Changes to Penguins Pro Scouting Staff, little to no changes to amateur scouting staff so far since Shero’s firing

Amateur Scouting Staff at the top remains in place for now

Ray Shero’s poor drafts, at least at the forward position, have not led to his buddies in the amateur scouting department lose their jobs and they were the ones who were really doing the drafting, not Shero.

With amateur scouts in the organization already starting their assignments for 2014-2015 season and most given assurances they have been retained, the Penguins are not planning any significant changes to the amateur scouting staff.

Former NHL GM Randy Sexton, the Penguins co-director of amateur scouting, has developed a great relationship with GM Jim Rutherford and it’s been a near certainty he was going to be retained very early into Rutherford’s tenure.

The individual whose future with the organization has been considered murky is Jay Heinbuck, co-director of amateur scouting, because of his close ties to Shero. Heinbuck entering his ninth season with the Penguins has very close ties to Shero since his days at St. Lawrence University, and was hired by the team in August 2006, replacing Greg Malone as the director of amateur scouting. A change at the top would normally be made by now and amateur scouts are still reporting directly to both Heinbuck and Sexton.

Where there’s been changes is with the pro scouting staff.

Derek Clancey also hired in 2006, remains in place as director of pro scouting, but under him is where the changes have happened. The Penguins two primary pro scouts the last three years are no longer with the organization. Don Waddell left the organization this summer to join the Hurricanes organization in more of a business role, Penguins weren’t planning to bring him back anyways, and Pittsburgh has opted to not retain Andre Savard, a holdover from Michel Therrien’s coaching staff and had been one of the Penguins top pro scouts since 2010.

The Penguins for now have elevated Al Santilli to a new role from amateur scout to pro scout this month. Santilli has been with the organization for the past couple years and his primary base will be in the New England and New York area.

NHL CAMPS EXPECTED TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 18TH

We’re just over two weeks away from NHL camps opening up. NHL camps are expected to open September 18th. NHL teams are permitted to have players report on September 17th with first on-ice sessions being September 18, according to an NHL official.

The Penguins first preseason game is September 22 vs Detroit.

Days before camps open, Penguins prospects will play in a Rookie Tournament September 13-16 in London, Ontario.

The Penguins will play Ottawa on September 13, Chicago on September 14 and Toronto on September 16.

Top forward prospect Kasperi Kapanen will be participating as will Scott Harrington and Brian Dumoulin on the backend. Top goaltending prospects Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray will be the two goaltenders.