The first Penguins training camp practice is in the books and even with a handful of new faces and 2 new assistant coaches the scene the routine was similar.
“We were pleased with the progress with made on day one,” Mike Sullivan said who admitted the next 10 days will be different from even the earlier pandemic camp, since it’s on one rink at PPG Paints Arena and there were will be no exhibition games to try things out.
With Kaspari Kapanen absent until who-knows-when, Evan Rodrigues skated on Sidney Crosby’s wing, along with Jake Guentzel. “We like Evan’s speed and offensive instincts,” Sullivan explained, while adding that he and the organization have no indication when Kapanen will join the team.
“Obviously, it’s unfortunate,” Crosby said, “there was going to be some time to have a chance to play together in camp and kind of feel that out, but now that won’t happen” with the first game just 9 days away.
Sullivan said the 3 planned intrasquad scrimmages will determine certain combinations, mentioning Jared McCann as another who could slide into the top 6.
As expected, Evgeni Malkin centered Bryan Rust and Jason Zucker, Mark Jankoswki was between Sam Lafferty and McCann, while Teddy Blueger and Brandton Tanev were joined by Drew O’Connor fresh out of Dartmouth.
O’Connor is getting a look because Colton Sceviour was excused while his wife is having another baby. O’Connor scored 21 goals last season for the Big Green, which was 5th in the NCAA. While O’Connor would appear to be an extreme long shot to stick with the Pens, Sullivan reminded us that defenseman John Marino was in a similar spot in last season’s camp. Marino ended up being one of the NHL’s top rookies and just days ago received a 6-year, 26 million dollar contract extension.
No surprises with the defensive pairings - Kris Letang- BrianDumoulin and Marcus Pettersson-Marino make up the top 4. The third pair is two newcomers – Mike Matheson and Cody Ceci with Jussi Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel making up the tried and true extra pair.
Camp continues Tuesday and Wednesday with an off-day Thursday.
The open the season against the Flyers in Philadelphia Wednesday, January 13th.
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