Penguins 2023 preseason primer: What you need to know as training camp opens
After not reaching the playoffs last season — ending a 16-season streak — the Pittsburgh Penguins cleaned house in the front office and made the NHL’s biggest offseason trade.
The Penguins reported to training camp Wednesday, with the first day of on-ice activities coming Thursday, here’s a guide to get ready.
What to watch
What to watch for in Penguins training camp
Here are some storylines to watch as Penguins kick off on-ice activities: the power play, their bottom-six forwards, Ty Smith, Sam Poulin’s development and the penalty kill.
Penguins depth
Center
Penguins are deep, but old, at center
Aside from a few debilitating injuries, the Penguins haven’t had many questions about their top two centers for the past 17 years. And that won’t be any different heading into year 18. Sidney Crosby, 36, and Evgeni Malkin, 37, again will serve as the top centers as they enter their 19th and 18th seasons, respectively.
Right winger
Penguins are all right with Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust on the right wing
Much like the center position, the right winger roles on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top two lines are pretty well set entering the 2023-24 season.
Left winger
Reilly Smith’s arrival one of many changes for the Penguins’ left wingers
The left side of the Penguins’ depth chart among their forwards has undergone considerable changes this offseason, including one involuntary, albeit temporary, alteration.
Goaltender
Penguins are all in on goaltender Tristan Jarry
The decision to re-sign starting goaltender Tristan Jarry to a five-year contract worth $5.375 million a season was borne out of a lack of better options in the free agent and trade markets as well as another more profound factor: Faith.
Right-side defensemen
There isn’t a wrong choice between Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang — just 2 right ones
At the dawn of the 2023-24 season, the Penguins have two of the best right-handed defensemen in NHL history in their employ. Newcomer Erik Karlsson (761 points) and incumbent Kris Letang (691 points) are seventh and eighth, respectively, on the NHL’s list of career scorers among right-handed defensemen.
Left-side defensemen
Ryan Graves, Marcus Pettersson lead the Penguins’ left defensemen
The Penguins are much deeper on the left side, especially given their aggressive pursuit of defensive stalwart Ryan Graves.
Training camp roster
Preseason game schedule
Sept. 24 — vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 1 p.m.
Sept. 24 — at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 — vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 — vs. Ottawa Senators (at Halifax, Nova Scotia), 6 p.m.
Oct. 4 — vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 — at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Addition of Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson excited to help elevate Penguins back to Stanley Cup contention
While only a brief comment made in passing, it offered a glimpse into the mind of new Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.
For Kyle Dubas, adding Erik Karlsson serves as ‘an affirmation’ the Penguins can still win
Kyle Dubas can finally sleep. At least a little bit more soundly. For the better part of the summer, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations has been quietly but voraciously pursuing Erik Karlsson, the dynamic whirlwind of an offensive defenseman who can tilt the ice anytime he puts a skate on a rink.
Mark Madden: With Erik Karlsson on board, the Penguins need to dominate on the power play
Erik Karlsson will impact the Penguins in every phase of hockey — including chances allowed. Yo, Tristan Jarry … buckle up. But Karlsson will profoundly change the power play.
Madden Monday: Erik Karlsson trade shines spotlight on Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
Now that Erik Karlsson is finally a Pittsburgh Penguin, the trade shines the spotlight even brighter on head coach Mike Sullivan.
Mark Madden: Penguins’ Kyle Dubas is a miracle worker
When talking potential trades, fans want to swap all of their team’s bad players for all of the other team’s good players. Fantasy gets presented as potential fact but is foiled by the opposition GMs not being stupid.
Last season’s Penguins A to Z
Corey Andonovski is still learning
Raivis Ansons needs to find a way to stay in the lineup
Isaac Belliveau could be a promising long-term project
Joel Blomqvist is a big part of the future, but not yet
What options are there with Jeff Carter?
This remains Sidney Crosby’s team
Jordan Frasca played catch-up in 2022-23
Mark Friedman fills his role as a depth defenseman
Taylor Gauthier moved up the depth chart
Ty Glover still requires plenty of refinement
Jonathan Gruden finally reached the NHL. Now what?
Jake Guentzel enters the final year of his contract
Tristan Jarry remains a mystery
Defenseman P.O Joseph finally arrived
Kris Letang’s passion got him through 2022-23
Injuries derailed hopes for Filip Lindberg
Evgeni Malkin can still be a dangerous player
Things never came together for Josh Maniscalco
Alex Nylander found a way back to the NHL
An injury derailed Xavier Ouellet’s first season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
It’s time for Marcus Pettersson to take another step
Owen Pickering’s time will come
Sam Poulin remains a part of the future
Valtteri Puustinen remains an intriguing enigma
Rickard Rakell has met expectations
Chad Ruhwedel will be ready for any role
Streakiness impeded Bryan Rust
Ty Smith’s NHL credentials are without question
Jack St. Ivany remains a long-term project
Lukas Svejkovsky can claim a more prominent role in 2023-24
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