Faceoff Factor

Pens To Make Final Round Of Cuts Today

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Sep 27, 12:18 PM | Hype this story!

General manager Ray Shero and his management staff are excepted to make the final round of cuts before the Pittsburgh Penguins depart for Stockholm, Sweden later today.

As it stands right now, the Penguins have 27 healthy players on their roster and they must trim it down to 24.

Twenty players have roster spots secured, so seven players are vying for four roster spots. Three will not make it.

To preview what is to come, let’s take a look at those players who likely are competing for the final four roster spots.

Paul Bissonnette, LW

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 3 0 0 0 0 40

Bissonnette remains in the hunt because of his physical prowess and willingness to fight for his teammates.  He’s nothing more than a fourth liner — and, really, probably a healthy scratch type player on most night — but with the lack of a true middleweight fighter, "Biz Nasty" might be a logical choice to keep around to use against some of the more physical teams, such as Philadelphia. His lack of skill likely means he’ll return to the AHL, but he’s a likely call-up later this season.

Alex Goligoski, D

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 4 0 5 5 -3 2

With Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney on the shelf, Goligoski is almost guaranteed a roster spot.  His team-leading five points indicate that his offensive game is ready for NHL competition, but his minus-three rating show that he has some growing to do defensively. Look for him to make the team and operate on the third defensive pairing and second power play unit to start the season.

Conner James, RW

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 1 0 0 0 -1 0

When the previous round of cuts were made, James’ name was the most curious.  That remains the case.  He’s played in just one preseason game and has done little, if anything, to stand out.  Last night appeared to be the time to shine for most of the contenders, yet James was left out of the lineup. He’s almost certain to be filling up a tank of gas later this afternoon for his cross-state travels.

Janne Pesonen, LW

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 3 1 1 2 -3 0

Pesonen seemed the long shot when entering camp, as he was the former late-round draft pick who never came to the NHL.  His size also was working against him.  But after showing blazing speed and quick hands, his stock began to rise. He may start the season on the fourth line, but he appears to have the skill to possibly find a role on one of the scoring lines before the season ends.

Danny Richmond, D

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 1 0 0 0 0 5

As was the case with Pesonen, Richmond was held out of last night’s game and has played in just one game in total.  Not exactly a good sign that he has a legitimate chance.  But, unlike James, Richmond is a defenseman on a team with two major defensive injuries.  He may very well be kept for the trip to Sweden for depth purposes, then sent to the AHL upon returning to Pittsburgh. His odds appear to be 50/50, depending on whether management puts an emphasis on defensive depth or offensive depth.

Jeff Taffe, C

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 3 0 0 0 -3 0

Initially, Taffe looked to be a lock to make the team.  After all, he spent a large portion of the season in the NHL.  But, after seeing Kris Beech get cut, Taffe’s job no longer seemed as certain.  He’s played in three games, and his only meaningful stat is his minus-three rating.  Taffe is what he is — a jack of all trades — and is a nice guy to have around on the fourth line.  And the fact that he plays center also helps, as the Penguins are relatively thin depth-wise at center. Look for Taffe to make the team as a fourth liner.

Bill Thomas, RW

GP G A Pts +/- PIM 3 0 1 1 +1

Thomas is the hometown kid, the feel-good story, and the emotional favorite.  Yet, somehow, he’s gone completely under the radar.  That’s not a good sign.  He played in three games and racked up an assist, and he has a big body that would look nice in the corners, but he’s not overly zealous in the physical department. Like Richmond, it’s difficult to say what will happen with Thomas.

Throughout the previous few days, my feelings have swayed back and forth. Some days I think offensive depth and grit are more valuable than defensive depth, but then I listen as three defensemen suffered minor injuries within minutes of each other last night.

So, with that being said, I predict Goligoski and Richmond will make the team for the trip to Sweden, with Richmond going to the AHL upon returning to Pittsburgh. I also predict Taffe and Pesonen will make the team permanently.

Also noteworthy is that goalie John Curry, who will serve as the 24th player on the roster, will be returned to the AHL when the Penguins conclude their overseas trip.

I’ll have a story up soon after the cuts are made, so please stick with Faceoff-Factor throughout the day.