Happy opening day! The Pittsburgh Penguins are the primetime game to start the NHL season, which begins with a three-game slate (Chicago/Florida at 5pm eastern, PIT/NYR at 8, Colorado/LA at 10:30). Here’s what you need to know heading into another new year
For the first time in 19 years, the Pens will have two teenaged players making their NHL debuts in the same game. It was Jordan Staal and Kris Letang back in 2006, now it’s Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke. [X – Pens PR]
Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby,
Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang head into their record 20th season together as teammates in the longest tenured trio in pro sports history. [NHL.com]
Kindel and Brunicke are at the forefront of the youth movement that has shaped recent roster decisions that including waiving Danton Heinen and Ryan Graves. [Penguins.com]
Mike Sullivan is expecting some mixed emotions tonight in his first game as Rangers head coach facing some players and the team he worked with for the last decade. [NHL.com]
Conor Sheary parlayed a strong training camp into a contract with the Rangers. [Rangers.com]
Found this pretty cool, the Rangers made a quick pre-season bonding trip up to Rhode Island as a team. [NY Post]
The Rangers have an award for best rookie in training camp (what, they got an award for everything?) and expected third line center Noah Laba got it. Might be worth reading up on the 6’3”, 214 pound 22-year old that was a fourth round pick in 2022 and will be making his NHL debut tonight. [Blueshirt Banter]
In other former Penguin contract news, Matt Grzelcyk has signed a one-year deal with Chicago following his tryout. [TSN]
What is success for the Penguins this season? That’s a fascinating question with no shortage of answers, Dan Muse is looking for a group to achieve their full potential. [Tribune Review]
Questions about ownership, young players starting out on a team with older stars — the Penguins are not exactly in new territory these days. [Post-Gazette]
Another look at Muse getting ready to get down to work for his first season as an NHL head coach. [The Athletic $]
An anonymous panel of goalie coaches ranked all “starting” NHL goalies and Tristan Jarry….came in 38th? Ok. [The Athletic $]
An early season power rankings, Pens check in all the way down at 28th, which at least isn’t lower than the total number of teams. [USA Today]
But the Pens could make the playoffs if all of these things fall into perfect order [Dave Molinari – substack]
Connor McDavid made a very Crosby-ian move to keep the same cap hit on his new contract extension with the Oilers, but the term is only for two seasons. [Sportsnet]
Add a mental note for Thursday night’s game against the Islanders that 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer has made the club and will make his debut against the Penguins later this week. [NHL.com]
The Boston Bruins will retire Zdeno Chara’s number later this season. [TSN]
