Chase The Paper Trail 9/30

Simon Despres has been re-assigned to the AHL Penguins, but will he suit up for WBS to start the season?

It was a busy day for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization today, the last day of September. The day saw players move all over the place from the NHL to the AHL, WHL and even ECHL to get the NHL roster salary cap compliant.

In the NHL, Pittsburgh needed to be salary cap compliant by 5 p.m. EDT. To do so, they re-assigned forward Beau Bennett to the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) and defenseman Simon Despres to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). The Pens also sent defenseman Derrick Pouliot back to his junior team, the Portland Winterhawks, and called up defenseman Harrison Ruopp.

Here's the current NHL Penguins 23-man roster that is salary cap compliant:

Forwards (13): Craig Adams, Chris Conner, Sidney Crosby, Matt D'Agostini, Pascal Dupuis, Tanner Glass, Dustin Jeffrey, Jussi Jokinen, Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Brendan Sutter and Joe Vitale.

Defensemen (8): Robert Bortuzzo, Deryk Engelland, Olli Maatta, Paul Martin, Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik, Harrison Ruopp and Rob Scuderi

Goaltenders (2): Marc-Andre Fleury and Jeff Zatkoff

Injured Reserve (2): Kris Letang and Tomas Vokoun 

Bennett and Despres' moves are easy to understand and similar to what the Penguins did when they re-assigned Eric Tangradi prior to the start of the 2010 season. Get their salaries off the books because they don't need to go through the waiver process. Both can go up and down rather easily.

The plan seems to be to put injured goaltender Tomas Vokoun in LTIR to give them salary cap space to bring Bennett back to Pittsburgh and also have room to possibly sign forward Chuck Kobasew. The two big surprises on the roster are Conner and Ruopp. Both will likely be demoted to Wilkes-Barre in the very near future.

With Kris Letang on IR and Simon Despres sent to Wilkes-Barre instead of the much closer Wheeling, I think Olli Maatta might get a 9-game look from the Penguins before he is returned to his junior team. If that's the case, then Simon Despres will start the season in the AHL and then come up after Maatta is returned to the OHL.

In the AHL, the WBS Penguins announced twelve players were released from their tryouts with the AHL club. Forwards Kyle Fletcher, Chaz Johnson, Patrick McGrath, Carter Rowney, C.J. Severyn, Cody Sylvester and Scott Zurevinksi, defensemen Barry Goers, Mike Ratchuk, Clark Seymour, and Alex Velischek and goaltender Andy Chiodo were released.

The WBS Penguins also loaned forwards Denver Manderson and Christiaan Minella to their ECHL affiliate in Wheeling.  Of those released from WBS, Fletcher, Johnson, Zurevinski, Goers, Ratchuk and Velischek are already signed by the Nailers for this season.

Here's who is left on the AHL Penguins after the round of cuts:

Goalies (3): Eric Hartzell, Peter Mannino, Jeff DesLauriers

Defense (8): Simon Despres, Brian Dumoulin, Philip Samuelsson, Brendan Mikkelson, Scott Harrington, Reid McNeill, Nick D'Agostino, Peter Merth

Forwards (14): Andrew Ebbett, Tom Kuhnhackl, Nick Drazenovic, Adam Payerl, Paul Thompson, Brian Gibbons, Jayson Megna, Harry Zolnierczyk, Zach Sill, Tom Kostopoulos, Pierre-Luc Leblond, Mike Carman,  Dominik Uher, Bobby Farnham

Notable cuts include local tryout forward Patrick McGrath and fan-favorite goaltender Andy Chiodo. The next step for the players cut from WBS Penguins training camp is to head to Wheeling for ECHL action, or look for an AHL/ECHL job elsewhere.

All in all, the moves aren't done just yet. These are how the rosters look currently, but changes will be made. My best guess right now?

Vokoun will be put on LTIR to free up his $2 million cap hit. Bennett will be back in Pittsburgh before their first game.  Conner and Ruopp will be re-assigned to the AHL. Maatta will be returned to his junior team after a 9-game stint. Despres will start in the AHL but be back in Pittsburgh after Maatta is returned.

