Penguins Coaching Camp: Notes from Day 3

Because the Penguins draw nearer to the top of Week 1 in coaching camp, there are a couple of gamers and storylines starting to tell apart themselves.

On Friday, Staff 1 routed Staff 3 in a scrimmage, 6-1, and Staff 2 continued to impress throughout follow afterwards.

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There are some guys who’re making early instances for an NHL roster spot, and there are another storylines to control as Pittsburgh heads to Buffalo on Saturday for his or her preseason opener.

Some observations and notes from Day 3:

– The Staff 1 v. Staff 3 scrimmage was an absolute bloodbath by Staff 1. They scored three objectives in, most likely, a few minute and a half. I could not even end my tweet about it.

This comes as no shock, however there may be a variety of expertise on Staff 1. This was a little bit of a tough day for Sergei Murashov, particularly the three objectives in about 0.5 seconds. However the one one which was actually a cheapie from Murashov was when he performed the puck proper to Jesse Puljujarvi, who buried it.

John Ludvig, Rutger McGroarty, Bryan Rust, Tanner Howe, and Puljujarvi (2) had been the goal-scorers for Staff 1. Defensive prospect Scooter Brickey was the lone goal-scorer for Staff 3.

Related: Penguins Training Camp: Notes from Day 2

– Talking of Puljujarvi, he had a robust day right now. Not solely did he rating two objectives within the scrimmage, however his skating seemed good, and he was forechecking arduous.

The primary two days of camp had been a little bit of a multitude for him, so let’s examine if the work he put in right now will spark one thing for the remainder of camp.

– There are three guys who’ve actually impressed me to date in camp. I discussed Sam Poulin, and I am going to get again to Vasily Ponomarev in a minute.

However one man who has shocked in a very great way to date is Czech defenseman Filip Kral. He signed as a free agent early in the summertime, and – to be sincere – he wasn’t actually on my radar.

Nonetheless, Kral has gotten my consideration, and certain, the eye of the teaching workers as effectively. He is been in every single place on the ice. He has good offensive instincts, can shoot the puck, and has turned in some good defensive work in opposition to among the Penguins’ high gamers.

Control this man. These sixth and seventh defensive spots appear to be they’re just about completely up for grabs.

– We’ve mentioned Ponomarev at size on right here. But when his first three days of camp are any indication of the kind of participant the Penguins might be getting on the NHL degree, it’ll be very tough to chop him from this roster.

He was – by far – the standout participant in Staff 2 follow right now. He goes full-speed forward in his forechecking, he is good in his personal zone, and he is acquired some talent to go together with it. At one level, he was closing in on the net-front and swept a beautiful, nifty, no-look go behind him to a dashing Emil Bemstrom, who buried the puck.

I am, clearly, not in Kyle Dubas’s head. However by statement, he is paying shut consideration each single time Ponomarev is actively taking part in a drill on the ice. This man may simply break camp.

– I assumed Nikolai Knyzhov seemed much more comfy right now. I believe the primary two days of camp had been a little bit of a battle for him, however he was making a lot better reads and selections with the puck right now.

He is a darkish horse candidate for one of many remaining defensive spots on the roster.

Related: Penguins Training Camp: Notes from Day 1

– After a shaky day yesterday, McGroarty got here again sturdy right now. This was his greatest day in camp to date, and his expertise and hockey smarts had been on show.

Yesterday, he seemed a step behind. In the present day, he match proper in.

I believe what this man wants is simply to stay round camp so long as attainable so his progress will be seen in actual time. Changes come quite straightforward for this child.

– I discussed the chemistry between Malkin and Rakell yesterday, however I wished to take a second to speak about Rakell.

He simply seems to be actually locked in proper now. Up thus far in camp, his shot has been deadly, his conditioning seems to be nice, and he’s nonetheless exhibiting the identical defensive consciousness that was evident in his recreation final season.

He got here into this camp with a goal. I would not be shocked to see Rakell actually bounce again in a giant means in 2024-25.

– It is nonetheless early in camp, however I am liking the returns on Grzelcyk to date.

He seems to be comfy paired with Letang. They appear principally in-sync, and – as head coach Mike Sullivan mentioned in his press convention – he is an efficient “puck mover.”

I believe he is seemed stable in his personal zone, and it looks like the way in which he performs type of permits Letang to thrive in his personal consolation zone.

Once more, it is early. However look ahead to that pairing to stay collectively all through most of camp.

– New retiree Joe Pavelski joined Kyle Dubas and Jason Spezza within the Government Suite right now. Maybe one thing to control.

Related: Five Prospects to Keep an Eye on in Penguins’ Training Camp