Pens Points: Trimming the roster

With each passing day, the 2019-20 regular season continues to inch closer and closer. Rosters are being trimmed and players are starting to get their game legs under themselves as the season is just nine days away.

Start your Tuesday with the latest team news in Pens Points...

As training camp enters its second week, it’s time for teams to start making roster cuts and trimming some extra weight as the season approaches. On Monday, the Penguins announced 17 players had been cut from camp, including names such as Kasper Bjorkqvist, Nathan Legare, and Sam Poulin. [Pensburgh]

When the Penguins signed Brandon Tanev to a six year contract, it caught many fans and media off guard. Now it appears Tanev will be seeing second line action alongside Evgeni Malkin. Who knows, maybe it will work. [Pensburgh]

Ever since Jack Johnson first stepped on the ice for the Penguins, it was clear he was a liability. Now entering his second season with the team, the issues continue to compound themselves, and it’s obvious he should not be dressing when everyone is healthy. [Pensburgh]

With the Penguins making cuts and sending guys to the minor leagues, it’s time for the Baby Penguins to get their season underway. Calling Wilkes-Barre/Scranton home for the foreseeable future, the Baby Pens are set to open camp on Wednesday. [Pensburgh]

Over the course of 65 years working in the sport, Eddie Johnston has seen it all. He’s been witness to some of the greatest players and moments in not only Penguins history, but NHL history. Safe to say the sport has radically changed since his first job years ago. [Penguins]

Playing as the 3C in the Penguins system comes with great responsibility. For years now the Penguins have relied upon a steady third line to provide depth scoring along with strong penalty killing. That role now falls on the shoulders of Nick Bjugstad who is preparing for his first full season in black and gold. [Trib Live]

It remains to be seen exactly where Bryan Rust will slot into the Penguins lineup come opening night, but regardless of who skates alongside him, the now veteran Rust is ready to get the ball rolling on a new NHL campaign. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

An earlier than normal playoff exit meant the Penguins had a longer than normal offseason. With a lingering taste still in their mouths, Evgeni Malkin hopes that serves as motivation for an improved 2019-20 season. [Yahoo! Sports]

Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin enter the 2019-20 season with milestones on the horizon. A healthy and productive season should see Crosby hit 1,000 career games played and reach the 1,300 point mark. For Malkin, the Russian bear needs only nine goals to eclipse the 400 goal plateau. [The Score]

News and notes from around the NHL...

After a few years of arena uncertainty, the New York Islanders officially broke ground on their new arena located at Belmont Park on Long Island. The arena is set to open for the 2021-22 season. [NHL]

Brayden Point becomes the latest restricted free agent to sign a new contract and end his holdout. Point and the Tampa Bay Lightning agreed to a three year deal with a $6.75 million cap hit. Due to offseason hip surgery, Point will miss the beginning of the new season as he finishes up his recovery. [Raw Charge]

After nearly 1,000 career games played, former New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi announced that he is hanging up his skates for good. [Blueshirt Banter]