Jake Guentzel impressing in pre-season

The Penguins are nearly finished with their pre-season ahead of the cup raising banner match against the Washington Capitals on October 13th. A few players, namely Crosby, Malkin, Hornqvist and Hagelin have only just returned from the World Cup of Hockey so will finally be taking to the ice tomorrow. That has given the younger players a chance to impress and potentially take an open spot for the seasons start.

Tristan Jarry has been receiving a lot of praise and has been chosen to be the Penguins back-up goalie whilst Matt Murray recovers from his hand injury. However, another young player impressing is Jake Guentzel, the Penguins drafted him in the third round in 2013. With Bryan Rust suffering from injuries that could rule him out for the start of the season, there is a spot for a few games there.

Guentzel was fantastic for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins down the stretch last season three years at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he scored 119 points in 108 games. In just 11 regular season and 10 playoff games in the AHL last season Guentzel showcased his impressive attacking talents.

Pre-season games aren't the best barometer of performance, nor are they inducive of guaranteed success for a player. However, they can show the talent a player has and the improvements they have made in their game. Guentzel can play both Center and Left Wing and whilst the Penguins are stacked at center, they're not blessed on the Left hand side.

Guentzel is going to play tomorrow night against Detroit in the first game at the newly branded, PPG Paints Arena. He could play on any line and whilst there is no indication of who he could play with at this moment in time, the best line would be the HBK line. The well vaulted line became popular but I would like to see Kessel with Crosby more long-term and if Guentzel is able to fit in on the left hand side, he could solve the problem of a replacement.

Pittsburgh will get injuries throughout the season, it is part and parcel of our seasons so I think we can be very confident in seeing Guentzel coming up at some point this season when the opportunity present itself, for now, I expect at most he will get a game or two before being sent down for Wilkes-Barres Season to continue his development.