Pens Points: Catching Up

Hopefully everyone enjoyed the 4th of July weekend. Here’s a quick recap on any Penguins news you may have missed over the holiday.

For those of us south of the United States-Canada border, this past weekend was a long one as America celebrated its independence on the 4th of July. Between parties, food, beers, and fireworks, no one could blame you for setting the phone aside and enjoying the festivities. To help you catch up on all the latest Penguins news, here is a rare summer Pens Points containing all the major headlines and news from the weekend.

Pens Points...

The Pittsburgh Penguins annual Development Camp began on Thursday with a flurry of new additions making their debuts in Pittsburgh after being drafted a week prior. [Pensburgh]

Speaking of those new additions, the Penguins draft haul saw 13 new prospects be added to an ever growing pool of players being built by Kyle Dubas and his staff. [Pensburgh]

Another new name in Cranberry this weekend was not a draft pick, but another piece of the Marcus Pettersson trade. His name is Melvin Fernstrom and he’s coming off a Rookie of the Year performance in the Swedish Hockey League. [Penguins]

One of the standouts from Development Camp to this point has been defenseman Harrison Brunicke. After almost making the team out of training camp last season, Brunicke knows he will have to earn a spot if he wants to be in the NHL this season. [PPG]

There are no guarantees in the NHL, but right now Brrunicke is the closest thing the Penguins have to a future franchise defenseman. Even if he doesn’t break training camp with the squad, his NHL wait may not be very long. [Trib Live]

New head coach Dan Muse spoke to reporters for the first time since his introductory press conference last month. Muse laid out the roles of his new assistant coaches over the course of his 10-minute media session. [Pensburgh]

There is likely still a lot of work to be done on this Penguins roster between now and training camp. Most business from here on out will be conducted through trades and there could a budding partner out west if both sides are interested. [Pensburgh]

NHL News and Notes...

An increased salary cap saw money being tossed around like candy before and after free agency opened. While players will certainly not regret getting their pay day, there are a few contracts out there that may turn sour sooner rather than later. [The Hockey News]