florida was ranked 10th because Bob was great last season (true...but at 36, where's his upside...not up).

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/564647 ... e-jackets/

In all fairness because of their age I think it's safe to rank Blomqvist and Murashov pretty low. For Blomqvist the 2nd season is usually the key since now teams have made their adjustments, so how will he? For Murashov he can be anything from a hall of famer with more wins than Fluery or never make the NHL. If Blomqvist follows up last season with a 2nd All Star season and Murashov shows he belongs in the AHL I think the ranking might be top half of the NHL.

For now I imagine it's low because of the unknown factor rather than skillset and it's smart to not be high on Blomqvist since it's so early in his career. If they're not high on him after an All Star 2nd season, then they might just be ignorant.

I don't think age has that much of an impact. If you look at the article, they specific broke it down into current goalies and future depth. I think the bigger issue at large is, there just are not many talent evaluators out there that can accurately evaluate goalies. The ones that are doing it are on at a professional level. If you've read Pronman at all over the years, he usually comes right out and says he's not a goalie evaluator and typically shies away from it.

So, because Blomqvist and Murashov weren't necessarily top end goalie talents in their draft class...nobody knows much else about them. Scouting goalies is a completely different skillset. You aren't looking things at top end speed, acceleration, physicalness, offense or defense skills, passing, faceoffs, compete level, motor, shot, etc. You are looking at lateral movement, positioning, angles, rebound control, glove hand, blocker hand, low, high, etc.

I'm not going out and saying Blomqvist and Murashov are the best prospects out there. But in his first season in the AHL, Blomqvist was 3rd overall in GAA, 5th overall in SV%, and 5th overall in wins. Hershey won the AHL championship, and their 2 goalies are the ones who were constantly rated above Blomqvist...and they are 28 and 25 years old. Blomqvist should be getting more attention.

Murashov didn't play at the KHL level much, so, I can understand why he may still be under the radar...but again, if there were a larger group of people even arm-chair evaluating goalies on a regular basis, I think you'd start hearing more noise on him.

I'd even through in that Gauthier is still only 23 and he was named ECHL goalie of the year. He's still seen as having a chance to play at the NHL level.

Too much name recognition, draft status, and getting second hand information to accurately rate goalies, IMO.

[Antonio]

If i remember correctly, Hasek the last pick of the draft or close to it. Goaltending seems be a thing with a harder curve for scouting and really just requires getting a look against real talent. So far everything i read indicates Murashov and Blom deserve that real look. The penguin way these last few years however, has been bury promising talent, promise real chances that don't come, and wait for them to leave the organization and/or the continent.

[Pitts]

Later in the session yesterday, Jarry and Ned left, and Murashov and Gauthier went over the the main rink with the NHL level talent. 2 comments from that:
• Murashov just robbed three guys back-to-back-to-back. He's a brick wall down there.
• Ponomarev and Rust have each had like, three Grade-A chances on Murashov and can't beat him. Some frustrated looks after, haha.

Lordy, Lordy!!! We might have a gem here!!!

It gets you excited. Could we see another Patrick Lalime or Matt Murray scenario where this youngster gets a chance and just doesn't lose? Perhaps the team starts to gain momentum and finds ways to score just enough to win games.
What a story that would be! Then you have a choice of goalies (Jarry, Ned) you could swap for assets.

I'm thinking more Vasilevskiy, Shesterkin, Sorokin, etc.

[largegarlic]

I do wonder if some of the lack of hype surrounding Murashov outside Pittsburgh is due to Russia being something of a black box at this point, especially after the Ukraine invasion. People are probably wary of traveling to Russia and skeptical about any drafted Russian player actually being able to come over, so they it's not worth it to try to get super knowledgeable about Russian prospects, and Russia might just be less well-scouted than it was before.

