The Penguins (Pens) opened their training camp Saturday Sept. 18 to the screaming and chanting of thousands of fans. The traditional chants of “Let’s go, Pens!” started up as soon as the opening chords of “Boys of Winter” began to play through the Consol Energy Center.
By: Kiley Fischer
Sports Editor
New arena? Check.
New roster? Almost check.
New alternate captain? Almost…check?
The Penguins (Pens) opened their training camp Saturday Sept. 18 to the screaming and chanting of thousands of fans. The traditional chants of “Let’s go, Pens!” started up as soon as the opening chords of “Boys of Winter” began to play through the Consol Energy Center.
Fans lined up well before the gates opened at 8:45 am for the first chance to see their Penguins since both the devastating game seven loss to the Montreal Canadiens and the revamping of their roster through NHL Free Agency.
The Pens re-signed winger Matt Cooke, much to the excitement of fans. Veterans Sergei Gonchar and Bill Guerin both signed contracts with different teams. Gonchar will play with the Ottawa Senators, and Guerin will try-out with the Philadelphia Flyers.
As Guerin crossed the state, so did a former Flyer. Arron Asham signed a 1-year deal with Pittsburgh to the tune of $700,000. Not all fans are willing to accept Asham in black and gold yet, as he was booed by some while announced for an assist on Mark Letestu goal during scrimmage.
Not all Pens fans are against Asham, though. Seton Hill University (SHU) alumni Elyse Schneider states, “Pittsburgh’s a classy city. There’s no reason we should be sinking to that level. He’s one of us now.” She is also excited about the possibilities. “It’ll be interesting to see how a former rival fits in with the Pens. He brings an interesting new dynamic.”
SHU post-baccalaureate student Chris Bruce agrees. “I was leery at first when I heard that we signed him and am interested to see how he will be fitting into our team and our system. While he was formerly a Flyer, we must treat him as one of our own -which is hard – but that’s the world of salary cap hockey.”
However, SHU sophomore Rob Tracey says, “[the booing] should be expected until he [Asham] scores for the Pens.”
The signing of a former rival over the summer is not the only thing troubling Pens fans. Center Jordan Staal will be missing for the beginning of the season after developing multiple infections in his foot after an injury sustained from Montreal’s P.K. Subban during the Eastern Conference semifinals. Staal’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Pens third line. Tracey, Schneider and Bruce all agree that popular Penguin Max Talbot will take over the spot.
“He’s a grinder,” says Tracey, “and that [third] line is meant for just that.”
There’s one other hole the Pens need to fill besides those in the lineup: who will wear the second “A” with the departure of Gonchar, a former alternate captain?
“There is simply no other choice for the team than Brooks Orpik,” Bruce said. “He’s the longest tenured Penguin and has provided leadership in the past when Malkin or Gonchar have been out. He’s also been a consistent voice of … support in the locker room.”
Orpik is not afraid to tell his team (and the media) how he feels everything is going in the world of Penguins hockey. He is honest, a veteran and a leader. He has worn the “A” in the past when Gonchar was out of the lineup and he has been a driving force for the Pens. With Staal out for the beginning of the season, Orpik is looking like a huge possibility. Bruce is only one of many with the same opinion: Orpik deserves the “A.”
The biggest problem for the Pens over the last few years has finally been resolved. The Consol Energy Center is now open for business. The general reaction?
“It’s really nice!” Schneider gushed. “It takes some getting used to not going in a circle, but it’s amazing. It’s able to accommodate more fans with physical needs than the Igloo (Civic Arena) could.”
Any final words?
“Let’s go Pens!”