Penguins Live Chat: Lineup Projections, Pivotal Players

The Penguins Live Chat stayed remarkably focused this week on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster and preseason battles. A few emerging players could become pivotal parts of the lineup, or at least their performances will significantly affect the Penguins’ success or failure.

We began with Rutger McGroarty (1:00) and came back to it later in the show.

Kevin Hayes (3:00) is one of the players who will play a significant role in the Penguins’ future. Can he return to the 40-50 point version or will he be the 29-point player who struggled to find a regular spot in the St. Louis Blues lineup. The few players who have impressed our readers include Jack St. Ivany (9:20) and Jesse Puljujarvi (11:00), who is further improving after his hip surgery last year.

Puljujarvi, 26, had a hat trick last Saturday and has forced his way into the conversation for an NHL roster spot. We broke down what Puljujarvi has done well and what he’s doing better this season.

Coach Mike Sullivan’s comments on Avery Hayes (13:00), and we got back to Rutger McGroarty (15:00), who no longer looks like a sure thing to make the NHL roster. We went in-depth on his game, what he’s doing well, and what he could improve.

We got into potential Penguins lines, and the three fulcrums that will affect many of Sullivan’s decisions (20:00), and the reader questions kept coming. We also touched on Sam Poulin, Anthony Beauvillier, and more.

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