Full Breakdown
Pittsburgh Penguins Trim Training Camp Roster Ahead of Season
10/2/2025, 11:41:24 PM
Penguins Assign Players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially reduced their training camp roster by assigning five players to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). The players assigned include forwards Aidan McDonough and Mathieu De St. Phalle, defensemen Scooter Brickey and Chase Pietila, and goaltender Taylor Gauthier. Among these, only Chase Pietila is under an NHL contract, having signed a three-year entry-level deal in March 2024. The remaining players are on AHL contracts. Following these cuts, the Penguins maintain a training camp roster of 47 players, which includes eight players currently injured. The NHL's deadline for submitting a compliant 23-man roster is set for Monday.
Preseason Roster and Upcoming Games
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have announced their official preseason roster, which consists of 26 players, including 17 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders. They are scheduled to play two exhibition games: one against the Hershey Bears on October 3 and another against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on October 4. The Penguins are actively evaluating their roster as they prepare for the regular season, which begins with a matchup against the New York Rangers.
Young Players Making an Impact
Head Coach Dan Muse has noted that younger players are significantly influencing roster decisions during training camp. In a recent preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres, several young players, including Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, and Ville Koivunen, contributed to a 5-3 victory. Muse emphasized the importance of these young talents, stating, “You want to get to this week and feel like you have some very hard decisions to make.” This competitive environment has made it challenging for the coaching staff to finalize the roster.
Notable Performances and Roster Predictions
As the Penguins approach the end of training camp, various players have emerged as strong candidates for the final roster. Forwards like Filip Hallander and Connor Dewar have impressed with their performances, while defenseman Harrison Brunicke has also shown readiness for the NHL level. Predictions for the final roster suggest that established stars such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will secure their spots, but younger players may displace some veterans who have not performed up to expectations.
Injury Updates
The Penguins are also dealing with injury concerns as defenseman Jack St. Ivany is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks due to an undisclosed injury sustained during a recent game. Additionally, forward Bryan Rust will be sidelined for at least two weeks with an undisclosed ailment. These injuries could impact the final roster decisions as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Official Statements & Responses
Kyle Dubas, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, stated that the roster cuts reflect the team's ongoing evaluation process and the need to make difficult decisions as they finalize their lineup for the season. The Penguins are focused on balancing veteran experience with the potential of younger players as they aim for a successful season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You want to get to this week and feel like you have some very hard decisions to make.” — Dan Muse, Head Coach
- “I’ve shown that I can play at that level,” — Jack St. Ivany, Defenseman
The Pittsburgh Penguins are navigating a critical period as they finalize their roster, balancing the contributions of young talent against the experience of established players, all while managing injuries ahead of the regular season.
