First things first, the website migration is taking longer than anticipated. It is annoying, but it is a necessary task given the increased traffic to the website. So bad news it is a short term annoyance. Good news is that the site will be able to handle the traffic moving forward and we can be a regular stop for you doing the NHL season.

The Penguins closed out their preseason with a come from behind victory that ended with a Sidney Crosby goal in overtime. The team finished the fake game slate 5-1-1 with only Tampa Bay’s 6-0-0 better.

Now that the real season is here we will wait to see what the team does with some of the roster moves it has ahead. Both the general manager and the coach have talked about not being hesitant to give the younger players a roster spot if they’ve earned it.

Ultimately, there might be some deserving younger players who don’t make the big roster. I think Sergei Murashov had a great camp and played well in his games. He might be sent down just to be fed the lion’s share of the starts in the AHL. His play was encouraging and I do imagine he will get NHL time at some point this season. Who knows, maybe he stays right away. It isn’t like the Penguins have cap issues.

Avery Hayes was an under the radar player heading into prospect camp. Since then he has done everything in his power to make the team.

SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT In 43 5v5 minutes in the preseason Avery Hayes led the Penguins with a 76.99 xGF% and had a 2.76 points per 60. He also led the Penguins with 4 goals in the prospect tournament. You can’t ask for much more from an under the radar guy trying to earn NHL time. I think he has earned a roster spot.

Ben Kindel has been so good. In his first NHL camp he has turned heads with his poise and performance. I really hope he gets to stay for a nine-game tryout, but ultimately I don’t think a full year in the NHL his season is the proper place for him. I also don’t think it is junior hockey, but those are the two options. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t with Kindel, it sucks. The AHL would have been a perfect landing spot for him to grow his game. I think with his frame a full year in the NHL is asking quite a bit for him. He does need to get stronger. He finds himself on his butt more frequently than he will when he builds up that strength. What he does have are the unteachable skills that very good players possess. How he sees the ice and how he handles the puck are two examples of that. Future is bright for Kindel.

Dan Muse: “There’s going to be a lot of conversations here, starting tonight, with Kyle (Dubas) and management. There’s still some hard decisions to make. Those decisions are going to need to be made and conversations are going to need to be had. We’re going to prepare.”

Now we wait

Thank you for your patience with the site migration.