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Penguins center Sidney Crosby works against defenseman Jack Johnson during training camp Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
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Sidney Crosby expects to make preseason debut vs. Red Wings

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Sidney Crosby expects to make preseason debut vs. Red Wings

Penguins have been managing their captain's workload so far

At 32 years old, Sid is hardly a kid anymore.

So as Crosby enters the 15th year of his accomplished NHL career, the Penguins are beginning to take steps to ensure he stays healthy and at his best during training camp. 

Traditionally, Crosby played in three of the six preseason games. But this year, Crosby said he anticipates he’ll play in just two. He also skated on his own on Saturday instead of participating in team drills.

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Coach Mike Sullivan said this was all part of the plan and it’s an effort to manage Crosby’s workload in camp.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin talks with Sidney Crosby during training camp Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
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“We’re just trying to manage the time that we have,” Crosby said, while downplaying the moves. “Camp is pretty intense, especially the first few days. I think after that, I just tried to make the most of the time we had between these exhibition games.”

Crosby said he expects to make his exhibition debut Wednesday when the Penguins play host to the Detroit Red Wings. The preseason concludes Saturday when the Buffalo Sabres visit PPG Paints Arena.

Building chemistry will be one of the keys for Crosby. He and left winger Jake Guentzel have been playing with two newcomers — Dominik Kahun and now Brandon Tanev — on the right wing.

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“Those scrimmages are tough, going against your own guys,” Crosby said. “The skates at the beginning of camp are pretty intense. It will be nice to go into a game. There are a lot of different [line] combinations we’ll see to start the year.”

Johnson addresses trade rumors

Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson almost didn’t make it to his second training camp in Pittsburgh after an offseason move nearly sent him to Minnesota.

It’s no secret the Penguins were shipping Phil Kessel this offseason. One deal would have sent Kessel and Johnson to Minnesota. But when Kessel vetoed the trade, the deal fell apart. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford ultimately worked out a different deal that sent Kessel to Arizona.

Casey DeSmith faces Patric Hornqvist during practice Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
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Johnson said he didn’t pay too much attention to the news and rumors.

“I didn’t get a call from my agent or Mr. Rutherford,” Johnson said. “Nothing matters to me until I get a call from one of those two.”

Johnson is no stranger to trade rumors — or trades for that matter. In 2011, he signed a seven-year extension with the Los Angeles Kings. Just months later, he was shipped to Columbus. 

“I got traded six months into a seven-year deal,” Johnson said. “You can get traded at any point. It’s not like you worry about any particular point. That’s the business we’re in. It is what it is.”

Johnson has played with a number of different defensemen during camp. He played two games with prospect John Marino (more on him later). At practice Tuesday, Johnson lined up with Chad Ruhwedel, while Erik Gudbranson skated with Juuso Riikola.

It prompted some speculation that there could be a position battle brewing between Johnson and Riikola. So is there a competition there for the final blue-line spot? 

“I wouldn’t suggest that,” Sullivan said. “Everybody is in competition. All the guys that are here are in competitions for positions. It’s not about one guys vs. another guy.” 

Staff changes

The Penguins announced the following hockey operations staff hirings and promotions:

• Kevin Stevens, a key catalyst for Pittsburgh during the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup runs, will continue as a special assignment scout and has been promoted to pro scouting.

• Derek Clancey, formerly the director of professional scouting, has been promoted to director of player personnel.

• Ryan Bowness, formerly a professional scout, has been promoted to director of professional scouting.

• Erik Heasley will continue as manager of hockey operations, and has been promoted to assistant general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

• Jay McClement has been hired as a professional scout.

• Duane Sutter has been hired as a professional scout.

• Al Santilli joins Colin Alexander as a global crossover scout.

Injury update

Three Penguins on the fringe of the NHL roster are working through injuries as the countdown to Game 1 reaches single digits.

• Marino, a defensive prospect, is day-to-day with a lower body injury, Sullivan said.

• Zach Trotman, who played in 13 games last season, had sports hernia surgery. Sullivan said that, to his knowledge, it was not a long-term injury but more of an acute one.

• Adam Johnson, who played in six NHL games last year, has missed about a week of camp due to a lower-body injury. Sullivan said there is no timetable for his return.

Mike DeFabo: mdefabo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @MikeDeFabo

First Published: September 24, 2019, 7:53 p.m.

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