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THURSDAY’S PENGUINS TRAINING CAMP BUZZ

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The Pittsburgh Penguins come into camp with a deeper team offensively and many questions on the backend.

With an influx of No.6-No.7 type caliber defensemen, things are wide open going into the eight preseason games.

“Our defense is fairly wide open,” head coach Mike Johnston said today when meeting with reporters.

Johnston spoke today of the Penguins being more active on the backend and is intrigued about what Sergei Gonchar will bring to the table, despite Gonchar being at the end of his career for a few years now.

“Gonchar is a player we like because of how he plays,” Johnston said. “He can fit into our system. I want to see how he handles camp, and how he handles the games.”

GM Jim Rutherford who spoke after Johnston mentioned he wants to start the season with eight defensemen on the roster.

“We want to start with eight defensemen just based on the competition we have going here,” Rutherford indicated. “Each individual will take care of itself based on how they play. Certainly, Gonchar will be a guy everybody will be watching.”

The expectation now of carrying eight defensemen only increases the chances of Gonchar sticking around even more. The key area Rutherford is watching in regards to Gonchar is if he can keep up with the tempo.

“He’s had a very good career,” Rutherford said. “We’ll see how much he has left. Can he keep the tempo [up].”

A team source said today the Penguins plan is to let things play out and see what comes to them on the trade market regarding a possible move of trading a defensemen to create some flexibility.

“We got some good young guys who could make things interesting,” the source said.

Derrick Pouliot, Adam Clendening and Tim Erixon are the top bubble players among the young group of defensemen. Clendening and Erixon would have to clear waivers to be sent down to the minors. Pouliot is not eligible for waivers.

MORE BUZZ

— Phil Kessel’s first preseason game will be September 22nd at home. Mike Johnston praised Kessel’s ability as a playmaker, saying it’s an underrated part of his game.

— Olli Maatta, Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang have all been fully cleared to play. Dupuis and Maatta have not played in a game since the 2014 calendar year.

— Eric Fehr (elbow) is the only Penguin not cleared. The team anticipates Fehr being cleared to start shooting in a couple weeks. Internally the team is looking at a November return for Fehr.

— Mike Johnston said there are one or two forward spots available and Bobby Farnham has a chance to win one of those spots. “Because of how he played here last year, he has a chance,” Johnston said.

— Jim Rutherford again today mentioned that Beau Bennett was rushed to the NHL. Bennett during the 2012-2013 shortened season only played a half season in the minors before he was called up to the NHL. Dan Bylsma pushed hard for a Bennett callup at the time. Rutherford, though, feels the Penguins should have started Bennett in the minors last season after he returned from injury while he still had eligibility. On the flip side Rutherford said Bennett is starting to develop a body like a man. The Penguins pushed Bennett for the second straight off-season to change his training regiment. [/hide]

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