The Pittsburgh Penguins’ preseason has wrapped up as they put together for the 2024-25 common season. Whereas the preseason shouldn’t be taken as significantly (for good purpose), there have been loads of takeaways and issues to maintain a better eye on because the common season begins on Oct. 9 towards the New York Rangers.
Youthful Gamers Standout in Preseason
One of many largest issues groups search for in preseason play is for younger gamers who can show that they belong with a corporation, whether or not they’re combating for a spot within the NHL roster or attempting to earn their method right into a depth function within the American Hockey League (AHL). This preseason was no totally different for the Penguins. Two of the youthful gamers who actually stood out of their possibilities this preseason have been 2024 second-round choose Harrison Brunicke and ahead Jesse Puljujärvi. Whereas each gamers are at totally different levels of their careers, with Brunicke attempting to make a reputation for himself and Puljujärvi attempting to stay within the lineup, they each had robust preseasons.
Brunicke’s play didn’t essentially present up on the scoresheet, however his all-around recreation as a defenseman stood out; he appeared very comfy with the puck on his stick and made loads of performs that stood out for a younger participant. His preseason play has earned quite a lot of reward across the group and the very fact the second-round choose remains to be with the workforce now says lots about how head coach Mike Sullivan thinks of him. There’s a good likelihood he earns a minimum of a nine-game stint with the Penguins to begin the season.
Puljujärvi, however, was in all probability the Penguins’ hottest offensive participant all through the preseason. He was given loads of possibilities to show himself to Sullivan and the remainder of the teaching workers and didn’t disappoint. He tallied eight factors (4 objectives and 4 assists) in 4 video games performed. The Edmonton Oiler’ 2016 first-round choose has bounced round a bit after not with the ability to discover his footing with the Oilers, and his play within the preseason is a much-welcomed signal. If he can translate his play into the common season, he may add chunk of secondary offense for the Penguins.
Different younger gamers who stood out all through the preseason included offseason acquisition Rutger McGroarty (who ought to push for a spot on the NHL opening-night roster), goaltender Joel Blomqvist, and Tristan Broz (he was despatched to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to begin within the AHL).
Damage Bug Bites Early On
Each workforce fights the damage bug all through the season, however the Penguins have already begun to battle it with just a few gamers taking place and limiting them within the preseason. It begins with defenseman Erik Karlsson, who missed the entire preseason resulting from an undisclosed damage that restricted him to working towards and skating away from the workforce for essentially the most half. He’s anticipated to be prepared for the common season however will doubtless have a little bit of rust to knock off his skates when he does hit the ice for precise recreation motion.
The Penguins are dealing with a unique damage subject with goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. After a powerful exhibiting final season, basic supervisor (GM) Kyle Dubas re-signed Nedeljkovic to a two-year extension this offseason to assist create a formidable duo with Tristan Jarry once more. Within the matchup towards the Detroit Purple Wings on Sept.30, Nedeljkovic pulled himself out of the sport solely 13 minutes into the primary interval with an damage. He’s at present thought of to be week-to-week with a lower-body damage, leaving a gap within the crease to fill within the opening-night roster.
Offseason free-agent signing Blake Lizotte was introduced in to assist the Penguins’ backside six this season however can be on the shelf with an damage, sustaining a concussion in the course of the preseason.
Blomqvist Steps Up
As we wrote beforehand, netminder Joel Blomqvist was one of many younger gamers who had a powerful preseason, nevertheless it didn’t begin that method as he struggled in his first preseason motion on Sept. 21 towards the Buffalo Sabres. Within the loss to the Sabres, he regarded a bit uneasy within the internet and ended up getting pulled after permitting six objectives on solely 24 photographs confronted in simply over a interval of play. That didn’t deter the younger goaltender, although, as he had a powerful bounce-back efficiency towards the Sabres on Sept. 24, stopping all 11 photographs he confronted and searching rather more comfy.
Associated: Penguins’ Joel Blomqvist Must Seize Massive Alternative in Entrance of Him
Total, the group’s prime goaltending prospect regarded like he was greater than able to dealing with his personal, ending the preseason with two extra robust showings towards the Purple Wings (Sept. 30) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (Oct. 4). It is a much-needed improvement given Nedeljkovic’s lower-body damage. Blomqvist will attempt to seize the chance to take an NHL roster spot proper off the bat this season.
Loads of Expertise Heading to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Because the cuts for the Penguins started to occur in all through the preseason, it turned clear there was going to be loads of expertise heading to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The AHL affiliate will see Broz, Owen Pickering, Avery Hayes, Ville Koivunen, Sergei Murashov, and others within the lineup. Whereas they might indirectly influence the NHL roster proper now, they’re value maintaining a tally of. Whether or not it’s their improvement or a promotion resulting from damage on the NHL degree or robust play, the “Child Pens” will definitely be an thrilling workforce this season.
Stable Preseason Provides Penguins Followers Hope
Once more, preseason hockey shouldn’t be at all times a powerful indicator of how a workforce’s common season will end up. Nonetheless, the Penguins had loads of vivid spots that hopefully will translate into the 82-game common season as they try to return to the playoffs after lacking out two seasons in a row.
