McGroarty has been good since the first game. The only reason he'll be sent to the AHL is numbers. I've been surprised how good of a passer he's been in these games.

I've been bashing Sully for multiple reasons the last couple of years, but in fairness, he really hasn't had this problem in a long time. Making tough decisions on who to keep. Normally, we're talking about scanning the waiver wire.

It's only preseason, but credit to Dubas, he had a nice off-season.

Which is the crazier stat courtesy of Haase?

1) Noel Acciari has four goals this preseason. He had four goals all of last season. In 55 games.

2) Penguins who have had the puck on their stick the most tonight:
Evgeni Malkin: 1:12
Harrison Brunicke 1:11
Kris Letang 1:08

McGroarty has been good since the first game. The only reason he'll be sent to the AHL is numbers. I've been surprised how good of a passer he's been in these games.

I've been bashing Sully for multiple reasons the last couple of years, but in fairness, he really hasn't had this problem in a long time. Making tough decisions on who to keep. Normally, we're talking about scanning the waiver wire.

It's only preseason, but credit to Dubas, he had a nice off-season.
- madmike71

I think I’m remaining optimistic. Perhaps they make part of the decision on how the player fits and not just the individual. The Pulj. Eller McG line has single-handedly commanded this game. Why not keep it?

Which is the crazier stat courtesy of Haase?

1) Noel Acciari has four goals this preseason. He had four goals all of last season. In 55 games.

2) Penguins who have had the puck on their stick the most tonight:
Evgeni Malkin: 1:12
Harrison Brunicke 1:11
Kris Letang 1:08
- Tojo.

Brunicke.

No it’s not bad. Obviously Puljujarvi and McGroarty are way more important to the Pens than one year of Beau. I’m just saying that if he can’t be a third liner he’s likely useless to us
- Victoro311

There are always injuries. If these are the lines at some point:

DOC-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rackell
McGroarty-Eller-Pulj
Hayes-Glass-Acciari
Beau

You could put Beau right onto the third or fourth line there and be fine. Even the fourth line should actually be a theat to score. I still think there's value there.

Blom’s confidence rising

I think I’m remaining optimistic. Perhaps they make part of the decision on how the player fits and not just the individual. The Pulj. Eller McG line has single-handedly commanded this game. Why not keep it?
- Brownsoldier

Pens are never fully healthy, if they send him down McG will be back up before the end of the 2nd week.

They need to do whatever is best for these young players and their longer-term development.

For McG he looks ready to play in the NHL, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't benefit from a few months in the AHL to work on his defense, etc. Idk, hard to tell, but they should do what's best for him.

For Brunicke, he looks great but also like he could use a year to eat and lift weights so he can survive an NHL season.

They need to do whatever is best for these young players and their longer-term development.

For McG he looks ready to play in the NHL, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't benefit from a few months in the AHL to work on his defense, etc. Idk, hard to tell, but they should do what's best for him.

For Brunicke, he looks great but also like he could use a year to eat and lift weights so he can survive an NHL season.
- MickV

It’s not really the defense I think McG needs to settle into. He needs to get his physicality from college implemented

It’s not really the defense I think McG needs to settle into. He needs to get his physicality from college implemented
- Victoro311

Could be the same thing. It looked to me like he was thinking the game rather than playing it in the D zone. I could be wrong, it was the first game I managed to watch, but that's how it looked, and it's hard to be physical when you're thinking too much.

Could be the same thing. It looked to me like he was thinking the game rather than playing it in the D zone. I could be wrong, it was the first game I managed to watch, but that's how it looked, and it's hard to be physical when you're thinking too much.
- MickV

Yeah agree with that. That’s all tied together. Physical players need to be in flow to really let it out and he doesn’t look in flow yet, although I think he had a damn good game yesterday. It’d be cool to start the season with that line and see if he can continue to settle in without having to go to the AHL

Yeah agree with that. That’s all tied together. Physical players need to be in flow to really let it out and he doesn’t look in flow yet, although I think he had a damn good game yesterday. It’d be cool to start the season with that line and see if he can continue to settle in without having to go to the AHL
- Victoro311

Night and day improvement since that first pre-season game. In years past he'd make the roster.

Jersey looking good

McGroarty has been good since the first game. The only reason he'll be sent to the AHL is numbers. I've been surprised how good of a passer he's been in these games.

I've been bashing Sully for multiple reasons the last couple of years, but in fairness, he really hasn't had this problem in a long time. Making tough decisions on who to keep. Normally, we're talking about scanning the waiver wire.

It's only preseason, but credit to Dubas, he had a nice off-season.
- madmike71

😆😆😆😆😆

Ludvig claimed by the Avs. Everyone else clears.

