Penguins make first cuts of 2021 training camp

The Penguins made their first cuts of training camp, reducing the amount of players in camp by eight. From the team:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reduced their training camp roster to 50 players, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall.

The following players have been assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ training camp:

F - Sam Houde

D - Chris Bigras

D - Chris Merisier-Ortiz

D - Josh Maniscalco

G - Alex D’Orio

G - Tommy Nappier

The following players have been assigned to their respective junior teams:

F - Lukas Svejkovsky - Medicine Hat (WHL)

F - Josh Williams - Edmonton (WHL)

D - Isaac Belliveau - Gatineau (QMJHL)

D - Ryan McCleary - Portland (WHL)

There are not too many surprises in the list for the AHL cuts, most of them are on AHL contracts (besides Maniscalco and D’Orio) and all are very deep organizational depth that will be relevant for Wilkes-Barre this season, but not Pittsburgh.

The Penguins have also returned all of their players eligible to the Canadian juniors back to those leagues (besides the injured Raivis Ansons), as to be expected for this season. The undrafted Josh Williams will be a player to keep half an eye on for the future, he performed well enough to earn an invite to the full NHL training camp after impressing during the brief prospect camp prior to camp.

This moves trims the Pens to 50 players in camp, with the exhibition schedule set to begin tomorrow for a home game against Columbus.