Top 5 Pittsburgh Penguins Training Camp Battles to Watch in 2014

For the fanbase of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the agonizing feeling of knowing how close your club has come to hoisting the Stanley Cup for the fourth time but watching it slip away postseason after postseason is absolutely frustrating to say the least. It was even more an annoyance because seemingly nothing was done to fix the problem until this summer.

The hiring of general manager Jim Rutherford has breathed new life into this organization, and with it comes a new look on both sides of the puck.

A reinforced offense and a young, promising blue line have Pens fans expecting more than another dominating regular season. They want another banner raised into the rafters of Consol Energy Center, and I'm not talking about a "Metropolitan Division Champions" banner either. 

Now their fourth league title won’t come with just a new look. Jobs must be fought for and won starting in training camp. From there, everything will fall into place as long as the right guys are where they should be.

So, pay attention during training camp and the preseason because the Stanley Cup will be either won or lost here. 

Final Defensive Spot

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It’s been reiterated for the past year: The Penguins have the best defensive prospect pool in the league.

2013-14 CHL Defenseman of the Year, Derrick Pouliot, who is regarded by most to be the top prospect in the Penguins' system, is expected to miss at least the start of the season due to shoulder surgery. Olli Maatta, who played 78 games as a rookie last season, is in the same boat as well.

There is no doubt Maatta would get a spot on the roster, and many were thinking Pouliot would too despite never suiting up for an NHL game in his life. However, the likes of Simon Despres and Brian Dumoulin are looking at their teammates’ speed bump as an opportunity to snag an opening-day roster spot.

Despres and Dumoulin are two big, mobile defensemen who would complement their flashy forwards nicely. Head coach Mike Johnston has undoubtedly taken notice of these two and will be excited, along with the fans, to see who will play where once the season kicks off.

After that, the real battle begins as to who earns the slot in the long run. 

Goaltender

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The starting goaltending position just got a lot more interesting when the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Josh Yohe dropped the bomb when he reported that Rutherford believed Marc-Andre Fleury would most likely not get a contract extension before the season starts.

Despite that fact, Rutherford then went on to say Fleury was still the main man in net for the Pens. 

“From my point of view, he’s our goaltender,” Rutherford said. “There’s no reason why he can’t be our goalie for a long time.”

For some that may be confusing, especially since the GM signed ex-Arizona Coyote goalie Thomas Greiss this offseason. Greiss is a 28-year-old netminder who still has a chance at earning a starting job in the NHL. He posted solid numbers last year after recording a goals-against average of 2.29 and a save percentage of .920 over 25 games.

Jeff Zatkoff, the guy who backed up Fleury last year, had some similar stats, but that didn’t seem to satisfy the front office.

While it seems like Fleury has secured the job for now, don’t be surprised if Rutherford and Johnston “see” something in Greiss that may turn the position over to him. It wouldn't be surprising if Greiss sees more time in the cage once we're well into the season. 

2nd-Line Wingers

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Steve Downie and Patric Hornqvist, 2013-14 Season

With the departure of James Neal and Jussi Jokinen this offseason, two gaping holes now sit aside center Evgeni Malkin on the second line. It seems that one man from the Neal trade, Patric Hornqvist, could be filling in exactly where the past 40-goal scorer, Neal, left off on right wing.

While Hornqvist may not be a sure lock for the position, the left wing spot is the more unsecure of the two wing positions.

Steve Downie would be a solid choice to support Malkin on the second line. Sure, he doesn’t put up a ton of points, but he brings a sense of grit to the top-two forward lines that hasn’t been seen there in a long time. He is known to work well with superstars, so he is a strong candidate for the position.

A player who could challenge the feisty Downie is Beau Bennett. Bennett has had a rough-and-tumble two-year career so far, but this season could be his first full one if he recovers from his wrist injury in time for the season opener against the Anaheim Ducks.

The 22-year-old is a very versatile winger, which means he can play either side of center. Even though he shoots right, playing on the left could provide a lot more scoring options for Malkin and Hornqvist.

Neither position is set in stone, but expect training camp to be a wild experience for those trying to avoid becoming a bottom-six forward this year.

Top Defensive Pairing

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With the prospects seeming to be mostly under the spotlight this summer, guesses to who will play on the top D-line have been vague.

Rutherford did a fine job when he brought in the 32-year-old Christian Ehrhoff in wake of the departures of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik. Ehrhoff could be a shoo-in for the top line already despite not even suiting up in a Pens uniform yet. He is a big-framed, big-minute defenseman who plays well when the puck is on his stick. His offensive style will probably be matched with the likes of Paul Martin.

Martin, while in the dog days of his career, would work well with Ehrhoff. Having two elder defensemen like them on the top line would benefit the younger guys below them.

Don't count out Kris Letang yet. He will be vying for a top roster spot, but his past injuries and stroke will have coaches and personnel wondering if he can return to form. Training camp will be a great opportunity for Letang to prove he is still worth his contract and that he can return to his 2012-13 form when he was in the running for the Norris Trophy.

If Letang does earn the right to play on the top line during training camp, then expect Martin to keep Ehrhoff at bay from taking the coveted position.

1st-Line Right Wing

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz are a perfect match for each other on the top line. With the captain’s help last year, the 34-year-old Kunitz had himself another career year in the goals (35) and points (68) categories.

On Crosby’s other peripheral, the right wing position is anything but stable. Last year, after Pascal Dupuis tore his ACL in late December, the slot was filled from likes of Lee Stempniak in the regular season to Malkin in the playoffs.

Dupuis could very well be battling for what he may consider "his spot" on the top line during training camp, which will be a tough test considering he’s coming back from such a brutal injury at his age (35).

If he can’t, there is a guy we mentioned earlier who would be willing to snatch it up.

If Bennett can come back from wrist surgery by the time camp starts, then it wouldn’t be surprising if the front office decides to see what he is capable of mustering up on the premier line. It’s a stretch, but there really isn't a whole lot of options for the position as of right now.