After a long offseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins will step on to the ice for the first time in the 2015-16 season this week.
It’s been the second consecutive offseason of change for the franchise. A year ago, the team completely restructured the front office and coaching staff. This offseason, the team has been put up for sale, opened a new practice facility and brought in 16 players – most notably, right-winger Phil Kessel — that will be taking to the ice wearing a skating penguin for the first time.
In total, head coach Mike Johnston will have 49 skaters and four goaltenders at his disposal when the Penguins begin the on-ice portion training camp on Thursday.
The team announced the full roster for the first time today, and though there are many new faces, there are few surprises.
In fact, the biggest surprise might be who is absent from the list. None of the players on tryouts at the team’s July prospect development camp or last weekend’s rookie tournament have been invited to participate, at least as this juncture.
The other invitees are right-winger Jaden Lindo, who is an unsigned draft choice and will almost definitely return to his junior team, the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL, for his 19-year old season, defenseman Sergei Gonchar and left-winger Tom Sestito, who are on tryouts, and right-winger Tom Kostopoulos, defenseman Barry Goers and center Carter Rowney, who are on AHL contracts.
The other 47 players invited are all on NHL contracts – three below the maximum – although 2015 second-round pick Daniel Sprong is also expected to return to his junior club (QMJHL Charlottetown), which would free up an available contract.
The camp will be held at the new UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township. Because of limited seating and parking, a lottery was held for passes for the first three days of camp (Sept. 18 through 20). Beginning on Sept. 21, practices will be open to the public.
Sept. 21 will also be the first of the Pens eight preseason games, as the Penguins will travel to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets at 7:00 p.m.
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Penguins
