Game three of the Pittsburgh Penguins preseason slate is scheduled for later this evening as they head west to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be the first of two road preseason games, with the second coming on Saturday in the preseason finale. Most importantly, the countdown to the regular season is now under a week with the Penguins set to take on the Philadelphia Flyers in just six days time. Until then, it’s roster battles galore as the preseason moves along.
Pens Points…
Tonight’s roster in Columbus
doesn’t feature any of the big names, but given who will be making the trip, it will make for some interesting position battles to keep an eye on. Sergei Murashov is the only goalie of note chosen for the game so expect him to get all 60 minutes of action. [Pensburgh]
A good chunk of the Penguins opening night lineup is already set, but there are a few spots still on offer with more bodies competing for those spots than are available. Through two preseason games, some players have made a better case than others to grab one of those openings. [Pensburgh]
A handful of players we know will not be making the roster were cut from camp on Wednesday, though none were a surprise. Six players, all defensemen, were sent down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while fellow defenseman and 2026 draft pick Tomas Galvas was loaned back to his Czech club. [Pensburgh]
Another notable cut from the training camp roster was goaltender Taylor Gauthier. The longtime ECHL goalie with the Wheeling Nailers will be placed on waivers and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. [Trib Live]
Kaeden Korczak will be one of the new faces in a Penguins uniform this season after being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights. Still only 25 years old, Korczak is hoping to make an immediate impact with the Penguins and show he was worth taking the risk. [Penguins]
It’s starting to feel like now or never for Rutger McGroarty and he’s very aware the clock is ticking. Coming off a year where he battled injury but had a solid AHL campaign, the young forward is ready to prove he belongs as a full time NHL player. [PPG]
Another situation where you could say it’s now or never for the player is defenseman Owen Pickering. Drafted in the same first round as McGroarty, Pickering knows he has to make a statement and show he can play consistently at the highest level. [Trib Live]
NHL News and Notes…
One of the most controversial moves across the NHL this offseason was the Edmonton Oilers hire of Mike Babcock as the team’s new head coach. When asked his opinion on the matter, Oilers legend Mark Messier was not afraid to mince words on where he stands. [ESPN]
There’s going to be predictions made for every team as the season nears, some plausible and some going out on a limb. Doesn’t matter which team you are, they’re all hoping to make the good predictions come true. [Bleacher Report]