I was hoping he'd clear because I think his game just needs some cleaning up that he could have done in the AHL, but ultimately like all the guys on waivers they have multiple options in front of them.

Watching the devils-sabres highlights that nj Defense looks pretty damn impressive. Big and nasty. If they stay healthy this year I think they challenge to win the metro. Granted they were playing Buffalo haha.

But them being good sucks for us.

Rosters are due tomorrow so anyone to going on waivers has to be put on today. A few spots still to be decided

Goalie
Jarry is a lock. Ned is likely too injured. Blomqvist likely gets the backup for now. Easy one to figure.

Defense
Locks 5: Letang, Karlsson, Pettersson, Gryz, Graves
Open 2-3: St. Ivany and Brunicke seem to be battling for the third RD job. Neither require waivers and would probably be better off playing, so it's possible that whoever doesn't win the job doesn't make the opening roster.

Aho and Shea both seem solid seventh D and both require waivers. Pens could keep both since they have room for either a 14th forward or 8th D, but they could also use that spot for an extended look at a younger player like McGroarty or Brunicke that they aren't sure about how long they'd be here yet.

Forwards
Locks 11: Crosby, Malkin, Rackell, Bunting, DOC, Beau, Eller, Puljujarvi, Accairi, Glass, Hayes

Injuries:
Rust is banged up so maybe he starts on IR and opens a spot otherwise he's a lock. Nieto is out. Lizotte is probably out but he'd make the team if he recovers soon. Ponomarev is both injured and wouldn't make the team anyways.

Open 1-3:
McGroarty, Puustinen, and Imama are left. Puustinen and Imama would need waivers. If Rust is healthy only one might make it. McGroarty as the top prospect should either play in the top 9 or be sent back, but he's easily the best. If he stays temporarily or they aren't sure about Rust, carrying 14 forwards seems a good idea.

Watching the devils-sabres highlights that nj Defense looks pretty damn impressive. Big and nasty. If they stay healthy this year I think they challenge to win the metro. Granted they were playing Buffalo haha.

But them being good sucks for us.
- 10inchTerror

And pesce should be back for next game

And Luke Hughes is out

But looking good 👍

Watching the devils-sabres highlights that nj Defense looks pretty damn impressive. Big and nasty. If they stay healthy this year I think they challenge to win the metro. Granted they were playing Buffalo haha.

But them being good sucks for us.
- 10inchTerror

Yeah I was saying this the other day. Most had them challenging for 1st in Metro last season but a combo of really bad injury luck, to really important players, and sub par goaltending did them in. They're a potent lineup this season.

And pesce should be back for next game

And Luke Hughes is out

But looking good 👍
- dmarsden2988

Dillon is a touch old but I remember hating him in his Washington days. Can be pretty nasty. And a healthy Dougie will be huge. Nemec and Hughes coming up. All your stars locked in for cheap with massive cap increases now. And if markstrom is your goaltender this could be one hell of a team.

Dillon is a touch old but I remember hating him in his Washington days. Can be pretty nasty. And a healthy Dougie will be huge. Nemec and Hughes coming up. All your stars locked in for cheap with massive cap increases now. And if markstrom is your goaltender this could be one hell of a team.
- 10inchTerror

Did you see his save?

https://youtu.be/deaTtNnsLZI?si=37zAn12C8F1ZoxFH

Aho and Imama are on waivers.

That means Puustinen and Shea have made the team.

Quite the accomplishment for Shea to beat out Ludvig, who was ahead of him all last year, and Aho who just got a 2 year, one way deal just this off-season.

I got the Pens at 12 forwards and 6 D locked in. Will add one each and can add a second of one if they want. So likely four guys for three spots

Forwards: Rust if healthy takes the forwards to 13. McGroarty is likely on the opening roster if Rust is out, or both could be kept.

Defense: St. Ivany and Brunicke are still both possibilities for defense. And both could still be on the opening roster if they go with 8 D. It makes sense to me to just keep the one that is playing since Karlsson sounds ready, but if they want to play it out longer they have to at least keep Brunicke while St. Ivany certainly deserves a spot as well.

My guess is if Rust is up in the air for opening night, but not hurt enough to put on IR, they'll keep 14 forwards for now. Rust out opens up a spot for McGroarty to play and we probably see the lines from last preseason game.

In that case they decide between Brunicke and St. Ivany. I don't know if they made up their mind yet, but if they aren't sure, keeping Brunicke for a few games is the easier call since you can change that later if he isn't ready.

I have this gut feeling Dubas is going to be watching waivers and Puustinen will get waivered if we claim someone.

Did you see his save?

https://youtu.be/deaTtNnsLZI?si=37zAn12C8F1ZoxFH
- dmarsden2988

Yeah. I think he’s stoked to be on a competitive team finally. Looks like he’s ready to rock.