Tristan Broz: Photo by Dan Kingerski
CRANBERRY — Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Muse backed off a question about which players have made an impression on him after a few days in training camp.
Yes, a few players have caught the coach’s eye, but Muse played coy when PHN asked which ones.
“I mean, yes (there are players), but I also feel like it’s the third day, and it’s a little bit early to start to really point guys out. I think we’re three days in, and–it’s gonna be a day tomorrow where they’re gonna be able to get a little bit of rest–now we’re getting into those exhibition games,” said Muse. “For me, I still think the message has been the same as we said in the beginning. We want to come in here and work to build something. We want guys coming in here and continuing to earn it every day … I feel like it would be wrong for me to come here and start to really highlight certain players, one over another.”
As Muse asserted, Saturday was Day 3 of the Penguins’ intense beginning to training camp, and the last marathon day of three groups practicing separately for 90 minutes with 75 minutes between sessions.
Sunday will be the first day off, and Monday is the first preseason game, as the Penguins visit the Montreal Canadiens. Muse also punted a question on what type of lineup we’ll see in the first preseason game.
It seems likely the first dodge was related to the second. Perhaps a few players who are making an impression will get into the lineup. One of those players could be Rafael Harvey-Pinard, who spent five seasons in the Canadiens organization and is a Quebec native.
And yes, Harvey-Pinard would love to have a homecoming Monday; the players will find out Sunday who’s in the lineup.
Penguins Making a Push
Harvey-Pinard has played in 86 career NHL games, so he’s not a newbie learning the ropes of an NHL training camp.
“Last year, I had a couple of injuries and kind of lost my explosion a little bit. I was a little bit slower on the ice the last two years,” said Harvey-Pinard. “I felt like I really worked on power skating this summer–a lot of lower body stuff in the gym to gain back my power and my explosion. And right now I feel pretty good on the ice. So I think I did a good job during the summer.”
PHN will have more from our conversations with Harvey-Pinard in the next couple of days. However, the analysis has been quite simple. His skill set is perfect for the high-intensity, small-space drills that reward players who are quick and tenacious.
The crowded field means others with better track records or valued prospect status have the inside track, but Harvey-Pinard’s skating has made him one of the noticeable participants in his group. [
Robby Fabbri was another of the scrappers fighting for a roster spot who has looked good; Fabbri hasn’t scored a lot of goals, but is moving well and confidently.
Read More: Penguins Surprise Signing Robby Fabbri; Competition, Injuries, & a Good Chance
He looks like an NHL player amongst the hopefuls. Throughout his nine-year career, he has consistently been a .5 points-per-game player, before injuries have cost him significant time in most of his seasons.
For the third day in a row, prospect Tristan Broz pushed past defensemen with speed. Broz clearly had a good summer of workouts and senses his opportunity. Broz is seizing it with energy and effort on each shift.
Saturday, he launched from the red line and was at full speed by the blue line, sweeping past a helpless Emil Pieniniemi, and cut to the net.
The preseason games will matter more than the first few days of camp, but all three have established themselves as worthy candidates for an NHL roster spot.
Tristan Jarry
Jarry is going for the Mortal Kombat look this season, with mostly black pads that feature a small gold line.
Going for the intimidating look?
“Yeah, that’s it. The only reason,” he said with a bit of friendly sarcasm tossed back our way.
He shrugged off the old goalie superstition that black pads allow shooters to see a greater contrast between the white ice and the pads–thus easier to see the goalie holes. He literally shrugged.
The pads are pretty cool.
Tags: Penguins Training Camp Pittsburgh Penguins rafael harvey-pinard robby fabbri Tristan broz
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