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Penguins 2023 preseason primer: What you need to know as training camp opens | TribLIVE.com
Penguins/NHL

Penguins 2023 preseason primer: What you need to know as training camp opens

Tribune-Review
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AP
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin celebrates with Bryan Rust, Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel after scoring against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of an NHL hockey game Oct. 13, 2022, in Pittsburgh.

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.

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Tribune-Review | Chaz Palla
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby acknowledges the crowd after he hit the 1,500-point mark against the Blackhawks on April 11, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena.

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.


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Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson conducts a press conference Aug. 9, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena.

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

Taylor Fedun commands respect

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

Drew O’Connor finally arrives

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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