Penguins notebook: NHL, AHL rosters begin to take shape
Almost a week into their training camp, the Pittsburgh Penguins divided their roster into two groups Wednesday.
One will likely open the season with a road game against the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 12.
The other is scheduled to kick off the 2020-21 campaign with a home fray against the hated Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Oct. 16.
Wednesday’s first practice session featured mostly candidates for the season-opening NHL roster. They included:
Forwards — Anthony Angello, Teddy Blueger, Brian Boyle, Jeff Carter, Jake Guentzel, Danton Heinen, Kasperi Kapanen, Brock McGinn, Drew O’Connor, Evan Rodrigues, Bryan Rust, Dominik Simon, Jason Zucker.
Defensemen — Brian Dumoulin, Mark Friedman, Kris Letang, John Marino, Mike Matheson, Marcus Pettersson, Juuso Riikola, Chad Ruhwedel
Goaltenders — Casey DeSmith, Tristan Jarry
The second session included players who likely will make up the bulk of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ roster when the American Hockey League’s season begins. Those on the ice with that group:
Forwards — Jordy Bellerive, Kasper Bjorkqvist, Michael Chaput, Jonathan Gruden, Filip Hallander, Sam Lafferty, Nathan Legare, Kyle Olson, Sam Poulin, Valtteri Puustinen, Felix Robert
Defensemen — Niclas Almari, Matt Bartkowski, Taylor Fedun, P.O Joseph, Cam Lee, Will Reilly, Mitch Reinke
Goaltenders — Louis Domingue, Filip Lindberg
Coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the clear differences between the two groups. He also cautioned nothing is set in stone.
“The core group, I think you saw together (Wednesday),” Sullivan said. “That was obvious. We’re trying to put groups together that give us the opportunity to get substantive practices where we can continue to implement our team concept. At the same time, we’re going to have exhibition games where we’re going to be putting guys in the lineup here moving forward and there will be some movement (among personnel). I don’t think it will be drastic movement. There could potentially be a handful of guys that get moved into that first group.”
“Just because the groups are the way they are today does not mean that’s how the groups are going to be moving forward. Everybody understands that. That’s a conversation that we’ve had with the group quite honestly since Day 1.”
Health updates
Forward Zach Aston-Reese did not practice Wednesday and remains in the NHL’s protocol for covid-19 after he tested positive earlier this week. According to Sullivan, he remained in isolation per the league’s protocol. During that isolation period, players shall not exercise and shall not participate in any training activity or have any contact (other than remotely) with any other personnel for the duration of their isolation.”
Forward Radim Zohorna was also absent from practice. Sullivan said Zohorna is dealing with an unspecified illness that is not related to covid-19. While Zohorna did not skate Wednesday, he was assigned to the team’s second group of players likely bound for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Hallander participated in his first practice since training camp opened Sept. 23. He had been sidelined with an undisclosed injury after taking part in the team’s development camp earlier this month. On Wednesday, Hallander skated in a noncontact jersey.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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