Pens “looking for...competitive spirit” at training camp

Day one thoughts at Penguins training camp

The first day of training camp is always a little like the first day of school. Everyone is happy to be back, with some extra giddiness in knowing their captain and leader is signed up for a few more years. But it’s also a professional competition for players angling to make an impression and stand out over what is not a very long time to settle things out.

“I think it will be a competitive camp,” coach Mike Sullivan said after yesterday’s first day of practice. “What we’re looking for is competitive spirit, execution, hockey IQ… those are the things that I think add up to make a positive impact. So, regardless of what the position is, guys are going to get an opportunity to show what they can do. If they can make an impact in a positive way with the group, then certainly they’ll be in the conversation to make the roster.”

One player getting that opportunity and who is in the conversation is new prospect Rutger McGroarty.

“I don’t think there’s any question in the short time that I’ve watched Rutger play, I think he’s got a very bright future,” Sullivan said. “As far as when that occurs, a lot of that time frame is going to be on him and his overall progress. I know we’d all like to sit here and say, ‘hey, he’s going to make the opening night roster.’ If he earns his way onto that roster, he will. But if he doesn’t, and the organization and Kyle and our hockey operations group feel that it’s best for him to continue to develop at the American League level, then those decisions will be made.”

McGroarty practiced on a line yesterday with Drew O’Connor and Sam Poulin. That doesn’t indicate much, but there’s usually nothing terribly useful about first day combinations. Just ask Vinnie Hinostroza and Andreas Johnsson, the two players who opened camp last year with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, respectively. Neither winger made the NHL team out of training camp.

Erik Karlsson was not on the ice with an undisclosed upper body injury. He’s listed as day-to-day and Sullvan did not sound overly concerned about it (“I know some of this stuff is precautionary as early as it is in the year,” the coach would say).

Kris Letang held court for a while and was happy for Crosby and the Penguins but not surprised over the new contract.

And finally, we’ll leave the last word for the captain as they talk even on day one about the big picture of what the long chase all means.