#WBSPens Team Preview Part One: Goaltending

Brad Thiessen won't be in net this season for the WBS Penguins, and for now neither will Jeff Zatkoff. Who's taking over the AHL Pens net in 2013-14?

With Tomas Vokoun out in Pittsburgh, Jeff Zatkoff steps in to backup Marc-Andre Fleury and leaves Wilkes-Barre with four goaltenders to choose from to fill their roster for opening night. The four invited to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins camp: Eric Hartzell, Peter Mannino, Jeff DesLauriers and Andy Chiodo. 

Hartzell, who signed with the Penguins before the end of last season, came to Penguins Development camp in July looking to prove he has what it takes to become a full-time athlete at the professional level. He's a big athletic goaltender, something the AHL Penguins haven't seen since their split affiliation with Edmonton saw Jeff DesLauriers on the team a few years back.

More on DesLauriers below but back to the only goaltender on an NHL contract with the WBS Penguins.

Hartzell got the start in the Penguins first preseason game last Wednesday in Brighton, NY and got tested early and often, stopping 13 of the 15 shots he faced in the first period of that game. The Pens swapped goaltenders midway through the 2nd period that game but Hartzell got the start again last night and played the full game, stopping 20 of 21 shots and earning a 2-1 win over the Hershey Bears.

It was the only game a WBS goaltender played the duration, which could be a sign he's an early front runner for the starting job with Wilkes-Barre this season. He's a first year pro with potential and regardless if whether he's the starter or not, his preseason performance has earned him a spot on the team with its current goaltender situation. He will get into some AHL games in his rookie season.

The WBS Penguins signed netminder Peter Mannino to an AHL contract this offseason, but he hasn't been on the ice for any of the AHL Pens preseason skates, practices, scrimmages, games etc. Mannino, who spent last season with the Manchester Monarchs, could be injured or on his way to Wheeling but I haven't heard anything about him this preseason.

The Penguins brought in two goaltenders on professional tryouts to create competition in camp. Both familiar to Penguins fans who saw them play in Wilkes-Barre over the years.

Jeff DesLauriers was never Pittsburgh property but played in Wilkes-Barre during the years when the Edmonton Oilers shared the Pens AHL affiliate. He got the start in the preseason home opener Friday night and stopped all 7 shots he faced in 30:33 of work. He also finished the second half of Saturday night's game, stopping 21 of 23 shots he saw in an attempt to slow down the Hershey Bears' offense in a 6-1 loss. DesLauriers backed up Hartzell last night, though he didn't get into the game. I think DesLauriers will be the backup Saturday.

Andy Chiodo is well known in AHL Penguins land. He's the playoff hero who helped the Penguins overcome a 3-1 playoff series deficit against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who oddly enough open the season at home against the Penguins on Saturday. He fought Antero Nittymaki when the Pens and the then Philadelphia Phantoms met in the postseason before too. The list goes on and on.

Chiodo played in the second half of the Pens preseason opener in New York and played well, stopping 15 of the 16 shots that came his way in regulation and overtime (33:27 played). He got the start in Hershey Saturday night and didn't fare well, stopping 9 of 13, but the lineups were a lot different. Hershey dressed the stronger lineup up front on Saturday in front of their home fans and the Penguins did the same thing last night.

With the season starting for real on Saturday, the Penguins certainly have decisions to make. I believe all three are staying with the team for now and I'll explain why.

Hartzell is under an NHL contract, played well in the preseason and I project him to be the starter for opening night based off what I've seen from Development Camp, WBS camp and the AHL preseason. DesLauriers and Chiodo are both on professional tryout contracts (PTO). They can dress up to 25 games under a PTO so there is no rush to sign either one to a contract and no real reason to relieve them of their duties. EDIT: Andy Chiodo was released from his tryout this afternoon.

