Opening Night: Penguins Morning Skate Buzz & Notes

MORNING SKATE BUZZ

The Penguins open the regular season tonight vs the New Jersey Devils and there is more buzz about Jaromir Jagr’s picture being removed from the Penguins locker than there is for tonight’s game.

The Penguins are on the ice now for today’s morning skate and missing from the skate is James Neal.

Neal who is believed to be dealing with a minor injury, did not practice yesterday and has been regarded as questionable for tonight’s game.

Joe Vitale is again filling in for Neal on right wing with Evgeni Malkin and Jussi Jokinen. Despite Neal not skating, Vitale skating on the second line could be a sign that the coaches expect Neal to give it a go tonight. It’s expected Neal will be called a game time decision tonight but guess here is that he’s playing tonight. Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma meets with the media for his pre-game media session in about 45 minutes.

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Pascal Dupuis

Jussi Jokinen – Evgeni Malkin – Joe Vitale

Beau Bennett – Brandon Sutter – Chuck Kobasew

Tanner Glass – Dustin Jeffrey – Craig Adams

DEFENSEMEN

Brooks Orpik – Paul Martin

Rob Scuderi – Matt Niskanen

Olli Maatta – Robert Bortuzzo

Deryk Engelland