Penguins Throttle Blue Jackets, Make Cuts

In their final exhibition game before the start of the regular season, the Penguins spotted the visiting Blue Jackets an early 2-0 lead before storming back for a rousing 7-3 victory.

Offensive heroes included Noel Acciari and Lars Eller, who notched two goals apiece, and Rickard Rakell, Jesse Puljujärvi and rookie Rutger McGroarty, who each tickled the twine once.

It was McGroarty’s first goal of the preseason. Skating on a line with Eller and the rejuvenated Puljujärvi, he also collected two assists and just looked really solid all-around.

My two cents? While it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for Rutger to get his feet wet in the AHL, he has the chops to start his pro career in the NHL competing against the big boys.

Whether or not he will is another matter.

Eller and Puljujärvi registered two helpers, as did mainstay Kris Letang. Cody Glass and Kevin Hayes also picked up assists.

I know it’s only preseason. But, suddenly, the Pens appear to have the offensive depth with the likes of Glass, Hayes and Puljujärvi, to say nothing of Acciari (three goals in three games), that was largely MIA the past two seasons.

That bodes well.

Kid goalie Joel Blomqvist got the nod in net. He wasn’t dazzling, but he was plenty good enough, turning aside 26 of 29 shots. After yielding a pair of early bang-bang goals just 40 seconds apart, the rookie stiffened. A good sign, especially since we’ll need to depend on him to a degree through the early going.

More Cuts

Prior to the game, the Pens assigned defenseman Owen Pickering and forwards Corey Andonovski, Tristan Broz and Ville Koivunen to their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club.

In addition, seven players were placed on waivers, including defensemen Nate Clurman, Filip Kral and scrapper John Ludvig, along with forwards Emil Bemström, Jonathan Gruden, Joona Koppanen and, most notably, former first-round pick Sam Poulin.

If they clear waivers, they’ll likely be assigned to the Baby Pens.

I’m kind of hoping another team claims Poulin. Pigeon-holed here, it just seems like Sam could use a fresh start elsewhere.

Because his name has been bandied about in our comments section of late, I’ll also mention that former Pens prospect Nathan Légaré was placed on waivers by the Devils.

As with former junior teammate Poulin, hope the feisty winger with the bomb of a shot somehow gains traction somewhere.

On the Shelf

Erik Karlsson, Blake Lizotte, Alex Nedeljkovic, Vasily Ponomarev and Bryan Rust are holed up in sick bay with various and sundry maladies.

It appears Matt Nieto, still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, will begin the season on Long-Term Injured Reserve.