Forward Vinnie Hinostroza just wants a chance with the Penguins
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During the early days of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ongoing training camp, captain Sidney Crosby had to swear allegiance.
Not to any kind of authority or despot.
But to a golden idol.
Two in fact.
Bryan Rust and Vinnie Hinostroza.
Both are alumni of Notre Dame, famous for the golden helmets worn by the football team as well as its hockey squads, and each skated as Crosby’s linemate in the first handful of practices in this training camp.
“I see that they’re from the same college team,” Crosby quipped. “That’s probably why they’re not dishing (the puck) to me.”
Crosby obviously was joking. Giving the puck to one of the greatest players in NHL history is always a sound strategy. And the Penguins’ decision to bring in the well-traveled Hinostroza this past offseason was a viable plan, as well.
With forward Jake Guentzel expected to miss a handful of games to open the regular season, Hinostroza was seen as a potential candidate to fill that temporary vacancy (or any others that may arise over the course of an 82-game regular season). However, in recent days, Rickard Rakell, typically a right winger, has been deployed to the left wing.
But another void Hinostroza certainly has the credentials to assume is either wing on the team’s bottom two lines.
Penguins management overhauled its group of bottom-six forwards this past offseason with some slightly more notable names such as Noel Acciari, Lars Eller and Matt Nieto, all signed to lucrative multi-year contracts.
Hinostroza, who was signed to a one-year deal worth $775,000, could wind up being a great value, as well, given his versatility.
“Throughout my pro career, I’ve played left wing and right wing,” Hinostroza said. “But I feel like I’m pretty comfortable with both.”
A sixth-round draft pick (No. 169 overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012, Hinostroza, 29, largely has led a nomadic existence in eight seasons as an NHLer, having played for four different teams. Including the Blackhawks, Hinostroza (pronounced hihn-oh-STROH-za) has worn the jerseys of the Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres.
Last season, Hinostroza was limited to 37 games between the NHL (26) and American Hockey League (11) while with a Sabres organization that is going through a youth movement.
“I played in Buffalo for two years,” said Hinostroza, a right-handed shot. “My first year (2021-22) went well, then they (brought) me back (for 2022-23). Then it was kind of like, ‘We’re going to play our younger guys, and, if someone is hurt, you’re going to step in and play.’ Last year was tough for me. A long year. I just wanted to go somewhere (where), if you earn it, you’re going to go play. I worked so hard this summer for those opportunities.”
When Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas sought Hinostroza’s services in the offseason, he was clear with what the Penguins were offering.
“I got on the phone with Kyle, and he kind of explained to me nothing is going to be given. ‘There is opportunity here, but you’re going to have to earn it. You’re going to have to earn it. I can’t promise you a thing.’ That’s kind of what I’ve been looking for.”
Rust has seen plenty of Hinostroza (5-foot-10, 183 pounds) going back to their lone season together at Notre Dame (2013-14). He gave a strong, though hardly objective, scouting report on his friend.
“He’s a guy who works really hard,” Rust said. “He’s quick, he’s shifty, he works hard, he gets in on the forecheck. When he has an opportunity to make plays, he’s got really good hands, and he can make those plays.”
Through two games this preseason, Hinostroza has no points and two shots. So it would be charitable to suggest he has stood out. But he’s definitely in the mix to make the season-opening roster. On Friday, during the team’s practice in Cranberry, Hinostroza skated on the left wing of the fourth line with Noel Acciari at center and Jeff Carter on right wing.
He has a chance. And that’s all he is asking for.
“You work so hard for this. You work for opportunities,” Hinostroza said. “Over the course of my pro career, I’ve kind of just learned to take it day by day. Control what you can control. If you start thinking too far ahead, that’s kind of where you get yourself in trouble.”