A few days back the Penguins made some low key depth moves to either help with the NHL or minor league roster. Pro tryout contracts were given to the following players.

The Penguins have signed forward Brian Boyle and defenseman Matt Bartkowski to professional tryout contracts.

Boyle and Bartkowski will attend training camp on PTOs. The training camp schedule will be announced at a later date.

Details: https://t.co/wLn9J42Atj pic.twitter.com/rUbfFRN2ji

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 3, 2021

No problems here. There is no harm in giving out PTO contracts. Brian Boyle seems the likelier of the two to earn a spot on the active roster, but even he has an uphill climb because of the fact he did not play professional hockey last year. He was capable NHL player the last time he was in the league



Brian Boyle’s ability to play the center position is the obvious thing that sticks out here. With Evgeni Malkin out of the loop for a while it makes sense to build up some organizational depth as there will probably be other injuries to centers along the way. Boyle also ticks the size and grit boxes the team has been talking about as well.

Matt Bartkowski is a local Pittsburgh guy, but I wouldn’t look for him to be making the NHL roster. He has only played in 3 NHL games the past three years. Being a left-handed shot isn’t helping his cause with Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson, Mike Matheson, and Juuso Riikola all potential roadblocks for him. If Bartkowski makes his way to WB/S that is totally fine.

Thanks for reading!

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