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Crowded Penguins Situation Could Push Two Forwards Out of Roster Spots
The Penguins have a good mix of veterans, stars, and young players, which could push Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen out of the lineup next season.
There are currently 13 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders under the Pittsburgh Penguins' active roster, which leaves barely any room for top forward prospects Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty.
Ville Koivunen, age 22, and Rutger McGroarty, age 21, both made headlines with late-season appearances in the NHL last season.
Koivunen racked up seven points in eight games playing with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, while McGroarty scored a goal and racked up a total of three points in five games before a lower-body injury ended his time with the big club.
Kyle Dubas will not guarantee any opening-night roster spots for these prospects
There is promise there, but it will be no guarantee for an opening night roster spot. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was firm leading up to free agency that young players will need to work their way into a role, as there will be no exceptions.
"I think the key thing is that we want these guys to earn it," Dubas said. "So, if we just start handing the guys spots, we're going to very quickly lose what I think the Penguins have been about for a very long time and what's made the Penguins a great team in the league since the early 90s."
He added: "It's right there for them. We're not going to block them, but they're going to have to go out and prove that they can be here, and they're going to have to earn their way here It's trying to find that balance between not blocking players but making them earn it and also having enough depth to be competitive on a nightly basis."
He added: "It's right there for them. We're not going to block them, but they're going to have to go out and prove that they can be here, and they're going to have to earn their way here It's trying to find that balance between not blocking players but making them earn it and also having enough depth to be competitive on a nightly basis."
With veterans Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell still under contract themselves and not having been traded out of town yet despite the rumors, it makes it that much tougher to make a case for a roster spot. Both McGroarty and Koivunen will find themselves in a very crowded race.
Depth players like Danton Heinen, Philip Tomasino, Alex Nylander, Noel Acciari, Kevin Hayes, and Connor Dewar are already roster locks.
Right now, here are the 13 forwards on the Penguins' active roster, according to Puckpedia:
Crosby
Malkin
Rust
Rakell
Kevin Hayes
Tommy Novak
Anthony Mantha
Danton Heinen
Noel Acciari
Blake Lizotte
Philip Tomasino
Justin Brazeau
Connor Dewar
Crosby
Malkin
Rust
Rakell
Kevin Hayes
Tommy Novak
Anthony Mantha
Danton Heinen
Noel Acciari
Blake Lizotte
Philip Tomasino
Justin Brazeau
Connor Dewar
McGroarty and Koivunen will be competing with prospects Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, Sam Poulin, and Filip Hallander, the reigning forward of the year in the SHL.
The uphill battle is true, yet from their solid play last season, both Koivunen and McGroarty cannot be excluded from the top producers of the junior class. If they make a good impact in training camp, they could lock themselves onto the team roster.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 53 ANSWERS Crowded Penguins Situation Could Push Two Forwards Out of Roster Spots Will there be room in the lineup for Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen next season? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 75.5 % |
| No | 13 | 24.5 % |
| List of polls | ||