Camp Countdown: Forward group has strong competition and few spots available

The Pittsburgh Penguins enter training camp on Friday with several NHL caliber players vying for an NHL roster spot but only one or two spots are available at the most.

The Penguins head into the season with 12 forwards on one-way contracts and arguably at-least seven players on two-way contracts who figure to battle for one of the final roster spots. For the likes of prospects Joe Viltale, Eric Tangradi and Nick Johnson, they should expect to have their bags packed for Wilkes Barre, while veterans Jason Williams, Richard Park and Ryan Craig will be among the intriguing players in camp on two-way contracts who are seen as fits to be carried as a possible extra forward.

The health of Sidney Crosby dictates a lot going into the season. If healthy, the Penguins top-12 is full down the middle with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Mark Letestu on 1-way deals. At the wings, Chris Kunitz and James Neal are penciled in as the first line wingers with Steve Sullivan and Tyler Kennedy the second line wingers.

Matt Cooke and Pascal Dupuis are the third line wingers and Arron Asham and Craig Adams round out the 4th line on the wings.

That scenario leaves one spot open to carry an extra forward, which would figure to go to a veteran like Jason Williams or Richard Park but with Dustin Jeffrey being eligible for waivers, the Penguins will in all likely hood have to carry Jeffrey on the roster due to fears of him being claimed on waivers.

However, a spot in the top-12 is now likely to be open, with expectations that Crosby won't be ready to go for the start of the season. From an injury standpoint, Jeffrey also remains a wildcard because it's not clear how much time he is going to need to get back into things, coming off ACL surgery in April. It's always possible he could start the season on injury reserve, if things don't go well in camp.

If Crosby remains sidelined, which is the expected scenario, the Penguins will arguably have around eight players (Jeffrey, Williams, Park, Vitale, Craig, Tangradi, Johnson, McIntyre) fighting for two spots in camp. The team normally carries 13 forwards to start the season.

The Crosby injury will likely force head coach Dan Bylsma to alter his plans early in camp and in the season. The Penguins have intentions of bulking up their first line with James Neal and Chris Kunitz on the wings between Crosby. Malkin would ideally slide into that spot and the team could have Mark Letestu or Jordan Staal move up into the second line center spot. However, it's likely the team splits up Kunitz and Neal with Crosby sidelined but look for Neal to remain at right wing.  Camp though is all about tinkering and exploring options so what we see early on, probably won't stick for the regular season opener in Vancouver.

1. Sidney Crosby - Age 24

Contract Status ($8.7MM Cap Hit): 2011-2012: $9 million | 2012-2013: $7.5 million | 2013-2014: UFA

2010-2011 Stats: 41GP - 32G - 34A - 66Pts

Buzz:Sidelined since January 2011 due to concussion symptoms, Crosby is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. The Penguins and team doctors are optimistic that the Crosby will be cleared to play at somepoint this season but it's impossible to predict when that will be.

2. Evgeni Malkin - Age 25

Contract Status ($8.7MM Cap Hit): 2011-2012: $9 million | 2012-2013: $9 million | 2013-2014: $7.5 million | 2014-2015: UFA

2011-2012 Stats: 43GP - 15G - 22A - 37Pts

Buzz: Coming off ACL surgery last February, Evgeni Malkin(knee) enters training camp at full strength. The Penguins intend to lean heavily on Malkin early in the season as the team's No. 1 center with Sidney Crosby expected to sidelined for an unspecified amount of time. Malkin's goal this season: Emerge again as one of the game's most dominant players.

3. Jordan Staal - Age 23

Contract Status ($4MM Cap Hit): 2011-2012: $4.5 million | 2012-2013: $4.5 million | 2013-2014: UFA

2010-2011 Stats: 42GP - 11G - 19A - 30Pts

Buzz:Unlike last season, Jordan Staal enters training camp healthy. After much discussion, the Penguins plan is to keep Jordan Staal as the No. 3 center, with situational games or shifts centering Evgeni Malkin, when the team has a healthy roster down the middle with Crosby, Malkin and Staal.

4. Mark Letestu - Age 26

Contract Status ($625,000 Cap Hit): 2011-2012: $625,000 | 2012-2013: $625,000 | 2013-2014: UFA

2010-2011 Stats: A player whose spot on the depth chart varies depending on Sidney Crosby's health. When 87 is healthy, Letestu is out of the top-9 spot at the center position, a tough blow for a player who showed top-9 ability, scoring 14 goals in 64 games.

1. Chris Kunitz - Age 31

Contract Status ($3.75MM Cap Hit): 2011-2012: $4 million | 2012-2013: UFA

2010-2011 Stats: 66GP - 23G - 25A - 48Pts

Buzz: The soon to be 32 year old is entering the final year of his contract and is coming off an excellent campaign, collecting 23 goals and a +18 rating in 66 games for the Penguins. Kunitz though has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons due to his bruising style, dealing with abdomen and groin issues. Kunitz trained hard in Chicago this summer and is fully healthy for camp.