More Penguins Preseason Impressions

Otherwise detained at work, I was only able to watch bits and pieces of the Penguins’ 2-1 preseason victory at Buffalo last night.

When I was finally able to tune in to the videostream on the Sabres website, the first thing I noticed was No. 75 in the Pens’ visiting whites throwing a check on a Sabre.

My first thought…”When did we get Ryan Reaves back?” Then I noticed the name on the back. OLSON. As in right wing Kyle Olson, who goes 5’11” 178 as opposed to Reaves’ Thunderdome dimensions. Lol.

Anyway, enough with my clunky lead-in. From the dozen minutes or so I was able to watch I formed some more impressions. Some good. Some not so good. Here they be.

Overall, I thought we were more aggressive and “on the puck” for lack of a better way to describe it. We also did a way better job of generating shots from the prime scoring areas inside the circles.

Everyone seemed generally effective in their roles. Among the players I noticed more than others, Olson, Anthony Angello, Valterri Puustinen (an assist, plus-2), Michael Chaput (a goal and an assist, plus-2) and, as much as it pains me to write it…Dominik Simon, who notched our first goal and logged a sterling CORSI for of 61.90 on a night when the team’s CORSI was a subterranean 38.75. Giving credit where credit’s due, the much-maligned Czech is doing everything in his power to earn a spot on the season-opening roster. No honorary appointment from coach Mike Sullivan necessary.

The goalies were solid. Louis Domingue in particular did a fine job in relief of Casey DeSmith, turning aside 20 of 21 shots, including 15 during a rather lopsided third period. Defenseman Will Reilly caught my eye with his skating. For the record, he’s big (6’2” 197) and a right shot to boot.

A special shout out to feisty center Jordy Bellerive. Although I didn’t see it, he laid a whuppin’ on Sabres forward Matej Pekar in a first-period fight. I honestly can’t remember the last time a Penguin prevailed in a go ‘round.

I’ll lump prime prospects Sam Poulin and Nathan Legare into the so-so category. Maybe it’s a case of misplaced expectations, but I was hoping Poulin would be more physical along the lines of a traditional hit/score/fight power forward. For Legare, I once again think it’s a case of trying a little too hard. He wants to score so badly that he seems to be forgetting details like securing the puck in one-on-one battles and being physical in the corners. It should be noted that he paced all skaters with five shots on goal.

I didn’t see enough of Radim Zohorna to form an opinion one way or another. Although he had a good night in the faceoff circle (71 percent) I continue to be largely unimpressed with forward Drew O’Connor (one shot on goal, no hits). He flubbed a chance for an empty-netter in the final minute of play.

The only truly glaring negative? When the heat was on and our defense was pressured, it once again morphed into an on-ice version of the Keystone Kops, making Domingue’s performance all the more impressive. Granted, we dressed our second-string defensemen. But it’s an organizational issue rooted in Sullivan’s preference for stick-on-puck defense that stresses puck movement over traditional d-zone and net-front play. An issue that’s liable to dog our ‘d’ all season long.

But hey, at least there were some positives and at least we showed some life.

Pens Pare Roster

The Penguins lopped 13 players from their training camp roster following the game. Forwards Jonathan Gruden, Felix Robert, Bellerive, Olson and Puustinen; defensemen Niclas Almari, Taylor Fedun, Cam Lee, Mitch Reinke and Reilly; and goaltender Filip Lindberg were assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Fedun must first clear waivers before he reports to the Baby Pens.

Pittsburgh native Matt Bartkowski (plus-2 last night) was released from his PTO. Intriguing forward Raivis Ansons was returned to Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.