Penguins training camp, then the first preseason game next Wednesday night! Cannot wait for hockey to start. First, the big news on the big two stars for the Penguins. First, Sidney Crosby has been cleared to participate in non-contact drills in camp. I guess that is a positive sign. Until he is cleared for contact, I cannot get too excited, but this is better than not being cleared. As for Evgeni Malkin, I have heard all summer about his renewed work ethic, and his desire to regain his form as a 100+ point player, and a top five player in the league. He is coming off of ACL surgery, but many said he could have played in the playoffs last summer if the Pens had made the Finals. That said, he came out today and said that his knee was at 90% right now. I was figuring at this point he was 100%, so that worries me a bit, but all in all I am really expecting a big year for Geno, because to me it is all about desire for Geno, and I think he has that back. I am hearing that the long term plan is for Neal and Kunitz to flank Crosby, but with Crosby out they are splitting their top two wingers between Geno and Staal. I heard that the plan is for Neal and Sullivan to flank Geno, while Kunitz and Kennedy will flank Jordan Staal. A third line of Cooke, Letestu and Duper has been mentioned as well. That would leave Adams and Asham for the fourth line, maybe with Jason Williams? You also cannot discount the Tangradi factor, and he could find himself a role in the top 9, as could Dustin Jeffrey at some point. I don't know what I think of that. I liked Steve Sullivan years ago as a pesky winger with some finish, but at 37 years old, his injury history and dimunitive frame, I think the Penguins are banking too much on him if they have him on the top line. Expect Duper back up there before too long into the season.
Defensively, Penguins insiders say that the Penguins think that Alexandre Picard could challenge Matt Niskanen for the 7th defenseman spot due to his ability to contribute a bit on the power play. Picard has six PP goals for Ottawa in the 08-09 campaign, and has a hard accurate shot from the blue line. He is a left handed shot as well. Two other defenesmen who could factor in at some point this season are Simon Despres and Robert Bortuzzo. Bortuzzo brings a net clearing prescence that the Penguins are lacking, along with some size, but his recent injury could set him back at least to start the season. Despres, by most accounts should challenge for and could attain a roster spot, but the Penguins will likely elect to let him play top 2 minutes in the AHL as opposed to bottom pairing minutes at the NHL level for development purposes. I could see the continued development of both of these players ultimately leading to the trade of a Paul Martin to free up cap space for more upfront firepower, and the infusion of youth into the defensive corps. For now, a top six defensive group that includes Orpik, Letang, Martin, Michalek, will be as good as any in the league. The third pairing will likely be Engelland and Lovejoy, with Picard, Niskanen, Bortuzzo, and Despres as the top contenders to round out the group.
IF the KID comes back by mid-season in any kind of form, this team would have to be a Stanley Cup favorite. A top six group that starts with Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Kunitz, and Neal, with guys like Kennedy, Tangradi, and Sullivan fighting to get that sixth spot would be a very intriguing group to balance a very solid bottom six, excellent defense corps and strong goaltending. Lets Go Pens!!
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