Pens played a great game last night....Husso was better.

DOC sucks.
- Grinder47

I don't see how anybody can hate DOC. He's cheap, effective, and bland -- it's like hating rice.

Brunike and Pickering are big winners of the preseason. Brunike looks nhl ready and is probably better than Graves, Aho, Shea, and Ludwig right now. He’ll be blocked to start but we’ve seen young defensemen force this issue before. He could do it too. The CHL transfer rules will do him no favors though.

I could see Pickering being ready as soon as next year.
- Victoro311

Right. He's better than all 4 of those. Pickering might be better too. Pre-season can be such a mirage, but I don't think that's the case with Brunike.

Sullivan comments from Haase:

"I thought he was terrific," Mike Sullivan said of Brunicke. "He's making an impact. He's so active in the rush, he's active off the offensive blue line, he got a number of scoring chances, he was part of the goal, he's defending hard. We've really liked his progress throughout the course of camp. I think his confidence is growing. I thought he had another terrific game for us."

Brunicke, the Penguins' top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is trying to become the first South African skater to play in the NHL. That seems like it's going to be a matter of when, not if.

"We're really excited about Harry right now, and where he's at, the progress he's made, and his potential moving forward," Sullivan said. "We're going to watch him throughout the course of camp and see where it goes. For a young player, and where he's at, to go from where he is to the NHL is a major jump. ... He's certainly made an impression on all of us. Let's just say that."

I don't see how anybody can hate DOC. He's cheap, effective, and bland -- it's like hating rice.
- MickV

hahaha yeah, I mean he's nothing fancy but he doesn't hurt the on ice product at all. In fact, he kind of helps it even when not producing for the most part. I think its possible we see another gear reached by him this season. He really has been slowly, but surely, trending upward the past few seasons.

Seems like every Penguin analyst was in agreement on Brunicke last night. Great to see, reminds me of Maata when he first arrived his rookie year and ran away with a spot.

To me, you give guys like him the 9 games. If he looks out of place after that, send him back. If he doesnt, keep him here. It sucks that its either the Penguins or his junior team. He isnt going to learn much back in the CHL.

hahaha yeah, I mean he's nothing fancy but he doesn't hurt the on ice product at all. In fact, he kind of helps it even when not producing for the most part. I think its possible we see another gear reached by him this season. He really has been slowly, but surely, trending upward the past few seasons.
- MattStrat

Wouldn't surprise me if he reaches another gear this season. The Pens had games last year where he was the primary reason they won. Not sure what Dubas is waiting for, but he should already have a contract.