Training camp is officially open. The Pittsburgh Penguins have invited their players to the annual tryout to make the big club. The team is the defending champion and really only lost Ben Lovejoy to free agency. That means there aren't too many spots to be had.

Over the course of camp we will be able to assess and evaluate how the battles are going at the forward position with such players as: Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, Scott Wilson, Jake Guentzel, Tom Kuhnhackl and any other surprises that may come along the way.

Today I am going to focus on a defensive player. That player is Derrick Pouliot. He is a very talented player but one that has not earned a regular spot on the team in spite of the fact he is very talented and has the pedigree of being a top 10 pick. Some reasons thrown out there on why that is the case have been attitude and preparedness, neither of which I can speak to.

Jim Rutherford has been talking him up all summer long and on the surface it worried me that a potential trade was around the corner. Here is the latest from Rutherford courtesy of Josh Yohe

FRIDAY INSIDER presented by @PointParkU: #Steelers address anthem protests, but no plans for their own https://t.co/A2lsVkgjNg

— DKPittsburghSports (@DKPghSports) September 23, 2016

“He’s had the best summer of any player on our team,” Rutherford said. “It’s a huge difference from where he was last year at this time. I expect Derrick to make a big jump. I truly do. He’s in a great position right now. He’s so talented. You’re going to see a different player this year, I’m telling you.”

There were more compliments from today

A notable D pair that sticks out is Pouliot with Daley. Can't get over how fit Pouliot looks. It's seriously impressive. -MC

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 23, 2016

I'll reserve judgment until the real games are played. But Derrick Pouliot's skating is jumping out - in a good way - during this scrimmage.

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) September 23, 2016

If you don't want to take their word for it just look at the player himself

Pouliot on his new offseason training methods: "Just trying to be a better professional." pic.twitter.com/SNRKpwnzDT

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 23, 2016

Then hear it from himself

Derrick Pouliot said he definitely lost weight this summer. "I’m not sure of the exact number, but it was quite a bit."

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 23, 2016

Derrick Pouliot on his improved conditioning: "Maybe that was one of the things holding me back last year from performing at my best."

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 23, 2016

He doesn't even look like the same guy.

I have been consistent in my praise for Pouliot in the past and this does not change how I feel about that. Some people have been down on him, but perhaps forget that not every 21 year old defenseman has a seamless transition to the NHL. The signs have been there for future success and it appears fitness has been added to that list.

It might sound crazy, but I believe there is a better than 50% chance that Pouliot is the better NHL player than Maatta when it is all said and done. Maatta is of course a solid player so this bodes well for Pittsburgh's future on the blue line if they can continue to keep Pouliot around with Letang, Dumoulin, and Maatta. Not a bad top four for the short and long term if you ask me.

We'll see how Pouliot's fitness transitions on the ice, but I'm willing to bet it will be very beneficial to the team.

Thanks for reading!

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