Mark Johnson and Joe Mullen have spent one day with their players prior to the 2013 All-American Prospects Game, but the coaches were impressed with the prospects' skill level during practice at Consol Energy Center on Thursday.

Johnson, head coach of the University of Wisconsin women's ice hockey team, said he was amazed with the prospects' development compared to the level of his peers' progress when they were 17 years old. The players' size impressed Johnson the most, as he said they towered over him, even before stepping into their skates.

"I'm used to looking at my players on the level that I'm looking at you right now," Johnson said. "All of a sudden, you're looking up at them. The size and the speed [stood out]. Obviously, when I was playing we had some big players in the League, but they didn't move quite as well as these players do.

"So, it's very impressive to even watch them in a 30-minute workout, and certainly tonight behind the bench it's going to be exciting to see them compete against each other."

PITTSBURGH -- Marc-Andre Fleury is coming off another disappointing postseason performance, but his teammates' confidence in their starting goaltender has not been shaken.

After an impressive regular season, Fleury struggled in the postseason, a theme that has become too familiar for the 28-year-old since winning the Stanley Cup in 2009. Fleury posted a 2.39 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 33 regular-season games in 2012-13, but then had a 3.52 GAA and .883 save percentage in five Stanley Cup Playoff games, leading to Tomas Vokoun moving into the starting role during Pittsburgh's run to the Eastern Conference Final.

PITTSBURGH -- With a few noteworthy names lost during the offseason, at least three of the Pittsburgh Penguins' six forward spots on the team's bottom two lines are up for grabs, which should create heated competition during training camp.

Forwards Jarome Iginla (Boston Bruins), Brenden Morrow (unrestricted free agent), Matt Cooke (Minnesota Wild) and Tyler Kennedy (San Jose Sharks) are gone, leaving holes on the third and fourth lines. Brandon Sutter and Craig Adams can be expected to be the third- and fourth-line centers, respectively. And either Beau Bennett or Jussi Jokinen, whoever loses out on playing next to Evgeni Malkin and James Neal, will take a spot on the bottom two lines.

Sutter is in his second season with the Penguins and said he is anxious to see who he will be playing with.

PITTSBURGH -- Rob Scuderi is making his return to the Pittsburgh Penguins after four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. The Pens hope the veteran defenseman still can live up to his nickname, "The Piece."

Scuderi was known as a calming presence within Pittsburgh's defensive unit throughout its march toward the 2009 Stanley Cup. He served that role again in 2012 with Los Angeles, helping the Kings win their first Cup. Now he is expected to bring that quality back to the Penguins while paired with Kris Letang.

"I think guys look to you and hopefully you can be a good example, but I've always been the same person even before I won the Stanley Cups," Scuderi said. "I know it gives you credibility in the locker room and that's great, but there's a lot of guys that haven't won it that have it inside them and hopefully we're trying to find that."

PITTSBURGH -- Beau Bennett, entering his second NHL season, is facing the possibility of playing alongside Evgeni Malkin, a Hart Trophy winner, and James Neal, a 40-goal scorer. But the young forward is content filling any role asked of him, as long as it means he makes the team.

"Sunshine," as he is referred to in the Pittsburgh Penguins' locker room, showed flashes of offensive brilliance during his rookie season, and had three goals and 11 assists in 26 games.

Entering training camp this season, Bennett could serve a prominent role on the Penguins' top two lines. He will compete with Jussi Jokinen for the open spot next to Malkin and Neal, but after multiple stints in the American Hockey League last season, he said he is focused on making the opening-day roster.