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Question: I have heard a lot of talk about the Penguins' seventh defenseman during training camp. If I'm not mistaken, all of the candidates for that position are going to start the season playing in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton unless, of course, one of the top six defensemen is out. My question is, why do they need to decide now? Couldn't they just call up the one who is playing the best in the AHL when the time comes?

Greg, Brentwood

MOLINARI: While the Penguins have not divulged their plans for the regular-season roster -- they don't have to be down to (or below) the 23-man limit until 3 p.m. Wednesday -- there seems to be a pretty good chance that they will carry 13 forwards or seven defensemen, but not both, primarily for salary-cap reasons.

Part of the reason is that, as you note, they should be able to get any replacements who might be needed during October in from Wilkes-Barre pretty easily. The Penguins don't leave the Eastern time zone until a game in Anaheim Nov. 3 and the same is true of the Baby Penguins until they play a pair of games in Winnipeg, Manitoba Oct. 29 and 30.

With Ben Lovejoy, who had a disappointing training camp, sidelined indefinitely by a shoulder injury, the competition to serve as the No. 7 defenseman is down to Nate Guenin and Deryk Engelland. Guenin looks to be the front-runner, although Engelland's physical style and fighting proficiency figure to get him some work in the NHL this season, even if it's not right at the start.

Question: Are the Pens planning on wearing a "Final Season" patch for Mellon Arena on their jerseys for 2009-10, and are they planning on a "Inaugural Season" patch for the Consol Energy Center for 2010-11?

Bill Ponko, Citrus Springs, Fla.

Question: There will not be a commemorative patch on the Penguins' sweaters this season, and no plans to have one for the opening of the Consol Energy Center, either.

Having one for either occasion would be a nice touch, but would come with complications that might well outweigh the plusses. Any change to a uniform has to be approved by the league office, which has made it clear that it prefers that such things not be done too often.

And even if the NHL signed off on the patches, there's a pretty good chance that the vendors with whom the Penguins deal would not be happy about it. Put a special-occasion patch on a sweater, the thinking goes, and any sweater that doesn't have it seems outdated, and thus less appealing to many potential customers. There also could be a negative reaction from the fans base in general if people view the patch as nothing more than a money-making scheme.

Question: I know it's unlikely, but do you think Penguins might ever use a line of Paul Bissonnette, Mike Rupp and Eric Godard against the Flyers?

Brian Van Horn, Castle Shannon

MOLINARI: It certainly doesn't seem to be out of the question.

Playing physically and trying to intimidate opponents has been standard procedure in Philadelphia for decades, and the Flyers' decision to trade for Chris Pronger this summer confirms that that approach won't be changing anytime soon.

While recent history suggests such tactics don't affect the Penguins much, that might not have been the case if guys like Godard, Georges Laraque and Gary Roberts (remember Ben Eager?) hadn't been willing to trade punches with the Flyers when the situation warranted it.

Coach Dan Bylsma won't necessarily want to overload his lineup with tough guys, even for games at the Wachovia Center, but it would be na??ve to think that he shouldn't plan to have a capable fighter or two in uniform when facing Philadelphia.

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