In other Penguins news, forwards Andrew Ebbett and Chris Conner cleared waviers at noon and are eligible to play in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). I'll have more on the forwards in Part Two of my four-part preview of the AHL Penguins tomorrow.

Drazenovic, Sameulsson Lead #WBSPens in Preseaon Finale

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins concluded their preseason schedule tonight with a 2-1 win over the Hershey Bears. The Penguins finished 2-2 in the preseason. They begin their 15th season in the American Hockey League (AHL) Saturday night in Bridgeport.

The Penguins power play got it going nine minutes into the first period, displaying a nice series of passes that led to a 5-on-3 power play goal by Nick Drazenovic. While working on the two-man advantage, Scott Harrington found Brian Gibbons down low in the corner, who quickly shuffled a pass through the top of the crease to Drazenovic who beat a sliding Brandon Anderson to give the Pens the 1-0 lead.

After the Bears tied it at 1-1 on a Ryan Stoa deflection 4:18 into the second period, Philip Samuelsson pulled back a fake wrap around attempt and snuck the puck past the short side on Riley Gill with 12:02 left in the third to re-gain the lead for the Penguins at 2-1.

Penguins rookie goaltender Eric Hartzell got the start in net tonight and played the full 60 minutes stopping 20 of the 21 shots he faced, including a late barrage of saves in the waning seconds to secure the 2-1 win. 

The Penguins played a lineup tonight that more closely resembles what their opening right roster will look like:

Kuhnhackl - Drazenovic - Payerl
Thompson - Gibbons - Megna
Zolnierczyk - Sill - Kostopoulos 
Leblond-Carman-Uher

Samuelsson - Mikkelson
Harrington - Goers
McNeill - D'Agostino

Hartzell - DesLauriers

TOMORROW AFTERNOON - Check back for more anaylsis on the goaltender situation among Hartzell, DesLauriers and Chiodo as well as a look at the roster after forwards Chris Conner and Andrew Ebbett, who were re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre by Pittsurgh, go through waivers. If they clear waviers tomorrow at noon, they will obviously change the dynamic of what seems to already be a well-rounded and promising forward group.

#AHL Penguins Fall 6-1 In Hershey

In Hershey, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins played their third of four preseason games on the schedule.

The Bears jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a point shot goal through traffic. Adam Payerl answered right back with a nice five-hole goal past Phillip Grubauer. Former Bears forward and current Penguin Mike Carman added the lone assist.

From there, it was all Hershey as the Bears rattled off five unanswered goals en route to a 6-1 victory. Penguins fans shouldn't hit the panic button, however, as the Pens dressed mostly tryout players with a few guys who have pro experience.

The Penguins wrap up the preseason tomorrow at home against these Hershey Bears at 5:05 p.m. EDT.

Lines

Paul Thompson - Jayson Megna - Cody Sylvester
Adam Payerl - Mike Carman - Jack MacLellan
T.J. Severyn - Denver Manderson - Chaz Johnson
Christiaan Minella - Carter Rowney - Scott Zurevinski

Reid McNeill - Nicholas D'Agostino
Peter Merth - Clark Seymour
Mile Ratchuk - Barry Goers

Andy Chiodo (9 saves on 13 shots) - Jeff DesLauriers (21 saves on 23 shots)

#WBSPens Fall in Preseason Opener 3-2 (OT)

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) opened their 2013-14 preseason schedule in Brighton, New York, tonight with a 3-2 overtime loss against the Rochester Americans. Denver Manderson and Paul Thompson scored for the Penguins in the loss. The Penguins next preseason game is Friday night at home against this same Americans team.

The Penguins got off to a slow start in the first period but battled back in the second period to tie the game at 2-2. After a scoreless third period. Rochester's Eric Locke tallied the game winner with 2:06 left in the extra session.

Back in the first period, and with the Penguins on the penalty kill, Phil Varone tapped a rebound past Pens goaltender Eric Hartzell 5:22 into the first period to give the Rochester Americans a 1-0 lead. 

