The Pittsburgh Penguins have just hit the ice and top prospect Simon Despres is still around, contrary to reports that sufaced Tuesday night that the Penguins top prospect was sent back to juniors.
As I mentioned late last night, Rick Bowness Jr, the communications coordinator for the Saint John Sea Dogs told Inside Pittsburgh Sports on Tuesday night that Saint Johns never received any word from the Penguins that Despres had been sent down.
Despres is practicing today and was one of the first players on the ice. Top winger prospect Eric Tangradi is also still around and is skating with Evgeni Malkin and Mike Comrie on the 2nd line.
The waiver wire is 12:00 p.m. today and the Penguins have to get their roster down to 23 by 3:00 p.m. today.
Arron Asham (shoulder) is not skating and remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. He’s a good bet not to play in the opener. Asham has not been on the ice since last Friday.
Lines
Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis
Tangradi – Comrie – Malkin
Cooke – Letestu – Kennedy
Rupp – Talbot – Adams/ Godard
The Penguins opened up drills with these D-pairs:
Orpik – Michalek
Martin – Letang
Goligoski – Engelland
Despres – Lovejoy
*Engelland opened up practice as the 3rd pairing with Alex Goligoski.
more to come