Now, we're getting some eye-witness reports that he looks like the real deal, but I can see why that hasn't filtered out yet to national media. I also think it's telling that (according to a Russian-language interview he did that I read somewhere...forget where) the Pens told him he'd be in the AHL this year. As we've talked about, Gauthier and Larsson are not total scrubs, and if he's getting elevated above them already, that shows the organization sees something with him.

[Puck-Lurker]

I do wonder if some of the lack of hype surrounding Murashov outside Pittsburgh is due to Russia being something of a black box at this point, especially after the Ukraine invasion. People are probably wary of traveling to Russia and skeptical about any drafted Russian player actually being able to come over, so they it's not worth it to try to get super knowledgeable about Russian prospects, and Russia might just be less well-scouted than it was before.

Now, we're getting some eye-witness reports that he looks like the real deal, but I can see why that hasn't filtered out yet to national media. I also think it's telling that (according to a Russian-language interview he did that I read somewhere...forget where) the Pens told him he'd be in the AHL this year. As we've talked about, Gauthier and Larsson are not total scrubs, and if he's getting elevated above them already, that shows the organization sees something with him.

Thing is... He's HERE. Not in Russia. He's not stuck in Russia, forced to military service in Nova Zembla and then to play for CSKA Moscow (the army). I imagine he won't be going back there for a while... Dude looks like a sure bet to be a tandem with Blomqvist from all I keep hearing.

[FLPensFan]

I do wonder if some of the lack of hype surrounding Murashov outside Pittsburgh is due to Russia being something of a black box at this point, especially after the Ukraine invasion. People are probably wary of traveling to Russia and skeptical about any drafted Russian player actually being able to come over, so they it's not worth it to try to get super knowledgeable about Russian prospects, and Russia might just be less well-scouted than it was before.

Now, we're getting some eye-witness reports that he looks like the real deal, but I can see why that hasn't filtered out yet to national media. I also think it's telling that (according to a Russian-language interview he did that I read somewhere...forget where) the Pens told him he'd be in the AHL this year. As we've talked about, Gauthier and Larsson are not total scrubs, and if he's getting elevated above them already, that shows the organization sees something with him.

Yeah, I'm a bit surprised at the Murashov to AHL...but it's a good thing for the org. It's not a good thing for Gauthier and Larsson. Because they often play 3 days in a row on the weekend, they'll likely need a 3rd AHL goalie...but he should be just that...a career AHLer on an AHL only deal. I would not be surprised to see Gauthier get moved at some point. Either thrown in a deal or an AHLer for AHLer type of swap. He has nothing to prove at the ECHL level, and with the clock ticking on him, waiting it out in the ECHL isn't really good for his career.

[Pens4Life]

We have really weird situation with goalies.. thats why the Larsson signing was even bigger surprise?! Probably regrets decision already..

[FLPensFan]

We have really weird situation with goalies.. thats why the Larsson signing was even bigger surprise?! Probably regrets decision already..

At least we can get a 3C anytime we want to...

[Daniel]

We have really weird situation with goalies.. thats why the Larsson signing was even bigger surprise?! Probably regrets decision already..

At least we can get a 3C anytime we want to...

That will never get old and is as much JR legacy as the cups. Okay maybe not, but it's still hilarious.

[FLPensFan]

We have really weird situation with goalies.. thats why the Larsson signing was even bigger surprise?! Probably regrets decision already..

At least we can get a 3C anytime we want to...

That will never get old and is as much JR legacy as the cups. Okay maybe not, but it's still hilarious.

Hilarious is Rutherford telling Rob Rossi to go eat another ice cream. (Rossi's parents long owned a Dairy Queen; they've since retired)

[Pitts]

Seems odd that the Athletic has Owen Pickering as the Pens most interesting prospect for camp this year and not Rutger McGroarty IMO.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Owen Pickering, 20, LHD

Pickering’s season started off on a concerning note, leading to a cut from Canada’s U20 team, but his second half was much better. He’s a big, mobile defenseman who can make a first pass and is one of the few bright spots in the Penguins’ pipeline. They need a young player to step up and help their roster, and he seems like the one with the best chance to do so.