Potential NHL line combinations appear to be taking shape as camp progresses
Today's lines were:
Forwards
Drew O'Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell
Kevin Hayes-Lars Eller-Cody Glass
Anthony Beauvillier-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
Rutger McGroarty-Vasily Ponomarev-Jesse Puljujarvi
Tanner Howe-Tristan Broz-Emil Bemstrom
Valtteri Puustinen-Joona Koppanen-Avery Hayes
Defense
Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Sebastian Aho
Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany
Ryan Shea-John Ludvig
Dan Renouf-Harrison Brunicke
Owen Pickering-Scooter Brickey
Goaltenders
Tristan Jarry, Alex Nedeljkovic, Joel Blomqvist, Sergei Murashov
- Just looking at this lineup, this very much feels like this could be the final NHL lineup on Oct. 9.
As expected, the top-six looks to remain intact from the end of last season. The bottom-six looks, for the most part, what was likely to be expected once the summer dust settled.
The entire second half of practice was basically just an NHL practice.
Of note, Ponomarev and Puljujarvi remained with the NHL group. McGroarty and Puustinen practiced with the prospect group simultaneously. Definitely something to keep an eye on.
- First and second power play units got more work in today. On Monday, everyone kind of rotated in, but that wasn't the case today.
The units remained the same. The first consisted of Letang, Malkin, Crosby, Rust, and Rakell. The second comprised Grzelcyk, Hayes, Eller, Glass and Bunting.
All PK units still on the training camp roster rotated in. And, again, keep in mind that Erik Karlsson will work into the power play unit once he returns to the lineup.
- It will be interesting to see the next round of cuts. I'm stating the obvious here, but this is where you'll start seeing some bigger prospect names get reassigned.
I did mention before that Ponomarev and Puljujarvi remained with the NHL group. Some of this was likely due to the fact that they both kill penalties, and they were an extra PK unit for the main group.
As I said Monday, McGroarty, Ponomarev, and Puljujarvi have been working (perhaps competing) on a line together. If I'm reading anything into this - and that is indeed somewhat of a "competition line" - it's mildly interesting that McGroarty was sent to the prospect practice in the second half.
After practice, head coach Mike Sullivan said he is impressed with Ponomarev's body of defensive work, and there are still a few things for him to work on offensively. But he is happy with Ponomarev's progression in camp so far.
Again, all just stuff to keep an eye on. Things are still subject to change at this stage of camp.
- Sullivan mentioned last night after the Penguins' 3-2 preseason loss to the Sabres that Glass was using his speed to create chances. His skating stood out at practice again today.
His offensive upside is definitely noticeable, and his speed gives him an advantage. Assuming he makes the final roster, don't be surprised to see Glass get some top-six minutes.
- Ludvig lost his skate blade during a PK drill and had to scoot to the bench in the defensive zone. It was pretty comical to watch.
- The NHL group did some five-on-five work, and it was a bit confusing because Eller was sporting a gold O'Connor jersey and Glass was sporting a gold Aho jersey.