Penguins Demote Despres

On Thursday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced 13 cuts from their training camp roster, 11 of which are heading to the AHL and two more are heading back to juniors.

Among those heading down to Wilkes-Barre Scranton is defenseman Simon Despres, who I had in my projections for a pretty decent year with the big club, if he was going to make it, but it looks like he has lost out on a longer look, let alone a spot on the blueline in this camp.

I wouldn't write Despres off completely, it is only a demotion to the minors, so he will be able to be called up during the season, possibly when injuries start to happen during the year, he'll get a call-up, depending on his progress in the minors.

The defenseman I think we should be looking at now to help fill the void is 2011 1st round pick, Joe Morrow, who showed some great skating and vision in the Penguins' preseason game against the Red Wings on Wednesday night.  He currently remains in camp is about to get a longer look.