The Penguins tied the game at one just 25 seconds later when Chaz Johnson chipped a puck out of the defensive zone, springing Denver Manderson on an odd man rush. Manderson wristed one past Amerks goaltender Nathan Lieuwen. Chaz Johnson and Clark Seymour assisted on the goal.

With Sylvester in the box for boarding at 13:46 of the first period, Chad Ruhwedel blasted a point shot through traffic past Hartzell to give the Amerks a 2-1 lead on a pair of power play goals for the home team.

A penalty filled first period for the Penguins, who gave the Amerks four power plays to work with. Pens tryout forward Cody Sylvester was tagged for three of those minors, including both minors the Amerks scored on. 

Christiaan Minella and Johnny Macguire dropped the gloves in the first frame, with Macguire earning the takedown after both players got a few punches in. The Amerks took a 2-1 lead and 15-2 advantage in shots to the 2nd period.

The Penguins got to their game in the middle frame, outshooting the Amerks 10-6 in the period and tying the game at two when Paul Thompson's shot high to the short side found a way to the back of the net. Brian Gibbons got the lone assist on the Pens' goal. 

The goaltenders switched near the halfway point of the period, with Andy Chiodo coming in to replace Eric Hartzell. Hartzell saw 15 of his 16 shots in the first period, and finished with 14 saves in 29:29 of work between the pipes.

Good back and forth action in the third period, but no goals were scored. Christiaan Minella and Chaz Johnson played physical and delivered several punishing body checks tonight. Defenseman Mike Ratchuk looked good with the puck on his stick and played well on the power play. 

Penguins Lineup

Goaltenders: Eric Hartzell (starter: 14 saves on 16 shots in 29:29)  and Andy Chiodo 15 saves on 16 shots in 33:27)

Lines

Paul Thompson (A) - Brian Gibbons (C) - Cody Sylvester
Dominik Uher - Mike Carman - Jack MacLellan
Christiaan Minella - CJ Severyn - Carter Rowney
Chaz Johnson - Denver Manderson - Kyle Fletcher

Reid McNeill - Barry Goers
Alex Velischek - Mike Ratchuk
Clark Seymour - Nick D'Agostino

Tuesday's #WBSPens AHL Camp Update

Christiaan Minella (left) and Reid McNeill (right) warming up before Group One's practice earlier today.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins had one last practice at The Ice Rink at Coal Street earlier this afternoon before their first preseason game tomorrow night in Brighton, NY against the Rochester Americans.

The WBS Pens training camp roster was split into two groups (see below). Group one practiced first, followed by a scrimmage between Group One and Two and Group Two finished off the day with a practice of their own.

Both practice sessions were similar with the usual drills and some emphasis on board play in the corners and behind the net in the offensive and defensive zones.

Group One (Team White) practiced for about an hour starting at 10 a.m. and when they left the ice Group Two (Team Black)  came out for the scrimmage and Team White followed shortly after.

The scrimmage was one 25 minute period and although it went scoreless, there was no lack of physical play. Pierre-Luc Letourneau Leblond dished out some hits in the corners and another notable hit was C.J. Severyn's finishing a check on Scott Harrington.  

Local tryout forward Patrick McGrath (Shavertown, PA) had a nice chance for Team Black early in the scrimmage and Black carried the play through most of the first half of the scrimmage. 

Team White pressured late and nearly scored on Eric Hartzell, who played 10 minutes to start in net for Team White and finished on Team Black. Hartzell was impressive in the scrimmage, and all three goalies (Andy Chiodo and Jeff DesLauriers) were good in the shootout.

In the shootout, 16 shooters came in on the goaltenders and only three - Nick Drazenovic (Black), Brian Gibbons (White) and Philip Samuelsson (Black) - were able to score. Samuelsson netted the winner in the 8th round and after Anton Zlobin was yelled at for trying to take a shot for Team White, Carter Rowney was stopped by Hartzell and Team Black celebrated the scrimmage win. 

