Riley Sheahan to make Debut vs Oilers

Newly acquire center Riley Sheahan will make his Penguin debut Tuesday night vs the Edmonton Oilers.

Sheahan in Monday’s practice moved into Greg McKegg’s spot as the third line center, working between Carl Hagelin and Patric Hornqvist.

In Hagelin, Sheahan has a player on his wing with needed speed and the line should be an effective group on the forecheck. Sheahan is noted for being an instinctive fore-checker.

What the line, though, might be lacking is a player who can create individual high danger scoring chances.

Injury Buzz

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–Penguins center Carter Rowney did not practice today and early indications are he could miss some time. Mike Sullivan didn’t elaborate much but said today he doesn’t have an “answer” from the medical staff yet on Rowney’s status.

— Defenseman Matt Hunwick (concussion) skated prior to practice and is making “progress” per Sullivan.

Practice Lines

Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Conor Sheary
Bryan Rust – Evgeni Malkin – Phil Kessel
Carl Hagelin – Riley Sheahan – Patric Hornqvist
Tom Kuhnhackl – Greg McKegg – Ryan Reaves

Sullivan on Niemi

Antti Niemi was officially placed on waivers just minutes before Penguins’ practice ended and Mike Sullivan, as expected, didn’t go much into detail as for what the plan is going forward.

“He’s going on waivers and the organization will make decisions going forward,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan, though, did say the ideal situation would be for Niemi to go to Wilkes Barre and work on his game.

“That would be a great option, to give him an opportunity to get in some ideal circumstances and give him an opportunity to build his confidence in an environment that’s not as high stakes as the one we’re in here,” Sullivan said.

What is unclear for the Penguins is whether Niemi will accept the demotion and report. That’s where discussions with his camp stand and will dictate whether the two sides mutually terminate the contract or not. [/hide]