So now that the Penguins' free-agency season seems to be done (with the possible exception of signing a veteran and cheap forward), what does the 2010 opening night-roster look like? Who is ready to move up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to fill defensive and offensive "holes?" M.J. Rodney, Richmond, Va. MOLINARI: It's a little early to say exactly what the lineup will look like for the regular-season opener Oct. 7 against Philadelphia at the Consol Energy Center, but barring a trade or two, there don't seem to be many spots available on the major-league roster. The Penguins have 11 forwards and six defensemen on one-way contracts and, while there's nothing that says those players can't be assigned to the American Hockey League (unless they have a no-movement clause, of course), it's hard to imagine any performing so poorly during training camp that they'd start the season in Wilkes-Barre. If the Penguins carry 22 men, guys like Eric Tangradi, Nick Johnson, Dustin Jeffrey, Mark Letestu, Brett Sterling, Chris Conner and Ryan Craig should battle for the open spot (or spots) up front, while Daryk Engelland, Andrew Hutchinson and Steve Wagner figure to compete for the seventh spot on defense. Which of those guys stick should be determined not only by their performance during the preseason, but by precisely what role the coaches are looking to fill. (If, for example, they need a grinding winger, skilled, but undersized, forwards like Sterling and Conner will be at a serious disadvantage.) Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10190/1071396-125.stm#ixzz0tUnyBxXO
