On a side-note, I know Bjugstad is not a stats-darling and most here are kind of meh on him, but I'm a fan. I like how he uses his size to protect and move the puck. He seems to find ways to get in position and play responsible. IMO he's high-end vanilla.
- Rinosaur

Bjug is a weird player. It doesn't look like he's doing a lot. Then you check the stats and see he was tied for team lead in SOG.

He was pretty decent on the PK last night too.

Crazy that the only player worse than JJ is Guddy (given that it’s based on recent years and not Guddys 20 games in a Pens uni). Insane that a GM could actively acquire 2 of the worst defensemen in the league in the same year.

I’m curious to see if Gudbranson can tread water on the 3rd pairing. If by some miracle Gudbranson plays well from here on out for the Pens I’ll gladly eat crow.
- j.boyd919

Gudbranson was unbelievably bad in Vancouver, which is the bulk of his 3 year ranking. I honestly can't understand the turnaround, but he doesn't look anything like JJ's comedy of constant errors.

For me, the most important aspect is a dogged back check. Last year was non-existent. I think they'll be fine in the scoring department, I'll start to believe in this team if they work as hard at preventing goals as they do as scoring them. The game they played last year wasn't recognizable if you watch some of those games from the cup teams. Gotta insulate that D better.

FWIW.... The regulars were pretty damn good last night on the back check. Tanev made a great play last night taking the puck back after a giveaway. I think it's clearly one of the main priorities of this years camp.
- madmike71

Tanev, Lafferty, Poulin, and Bjorkvist were all very noticeable in that regard. Seems like that's the future of the Pens supporting forward group. I don't know how good we'll be then, but when those guys all break in looking to make a name for themselves we'll be a pain to play against like GMJR always talks about.

Bjug is a weird player. It doesn't look like he's doing a lot. Then you check the stats and see he was tied for team lead in SOG.

He was pretty decent on the PK last night too.
- Thorny87

Bjugstad just played a smart simple game and worked off the fore-checking demons he played with last night

New lines (same d pairs):

#Penguins lineup at today's practice:

Guentzel-Crosby-Tanev
Galchenyuk-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
Kahun-Blueger-ZAR/Simon

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Schultz
Johnson-Gudbranson
Riikola-Ruhwedel

New lines (same d pairs):

#Penguins lineup at today's practice:

Guentzel-Crosby-Tanev
Galchenyuk-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
Kahun-Blueger-ZAR/Simon

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Schultz
Johnson-Gudbranson
Riikola-Ruhwedel
- Tojo.

Interesting. Maybe trying to take a bit of the pressure off Kahun? So much for that instant chemistry with Geno Galch and Tanev.

New lines (same d pairs):

#Penguins lineup at today's practice:

Guentzel-Crosby-Tanev
Galchenyuk-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
Kahun-Blueger-ZAR/Simon

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Schultz
Johnson-Gudbranson
Riikola-Ruhwedel
- Tojo.

Kahun was very invisible yesterday. I don’t know that shifting him to the 4th is wise. He should be allowed some times to settle in, but at the same time I understand them wanting to see various looks throughout the lineup.

Phil who?
- Hockey66

Phil!!

Gudbranson was unbelievably bad in Vancouver, which is the bulk of his 3 year ranking. I honestly can't understand the turnaround, but he doesn't look anything like JJ's comedy of constant errors.
- Tojo.

I’ll explain the turnaround.

The Canucks organization completely lost their mind after losing 2011, more so how they were beat up by the Bruins. They’ve spent every year since including this talking about having to be tough. Gudbranson was expected to throw big checks in Vancouver, so that’s what he tried to do.

In Pittsburgh he is probably being told to play defends first and not chase checks.

I’ll explain the turnaround.
They’ve spent every year since including this talking about having to be tough.
- stackthepads

Well this doesn’t sound depressingly familiar at all....

I’ll explain the turnaround.

The Canucks organization completely lost their mind after losing 2011, more so how they were beat up by the Bruins. They’ve spent every year since including this talking about having to be tough. Gudbranson was expected to throw big checks in Vancouver, so that’s what he tried to do.

In Pittsburgh he is probably being told to play defends first and not chase checks.
- stackthepads

Didn’t Pittsburgh literally acquire him for more grit?

