Latest Pens Buzz
- Stricter Measures Stopped Spread
- Simon, O’Connor
- Brian Boyle Latest
- Rumblings & Takeaways
Although Zach Aston-Reese and Jake Guentzel were breakthrough cases as both players are vaccinated, there was some second guessing in the organization and even frustration, especially from the head coach in the organization’s laxed approach at the start of camp. That saw Sullivan be the lead horse in pushing for daily testing and more mask wearing from the coaching staff and others around the players. The Penguins believe they stopped a potential outbreak in his tracks.
Things are tracking where Aston-Reese who has been in the protocol since Sept 27, could return to full practice after the weekend.
Guentzel who is asymptomatic, tested positive on Oct 5th, but could still avoid the leagues 10 day isolation protocol if he tests negative on two consecutive days.
Simon, O’Connor Tracking Towards Making the Roster
Two players who made big inroads to making the opening roster have clearly been Dominik Simon and Drew O’Connor.
Training camp has showed again that Mike Sullivan is a big Dominik Simon guy as Sullivan on Friday specifically named Simon, O’Connor and Danton Heinen as players who have stood out to him.
“I thought Dom Simon was really good,” said Mike Sullivan after Thursday’s loss to the Red Wings. “He makes plays and he wins puck battles and makes plays out of the traffic [areas].
Simon is just a player that Sullivan trusts and that’s critical for a fringe player.
Drew O’Connor for now has also played his way into being a player the coaches trust on the ice. O’Connor has been a revelation in camp. This was a player who last season looked like he belonged in the ECHL. It was a joke he was in the lineup. That’s how overmatched he was.
The preseason is such an overreaction period as the media and team sites need feel good puff stories, so let’s take a wait and see approach with the offensive production O’Connor has showed in meaningless games. It’s warranted to be a little weary.
But, O’Connor to his credit has made tremendous strides in his play away from the puck. He’s been a forechecking hawk in the preseason but also more importantly the practice sessions and that’s how you get in the good gracious of this coaching staff — Excel in areas away from the puck. —
“I think his two-way game is really developed,” Sullivan said this week of the 23 year old O’Connor.
Decision Time on Brian Boyle: Late Friday evening the Boyle camp was “optimistic” of Boyle signing a one year contract with the Penguins based off their recent discussions To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
MORE BUZZ
~RAPID TAKEAWAYS~
- Jeff Carter
- Sidney Crosby
- Evan Rodriguez
- Danton Heinen
- Sam Lafferty
- Prospects Buzz
— Good news on the Sidney Crosby front. He continues to track on the six week timetable. The Penguins don’t anticipate him missing much time if any at all….
— One player who might be losing a bit of a grip on a regular spot due to the emergence of others is said to be Evan Rodrigues……
— Sources say the coaching staff privately has marveled at how fantastic Jeff Carter has looked in camp. There’s obvious questions of how Carter at his age performs over an 82 game season. Carter, though, continues to look like the player he was five years ago….
— The Penguins believe they have tapped into Boston Danton Heinen and they’ll be able to play him all over the lineup, including spots with the top guys.
— Word coming into camp is that the coaching staff was pretty much done with To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
No Change: Sam Poulin, Nathan Legare: In eyes of evaluators in the organization, neither came in and had great moments in camp. They were steady but nothing more and certainly not ready to push for NHL action. As one source bluntly put it [hide] ‘There’s no Jake Guentzel coming out the wood work [among these two]’
— Mike Matheson dealing with a groin injury could miss the start of the season but the Penguins at this point don’t believe he’ll will miss much time at all. While the Mike Matheson experience sure has its ups and downs, he’s been a popular player inside of the room of who teammates believe is primed for a breakout season and takes another step forward.
— A Penguins source on the Penguins schedule to open the season to go with the injuries/Covid List: “It’s a gauntlet. We’re going to find out about Tristan (where his head is) real quick.”[/hide]
3 out of 4 points on that opening two game road swing in Tampa / Florida I’ll take it.
No Crosby, No Malkin, No Zack Aston Reese, No Matheson, No Guentzel game 1 not bad!
But we need to get some bodies back soon. Did POJ play last night know he recalled…
Wow this game was a peewee hockey game defense were transparent and shots were going through from both ends
Letang is in midseason form.
lol the Habs are getting dog-walked by the Sabres
You think when the penguins play the Panthers tonight theyll see Malkin vacationing in Florida lol
Yep…
Jack fuckin’ Johnson!!! LOL!!!
I know I was watching that last night and I’m like WTF… He is in Colorado’s line-up yikes
Andrew Yang
Npl suckss
So does his kind
A team that will be vastly improved and push for a playoff spot……The New Jersey Devils !!
So… anyone want to make their SC finals/winners predictions?
Tampa / Colorado
Avalanche get it done spoil the three peat..
you mean 10th rounder..
The NY Islanders traded Jarry back to the Penguins for a 9th round pick.
Npl’s favorite player black Kane. Won’t be on the roster on opening night
So all you Steeler haters they were much better. Najee Harris 122 yards rushing, Claypool 130 yards receiving, and Ben 250 yards no pics. Are they super bowl contender yet no but Clevekand and Cincinnati only one game up so we will see..
still hope for a wild card
Lol they barely beat one of the worst teams in the nfl at home. I’ll bet you $1000 they don’t get a wild card spot. How about it?
Time will tell….
I dont even know you I’m not betting a stranger.. The Steelers will be better. Kansas City, is 2-3 Las Vegas, 3-2 Baltimore probably 4-1 after tonight.
The Rest
Afac east sucks beyond Buffalo
Afc west isnt great
afc north we are one game back we will see !!
They have the talent….Claypool, Schuster, Johnson, TE Freimurth, Najee Harris, OL improving, and Roethlisberger when he has his head on straight.
AFC is a bit down Miami 1- 4 , New England 2-3, Kanas City, 2-3, Denver 2-3, Pittsburgh 2-3, NY Jets 1-4, all 2-3 or worse.
Raiders, Bengals, Browns only 3-2 one game ahead.
Three dominant teams Chargers 4-1 , Buffalo 4-1 (who we beat) Baltimore after tonight 4 – 1
Let’s go Brandon
So happy ZAR is still on the roster to provide that physical hard to play against element.
I feel like something might be coming in the hockey trade world.. Eichel on the move Anaheim Los Angeles !
Maybe Penguins add John Moore solid left handed defenseman released by Bruins.today.
Seems like Joseph again isn’t ready, Petessoon was not great in the pre season, Friedman horrible spearing penalty last game, and Rikola on waivers..
Eric Stahl is still out there as well…..
Agreed didn’t we dump his *** once already. That $750,000 we used on him could have gotten us Brandon Saad Who we fell short by $ 500,000 but oh no lets be cheap let him go to St.Louis !!!
we are going to get smoked the first part of the season. Sidney Crosby did participate in practice today for the first time that’s good….
No timetable for his return Malkin due back 2024//he is always injured and a mystery..
I feel like Simon will be around the organization until he’s 40.
I like Simon, always have. Sullivan’s assessment is spot on. He wins puck battues