Penguins Update: Callin’ the Shots

Just a little mish-mash post on the opening day of training camp.

The Penguins continued to make changes to their broadcast crew. Josh Getzoff moves over from radio to do TV play-by-play on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Steve Mears will fill his slot on the radio side.

Josh will be joined on occasion by his old partner, Phil Bourque, who will continue in his role as primary in-game color analyst on radio.

Former Pens Colby Armstrong and Mike Rupp will serve as in-game TV color analysts on a rotating basis with Bourque, similar to what the Pirates have done this season with Kevin Young, Matt Capps and Neil Walker. In addition, Armstrong and Rupp will serve as studio analysts.

Popular rink-side reporter Dan Potash will shift to a studio role. Hailey Hunter, a former professional golfer and the daughter of one-time Pens forward Tim Hrynewich, will assume Potash’s old slot. She has extensive on-camera experience as a reporter for the Golf Channel and the 2022 Olympics.

Jay Caufield stays put as the primary studio analyst.

Jake Skates

According to a report on Pittsburgh Hockey Now, Pens left wing Jake Guentzel skated this morning prior to the official practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex along with fellow injured players Raivis Ansons, Will Butcher, Nolan Collins and Owen Pickering.

The tousle-haired sniper is recovering from right ankle surgery and is expected to miss a handful of games to start the season.

Frasca Oops?

Other Rick pointed out in a comment yesterday that Jordan Frasca (pictured above) wasn’t on the published list of training camp invitees.

While I don’t know for sure, I’ve got to think this was an error. After all, Frasca played in the recently completed Prospects Challenge and performed quite well according to Other Rick. The 22-year-old center was a high-profile free-agent signing last summer, albeit by deposed former GM Ron Hextall.

Following a strong season with Kingston as an overage junior in 2021-22, one in which he out-goaled heralded teammate Shane Wright by a 42-32 margin, Frasca suffered an injury during the 2022 preseason and never regained his traction.

Pointless in eight games with the Baby Pens, he managed a disappointing seven goals and 12 points in 36 games with the Wheeling Nailers. Far below expectations.

Still, it’s hard to imagine the Pens have given up on Frasca so quickly, especially since he has two years left on his entry level contract.