Baring a sub-par 1-3-2 performance during the preseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ management sat down earlier this week to decide the fate of half a dozen players.
Heading back down to Wilkes-Barre Scranton isn’t exactly a demotion. After all, you still remain part of the club, even if on the AAA level. Besides, throughout the season the Pens have often called up players from the farm for short stints. However, for fan and media favorites Kris Letang and Jonathan Filewich, it can be a bit demoralizing. Letang possesses a highly praised right-handed slapshot that had fans buzzing and critics hailing him as a much needed standout on the Pens’ blueline. However, despite such claims, he will begin the upcoming season with the WBS club. Fans around town already suspect it won’t be the last time they see the 20 year old defenseman.
Filewich, in a similar position, is the ideal power forward. He possesses great size, speed and a knack for finding openings down-low. Yet he too will begin the 2006/07 season with Wilkes-Barre. Both Letang and Filewich were huge favorites around the club for making the team. It’s not to say one day they won’t, or potentially even play at some point during the season, but neither has officially made the roster for the regular season. Last season Letang was called up to play in seven games, scoring two goals in his short stay.
Aside from those two favorites, the Penguins also appointed forward Ryan Stone and defenseman Mike Weaver to the baby Pens. Forward Jeff Taffe, initially sent down over a week ago, found himself unpacking bags before he could catch a ride out of town. The team called him back up for the 4-3 loss against the Sabres in which he logged two shots in a little over 12 minutes of ice time. Following the game, Taffe was also sent back down to WBS.
Only one signing thus far for the Penguins following an otherwise poor performance this preseason - forward Adam Hall signed on to a one-year, two-way contract for an undisclosed amount. Last season Hall split between the Rangers and the Wild, tallying 6 goals and 17 points in 72 games. In preseason for the Pens, Hall played in all six games, spending four minutes in the bin and registering a handful of shots, none of which hit the net.
Despite much speculation of his whereabouts on the team’s roster, defenseman Alain Nasreddine finds himself lacing up blades for the season opener Friday night in Carolina. Last season with the Pens, Nasreddine played in 44 games, netting one shot and assisting four others for a five point season. Out of those 44 games, 18 minutes were spent reconciling sins in the box.
Last but not least, the Penguins have begun experimenting with Erik Christensen. Christensen, a natural center, has found a new home on the right wing. Paired with Gary Roberts and Evgeni Malkin, Christensen has said many times over he is willing to take on whatever position would better suit the team. Having a multi-purpose forward never hurt any team.
The roster for the Pens seems to be more or less set. Thus far in practice, the team’s been mixing up lines and experimenting with different units. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see a different batch of attacks coming both Friday in Carolina and Saturday at home against the Ducks as the team continues to work with the line changes. Till then, with the preseason behind them, the Pens start the season 0-0-0 with a new roster in place and the cup in mind.
The Pens welcome Adam Hall to the roster
