General Manager Kyle Dubas announced today that 69 players have been invited by the Penguins to their UPMC-sponsored training camp for 2024-25.
The latest update from the training camp brings mixed news as teams prepare for the season. Erik Karlsson, one of the standout players, is currently listed as day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. This has raised questions about his availability for upcoming sessions and games. However, the camp's schedule remains packed as teams look to solidify their strategies and lineups for the upcoming season.
The camp schedule for today includes three teams taking the ice in a series of practices and scrimmages. Team 1 and Team 2 will begin the day's activities with a practice from 9:00-9:45 AM, followed by a scrimmage from 10:00-10:45 AM. Afterward, Team 3 is set to have their practice session at 11:30 AM, followed by a second round on the ice at 12:40 PM.
"Karlsson's injury is a bit of a setback, but we are hopeful he'll be back soon," a team official commented when asked about the defenseman's status.
With his importance to the team's defense, many eyes will be on his recovery in the coming days. While Karlsson's absence may leave a temporary gap, the coaching staff is focused on ensuring the rest of the roster remains sharp and prepared.
The intense schedule at camp will likely push the players to their limits, testing their stamina and adaptability. Scrimmages, in particular, are crucial for evaluating how well the team is working together, especially with new roster additions. As the season approaches, these camps play an integral role in finalizing strategies and ensuring players are in top condition.
Twenty-five players on the roster for head coach Mike Sullivan skated for Pittsburgh at least once in the previous campaign. The roster for this year's training camp features some well-known players, including goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic, defensemen Marcus Pettersson, and forwards Bryan Rust, Michael Bunting, and Rickard Rakell.
The most of any trio of teammates in major North American professional sports history, captain Sidney Crosby, who is about to embark on a franchise-record 20th season, and alternate captains Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are back for their 19th season together.
Newly acquired forward Rutger McGroarty, defenseman Owen Pickering (21st overall, 2022), and Pittsburgh's top two draft selections from June of last year, Tanner Howe (46th overall) and Harrison Brunicke (45th overall), are also present at training camp.