Chirps from Center Ice

Oh, hi there!

How was your summer? Mine was awesome, never wanted it to end and I am enjoying the warm days we have left before the cold weather and early sunsets begin.

With the New York Mets ending a disappointing season by not making the playoffs, I’m slowly starting to begrudgingly foray back into the blog.

The Penguins, who opened their AHL Training Camp out in Pittsburgh this week, announced on Thursday their training camp roster, who I am going to offer some 30,000 foot observations on. Let’s start from goaltenders out…

Goaltenders

Maxim Pavlenko and Jaxon Castor

Coal Street signed Pavlenko to an AHL deal in June. This will be his first run on North American soil, and his numbers playing in the AHL version of the KHL (VHL) aren’t great, so we will see. I think he’s ticketed for Wheeling but may get a look with Joel Blomqvist hurt.

Castor should be familiar to Pens fans and will likely be headed for Wheeling.

Defensemen

Daniel Laatsch, Finn Harding, Emil Pieniniemi

These guys are on NHL contracts. Harding has the highest trajectory.

Tommy Budnick, David Breazeale, Brent Johnson

AHL contracts for these guys. Wheeling depth as more defenseman in Pittsburgh get cut.

Aidan Sutter is on a Tryout, was with Wheeling last year.

Forwards

No NHL contracted forwards on the team yet.

Aaron Huglen, Nolan Rewick, Zach Urdahl, Max Graham, Matty De St. Phalle, Zach Gallant, Gabe Klassen, Raivis Ansons, Brayden Edwards and Atley Calvert are all AHL contracted players. Guys in italics are what would classify as rookies.

Brett Murray, Jordan Kaplan, Cal Burke, Tyler Paquette, Kyle Criscuolo, Mike Posma and Matt Quercia are on tryouts. You should be familiar with Quercia from Wheeling. Criscuolo was with Charlotte last year and Brett Murray was with Rochester as two names that could be offered AHL deals and ones to watch.

Pittsburgh Cuts

Defenseman Scooter Brickey and Chase Pietila, Goaltender Taylor Gauthier and forward Aidan McDonough were cut Thursday. More on the way, just not yet. For Gauthier, it’s a (bleep) or get off the pot situation for him with a logjam at goaltender. Don’t be surprised if he gets traded if he doesn’t make the AHL team in a week.

Preseason Schedule

Kids day game with Hershey at 10:30 in the morning and then Saturday in Lehigh Valley. Instead of having four preseason games, they cut it to two.

Season Opener

Next Saturday against Hartford.

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I may have brief write-ups about the preseason action or I may not, but I should be back up and running in full next week with the first Weekend Preview.