Update 1:35 PM
Group C took the ice and did not take part in a scrimmage today.
Beau Bennett was lined up with Malkin and Neal today.
Jokinen played with Sutter and D'Agostini
In what could be a preview of the bottom pairing it was Niskanen, not Despres who lined up with Bortuzzo. Despres was with Engelland and from reports he did not appear to be in as good of shape as the Penguins would probably like him to be.
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Ok, here we go. On ice training camp has officially begun for the Pittsburgh Penguins and already we have a headlining story.
Marc Andre Fleury has picked up exactly where he left off last season, as a complete tire fire. And before I go on let me just say I get it, it's "only" training camp and it is only day 1. But let's be honest here, Fleury needed to start strong this year training camp or not.
Fleury's start to camp included giving up 3 goals on his first 3 shots, one of which was an own goal like the ones he has been giving up in the playoffs. Further damning Fleury was that the first two goals were scored by Tanner Glass and Craig Adams, not good.
I have said it before and I will say it again until proven otherwise Vokoun, not Fleury, should be the starting goalie for the Penguins. It is up to Fleury to win the job back in my opinion. I know that Bylsma and Shero have publicly backed Fleury but I'm still willing to wait and see if their actions line up with their words. If today is any indication of what is to come, holy cow.
It's only one practice session but Fleury's play did nothing to put out the flames from last year and that is discouraging.
On a bright note it appears as though Crosby, Kunitz, Dupuis line is back to their old ways of dominating the opposition. Their squad won the first scrimmage 5-0 and each player had one goal. By all accounts Crosby is flying out there and putting on a show. That is not surprising, but it is still great to hear.
Another development we were expecting to see at some point has already happened. Letang and Scuderi were paired together and their chemistry has been evident from the get go. Early reports have this duo on a path to becoming a very good partnership. This is also great to hear. Brandon Sutter made a comment yesterday about how difficult it was to beat Scuderi in a one on one situation. Encouraging.
As far as things go on the salary cap front the Penguins may have a team looking for a puck moving defenseman, and it's a team they have struck multiple deals with the past few years.
The Carolina Hurricanes found out that they will be without the services of Joni Pitkanen for the entire year, and potentially the rest of his career. Pitkanen was injured in a needless race for the puck on an icing call and crashed awkwardly against the wall severely injuring his heel. Hybrid icing can't come soon enough (they are trying it out this year).
Could the Penguins and Hurricanes come together for a Matt Niskanen deal? They could, but the Hurricanes will probably look at guys like unrestricted free agent Ron Hainsey first before they give up assets to replace Pitkanen.
Another interesting angle from the Pitkanen injury is that they have been rumored to be looking at Brenden Morrow but have had limited money to act on it. With Pitkanen going on LTIR it could provide the Hurricanes the flexibility to go out and officially sign Morrow.
For anybody wondering how they break up the players into groups, here is what they are currently using per Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune
Group A
Martin (7), Kobasew (12), Sutter (16), Jeffrey (17), D’Agostini (22), Conner (23), Mikkelson (24), Fleury (29), Leblond (32), Jokinen (36), Zolnierczyk (39), Drazenovic (40), Orpik (44), Gibbons (49), Pouliot (51), Ruopp (52), McNeill (53), Marcantuoni (61), Jarry (70)
Group B
Scuderi (4), Harrington (6), Dumoulin (8), Dupuis (9), Dupuis (9), Glass (10), Kunitz (14), Adams (27), MacIntyre (33), Kostopoulos (34), Vitale (46), D’Agostino (56), Thompson (57), Letang (58), Megna (59), Murray (60), Seymour (64), Crosby (87), Vokoun (92)
Group C
Niskanen (2), Maatta (3), Engelland (5), Neal (18), Bennett (19), Ebbett (25), Hartzell (31), Zatkoff (37), Sill (38), Bortuzzo (41), Farnham (42), Payerl (45), Despres (47), Uher (48), Kuhnhackl (54), Samuelsson (55), Malkin (71), Dea (74)
That's all for now. I'll update if necessary.
Thanks for reading!
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