Penguins' Practice Lines Hint at Opening Night Roster vs. Rangers
Photo credit: ClutchPoints
The Penguins' lines at practice this morning could serve as a good indication as to who will be suiting up for the opening game of the season against the Rangers.
Kyle Dubas guaranteed one thing during training camp: the Pittsburgh Penguins did not want their young players to give up anything for free.
That attitude created an interesting camp and compelled some tough decisions by management and the coaching staff.
With the Penguins set to meet the New York Rangers on Tuesday evening in their opener, Monday's defense pairings and forward lineup provided a good indication of who's in, and that includes both 19-year-old Harrison Brunicke and 18-year-old Ben Kindel.
The Penguins Have not had 2 Teenagers in Their Lineup in Nearly 20 Years
Pittsburgh's roster is at 23 players, and the first time since 2006-07 that the team has had two teenagers in its opening-night lineup when Jordan Staal and Kris Letang made their debut together.
Head coach Dan Muse indicated that Kindel and Brunicke "checked boxes" all camp long and earned themselves a spot in the lineup based on work ethic and reliability.
"And they continued, based on their play and their actions in both practices and games to tell us, you're going to need to put us in another game, and you're going to need to see us again, and you're going to need to continue to consider us," Muse said. "They've done that on a consistent basis. And so, we get to today, this is where we're at."
Kindel, a draft pick at 11th overall, suited up for all but one of the preseason games, contributing a goal and two assists and showing poise and intelligence in his game.
He credited his success to consistency in his work ethic and staying focused on things under his control.
"Just kind of showed up every day, tried to get better each day, and just show what I can do each day," Kindel said. "I'm really grateful to still be here, have this opportunity to continue and be in this environment. I've learned a lot, grown a lot. Just got to see what it kind of takes to live this life. Going through training camp and preseason, just how they have to take every day, work hard, preparation, all those things. You have to do it with a pro mindset."
Brunicke, taken 45th overall in 2024, impressed too. Having picked up his pro debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last spring, he returned to camp more confident and, judging by the way he flexed those massive arms, stronger.
Dubas and assistant GM Jason Spezza had said he'd "make some noise", and make noise he did.
With Pittsburgh's opening night roster announcement, the addition of Kindel and Brunicke injects a shot of young vigor and hope. To enthusiasts, it's not a glimpse of what's to come; it's the future a little earlier than anticipated.
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