As the Penguins draw closer to the end of Week 1 in training camp, there are a few players and storylines beginning to distinguish themselves.
On Friday, Team 1 routed Team 3 in a scrimmage, 6-1, and Team 2 continued to impress during practice afterwards.
There are some guys who are making early cases for an NHL roster spot, and there are some other storylines to keep an eye on as Pittsburgh heads to Buffalo on Saturday for their preseason opener.
Some observations and notes from Day 3:
– The Team 1 v. Team 3 scrimmage was an absolute massacre by Team 1. They scored three goals in, probably, about a minute and a half. I couldn’t even finish my tweet about it.
This comes as no surprise, but there is a lot of talent on Team 1. This was a bit of a rough day for Sergei Murashov, especially the three goals in about 0.5 seconds. But the only one that was really a cheapie from Murashov was when he played the puck right to Jesse Puljujarvi, who buried it.
John Ludvig, Rutger McGroarty, Bryan Rust, Tanner Howe, and Puljujarvi (2) were the goal-scorers for Team 1. Defensive prospect Scooter Brickey was the lone goal-scorer for Team 3.
Related: Penguins Training Camp: Notes from Day 2
– Speaking of Puljujarvi, he had a strong day today. Not only did he score two goals in the scrimmage, but his skating looked good, and he was forechecking hard.
The first two days of camp were a bit of a mess for him, so let’s see if the work he put in today will spark something for the rest of camp.
– There are three guys who have really impressed me so far in camp. I mentioned Sam Poulin, and I’ll get back to Vasily Ponomarev in a minute.
But one guy who has surprised in a really good way so far is Czech defenseman Filip Kral. He signed as a free agent early in the summer, and – to be honest – he wasn’t really on my radar.
However, Kral has gotten my attention, and likely, the attention of the coaching staff as well. He’s been everywhere on the ice. He has good offensive instincts, can shoot the puck, and has turned in some good defensive work against some of the Penguins’ top players.
Keep an eye on this guy. Those sixth and seventh defensive spots seem like they’re pretty much entirely up for grabs.
– We have discussed Ponomarev at length on here. But if his first three days of camp are any indication of the type of the player the Penguins will be getting at the NHL level, it’s going to be very difficult to cut him from this roster.
He was – by far – the standout player in Team 2 practice today. He goes full-speed ahead in his forechecking, he’s good in his own zone, and he’s got some skill to go along with it. At one point, he was closing in on the net-front and swept a gorgeous, nifty, no-look pass behind him to a rushing Grzelcyk, who buried the puck.
I’m, obviously, not in Kyle Dubas’s head. But by observation, he’s paying close attention every single time Ponomarev is actively participating in a drill on the ice. This guy might just break camp.
– I thought Nikolai Knyzhov looked a lot more comfortable today. I think the first two days of camp were a bit of a struggle for him, but he was making much better reads and decisions with the puck today.
He’s a dark horse candidate for one of the final defensive spots on the roster.
Related: Penguins Training Camp: Notes from Day 1
– After a shaky day yesterday, McGroarty came back strong today. This was his best day in camp so far, and his skills and hockey smarts were on display.
Yesterday, he looked a step behind. Today, he fit right in.
I think what this guy needs is just to stick around camp as long as possible so his growth can be seen in real time. Adjustments come rather easy for this kid.
– I mentioned the chemistry between Malkin and Rakell yesterday, but I wanted to take a second to talk about Rakell.
He just looks really locked in right now. Up to this point in camp, his shot has been lethal, his conditioning looks great, and he is still exhibiting the same defensive awareness that was evident in his game last season.
He came into this camp with a purpose. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rakell really bounce back in a big way in 2024-25.
– It’s still early in camp, but I’m liking the returns on Grzelcyk so far.
He looks comfortable paired with Letang. They look mostly in-sync, and – as head coach Mike Sullivan said in his press conference – he is a good “puck mover.”
I think he’s looked solid in his own zone, and it seems like the way he plays kind of allows Letang to thrive in his own comfort zone.
Again, it’s early. But watch for that pairing to remain together throughout most of camp.
– New retiree Joe Pavelski joined Kyle Dubas and Jason Spezza in the Executive Suite today. Perhaps something to keep an eye on.
Related: Five Prospects to Keep an Eye on in Penguins’ Training Camp