I wouldn't expect a lot of the big name players on NHL deals to be in tomorrow night's lineup for the Penguins. Last year in the AHL Pens first preseason game at the MCC Centre in Brighton, the Penguins played more of the guys on AHL deals and tryouts, with a few older players. Usually, the home team plays their fan favorites and more well known players to draw in the hometown fans.

Group One

G (2) - Eric Hartzell, Andy Chiodo

D (5) - Reid McNeill, Clark Seymour, Alex Velischek, Nick D'Agostino, Mike Ratchuk

F (11) - Mike Carman, Brian Gibbons, Christiaan Minella, Carter Rowney, Cody Sylvester, Paul Thompson, Dominik Uher, Bobby Farnham, Jack MacLellan, C.J. Severyn, Anton Zlobin (red jersey)

Group Two

G (2) - Jeff DesLauriers, Eric Hartzell

D (5) - Philip Samuelsson, Scott Harrington, Brendan Mikkelson, Barry Goers, Peter Merth

F (10) - Jayson Megna, Nick Drazenovic, Tom Kostopoulos, Adam Payerl, Patrick McGrath, Chaz Johnson, Denver Manderson, Kyle Fletcher, Piere-Luc Letorneau Leblond, Scott Zurevinski, Anton Zlobin (red jersey)

Not on Ice

G - Peter Mannino

D - Dustin Stevenson (lower body)

Recently Re-assigned
D - Harrison Ruopp
F - Tom Kuhnhackl

Chiodo Headlines #AHL #Pens Training Camp Roster

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced a 25-man roster that will begin AHL Penguins Training Camp this Saturday morning at the Ice Rink at Coal Street.

Goaltender Andy Chiodo, a former WBS goaltender and big-time fan favorite, is among the invitees to the camp. Chiodo joins forward Tom Kostopoulos (also a big-time fan favorite) as two Penguins throwbacks at this year's camp.

Here's the full roster as it stands now. Obviously, more bodies will be on their way from Pittsburgh before the start of the season:

Goaltenders (2): Andy Chiodo and Peter Mannino

Defenseman (8): Nick D'Agostino, Barry Goers, Reid McNeill, Peter Merth, Mike Ratchuk, Clark Seymour, Dustin Stevenson and Alex Velischek

Forwards (15): Mike Carman, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Gibbons, Chaz Johnson, Tom Kostopoulos, Jack MacLellan, Denver Manderson, Patrick McGrath, Christiaan Minella, Carter Rowney, C.J. Severyn, Cody Sylvester, Paul Thompson, Domink Uher, and Scott Zurevinksi

Camp starts this Saturday from 10-12 at the Ice Rink at Coal Street. There are also practices Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Coal Street, all scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., before Wednesday night's preseason opener in Brighton, New York, against the Rochester Americans.

Pittsburgh Trims Training Camp Roster

This from Pittsburgh, as the Penguins announce they've re-assigned 11 players today:

Goaltenders Matt Murray and Tristian Jarry and forward Matia Marcantuoni were sent back to their respective junior teams.

Forwards Paul Thompson, Tom Kostopoulos, Brian Gibbons & Dominik Uher and defensemen Clark Seymour, Reid McNeill, Nick D'Agostino were sent to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Also, tryout forward Jean-Sebastien Dea was signed to a three year NHL entry level contract that will begin next season when he turns pro. Dea also was re-assigned by his new team back to juniors as well. I spoke with Dea this morning and here's what he had to say about signing with the Penguins:

Im so excited to be a part of that great organization. I learned a lot during the week and I can't wait to be back here in Pittsburgh.

Check back to our most recent post for Dea's journey from junior hockey to this summer's cycle of Penguins camps.

The NHL roster is down to 44 and split into two groups now. From the Penguins team, here's the two rosters:

Group 1

Goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury and Jeff Zatkoff

Defensemen (8): Matt Niskanen, Rob Scuderi, Scott Harrington, Brian Dumoulin, Brendan Mikkelson, Robert Bortuzzo, Derrick Pouliot and Philip Samuelsson

Forwards (13): Chuck Kobasew, Tanner Glass, Dustin Jeffrey, James Neal, Beau Bennett, Andrew Ebbett,    PL3, Zach Sill, Bobby Farnham, Adam Payerl, Joe Vitale, Tom Kuhnhackl and Evgeni Malkin.

