Penguins
Puustinen Makes NHL Debut, Gets Rookie Lap; Kapanen, Simon, & Dumoulin Scratched
The Pittsburgh Penguins lines had a few unexpected faces when they faced the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. Most notably, rookie Valtteri Puustinen made his NHL debut.
Puustinen, the Penguins 2019 seventh-round pick (204th overall), is the first player of the Penguins 2019 draft class, which included Sam Poulin and Nathan Legare, to make his NHL debut. The 5-foot-9 forward with shifty feet and soft hands led the WBS Penguins in goals (17) and points (34).
Puustinen, 22, skated beside Jeff Carter and Brock McGinn on the third line.
With the rookie in the lineup, Kasperi Kapanen was a healthy scratch, as was Dominik Simon. Brian Boyle was back in the lineup on the wing, beside Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese.
The Pittsburgh Penguins also activated Mike Matheson before the game but scratched Brian Dumoulin without explanation. However, Dumoulin is unlikely to be out for an extended period because the Penguins also made room on the roster by re-assigning defenseman P.O. Joseph.
PHN will update the story as needed throughout the night.
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Could a trade be in the works?
Now is the right time to quote the IT Crowd. Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Hmmm looks like Sullyitus may be on the road the cure. Finally .
[…] found their footing early in the third period. The Jeff Carter line with 22-year-old rookie Valtteri Puustinen in his first NHL game and Brock McGinn struck for the second time. Vegas covered Carter and Brian […]
All I know is, Friedman NEEDS to stay in the lineup somehow. Good things are happening when he is out there. And he is also bringing the much needed grit that has been missing from Penguins hockey. The problem is… Benching Ruhwedel would be sad. He’s been doing well. Petterson has been taking some stupid penalties lately, so maybe sit him for a few? But Friedman has made an undeniable case for himself in such a short period of time!
Trade Letang…
LOL TRADE CROSBY
Also, am I nuts or should Simon be out there instead of ZAR? Offensively, without a doubt. I know ZAR factors into the PK, but how much still? Enough to have a forward fill a spot while adding almost nothing offensively? Simon isn’t on the score sheet much either, but he’s a better playmaker. And his speed and puck possession is more visible nightly.
nice way to say it!
Sully got his butt kicked by Hex, BB to make changes to WIN
Update the story throughout the night??? It was clearly stated during the game that Dumoulin was out with a non-covid related sickness.
While I appreciate three question marks, it was not announced at the arena. Unfortunately, the Penguins appear to have replied to their own tweet with the information–BUT, since they replied to a tweet, many of the media’s alerts didn’t go off. Many of us didn’t know until Mike Sullivan announced it postgame. !!!
[…] 2019 7th round pick Valtteri Puustinen made his NHL debut in the Penguins 5-2 win over Vegas. Puustinen suited up on the third line and is […]