Ryan Wilson: Penguins and Sabres preseason game as exciting as you thought it would be Penguins and Sabres preseason game as exciting as you thought it would be

Haha I missed the game and apparently the great white buffalo. How did Dom score lol?
- 668710

On a Sid-like backhand.

Yea my big disappointment was definitely Zohorna. I thought he was gonna show some capable bottom 6 scoring depth here at the beginning. Poulin and Legare making it would have been a bonus for me.
- 668710

Admittedly I didn't watch the whole game. I was in and out of watching, but I thought he showed some good stuff. I think because of his size people have certain expectations for him, but I like the way moves with the puck. I won't be surprised to see him in the lineup, but a few players are making cases.

I think we're looking at the following and these are not exactly my guess for lines, just filling out the roster...

Jake-Jeff-Rust
Zucker-Erod-Kap
McGinn-Blue-Heinen
O'Connor-Boyle-Simon
Zohorna

Like watching paint dry or grass grow

Nah, I'm not the least bit mad. Simon is nothing but a joke. I will get plenty of laughs watching him screw up this season. Let's be honest, if Jarry gave up a goal like that we'd be calling for his demotion.

Jake-Sid-Simonizor
Zucker-Malkin-Erod
McGinn-Carter-Rust
ZAR-Blue-Kapanen

We have two NHLers and one AHLer per line. That's the best we can do.

Rob Rossi
@Real_RobRossi
·
2h
Defenseman Matt Bartowski released from his PTO contract with Penguins as they cut camp roster to 35.

No surprise here.

Drew O'Connor, Bellerive, Simon, and Pettersson all looked good. But did you expect a B squad scrimmage game to be exciting? Really?

It appears the Penguins are grooming him to be a low impact gnat instead of trying to tap into the offensive side of things. Bellerive had decent enough junior numbers and his 10 goals and 18 points in 29 AHL games last year was a bump in production over the year before when he had 12 goals and 22 points in 53 games. He is 5 foot 10 and 195 pounds and they seem to be pushing the physical part of his game.

Bellerive's game has always had a physical element. It's part of why I think he'll make it to the NHL. Skill wise, I think he's maybe a middle six, maybe bottom 6. But he'll play the type of scrappy, well-rounded game to stick on the bottom of a roster.

When I woke up this morning there was a text from a buddy, who's a diehard Avs fan, that came in late night while I was alseep that read "man, ffs they have Jack Johnson in this year's new promo video. They're definitely going to sign him. I'm disgusted".

Hahahah

When I woke up this morning there was a text from a buddy, who's a diehard Avs fan, that came in late night while I was alseep that read "man, ffs they have Jack Johnson in this year's new promo video. They're definitely going to sign him. I'm disgusted".

Hahahah
- MattStrat

Sucks for them lol

On a Sid-like backhand.
- Rinosaur

Nice haha

It appears the Penguins are grooming him to be a low impact gnat instead of trying to tap into the offensive side of things. Bellerive had decent enough junior numbers and his 10 goals and 18 points in 29 AHL games last year was a bump in production over the year before when he had 12 goals and 22 points in 53 games. He is 5 foot 10 and 195 pounds and they seem to be pushing the physical part of his game.

Bellerive's game has always had a physical element. It's part of why I think he'll make it to the NHL. Skill wise, I think he's maybe a middle six, maybe bottom 6. But he'll play the type of scrappy, well-rounded game to stick on the bottom of a roster.
- Tojo.

Why not get him going on the 4th line then, sounds like the kind of player we need.

Why not get him going on the 4th line then, sounds like the kind of player we need.
- 668710

A lot of Penguin favorites started on the 4th then proved ready for first line duty: Connor Sheary, Dom Simon, etc…

Boyle can play wing too right?

A lot of Penguin favorites started on the 4th the proved ready for first line duty: Connor Sheary, Dom Simon, etc…
- Rinosaur

Yea, why not give him a shot.

Boyle can play wing too right?
- Grinder47

Most likely.

Rob Rossi
@Real_RobRossi
·
7m
Jake Guentzel has COVID, per Penguins. Based on protocol he will miss opener in Tampa.

Awesome

Awesome
- Rinosaur

Lol, how long do you have to stay out if you test positive?

Awesome
- Rinosaur

Will they still put Simon on the top line if Sid isn't there?

Why not get him going on the 4th line then, sounds like the kind of player we need.
- 668710

Boyle is one reason. Heinen, Zohorna, O'Connor also seem more in line for a chance.

I think Bellerieve needs more time. He wasn't getting enough ice time his rookie year with all the vet centers they had and last year was short. If Zohorna sticks in Pittsburgh he shouldn't have any competition for a top 2 line spot.

Maybe he challenges for a spot mid year if he can create momentum.

Will they still put Simon on the top line if Sid isn't there?
- Tojo.

Who knows at this point. IMO this is an opportunity to give Poulin or Legare a shot. Since Heinen and McGinn are both natural LWs, Legare could slot up at RW. He's clearly not ready, but it would probably be good for him to get a game or two at the NHL level before heading back to WBS. Gives him a sense of what to work on.

Today's game probably gives us an indication since it is basically the opening night lineup.

Rob Rossi
@Real_RobRossi
·
12m
CORRECTION…
Jake Guentzel can play in opener at Tampa provided he does not fail tests twice moving forward.

Better news.

Today's lineup:

Heinen-Carter-Rust
Zucker-ERod-Kap
McGinn-Blue-Simon
O'Connor-Boyle-Lafferty

Dumo-Tang
Matheson-Marino
Riikola-Ruhwedel

I'm very much over the Lafferty experiment.

Today's lineup:

Heinen-Carter-Rust
Zucker-ERod-Kap
McGinn-Blue-Simon
O'Connor-Boyle-Lafferty

Dumo-Tang
Matheson-Marino
Riikola-Ruhwedel

I'm very much over the Lafferty experiment.
- Rinosaur

Is Pettersson injured?

Carter!