The Opening Games
The Pens traveled to Columbus last night to take on their new Metro division rivals. The Pens offense was unable to put any goals past Bobrovsky and back up Dansk. Despite being shut out, the Pens threw 42 shots on nets, which is a victory in Mike Johnston's book. The Pens were a little bit better defensively last night, but the roster was far from the "A" class. Many of the players on that roster would be reassigned to WBS today. Pens fell 2-0 to Columbus on goals by Chaput and Atkinson.
Pens Slash the Roster to 37
- Matt Murray (G)
- Eric Hartzell (G)
- Scott Wilson (F)
- Josh Archibald (F)
- Anton Zlobin (F)
- Jean-Sebastein Dea (F)
- Matia Marcantuoni (F)
- Tom Kuhnhackl (F)
- Adam Payerl (F)
- Bryan Rust (F)
- Nick Drazenovic (F)
- Nick D'Agostino (D)
- Harrison Ruopp (D)
The Pens also released four players from their tryout contracts and they will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as well. They are:
- Tom Kostopoulos (WBS Captain last season)
- Conor Sheary
- Alex Boak
- Clark Seymour
The Penguins also reassigned 2013 2nd round pick, Tristan Jarry, to his Junior team in Edmonton.
Most of these moves are not surprises. The one exception was that of Adam Payerl. A rugged forward who made his NHL debut last season, Payerl was expected to make a serious run at a roster spot. He impressed mightily during Rookie Camp this summer and many thought he may play his way into the roster. As it turns out, he will be heading to Wilkes-Barre earlier than expected. Jean-Sebastien Dea was also reportedly impressing the organization greatly, but he too was reassigned to WBS.
The Pens will be hosting the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night at Consol Energy Center. It is likely that after Saturday's home game against Columbus, the Pens will cut the roster down again. Check back this weekend for more on roster cuts.
Pens Roster for Minnesota game
Goalies:
1 - Thomas Greiss
37 - Jeff Zatkoff
Defensemen:
4 - Rob Scuderi
6 - Scott Harrington
7 - Paul Martin
8 - Brian Dumoulin
41 - Robert Bortuzzo
47 - Simon Despres
Forwards:
13 - Nick Spaling
16 - Brandon Sutter
17 - Blake Comeau
19 - Beau Bennett
23 - Steve Downie
25 - Andrew Ebbett
38 - Zach Sill
42 - Kasperi Kapanen
49 - Oskar Sundqvist
57 - Marcel Goc
59 - Jayson Megna
72 - Patric Hornqvist
Game Info for Thursday v. Minnesota (9-25)
- Puck drops at 7:00pm.
- Gates at Consol Energy Center will open at 6:00pm.
- The Pens Gear Game Day Special once again is 20% off all clearance items. Remember, it is a great opportunity to pick up a jersey of a former Penguin incredibly cheap, especially if you're a Neal or Jokinen fan - there were a lot of theirs left last time I was there.
- The game will be televised on WPCW, Pittsburgh's CW at 7:00pm.
- Steve Kolbe and Phil Bourque will have the radio call on 105.9 The X and online at Pens Re