Group 2

Goaltenders (2): Tomas Vokoun and Adam Hartzell

Defensemen (6): Olli Maatta, Deryk Engelland, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang, Simon Despres

Forwards (12): Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Brendan Sutter, Matt D'Agostino, Chris Conner, Craig Adams, Steve MacIntyre, Jussi Jokinen, Harry Zolnierczyk, Nick Drazenovic, Jayson Megna and Sidney Crosby

Strong Summer Leaves #Pens Forward Tryout One Step Closer To His NHL Dream

Jean-Sebastien Dea takes the face-off for the Penguins during their second game of the 2013 rookie tournament in London, Ontario.

Born in the Montreal area, Jean-Sebastien Dea was in skates at age two, learning balance and other useful techniques and playing hockey by the age of four. 

But it wasn't until after his first year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during the 2011-12 season and being passed over at the 2012 NHL Draft that Dea began his real push towards making his dreams of becoming an NHL hockey player closer to reality.

"After not being drafted [in 2012], I was disappointed," Dea said. "A lot."

It wasn't that Dea didn't have the talent on the ice. He tallied 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists) in 50 games during his rookie season in 2011-12. His skating ability was never questioned, but his size was a concern as he was a small forward who was light on his skates at under 6 feet tall and less than 150 pounds two years ago.

"I worked hard not this summer, but the summer before to arrive bigger and stronger. I had a lot of confidence when I arrived," Dea said, talking about the work he put in during the off-season before last season's sophomore scoring surge.

Pens' Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Shootout Loss

Photo courtesy of Shelly (@itwasfourone on Twitter)

Tom Kuhnhackl's first goal in over nine months tied tonight's rookie tournament game with the Toronto Maple Leafs at 3-3 in the final minute of regulation.

Unfortunately for the Penguins, they couldn't find the 4th goal and drop the second game of their three-game tournament in a shootout. At 0-1-1, they'll look to finish with a win against the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight was Brian Dumoulin's turn to wear the captain's "C" as he replaced the guy who wore it on Thursday in Philip Samuelsson. Here's what tonight's lineup looked like:

Kuhnhackl-Dea-Rowney 

Uher-Megna-Brace 

O'Brien-Marcantuoni-Payerl 

Simmonds-Rankin-Nejezchleb

Dumoulin - Seymour

McNeill - Pouliot

Maatta - Harrington

Murray - Hartzell

Scott Harrington gave the Pens a 1-0 lead on a first period power play goal 6:25 into the contest. ATO forward Jean Sebastien Dea and defenseman Brian Dumoulin added the assists.

Back to back fights broke out on the ensuing face-off, with Liam O'Brien and Adam Payerl dropping the mitts for the Penguins against Jamie Devane and David Broll of the Leafs, respectively.

The Leafs tied the game at 1-1 with a power play goal of their own in the first period before Jayson Megna out the Pens back in front in the middle frame. Megna put in a rebound of a Carter Rowney shot to give the Pens a 2-1 lead.

The Leafs would later tie the game and take a 3-2 lead in the third period before Kuhnhackl's big shot in the final minute of regulation would send the game to overtime.

J-S Dea scored for the Penguins in the shootout after a scoreless overtime, but the Leafs capitalized in the second and fourth rounds to hold on for a 4-3 shootout win.

From an AHL Penguins perspective, it's nice to see guys like Kuhnhackl and Megna on the scoresheet. Dumoulin added two assists. Payerl had the big fight in the first period. Harrington continues to impress.

While the end results on the scoreboard have not favored the Penguins at this week's rookie tournament, there are still many positives to take away from these games. In Thursday afternoon's contest with the Senators, the Penguins felt they carried the play most of the game. 

Tonight against the Maple Leafs, the Pens led the game the entire way up until the third period. Kuhnhackl's extra attacker goal in the final minute that tied the game and sent it to overtime is a small victory in and of itself.

