Monday's Catch Up & Lunch Links 9/22

From rookie camp (pictured above) to the start of the preseason, hockey is right around the corner. Photo credit: Michelle Tapp.

After four days of training camp, the new Pittsburgh Penguins management and coaching staff will get a chance to implement their game plan tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET as the Penguins open their preseason schedule at home against the Detroit Red Wings.

A look at the roster the Penguins released yesterday tells us the Pens are dressing roughly a half and half split of NHL and AHL players. Matt Murray will back up Marc-Andre Fleury. Reid McNeill and Taylor Chorney appear to be the third pairing. Forwards Josh Archibald. Anton Zlobin, J-S Dea, Scott Wilson and Bobby Farnham are all in the lineup too.

With NHL training camp underway, AHL camps are about to open as well. I would expect the Penguins to make some cuts this week before the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins start up their training camp. Players/coaches report to AHL camp on Friday and their first on-ice practice is this Saturday. I would expect the first round of cuts to come by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest to give those guys a chance to get across the state for the start of AHL camp this weekend.

While dates and times haven't been announced yet, if you've been following along on Facebook and Twitter you already know that Pittsburgh native Tyler Murovich and Shavertown, Pa. native Patrick McGrath will be at the WBS Penguins camp on tryouts.

Hockey is on the horizon. Things will be picking up in the coming weeks, meaning more stories to read. Stay tuned for that.

• I took an early look at the Penguins roster depth across the organization exactly one month ago after the dust had settled from off-season free agent signings. Not much has changed as the only addition to the roster was in the form of a Daniel Carcillo tryout contract, but I took a much clearer look at some of the bubble players and position battles at camp on Thursday. 

• If you missed any of the Penguins annual rookie tournament in London, Ontario from September 13th-16th, I had write ups for each of the Penguins three games chocked full with insights/analysis of the standouts.

• Penguins Open Rookie Tournament With 4-3 Win vs. Ottawa
• Penguins Outlast Blackhawks in a Shootout
• Bibeau Says No - Toronto Shuts Out Penguins In Rookie Tourney Finale 

• Highland Park Hockey's Summer Feature Series has ended. Here's a look back at those eight features on incoming and hopeful Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players this season:

• Conor Sheary Aims to Make an Impression 
• Harrison Ruopp Fighting for AHL Role
• Matt Murray Looks to Make the Most of His Rookie Season
• Clark Seymour Takes a Step in the Right Direction
• Josh Archibald Looks to Translate Collegiate Success to the Pros
• Reid McNeill a Rare Breed Amongst Penguins Defensemen
• (Bryan) Rust Never Sleeps
• Patrick McGrath: A Man on a Mission