Matt Vensel
@mattvensel
·
3m
#Penguins announce roster cuts. Berger, Bellerive, Drozg, Sexton, Abt, Kim, Lizotte, D'Orio and Tokaski to WBS. Addison back to juniors.

First cuts

Matt Vensel
@mattvensel
·
3m
#Penguins announce roster cuts. Berger, Bellerive, Drozg, Sexton, Abt, Kim, Lizotte, D'Orio and Tokaski to WBS. Addison back to juniors.
- Rinosaur

Wanted to see Bellerive get a game but apparently he's hurt. Edit, after reading a little more I may have misread something. Disappointed a guy I have hope for to not even get a game, but likely didn't earn it.

Should we read anything into Addison getting cut before Poulin and Legare?

Didn’t Pittsburgh literally acquire him for more grit?
- Mr_Underwood

Letang, Dumoulin, and Maatta all got injured about a week before the deadline and we were fighting just to get in. Looked like a swap of bad contracts with Pearson to fill a need. Surprisingly, Gudbranson actually played well.

Wanted to see Bellerive get a game but apparently he's hurt.

Should we read anything into Addison getting cut before Poulin and Legare?
- Tojo.

He’s not ready. You could see it in against Buffalo.

He’s not ready. You could see it in against Buffalo.
- Rinosaur

I agree but that line up against the team that the Sabers iced made it pretty hard to judge anything. They were completely outmatched.

New lines (same d pairs):

#Penguins lineup at today's practice:

Guentzel-Crosby-Tanev
Galchenyuk-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
Kahun-Blueger-ZAR/Simon

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Schultz
Johnson-Gudbranson
Riikola-Ruhwedel
- Tojo.

Anyone want to tell me they gave that terrible contract to a fourth liner again?

Didn’t Pittsburgh literally acquire him for more grit?
- Mr_Underwood

I think he provides a little more than grit. He has a factor of quiet toughness. Not running around trying to take your head off or chirp at you a lot, but you still don’t want him taking your number because you know he can beat the poop out of you. I agree though I think he’s just focused on hockey in Pittsburgh and the gloves will come off if need be.

I agree but that line up against the team that the Sabers iced made it pretty hard to judge anything. They were completely outmatched.
- Thorny87

Yeah, but other young players like Marino looked just fine. The speed is too much for him right now. You can see the skill is there though.

Tomorrow's lineup vs. Columbus:
(https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1175132232790548480?p=p)

Forwards:
McCann
Bjorkqvist
Kahun
Agozzino
Bjugstad
Blandisi
Lafferty
Lucchini
Aston-Reese
Blueger
Di Pauli
Angello

Defensemen:
Ruhwedel
Marino
Czuczman
Gudbranson
Riikola
Warsofsky

Goaltenders:
DeSmith
Larmi

Tomorrow's lineup vs. Columbus:
(https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1175132232790548480?p=p)

Forwards:
McCann
Bjorkqvist
Kahun
Agozzino
Bjugstad
Blandisi
Lafferty
Lucchini
Aston-Reese
Blueger
Di Pauli
Angello

Defensemen:
Ruhwedel
Marino
Czuczman
Gudbranson
Riikola
Warsofsky

Goaltenders:
DeSmith
Larmi
- VeryModernMan

Man I wanted to see Legare in there again.

Man I wanted to see Legare in there again.
- 668710

Also hope he gets another game before they send him packing.

The main "problem" about our training camp is that there are (maybe excluding the 7D) no open roster spots at all...

Kahun was very invisible yesterday. I don’t know that shifting him to the 4th is wise. He should be allowed some times to settle in, but at the same time I understand them wanting to see various looks throughout the lineup.
- Rinosaur

I think we can largely judge certain pairings. Sid/Guentz, Geno/Galch, Bjug/Hornie. I think the rest will be shifted around well into the season. Guys like Simon, Kahun, McCann, Rust, Tanev etc will all be given chances to earn promotions.

On another note: I really liked DiPauli during the preseason last year. He's another guy that can really fly.....just needs to stay healthy. I'd add him to the possible call-up list with Lafferty, Johnson.

Legare signs his ELC. Very standard. $92,500 in signing bonuses each year with $70,000 in the minors

Man I wanted to see Legare in there again.
- 668710

Poulin had a good game too. He was skating fast and looking for the puck. The difference is that Légaré found the net with two nice shots