Spots are hard to come by in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup as training camp inches closer. The club is stuck in limbo as they try to compete while they also attempt to foster in a younger generation of players. With how the current roster appears to be shaping up, don't be surprised if the club holds onto more veterans than younger pieces.
It could be another roster of old players coming out of training camp.
One thing that has remained a bright spot with Dan Muse as head coach has been the ongoing internal competition. Players had to earn their ice time each and every night last year, and this season doesn't appear to be any different. Expect a competitive training camp for the Penguins, but there are some skaters who must take that next step forward that they haven't been able to accomplish yet.
Pittsburgh Penguins who must show they belong on the roster during brutal training camp
Harrison Brunicke
Making the NHL roster might be an impossible task for Harrison Brunicke going into training camp. The right side of the defense is full and might be too crowded for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unless Brunicke knocks their socks off this preseason and injuries happen, expect Brunicke to have to wait. It should be time for him to enter the Penguins lineup, but there isn't a spot for him to take.
Ville Koivunen
After signing him to a monster contract extension, the Penguins put a big gamble on Ville Koivunen. The truth is that he isn't much of an NHL contributor going into this campaign, but the hope is that he can finally put things together. This contract is a massive gamble by Pittsburgh, so hopefully Koivunen proves them right. Despite his new deal, he must earn a job on this roster.
Sergei Murashov
Even though Sergei Murashov has yet to play a full NHL season, the hype surrounding the young goaltender is off the charts.
He will battle with Arturs Silovs for the starting goaltender job. Don't be shocked if Murashov either splits starts or gets relegated to the backup role to save his development at the start of the season. He should eventually supplant Silovs as the starter as the campaign progresses.
Rutger McGroarty
This is a massive training camp for Rutger McGroarty as he must finally show he is worth the investment the Penguins put into him. Thus far, he just hasn't looked like he belongs in the big leagues, and time is running out. His stock might not be as low as Ville Koivunen's going into training camp, but the former first round pick is starting to lose some favor within the organization.
Owen Pickering
Everyone seems to have forgotten about Owen Pickering, and perhaps that is because he was a first-round pick by the previous administration.
The new Penguins front office doesn't seem thrilled with his game, and he has yet to get back into Pittsburgh's lineup. With some issues on the left side of their defensive pairings, the hope would be to see Pickering find a way to win a roster spot at training camp.
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