The bottom line - don't read too much into the scores of these games. It's always good to win, but the real purpose is for these younger guys to learn the system and apply what they've learned in real-game situations. 

Sylvester Scores & Farnham Fights, Pens Fall 4-1 in Rookie Tournament Opener

The Penguins fall 4-1 to the Senators this afternoon in London, Ontario as the annual rookie tournament began among the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks.

Derek Grant, who scored 19 goals in 63 games with the Binghamton (AHL) Senators last season, broke open a 2-1 game, scoring two rebound goals past Tristan Jarry in the second and third periods to preserve the win for the Senators.

Cody Sylvester, a free agent forward tryout with the Penguins coming out of the Western Hockey League (WHL), scored the lone Penguins goal today with 3.4 seconds on assists from former London Knights defensive partners Scott Harrington and Olli Maatta.

Bobby Farnham wasted no time letting everyone at Budweiser Gardens Stadium know he was playing today, dropping the gloves with Darren Kramer early in the first period. Farnham was assessed an extra minor penalty on that fight and was later ejected after a second altercation with Shane Prince in the third period. Farnham again was given seven minutes in penalties in addition to the game misconduct, bringing his PIM total to 24 for the afternoon. Just another day at the office for  Farnham, whose style of play hasn't changed one bit from last season.   

Philip Samuelsson was given the captain's "C" this afternoon for the Penguins. Forward Jayson Megna, who I spoke with yesterday, was wearing the alternate captain "A" today as well.

Eric Hartzell got the start in goal and allowed two goals in the first 30 plus minutes he played. Tristan Jarry came on midway through the second period and was also victimized twice.

Here's the lines from today's game:

Kuhnhackl-Megna-Brace
Sylvester-Dea-Nejezchleb
Farnham-Marcantuoni-O’Brien
Simmonds-Rankin-Rowney

Pouliot-Samuelsson
Maatta-Harrington
D’Agostino-Seymour

Hartzell (18-20 in 34 minutes) - Jarry

Scratches: forwards Adam Payerl and Dominik Uher, defensemen Harrison Ruopp, Brian Dumoulin and Reid McNeill and goaltender Matt Murray

#Pens Prospects Ready To Make First Impression At Rookie Camp

The Penguins organization, along with Ottawa, Toronto and Chicago, will take part in an annual Rookie Tournament in London, Ontario this weekend. Three games are on the schedule as each team plays each other once in a round-robin style tournament.

Yesterday, I caught up with Penguins forward Jayson Megna while he was on the bus to London to talk about this weekend's rookie camp.

"It's a chance for guys to make first impressions for the year before main camp starts," Megna said of this weekend's tournament. "It's an opportunity to get your legs under you. Also exciting to be able to play some games."

First impressions are definitely important, and with a lot of talk coming into camp about all the defensive prospects the Penguins organization has stockpiled of late, now is as good a time as any for a returning forward to stand out and make that good impression early.

"I think if I show a great work ethic and win my battles throughout the tournament that will make for a good first impression," Megna said adding,  "I also want to play fast and hard on offense to create plays as well as on defense to help disrupt them."

The Penguins prospects will hit the ice later this afternoon and take on the Ottawa Senators' team at 2 p.m EDT. Here's the Penguins schedule for the Rookie Tournament this week:

Thursday, September 5, 2013
2:00 p.m. - Penguins vs. Ottawa

Friday, September 6, 2013
9:30 a.m. - Practice at Budweiser Gardens

Saturday, September 7, 2013
7:00 p.m. - Penguins vs. Toronto

Sunday, September 8, 2013
2:00 p.m. - Penguins vs. Chicago

After the jump, a closer look at the 26 guys representing the Penguins in London, Ontario this weekend. My focus is on the guys destined for AHL duty this season, as well as some guys on amateur tryouts to keep an eye out for.

For all the latest on the Penguins and this weekend's Rookie Tournament, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @H_P_Hockey.