Penguins cut defenseman from training camp that was on PTO

With the Pittsburgh Penguins continuing further into their preseason, roster battles are an important point of emphasis, perhaps especially on defense. The Penguins have several players vying for just a few spots, which makes these position battles pretty integral in nature.

It would appear that the Penguins have five of their top six defensemen locked in. Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Marcus Pettersson, and Matt Grzelcyk are projected for the top pairings. Also, with his high cap hit, Ryan Graves would appear to lock in the remaining spot. This would leave just two positions open, which are the number six defenseman and the reserve position.

One of the players vying for a spot is 26-year-old defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov, who was in camp on a professional tryout contract. The former San Jose Shark has been hurt much of the past two seasons, playing just 22 NHL games. But he's fit in well at the Penguins' camp so far, but unfortunately, he just didn't make the cut, as the team released him today.

Knyzhov had some pretty stiff competition from other left-handed defensemen such as Ryan Shea, John Ludvig, Filip Kral, and Sebastian Aho. Of course, having played with the Penguins last season, Shea and Ludvig may have had an advantage simply through experience within the organization. Aho and Kral are also signed to contracts, making things all the more complicated for Knyzhov, which is likely why he was cut.

While Nikolai Knyzhov was a long shot to make the opening roster, his value as depth can't be understated with recent injuries to defensemen around the league, such as Kings Drew Doughty. Perhaps another team will give him a shot before the regular season begins in under two weeks.