Schultz no slouch when it comes to golf
Penguins players past and present spent Tuesday night at the Topgolf entertainment complex in Bridgeville, dispersed among various bays for a new twist on their annual Summer Sticks and alumni golf outings.
Split among various players were sponsors, and there were some obvious hot tickets — Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, etc. But, for those looking to win, there might have been an another attractive option: Justin Schultz.
A scratch golfer, Schultz was looking forward to the outing. “I’ve been to Topgolf once before, so I’m extremely excited to go and do this one and hang out with our sponsors and everyone there and have a good time.”
Schultz played plenty of golf this summer in his hometown, Kelowna, British Columbia. He also played a course in Boston before Brian Dumoulin’s wedding, played Chambers Bay in Seattle and even golfed during a trip to Montana.
“I like to get around and play different courses,” Schultz said. “It was a good summer for that.”
Skinny Jarry
A year after suffering through bouts of inconsistency, goaltender Tristan Jarry is trying to do everything he can to control the process. That included this summer switching trainers and hiring a dietitian. The result was Jarry dropping 20 pounds.
“I feel a lot better on the ice,” a noticeably skinnier Jarry said. “I feel that I’m positionally more sound, and my body is prepared for this year.”
Stating the obvious
The Penguins allowed 248 goals last season. That put them 20th in the NHL, and it represented the secondworst defensive season of the Crosby/Evgeni Malkin Era. “We gave up too many goals,” defenseman Olli Maatta said. “That’s a big thing. If you do that, it’s tough to win in this league. It’s not easy to score. You have to make sure you don’t give up easy chances. We have to be better.”
Adding offense
Individually, Maatta had arguably his best season in the NHL. Not only did he play all 82 regular-season games, but he also established himself as a reliable, second- or third-pair defender and a consistent force.
With that progress behind him, Maatta will look to increase his offense next. He had seven goals and 29 points last season but still believes he has more to offer.
“That’s a big thing,” he said. “I would like to be more effective down there, but I think first of all, you have to make sure you take care of defense. Then, if you get a chance to join the rush, do it.”
Malkin OK
Malkin left an informal practice near the end of a scrimmage Tuesday but was spotted later around the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and looked no worse for wear.
He appeared to take a stick up high in a collision along the wall, crumpling to the ice. He stayed down for a good 15 seconds before gliding to the bench and walking to the dressing room. It looked like Malkin was favoring his left arm/side.
Players on both benches went silent, as Malkin, who led the Penguins last season will 98 points, exited. He did not speak with the media afterward but walked by the dressing room wearing nothing on his face, arm or shoulder, in usual stride.