Pittsburgh Penguins Waive Ryan Graves, Assign Young Players to AHL

What's Happening?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced a series of roster changes, including waiving veteran defenseman Ryan Graves and assigning several young players to the American Hockey League (AHL). Graves, who has four years remaining on his contract, will be sent to the AHL if he clears waivers. The team also demoted promising young players Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, Owen Pickering, and Sergei Murashov to the AHL. Additionally, Robby Fabbri was released from his tryout with the team. These moves are part of the Penguins' efforts to trim their roster to 23 players ahead of the regular season. The decision to waive Graves, despite his lengthy contract, highlights the team's dissatisfaction with his performance during the preseason.

Why It's Important?

These roster changes are significant for the Penguins as they prepare for the upcoming NHL season. Waiving a player like Ryan Graves, who has a substantial contract, indicates a strategic shift and a focus on performance over contractual obligations. The demotion of young talents like Owen Pickering, despite his potential, suggests the team is prioritizing readiness and experience for immediate contributions. This could impact the team's defensive strategies and overall performance. For the young players sent to the AHL, this move provides an opportunity for further development and potential future contributions to the NHL team. The decisions made by the Penguins could influence their competitiveness in the league and affect their long-term player development strategy.

What's Next?

The Penguins will await the waiver results to see if any other teams claim Ryan Graves. If he clears waivers, he will join the AHL, where he can work on his game and potentially earn a recall. The young players assigned to the AHL will have the chance to develop further and may be called up during the season if they show improvement. The Penguins will continue to evaluate their roster and make adjustments as needed to optimize their performance for the regular season. The team's management will also monitor the progress of the demoted players to assess their readiness for future NHL opportunities.