5 Burning Questions as Pittsburgh Penguins 2014 Training Camp Approaches

September 18 marks the end of speculation for the upcoming 2014-15 NHL season. On that date, Pittsburgh Penguins training camp kicks off at Consol Energy Center.

For some, training camp is just that, a time for players to work on their skills and learn new tricks of the trade. For others, however, it’s much more than just that. Camp can make or break a season for some players, especially the rookies.

As the season nears, any type of hockey fix will do for diehard fans and training camp will provide just that. With seven days left, let’s take a look at five questions on every Penguins fan’s mind before the players hit the ice.

Are Jim Rutherford and Mike Johnston the Right Guys for the Job?

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General manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston are the two biggest names to join the Penguins organization, whether that’s off the ice or on it. Both men are established at their respective positions and have accomplished big things in their past endeavors.

Rutherford was the former GM of the Carolina Hurricanes and was the chief architect of their 2006 Stanley Cup-winning roster. Johnston’s success came in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks in which he led his junior club to the WHL Final four straight times and made an appearance in the Memorial Cup.

It seems the Pens made a good call at both positions, but that can’t truly be judged until next summer when the smoke of the Stanley Cup Final has settled. The two men don’t have to win the Cup in their first season at the helm of things, but making a big impact in the playoffs is what they were brought in to do.

Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma were excommunicated because they peaked in 2009 and couldn’t find their way back with the array of talent they owned. This team is in the prime of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin era, so there will be a lot of pressure on Rutherford and Johnston to at least make it to the Eastern Conference Final.

What Do the Recent Acquisitions Mean for the Long Run?

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In his first few months as GM, Rutherford has made a splash in both the trade and free-agent markets bringing in the likes of Patric Hornqvist, Nick Spaling, Steve Downie, Thomas Greiss, Blake Comeau and Christian Ehrhoff.

The obvious objective for Rutherford and Co. was increasing depth on the four forward lines, which so far looks like a job well done. Hornqvist can be a great asset to Malkin on the second line, while Spaling and Downie will add leadership and physicality to the bottom six.

Ehrhoff was a great signing for the Penguins and will be earning $4 million in the one year he was signed to. He is a definite boost to a promising blue-line squadron heading into the regular season.

This collection of new Penguins will truly be put to the test along with their boss when playoff time rolls around.

Everyone knows the Stanley Cup Playoffs are one of the most grueling postseasons in all of sports, so mental and physical toughness will key attributes that everyone on this team must own. It seems, though, with each new addition, that sense of physicality is present.

Hornqvist can get in front of the net and score those grimy goals, while Spaling is known to play tough in each zone. If you want to know more about what Downie brings to the table, just watch this video.

For now, it looks like Rutherford has kept the future in mind when he brought these guys in. Only time will tell, however, if it pays off.

Who Will Back Up Marc-Andre Fleury This Season?

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Rutherford turned some heads this offseason when he signed ex-Arizona Coyote goaltender Thomas Greiss to a one-year deal worth $1 million. A lot of people thought the GM would stick with Jeff Zatkoff, who posted decent numbers last year.

To be fair, Greiss does have a lot more experience than Zatkoff, as he played in the show now for five years with the Coyotes and San Jose Sharks. Zatkoff’s first season was just last year.

With the Penguins, the 27-year-old Zatkoff posted an OK .912 save percentage and a GAA of 2.61. Greiss, on the other hand, recorded a .920 save percentage along with a 2.29 GAA. The numbers are not that far apart, but they only further the argument that Rutherford wanted a more experienced netminder to back Marc-Andre Fleury this season.

If it is Greiss who comes out of camp the victor, then that will raise the another question: Who will get the starting job? That’s a different storyline for a different day, but for now, fans should pay attention to the battle between the 28-year-old German national and Zatkoff. 

What Will the Top Two Lines Look Like on Opening Night?

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Before we really get into the aforementioned question, let’s take a look at who already has a set spot on the top two lines.

Crosby, Malkin and Kunitz won’t have to worry about not getting a spot for obvious reasons, which leaves the first-line right wing position and the two second-line winger positions wide-open.

It was thought at first Pascal Dupuis could earn his rightful position back on the top line with Kunitz and Crosby after tearing his ACL last December; however, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Dave Molinari, Johnston hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Dupuis transitioning to the second line.

“You’ve got Dupuis, obviously, coming back,” Johnston said. “He can play anywhere in the lineup. He certainly has played well with Sid before. Can he play with [Malkin]? That’s what we’ve got to see.”

Johnston said the same thing about Hornqvist as well.

For the others, like Beau Bennett, Nick Spaling and maybe even Downie, their top-six role will be decided in camp.

What Defensive Prospect Will Make the Roster out of Training Camp?

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A hot storyline this summer was the defensive prospect corps. Derrick Pouliot, Simon Despres and Brian Dumoulin were just a few names to appear in the media this summer from that crop of blueliners.

Pouliot, the 2013 CHL Defenseman of the Year, is the prized possession of the Pens organization and many hope to see him make the roster this year, but that won’t be until after the season starts. The eighth pick in the 2012 entry draft had to undergo shoulder surgery back in May, so he will be out for the early portion of the year.

While injuries are never something to wish upon a teammate or an opponent, other prospects are looking to pounce on the last defensive slot. Despres is trying to make the roster full time this season after only playing in 85 career NHL games over the span of three seasons.

Even if Despres earns that spot, the futures of veterans like Rob Scuderi may be in jeopardy this year. With all the young talent on the blue line, the Penguins may finally part ways and drop him off to any club willing to take him. This opens the door for Dumoulin and even Scott Harrington.

This team can’t go wrong with any prospect in its system. It will have valuable leaders like Ehrhoff and Paul Martin to learn from too, so whoever it is, these prospects couldn’t be in a better situation right now.