There will be a few key names who start Pittsburgh Penguins training camp off of the ice.
The official opening of training camp is here and the Pittsburgh Penguins have a ton of names fighting for roster spots.
Despite the almost 60 players set to join Penguins camp, a handful of them will not be on the ice right away as they wait for injuries to subside.
Some may return in a few days, while others like Jake Guentzel will miss the entire camp.
It’s been well known and documented that Guentzel will miss the start of the regular season due to offseason ankle surgery.
What isn’t exactly clear yet is how long he will be out, but everyone seems optimistic it will only be a handful of games at the most.
Sitting out the start of training camp alongside Guetnzel are defensive prospects Nolan Collins and Owen Pickering and blue liner Will Butcher.
Collins and Pickering were also listed on the roster for the recent Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, but neither laced up for a game.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach J.D. Forrest said Pickering should be ready to go during the Penguins camp.
As for Butcher, he is fighting for a spot in the roster, but will have to play from behind due to the injury.
Butcher is a left-shot defenseman who will have a battle for an NHL role against P.O. Joseph and Ty Smith.
It seems set as a two horse race between Joseph and Smith, but if Butcher returns during camp, he could provide a solid push of competition.
Each of the injured players were on the ice skating prior to the start of full practice on the opening day of camp.
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