Pens Points: Let the Games Begin

Good morning one and all,

The Pens 2015-16 training camp opens tomorrow and the team is conducting the media day today. 18 of 53 players in camp were not with the organization as last season ended, so that's a lot of new faces around. [Trib]

Optimism abounds on the eve of training camp, and I have to admit feeling more excited about this season than any other I can recall, well, other than the start of 2010-11 season when I was floating on cloud nine and we all know how that cruddy season ended. [PPG]

Our friends in the nation's capital do know how to make good lists, and here is a list of the top-10 defensemen in the Metropolitan Division heading into 2015-16 season, with a familiar name rightly at #1. [Japer's Rink]

From around the NHL, the Slava Voynov saga appears to have run its course. Voynov has begun the process of returning to Russia and the Kings, who were just about to terminate his contract Mike Richards-style, now no longer have to do that. [LA Times]

Don't kid yourself, though. Voynov choosing to leave voluntarily rather than be subject to forced deportation is a clever strategy that (a) allows him to cash in back in Russia right away; (b) keeps the door open for return to the US sooner than otherwise; (c) gets Kings off the hook for his cap hit while he's away; and (d) allows the Kings to retain his NHL rights. Basically he's Alex Radulov with a little misdemeanor. [OC Register]

Moving on to other criminal cases, Patrick Kane is expected to attend the Blackhawks training camp, thus allowing his team to take the reigns from the Kings as the tone-deaf organization where wins come first, everything else after that. [TSN]

Some reports say he is settling with the accuser, some say there is no settlement, somebody I know from Chicago played golf with the Blackhawks lawyer and they are saying something third, it's a circus that nobody needs. We do know that the case is going back before the grand jury, so it'll be fun to have Kane in camp while the grand jury is considering whether to indict. [Forbes]

A deeper look at the Jaret Stoll situation as he gets a change of scenery following his own run-ins with the law and prepares to skate as a member of the New York Rangers. [Blueshirt Banter]

Hey look there are non-criminal news in the NHL too! Jiri Tlusty will remain with a divisional rival as he received a 1-year, $800K contract offer from the Devils. Also introducing the name change for our cousin Devils blog. No more In Lou We Trust. [All About the Jersey]

The Isles signed Brock Nelson to a 3-year, $7.5M deal, just beating the training camp start. That's a great deal for them. [CBS Sports]

Jonathan Huberdeau likewise managed to get signed just before the clock struck midnight, agreeing to a 2-year $6.5M deal to remain with the Panthers. Contracts for everybody! [The Score]

Eliotte Friedman's 30 thoughts is back and there are lots of good tidbits for the many news not covered for space reasons. [SportsNet]

Something light-hearted and worth reading on the fine art of jerseying. Canadians are strange but lovable people after all. [Grantland]

And just like that, with a Stanley Cup to cap his career, Dan Carcillo rides off into the sunset determined to honor his friend Monty's memory and carry on a mission of helping athletes transition to life after hockey . Another great piece from arguably the best first-person source in sports. [The Players' Tribune]

Last but not least, some good Pens talk as Lyle and Andy are joined by Trib's excellent Jason Mackey on the new episode of Garage League Podcast. [Soundcloud]