Penguins notebook: Marcus Pettersson hopes to re-sign with Pittsburgh; two kids catch Mike Sullivan’s eye

Matt Vensel / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Marcus Pettersson would absolutely love to remain with the Penguins. He reiterated that on Thursday. But the defenseman knows he needed to stand in line.

Of course, he wasn’t mad he had to wait for them to take care of another pending free agent first. You know, that Crosby guy — captain and future Hall of Famer.

“Not really. I understand that part,” he laughed, glancing over in Sid’s direction.

With Crosby signing an extension on Monday, the focus within the hockey operations department could shift to Pettersson. He has one year left on his contract.

The Penguins value the 28-year-old, but he was placed on the back burner while they waited for Crosby to commit. Might things now heat up with Pettersson?

Pettersson declined to say whether contract talks have taken place in recent days. But he made it clear that he would like to stick around in Pittsburgh long-term.

“I want to stay for sure. I love it here. But I’m focused on camp right now,” he said Thursday. “I’m focused on the start of the season. Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to try to not let that affect me. ... I’m going to have a good camp here to start. Just focus on the hockey part and let the rest take care of itself.”

Pettersson has steadily improved since Jim Rutherford acquired him and signed him to his current contract in 2020. Last season was undoubtedly his best yet. Coach Mike Sullivan said he “emerged” as one of his most consistent defenders.

Pettersson took great pride in developing a more consistent, dependable player.

“A got a lot of minutes last year,” he said. “I want the coaches’ trust, to be able to put me out there all of the time. Just being competitive and take it step by step.”

This season, the Penguins just want him to become an even better version of himself. In particular, Sullivan said Pettersson can do that can do that by driving a little more offense and offering more resistance at the net front and battle areas.

“I thought Marcus took a giant step last year,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “He is a really important player for us. I just think he’s a terrific hockey player.”

We will see if the organization shows it by giving Pettersson a new contract, too.

New baby, new linemates

Noel Acciari was back skating with one of the main practice groups Thursday after taking part in the early-bird session on the first day of camp. That was because his wife and he welcomed a baby, Quinton Steel, into the world Wednesday.

Acciari confirmed that their son’s middle name is indeed a nod to the Steel City.

The veteran forward was able to get a decent night’s sleep and then show up to work Thursday morning, giving him a chance to start gelling with Kevin Hayes and Blake Lizotte, who very well could be his linemates when the season starts.

Those three led their squad to a win in the daily practice scrimmage. Hayes had a hat trick, including the winner on a breakaway. Lizotte lasered in a goal, too.

“Every guy on that line brings a little something different,” Acciari said. “We found each other quite a bit out there today. And it being the first day with all three of us together, it felt good. It felt natural. And we’ll see what happens with it.”

Acciari, who exclusively played center last season, lined up on the right wing during practice. If the position switch is a permanent thing, he is OK with that.

“I’ve played probably 50% of my career at wing,” Acciari said. “I usually start at center somewhere then move to the wing. I’m comfortable on the wing. I actually think I’m more effective sometimes with kind of reading the play a little quicker and getting in first on the forecheck — and getting that hit, get the loose puck.”

Keeping an eye on the kids

Sullivan likes what he has seen from Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen, two of the prospects acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade. He watched them last weekend at the Buffalo Prospects Challenge, then had his eye on them here in camp.

The coach said Ponomarev had a “strong” first couple of days. In particular, he was impressed with his motor, saying he competes hard and is an “energy guy.”

“We really like his engine. He can skate. He can get in on pucks and help us in that puck pursuit game,” Sullivan said. “He’s a guy that’s exciting for us to watch.”

As for Koivunen, also a forward, Sullivan spoke very highly of his hockey sense.

“My first impression of him after the first game [in Buffalo] was ‘This guy’s a hockey player,’” he said. “He sees it. He thinks it. He has great poise with the puck.”

Sullivan is eager to see what he becomes if he fills out his frame and gets faster.

Around the boards

Erik Karlsson missed his second straight practice with an upper-body injury. He is still day to day. ... With Taylor Gauthier sidelined, the Penguins signed fellow goalie Luke Richardson to a tryout contract. ... Matt Nieto is still out month to month even though he skated on an individual basis the first two days of camp.