It's still the early days of training camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but there are already early standouts.
With a crowded group in a competitive environment, the Penguins will have some tough roster decisions when those need to be finalized. Some players have a better shot at sticking around than others, but with a strong performance at camp, those with the odds stacked against them could shock many by making the team.
During the early going of camp, players like Filip Hallander and Owen Pickering have surprised many. Hallander has an uphill battle to overcome, but don't discount his chances of making the roster. Pickering would help solve some of their defensive imbalance, but he must keep his momentum going.
Harrison Brunicke and Elmer Soderblom are having solid starts despite many assuming that would be the case.
Just because some players are sticking out more than others right now, doesn't mean that trend will continue. There are only a few roster spots available in Pittsburgh, and even fewer slots up for grabs in the lineup. This is one of the more quantitative training camp rosters this organization has seen in years. It's going to lead to many skaters getting the axe when rosters officially get cut down.
Pittsburgh Penguins already shoving their names into the roster conversation at training camp
Filip Hallander
Everyone has seemingly forgotten about Filip Hallander despite his wide-ranging experience in professional hockey. Hallander was seen as someone on the outside looking in when it comes to the roster bubble as training camp started. That train of thought has begun to shift in the veterans favor after the first couple of practices.
He has a shot at not only making the team, but the opening night lineup.
Harrison Brunicke
Expectations of him sticking on the big club should remain low even though Harrison Brunicke continues to impress. He's still a young defenseman, but the Penguins basically blocked him out of the NHL with the countless right-handed players they have added this offseason. There is no room for Brunicke to take over on the right side of a pairing, and it could hurt the Penguins in the end.
Elmer Soderblom
After a bad start to training camp by showing up late, Elmer Soderblom has continued to show why the Penguins traded for him last year. He is a massive skater who has shown he might have a new lease on his NHL life since joining Pittsburgh. He has a shot at making the roster and potentially continuing where he left off last year. Soderblom is an intriguing piece to their puzzle.
Owen Pickering
Many might not imagine Owen Pickering with a strong shot at making the roster, but he should. The Penguins could use another solid left-handed defenseman to dethrone Ryan Graves for the lineup, and Pickering seems to be their only viable option right now. The Penguins' current management group never seem thrilled with Pickering, but his early training camp showing has been promising.
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