"Ryan Shea blackmailing Sully": NHL fans give mixed reactions to Pittsburgh Penguins' opening night roster

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced their opening night roster for the 2024-25 NHL season, drawing mixed reactions from fans. With the likes of Bryan Rust, Alex Nedeljkovic and Blake Lizotte missing due to injuries, the roster looks different than many expected.

On social media, fans expressed skepticism about some of the decisions.

One fan joked defenseman Ryan Shea of "blackmailing" head coach Mike Sullivan to stay in the lineup.

"Ryan Shea blackmailing Sully"

Another fan wrote,

"I think it’s gonna be a dumpster fire incoming for the season"

Here are some fan reactions to Pittsburgh Penguins opening night roster:

"I think graves should be on a short leash this year. If he fails to perform they should give Brunicke a shot!" one fan wrote on X.

"How did Sid make this team again? He’s old. He’s clearly gotten blackmail material on coaching staff." another fan wrote.

"Love this roster. Miss Rust and Nedj but love getting Valtteri and McGroarty up there!!!" a user commented.

"Anyone else feeling marginally confident with this? This seems a very serviceable NHL team?" another user wrote.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will get its first big test on Wednesday when the New York Rangers come to town.

Pittsburgh Penguins opening night roster

Forward

• Drew O’Connor - Sidney Crosby - Anthony Beauvillier
• Michael Bunting - Evgeni Malkin - Rickard Rakell
• Rutger McGroarty - Lars Eller - Jesse Puljujarvi
• Kevin Hayes - Cody Glass - Noel Acciari

(Valtteri Puustinen)

Defensemen

• Matt Grzelcyk - Kris Letang
• Marcus Pettersson - Erik Karlsson
• Ryan Graves - Jack St. Ivany

(Ryan Shea)

Goalies

• Tristan Jarry - Joel Blomqvist

Sidney Crosby on this season's roster

Sidney Crosby sees this season's roster as having the most competition for spots that he can remember.

With several young players pushing for roles and limited openings, Crosby said this year's training camp presented by UPMC has been "really unique."

“Typically, there might be a little less, there's one or two spots. This year's probably the most competitive – looking back at other years – that I've seen," the captain said as per NHL.

Meanwhile, the team has faced some setbacks with Matt Nieto being placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve and Vasily Ponomarev's designation as Injured Non-Roster.