Pens Points: Goalie & 3-on-3; Dupuis Out 4-5 Weeks

PENS

Bad news first: Pascal Dupuis was ruled out of the opening-night game in Dallas with a lower-body injury that is not related to his blood clot. Yesterday they announced at least a week, today they are saying 4-5 weeks. [Penguins]

Tim Erixon was placed on waivers to provide team with more flexibility in roster maneuvering prior to the 5 pm deadline. Every penny freed up under the cap may turn out to be important. [Chipped Ice]

How will the goalies adjust to 3-on-3 overtime? Marc-Andre Fleury and Jeff Zatkoff sound off. [Empty Netters]

How exactly did Daniel Sprong fall to the middle of the second round when most scouts agreed that his offensive prowess was matched by few players in the deep 2015 draft? [THN]

NHL

Sportsnet poll of experts makes all kinds of predictions. Okay the Ducks are winning the Cup. Let's all go home now. [Sportsnet]

Picks from another veritable source though hahaha my mom's picks are probably going to pan out better. [USA Today]

Dylan Larkin is the first teenager in 15 years to earn a roster spot with the Red Wings. The winds of change are blowing in Hockeytown - veteran worship has moved to Toronto. [WIIM]

How NHL salary cap squeeze is impacting rosters. A really good analysis by Chris Johnston. [SportsNet]

It was a busy waiver wire yesterday, last chance for teams to place players on waivers before today's 5pm EST roster deadline. MacDonald, Talbot, Raymond, Tokarski, to name but a few. [SportsNet]

The San Jose Sharks have given the captaincy to Joe Pavelski, with Joe Thornton serving as an alternate. Sure that's gonna fix all that's ailing them. [NHL]

The Department of Player Safety dropped the hammer on Rafi Torres on the occasion of his billionth hit targeting the head and suspended him for half the season. [NHL]

Zack Kassian, who sustained a broken jaw and foot in a crash, wishes his troubles ended there. Habs GM Marc Bergevin ripped into him in a presser, he is suspended without pay until medically cleared to play, and he is placed in Stage 2 of NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program. [Montreal Gazette]

The NHL acknowledges that an increased number of players are using cocaine, and has launched a partnership with the NHLPA to place this drug on the list of substances routinely tested for. [TSN]

This is a really good read on ELC bonus structures as they relate to retaining multiple players on ELCs on the rosters. The case study explores whether there may not be room for both Griffin Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl (sent down) on the Oilers roster. [Edmonton Journal]

General Fanager has a really good video channel that is really great for explaining the basics of CBA and the whole gamut of issues. [YouTube]

We end with the great 68. The baby-faced mullet-haired Czech phenom began his illustrious NHL career 25 years ago today, October 6, 1990 against Washington. The baby face is no more, but the mullet is coming back! [USA Today]