Penguins Waive Five

The Penguins placed five players on waivers today, including defenseman Mark Friedman (pictured), goalie Magnus Hellberg and forwards Vinnie Hinostroza, Colin White and Radim Zohorna.

The three forwards are signed to two-way contracts, including White, who inked a deal on Saturday.

We’ll know by 2 p.m. tomorrow if any or all clear waivers or are claimed.

No official word as of yet on the status of peppery forward Austin Wagner and defensemen Libor Hajek and Mark Pysyk, who were invited to camp on PTOs.

Pysyk was injured early in the exhibition season. Wagner drew rave reviews from coach Mike Sullivan for his spirited play during the recent 2-1 loss to Detroit, but may have been supplanted by recent waiver pickup Jansen Harkins.

According to one source, Hajek has already departed.

The moves would seem to infer that Harkins, who impressed big time in his two games with the black and gold, and defenseman Ryan Shea have made the team.

While I like the speed, sand and underrated skill set Harkins brings to the table, I’m not sure what the coaching staff sees in Shea. True, he’s got decent size (6’2” 190) but he isn’t overly active or physical. As for versatility, I thought the left-hand shot had a brutal game playing his off side on Wednesday night against the Red Wings. Nor does that appear to be an outlier. In his four preseason games, the Pens were outshot by a 30-17 margin 5v5 with Ryan on the ice.

Based on their favorable reviews of the Northeastern University alum, perhaps the coaching staff thinks they’ve found a sleeper (portside) version of John Marino.

That remains to be seen.

Personally, I would have preferred to keep Friedman, who does the job every time he’s called upon. However, in the words of the immortal Rodney Dangerfield, “He don’t get no respect,” from the decision makers.

On the good news front, fast-healing Jake Guentzel may be fit to play the season opener against the Blackhawks on Tuesday.