The Latest Penguins Buzz: On the 23-Man Roster & Tough Decisions still ahead

*Sidney Crosby will not open the season on the long term injured reserve list, where he ended last season. According to the Penguins, since he was injured last season, Crosby can come off injured reserve at any time.

Players on Long Term Injured Reserve have to sit out the first 10 games/24 days of the season.

Buzz in Penguin circles is that Crosby is about a week to 10 days out from beginning a full two weeks of contact and clearance for game action would not come after that, if things go well.

*James Neal's transition to right wing has not gone as well as the Penguins had hoped. However, I'm told the Penguins will remain patient and see how things go in October. Neal struggled mightily in the preseason finishing plays and in practices, after a strong start to camp in the first couple days.

*The Penguins gave no consideration to waiving Mark Letestu. But,