For a few weeks, the high energy of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ training camp raised everyone’s expectations. New coach Dan Muse raised the intensity as coaches banged the glass during drills, and the players bought into the increased enthusiasm.

General manager Kyle Dubas also raised the stakes, overstuffing the roster, even taking on Robby Fabbri on a PTO right before camp. There were 69 players in camp, and more than 30 who could play in the NHL.

In the end, Fabbri was released. Danton Heinen and Ryan Graves were waived. Owen Pickering and Tristan Broz didn’t make the team, but Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke did.

The roster isn’t entirely set as Bryan Rust will return in a week and Rutger McGroarty will eventually return, too. Kevin Hayes is also on the injured list, though it’s natural to wonder if he would have a spot open.

Kindel and Brunicke can be returned to juniors at any time, but if they play more than nine games, they will enact the first season of their entry-level contract.

Kindel might seem to be more susceptible to returning after nine games, but he’s exceeded expectations so far. His hockey IQ is most noticeable in the defensive zone, where he can quickly anticipate the play and break it up.

Nope, the long-discussed potential trades haven’t happened, and there was increased talk that the Penguins could be much better than analysts believe.

Penguins Lines

After a couple of days of full squad practices, we’re getting a look at the opening night roster.

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Ville Koivunen

Anthony Mantha-Evgeni Malkin-Justin Brazeau

Tommy Novak-Ben Kindel-Philip Tomasino

Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Extra: Filip Hallander

Defense Pairs

Ryan Shea-Kris Letang

Parker Wortherspoon-Erik Karlsson

Caleb Jones-Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel AcciariHarrison Brunicke

Extras: Connor Clifton, Matt Dumba

Clifton played the left side to tepid reviews in the final preseason game. We could see a rotation beside Brunicke.

The goalies are Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs. Their rotation will presumably be based on performance.

Projecting lines when healthy:

Rakell-Crosby-Koivunen

Mantha-Malkin-Rust

Novak-Kindel-McGroarty

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Projection: We think Kindel will do enough to stick around past nine games. And we’re a little dubious about Tomasino’s future with the NHL club and Brazeau’s spot in the lineup. Hallander was a surprise keep after a nice but unspectacular preseason but his spot when others get healthy is in trouble.

Breakout & Disappointments

This year is not a bumper crop of rookies in the NHL this season. The first overall pick is usually the early favorite for the Calder Trophy, but this year, the Penguins’ rookies could get some attention.

Breakout: Ville Koivunen

Koivunen’s hockey IQ is a cut above. The ability to think the game a step ahead allows him to play well with Sidney Crosby. If he sticks on the top line, Koivunen could pot more than 20 goals and 60 points. He’s that good, and he’ll have that many opportunities to put the puck in the net. He works the game like a veteran. He will need the confidence to shoot the puck more–he’s too quick to set up a pretty play rather than letting it rip.

Disappointment: Tommy Novak

Dubas circled Novak as a trade target last season. He’s got offensive instincts, but we’re not sold that he can contribute enough offense and play a hard enough game to help Kindel succeed as the third-line center.

Playing on the wing requires hard-nosed puck retrieval and winning wall battles, or having a good enough shot that punting those duties is forgotten. Novak has to prove he can contribute.

Breakout: Harrison Brunicke

It’s going to be a rocky year for Brunicke. He’s going to put up points and he’s going to want to do more, but he’s also going to get knocked down a few times, too. Brunicke will be challenged with what he calls “the pro-style game” and his place in the league. He can embarrass forwards with his speed, as he did Friday when he scooted past two Buffalo forwards on his way to the net.

We like Brunicke for more than 10 goals and as many as 40 points. But he also might have a rough plus/minus. We see lots of success and a lot of hard lessons learned.

Disappointment: Justin Brazeau

Brazeau is a big body, though fans casually watching from a distance incorrectly assumed he was a tough guy. He had a bit of a breakout last season, scoring 10 goals with 20 points in 50 games with the Boston Bruins, but had just two points (1-1-2) in 20 games with Minnesota.

We didn’t see enough push from Brazeau in practice and preseason to stick with the second-line opportunity. Evgeni Malkin needs wingers to finish chances, but we’re skeptical that Brazeau will either set up enough offense or finish enough to keep the role.

His first impressions were more akin to a fourth liner.

Breakout: Ryan Shea

Shea’s breakout won’t be the huge numbers, adulation sort of emergence, but he will show that he’s an NHL regular with good mobility, some offensive, and a bit of sandpaper in the defensive zone.

Tags: Penguins lines penguins projections Pittsburgh Penguins Ville Koivunen

Categorized: Penguins Analysis