Penguins lineup vs Detroit; Latest on Kobasew’s future; Coaches feel Jeffrey is having a strong camp

The Penguins wrapup the preseason tonight in Detroit for their final tuneup before next weeks regular season opener:

The team is pretty much dressing a regular lineup, minus Paul Martin and Matt D’Agostini (lower body)…..Jussi Jokinen gets his second look with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal…..Marc Andre Fleury gets the start in goal.

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Pascal Dupuis

Jussi Jokinen – Evgeni Malkin – James Neal

Beau Bennett – Brandon Sutter – Chuck Kobasew

Tanner Glass – Dustin Jeffrey – Craig Adams

Rob Scuderi – Kris Letang

Brooks Orpik – Deryk Engelland

Matt Niskanen – Robert Bortuzzo

MARC ANDRE FLEURY

The Pittsburgh Penguins have opened up preliminary discussions on a contract for Chuck Kobasew, sources say, and are making an attempt to sign him. Two burning questions is whether there’s a number that works for both sides and how the Penguins fit Kobasew in.

Kobasew is looking for around $925,000, while the Penguins are more in the Matt D’Agostini range, $550,000. We’ll see where this goes but the Penguins are trying to sign Kobasew. I get the sense Kobasew’s camp believes there will be other options for him. Kobasew’s PTO expires this week.

If the two sides strike a deal, who loses a roster spot upfront? The general sense has been Dustin Jeffrey but the coaches believe Jeffrey is having a very strong camp and they value his versatility.

He’s surely a bubble player but the staff is still not sold on Joe Vitale being a full-time regular as the 4th line center.

Tomas Vokoun has been released from the hospital, head coach Dan Bylsma said today. The Penguins still have no idea on a specific timetable for Vokoun but I’m told the team is preparing for Vokoun to be sidelined at least two to three months.

Right now it appears the team will stand still until they find out exactly how long Vokoun will be out. Outside options have not been ruled out, pending the length of Vokoun’s absence.

Vokoun’s injury, though, further complicates the Penguins cap situation. He will start the year on injured reserve but he can’t go onto long term injured reserve until after 10 games. So for the immediate future, the Penguins will be carrying three goalies against the cap.

Simon Despres will be re-assigned to Wilkes Barre and Beau Bennett might be making some fake trips to Wheeling prior to the season to get the Penguins under.