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| Anton Zlobin (left) cutting up ice on a breakout during the 2014 Rookie Tournament in London, Ontario. |
The Pittsburgh Penguins are competing in the annual rookie tournament in London, Ontario this weekend against prospects from the Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto organizations. It's a chance for some rookies to get their feet wet before NHL training camps open next week, while providing some returning pros a chance to make a good first impression heading into camp.
After the jump, the Pens' schedule this weekend (they are in action at 4 p.m. ET today), a look at the roster and some players AHL Penguins fans should keep an eye on this weekend.
Penguins Rookie Tournament Schedule
Friday (9/11) at 4pm ET vs MTL
Saturday (9/12) at 4pm ET vs OTT
Sunday (9/13) at 7:30 pm ET vs TOR
Penguins Roster
* = tryout player not under contract with Pittsburgh or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Goaltenders (2): Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray
Defensemen (8): Mickael Beauregard*, Nat Halbert*, Miles Liberati*, Matt Murphy*, Derrick Pouliot, Harrison Ruopp, Clark Seymour and Evan Wardley*
Forwards (16): Josh Archibald, Tyler Biggs, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Sahir Gill*, Kameron Kielly*, Adam Krause, Jaden Lindo*, Ty Loney, Matia Marcantuoni, Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary, Dominik Simon, Daniel Sprong, Oskar Sundqvist, Scott Wilson and Anton Zlobin.
Quick Notes & Players to Watch
- From an AHL Penguins perspective, I'm interested to see goaltender Tristan Jarry in action this weekend. I'd expect each goaltender will get one game of their own and split the third game of the tournament. Jarry will be turning pro this fall and will be looking to earn the backup job to Matt Murray with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. A good first impression could go a long way for Jarry, and that begins with this weekend's tournament.
- On defense, there aren't many players under contract competing for the Penguins. Derrick Pouliot is obviously looking to solidify his NHL aspirations, but it's a good chance for Harrison Ruopp and Clark Seymour to impose their will, show they're reliable defensive defensemen and show they're not completely lost with the puck on their stick.
- Up front, there are a dozen forwards on this roster who look to be playing in the AHL this fall. Some - Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary, Oskar Sundqvist and Scott Wilson - have that final NHL roster spot on their minds and will certainly be coming into this weekend's tournament with a chip on their shoulder.
- Still, it will be interesting to see Anton Zlobin back in action after another shoulder injury last October required surgery and ended his season. After several rookie forwards made a name for themselves last season, it will be important for Zlobin to re-gain his play from the 2014 postseason where he was a dynamic offensive talent at the AHL level.
- Two more names I think you should keep an eye on this weekend are returning forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and Matia Marcantuoni. Dea has the offensive instincts needed to score at the pro level, but last season was a learning experience for him in terms of positioning and play away from the puck. Marcantuoni looks to play a larger role with the AHL Penguins in the bottom six this season and has lightning speed as well as good play on the forecheck. A full year of pro experience for both players should be noticeable at an event like this weekend.
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