Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford says the team is eager to get to work at training camp, which starts on January 3rd. In the meantime, the players are taking part in informal workouts in Cranberry.
The 56-game season starts on January 13th, with teams playing only the teams in their own newly-aligned division, which in the Penguins case will mean seven games each against the Bruins, Flyers, Islanders, Rangers, Devils, Capitals, and Sabres. The first two rounds of the playoffs will also be within the division. The schedule has not been released yet.
Rutherford said no players have opted out, which is an option open to anyone. He said forward Zach Ashton-Reese is on schedule to return from August shoulder surgery. He won’t be ready to go for the start of the season.
The GM also said he expects veteran Maxim Lagace to be the Penguins’ third goaltender, which is a requirement for all NHL teams this season. And veteran forward Jordan Nolan will get a shot at the Penguins’ roster, after signing a free agent contract with Wilkes Barre/Scranton.
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