Latest Pens Buzz: Coaching Staff gives first glimpse of Separation among bubble players

The Pittsburgh Penguins will have their first dress rehearsal of mainly regulars tonight when they face off with the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena. Still a long ways to go, Wednesday saw Pittsburgh break into two groups for first time in camp as separation has begun among the bubble players.

Among the group making noise in camp, Radim Zohorna, Alex Nylander, Vinnie Hinostroza and Austin Wagner (PTO) all skated with the big group and have separated themselves from others for now. Zohorna has been among the most impactful players in camp.

Hinostroza is viewed highly by the coaching staff as an ideal 12 or 13th forward that can come in and give you a jolt anywhere in the lineup from time to time. Wagner, meanwhile is putting himself in position to being offered a 2-way contract from the Penguins and has impressed the coaching staff with his bottom-6 instincts.

A notable missing from the group is Andreas Johnson who according to a team source, ‘has looked nothing like an NHL [hide] player’ despite the golden opportunity he started camp with. There is great disappointment in the organization at how poorly Johnsson has looked in practice sessions and the preseason against meager competition.[/hide]

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OFF-WING BUZZ

With a nudge from the front office, Mike Sullivan has been asked and is showing a willingness at embracing wingers playing their off-wing. It’s something they’ve explored since the start of the camp and will continue as things are starting to get more serious.

Rickard Rakell, Alex Nylander, Matt Nieto and Austin Wagner are all expected to play on their off-wing vs the Sabres Thursday night.

Nylander has been an intriguing situation to monitor if the front office after thinking the world of [hide] Alex’s brother William, see’s more in Nylander than the coaching staff truly does. Multiple team sources have felt if Nylander made this team out of camp, it would be more of a front office push than coaches believing in the player. [/hide]

“Nylander got an opportunity to play with Geno and Reilly Smith. Alex is a talented kid. He’s got real good offensive instincts,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said after Wednesday’s skate.

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Penguins vs Sabres

Rakell – Crosby – Rust

Nylander – Malkin – Smith

O’Connor – Eller – Nieto

Wagner – Acciari – Carter

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D-Pairs

Graves – Letang

Pettersson – Karlsson

Shea – Ruhwedel

Updated 11:55 a.m. | Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan announced P.O. Joseph and Mark Friedman will not play tonight.

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Starting Goaltender: Tristan Jarry

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