Pens plan to finalize camp roster internally on Wednesday; Is Despres in camp plans?

The Penguins are expecting training camp to open on Saturday or Sunday (likely Sunday) of this week with the season starting on Saturday January 19th. Teams were informed today that camps won't open no later than Sunday.

The NHL is looking to highlight rival matchups in the NHL season kicking off on Saturday the 19th and all signs continue to point to the Penguins facing the Flyers in Philadelphia for an afternoon start. The Tribune-Review first reported last week of the likelihood of Pittsburgh opening the season in Philadelphia. Word is a home and home series between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is likely.

With a 48 game schedule in place, teams will play four games each against two divisional opponents, five games each against two divisional opponents and three games each against 10 conference rivals.

The Penguins brass hope to finalize their camp roster internally on Wednesday as they are now getting more details on rules for camp, ect.

The plan is to carry around 25 to 26 players with 15 forwards and likely 8 defensemen, although that number could end up being 9.

As of today, the Penguins still plan to bring Beau Bennett into camp and give him a look on the top-2 lines.

Expectations are 14 of the 15 forwards in camp will be Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby, Pascal Dupuis, James Neal, Evgeni Malkin, Matt Cooke, Brandon Sutter, Tyler Kennedy, Tanner Glass, Joe Vitale, Craig Adams, Eric Tangradi, Dustin Jeffrey and Beau Bennett.

With the decision for now to bring Bennett into camp, tying up 14 spots, are the Penguins considering any outside options to bring into camp at the forward position on a tryout basis?