Pens Points: Playing at the Peg

After an especially long summer, the Penguins returned to action on Monday night, kicking off their preseason slate against the Buffalo Sabres at Pegula Ice Arena in State College. The Sabres won 5-4 in overtime, featuring most of their normal stars while the Penguins opted for a roster consisting mostly of guys that will be playing in the AHL. It was a big night for Hollidaysburg native Sam Lafferty who scored a goal playing in what is basically his backyard. [Trib Live]

Thursday night is the next time you can catch the Penguins in action when they play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena.

Jump start your Tuesday with some coffee and a fresh Pens Points...

There was a lot of consternation throughout the Penguins fan base last season when the tam acquired Erik Gudbranson at the trade deadline. For the most part, Gudbranson acquitted himself well and he hopes to build on that short run of success after a full offseason in the Penguins program. [Trib Live]

One of the under the radar goals for the Penguins this offseason was adding more goaltending depth behind the incumbent No. 1 Matt Murray. With Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry already on the roster, Jim Rutherford signed an additional three netminders to shore up the crease for this season. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

As franchise cornerstones like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to age, there will be a lot of talk about the Penguins Stanley Cup window. While no one can pinpoint exactly how long window will remain open, the older players know time is getting precious. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

It took four days, but Monday brought the first glimpses of the Penguins power play set up post-Phil Kessel. While only a brief preview of what is to come, the Penguins seem to be taking a new approach that involves more player movement than just taking up standard positions. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Once again the FBI Pittsburgh HOPE Initiative and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation will be teaming up for their Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education program. This year they are offering high schools in the area a chance to win some awesome prizes for creating a video focusing on “youth stressors and coping mechanisms, the consequences of choosing to self-medicate.” [Penguins]

News and notes from around the NHL...

There was some concern the NHL was headed for (another) lockout before the 2020-21 season but those fears have now been quelled. The NHLPA announced on Monday that they will not trigger their opt-out clause meaning the current CBA will remain in place for three more seasons. [ESPN]

With Charlie McAvoy and Mitchell Marner reaching agreements on new contracts, Travis Konecny decided to join the party with a deal of his own. Konecny and the Philadelphia Flyers came to terms on a six year deal that works out to a $5.5 million AAV. [Broad Street Hockey]

Later Monday evening, the Vancouver Canucks announced they resigned a restricted free agent of their own. Budding superstar Brock Boeser and the Canucks came to an agreement on a new three year deal worth over $17 million in total. [The Fourth Period]

The list of remaining unsigned RFAs continues to dwindle, but there are still some big name players still waiting their turn for a new deal before rejoining their squads. [Sportsnet]