The Penguins have a lot of questions and intrigue heading into camp this year.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ training camp is finally upon us, and even more so than in years past, there is a whole lot of unknown and uncertainty for GM/POHO Kyle Dubas, the front office, and the coaching staff to sort out.
But it's not the bad kind of unknown and uncertainty.
For every one of the three positional categories, there will be some tough decisions to make. With young players right on the brink of full-time NHL duties and a plethora of new faces, this year's training camp could see some surprises, some predictability, and some chippiness as players battle it out.
With that, here are five predictions for this year's camp.
1. The Penguins will carry 14 forwards and seven defensemen
Always an interesting storyline to follow throughout camp, Pittsburgh has not been shy about keeping 14 forwards for the NHL roster the last handful of years. Historically, they’ve often carried eight defensemen.
But with the pure volume of forwards projected to be in the mix for roster spots, it’s hard to imagine them deciding to keep eight defensemen instead - especially when their blue line seems to be a bit more set than the forward group does. Plus, they haven’t been shy about using waivers on both fronts.
2. Three defensemen are waived
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Well, one of them is Ryan Graves,” then, yes, you’d be correct. There is a chance that Graves had a fantastic summer and will make a push during camp, but Dubas and the Penguins have already shown they’re not afraid to utilize waivers when it comes to Graves. If he doesn’t absolutely knock it out of the park, that is likely to be his fate once again.
The other two? Both Caleb Jones and Ilya Solovyov are on NHL contracts and are waivers-eligible, and given the fact that the Penguins have Trevor van Riemsdyk, Declan Carlile, and Kaedan Korczak in addition to the surefire roster bets Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Sam Girard, it’s highly unlikely they both make the team.
And, in addition to those other guys, a few young guys should push as well.
3. One of Tomas Galvas or Harrison Brunicke makes the team
The Penguins have two intriguing blue line talents in Galvas and Brunicke. Both are 20 years old, both are mobile and dynamic defensemen, and both have a brighter future than any other blueliners in their system.
However, it’s unlikely - although, not out of the question - that both make the NHL roster out of camp.
If Galvas doesn’t make it, he already verbally committed to return to his Czech Extraliga club, Liberec Bili Tygri, and is waivers-exempt. If Brunicke doesn’t make it, he is also waivers-exempt, and he will simply begin the season in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS). The waivers exemption does play a role, but once again, the Penguins have not been shy about utilizing waivers. Galvas had an excellent Prospect Tournament and looks pro-ready, and Brunicke had an excellent Calder Cup Playoff run and looked ready during that.
This is sure to be one of the most interesting positional and prospect-v.-prospect battles during camp this year.
4. Avery Hayes breaks camp
Ready for a more bold prediction? I believe Avery Hayes will leave the Penguins no choice but to keep him on the NHL roster after training camp.
The Penguins liked what they saw from Hayes in a 16-game NHL sample last season, when he registered five goals and even dropped the gloves twice. He has a useful and effective bottom-six toolset, he can be used on both special teams units, he blocks shots, he forechecks, he’s physical, he mucks, he grinds, and he has scoring upside that could be used in a complementary role higher in the lineup.
He would be a perfect fit alongside Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar on the fourth line, and he’s capable of elevating. His versatility and playing style are valuable to the Penguins, and they won’t hesitate to keep him if he earns it.
5. Ville Koivunen beats out Hendrix Lapierre
One just signed what many thought to be a premature eight-year extension, the other was acquired from a rival team using draft capital.
There is now a mountain of expectation for Koivunen, who, by all accounts, had a great summer in terms of training. As for Lapierre, the former first-round pick of the Washington Capitals has not yet met expectations, and he re-signed as an RFA on a prove-it deal.
I predict that Koivunen will win out here. Lapierre has to pass through waivers, as does Koivunen. But, if he has the training camp he did last year, Koivunen will win this battle.
