Categories: PenguinPoop

Penguins Finalize Roster

The Penguins made several moves today to whittle their active roster down to the 23-man limit. In the process, becoming cap compliant.

The black-and-gold returned defenseman Harrison Brunicke, arguably the most pleasant surprise of training camp and preseason this side of Rutger McGroarty (who made the team!), to the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

There was some thought the Pens might keep the 18-year-old wonder, but Erik Karlsson was given the green light to return after sitting out the preseason with a lower-body ailment.

Forwards Bryan Rust (lower-body) and Blake Lizotte (concussion) were placed on injured reserve, along with goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (lower-body). Forward Matt Nieto was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Forward Vasily Ponomarev (upper-body) was designated injured reserve non-roster (whatever the heck that is).

Heavyweight forward Boko Imama and defenseman Sebastian Aho cleared waivers and were assigned to the Baby Pens.

Without further ado, here are your 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins by position.

Center—Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Lars Eller, Cody Glass

Left Wing—Drew O’Connor, Michael Bunting, Rutger McGroarty, Kevin Hayes

Right Wing—Anthony Beauvillier, Rickard Rakell, Jesse Puljujärvi, Noel Acciari, Valtteri Puustinen

Left Defense—Marcus Pettersson, Matt Grzelcyk, Ryan Graves, Ryan Shea

Right Defense—Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Jack St. Ivany

Goalie—Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist

Rick Buker

View Comments

  • Hey Rick,

    Some quick thoughts,

    - Surprised but happy to see Aho gone.
    - Glad to see Blomqvist and McRoarty made opening night 22 man roster, but now the question is will they get a chance to play? Or are they only here because Ned, Rust and smurf Lizotte are on IR?
    - Surprised but happy to see Puustenin still here. I thought he would be traded. Not that I would be upset at a trade, just that I doubt we would get max value for him. My hope is that he is afforded quality TOI to build his stock up for an eventual trade. As I wrote on a previous reply I like the kid but as small as this team is physically and tactically (even when the player isn't small - Due to coaching edicts?), the young Finn isn't a good fit here.
    - Sad to see that Beliveau wasn't even given a chance to attend training camp but was immediately banished to WBS after being the best Defensemen in the prospect tournament.
    - Sad to see that Gauthier and Howe were injured throughout camp and we couldn't see them.
    -Sad to see Beauvillier, K. Hayes, Grelczyk, and Jarry on the roster.
    - Will the media blame the injuries to Rust, Liszotte, and Ned for a potential slow start (as if injuries only affect Pgh)?

Recent Posts

Goin’ to WAR with Our Penguins (’26 Edition)

In what’s become a rite of summer at PenguinPoop, here's the latest Goin’ to WAR with…

1 day ago

Is the Penguins’ Defense Better?

Last week, I posed the following question. Are the Penguins a better team following a…

4 days ago

Penguins Sign Chinakhov, Šilovs and Two Others

Penguins POHO/GM Kyle Dubas signed four of his team’s RFAs to contract extensions yesterday. The…

1 week ago

Excited About Penguins Robertson

I’ve been quick to express my concerns about the Penguins’ summer thus far. A few…

1 week ago

Are Dubas and the Penguins Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place?

Three days into free agency, the Penguins’ roster resembles anything but a finished product. With…

1 week ago

Penguins Just Say No To A Robertson Trade, Please.

Jason Robertson is an all-star player, of that there can be no doubt. However, he…

1 week ago