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August Predictions for Packed Penguins
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- August Predictions for Packed Penguins
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Players are beginning to trickle back to Pittsburgh. Social media posts from players young and old indicate that Pittsburgh Penguins players are ready to begin training camp and will soon be on the ice in Cranberry.
A lot will be revealed in the truncated training camp, which will be less than two weeks long to accommodate the 84-game season, in which the Penguins' odds to win the Cup rank in the bottom third, and a reduced preseason. Despite many of the Penguins' 2025 draft class going to college rather than remaining in junior hockey and attending camp, the camp roster will still be overloaded with forwards, right-handed defensemen, and players who believe they just need a shot … but time may prevent them from getting it.
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Before the first puck drops in coach Dan Muse's second camp, the Penguins' strategy is not yet clear. It was over a year ago that general manager Kyle Dubas rolled out the red carpet for young players, stating they would be given preference, but after a run of rookies in the lineup, hitting a dozen by midseason, the team settled into a more veteran squad for a playoff run .
Will Dubas and Muse place emphasis on the Penguins' future, or more immediate results? Perhaps much of the Penguins' camp and initial roster will hinge on that question.
5 Penguins Predictions, in August
5. There will be no surprises on defense
Penguins management had plenty of choices before, on, and after July 1 to create a balanced blue line. They chose to give 35-year-old Trevor van Riemsdyk a two-year contract, even after Harrison Brunicke bloomed in the AHL playoffs and after they acquired Kaedan Korczak on June 30.
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They clearly did so with a plan. Penguins' AGM Jason Spezza shrugged off the imbalance, as TVR has indeed played on the left at various points in his career. Of course, he's not as good on the left as on the right, but the Penguins seemed to believe he was their best option for depth and balance. So, he'll join Sam Girard and Declan Carlile on the left side.
From this far out, it seems settled, albeit suboptimal.
4. Justin Brazeau will not make the team
Among the forwards battling for a spot in the lineup, Justin Brazeau had the most goals last season. He scored 18 in his breakout year, but was still in the press box for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in favor of Elmer Soderblom.
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The Penguins have far too many forwards for 13, maybe 14 spots. Somewhere around 18 forwards will battle for those spots, including Brazeau, Rutger McGroarty, Soderblom, Nick Robertson, Hendrix Lapierre, and Ville Koivunen . Barring injuries, only two of the five will make the team, and the Brazeau appears to be the odd man out with stronger options for the bottom six who are harder to play against and can kill penalties, which Brazeau does not do.
Filip Hallander expects to be ready for camp, too, adding to the battle royal.
3. Ville Koivunen will create falling dominoes
For as much as those on the inside like to be impervious to criticism and public heat, they are also human. There was quite the public discourse when Dubas plated and garnished an eight-year contract for Koivunen.
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Regardless of the efficacy or results, it was unnecessary. So, the team's decision with Koivunen will have cascading consequences. What if Koivunen isn't one of the best 12 forwards in camp but makes the team? That means Lapierre and others will not, perhaps costing the Penguins a forward or two who were lost on waivers.
If Koivunen convincingly earns a spot in camp, likely prying himself into a deserved top-six role that he held during his first recall at the end of the 2024-25 season, Evgeni Malkin would be shoved into a lower role, and the fallout would be significant.
Beneath the uncertainty and an unsettled roster, the Koivunen story is the lynchpin of several decisions and should be the most-watched.
2. Owen Pickering will show better than expected
Pickering showed well and was increasingly stout in the second half of last season. He began to use his size, mobility, and hockey smarts to lock down the defensive zone. Pickering is unlikely to make the team despite an opening on the left side of the defense corps, but his progression and hunger to prove doubters wrong and show the organization he's ready will lead to a robust camp and put him on the inside track for a future call-up.
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After a couple of years of adversity, he's found the scent.
1. Clarity will not be achieved
The gray weather of Wilkes-Barre might be a little darker in September with a group of angry players making the drive from Pittsburgh. In fact, there could be several players with multi-million dollar contracts who are learning directions to the Mohegan Arena and the Anthracite Cafe.
Even after the final cuts, waiver losses, and a set lineup for Philadelphia on Sept. 30, there will not be a settled feeling. There will be players in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton frothing for their NHL sweater, there will be unsettled roles on the NHL roster, and Dubas will probably do a little more tinkering.
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For all of the predictions and ponderings, the one that might be the truest is that they will continue even after the finish line.
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