Pittsburgh Penguins training camp is just now swinging back into action, and there was a lot to digest on Friday. Let’s take a look at everything in lightning-round fashion.
Phil Kessel + Evgeni Malkin ... + basketball?
A lot - way too much, probably - was made of Kessel barking on the bench, with many perceiving it to be at Malkin, before scoring a huge goal against the Senators during the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.
Kessel told media members including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey that the yapping wasn’t directed at Malkin, and that they get along great. (He also had great things to say about Geno Malkin, basketball player. Picture Malkin’s sweet jumper for a moment or two if you’re bored.)
As a reminder, here’s Kessel yapping away.
Good times.
One thing Kessel wasn’t interested in talking about? Apparently he grew his hair out a bit this summer.
Asked Phil about letting his hair grow out. "I’m not going to answer that stupid question. Next one."
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 15, 2017
Never change, Phil.
Patric Hornqvist update
The bad news is that Patric Hornqvist’s hand issue required “a procedure” during the summer. The good news is that the Penguins expect him to be back toward the end of training camp. Even if that’s a bit optimistic, it seems like it’s a positive update overall for the guy who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal.
The search to replace Nick Bonino
Is it too bold to wonder if the Penguins might just turn Matt Duchene’s frown upside down?
Rutherford on a third line center: "We have our focus on three guys. I think one or two may become available before the season starts."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 15, 2017
OK, imagining Duchene as a third-line center seems like a stretch, but you have to admit that it’s quite the intriguing teaser for GM Jim Rutherford to leave things so enticingly vague.
The Penguins’ website goes deeper on the subject, including on easier-to-manage, in-house fixes, including possibly trying Jake Guentzel as their 3C.
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Those are the biggest considerations coming out of Penguins camp, but there’s more, such as Letang initially lining up with Olli Maatta. Scroll Mackey’s feed and the Penguins’ official feed for more nuggets, among other sources, as there’s a lot out there regarding the back-to-back defending champs trying to make it three in a row.