Let’s face it. Barring injury, these are Evgeni Malkin’s Penguins. Sidney Crosby’s eventual return to the Penguins will leave Dan Bylsma with some big decisions. It was originally thought that James Neal was brought in to be the much needed big winger for Crosby, but as it worked out Neal, Malkin & Chris Kunitz are putting up numbers that make them the number one line in the NHL right now.
The Penguins power play is clicking in unaccustomed fashion at 7th in the NHL right now, up ten spots from the last time Crosby was the power play’s headline feature.
So where does Crosby fit in on the power play? He will definitely not be taking Kunitz’s spot in front of the net and James Neal has been scoring power play goals at a pace Crosby hasn’t done since his first season in the NHL.
Malkin has been perched mainly at Crosby’s half wall spot but he’s all over the place. “You can’t scout our power play and say this is where Malkin is going to stand..” coach Bylsma said. Your not going to remove Malkin from the power play, let alone move him from his spot. He’s the number one player in the NHL.
That means coming back, Crosby will have to take a position at the point. Kris Letang is the Penguins only defenseman on the power play, so it would be tough to remove him. That leaves Steve Sullivan’s roving point spot. Even though the Penguins herald Letang as a great puck mover and play maker, Sullivan is the guy they have bring the puck up the ice every time, Crosby can do that.
A year ago before the Penguins lineup got turned upside down by injuries, the Penguins were going to try Jordan Staal out on Evgeni Malkin’s line. Staal who is having a breakout year himself, despite missing 20 games to injury, Staal still finds himself tied for third on the Penguins in goals scored and is outpacing his best year in the NHL.
Having Staal on Crosby’s line will give Crosby a big guy and will give Staal a chance to see if he can produce in a different role. Penguins GM Ray Shero’s picking up of centers Richard Park, Cal O’Reilly and the emergence of Joe Vitale allow for Bylsma to move Staal up a line.
Also, with Aaron Asham’s proclaimed return from his second concussion in as many years happening this weekend, he could also be a welcome addition to Crosby’s line in a Chris Kunitz go to the net and cause havoc sort of way. Asham has never had trouble mixing it up “I had to do that to get into the league,” said Asham, “and I’ll do it to stay in the league, It’s a part of the game and a part of my job, I’m not worried about it”
Don’t let Asham fool you, back in juniors, he was quite the goal scorer. Last year he was the Penguins leading goal scorer in the playoffs. This would give Crosby a pseudo ” Malkamania” line. Of course this could all change if Shero pulls off more of his trade deadline magic.
Here we call it “Malkamania“. Up in Canada, in no disrespect to Cy, they are calling it “Malkinmania” Either way, I’m sure Dan Bylsma will somehow make it work having the two best players in the known Universe on the same team.
Really intriguing thought about teaming Jordan Staal with Crosby. Frankly, I’ve been shocked by how impressive Jordan’s looked offensively this year. It’s not just that he’s scoring more—it’s the way he’s doing it. Last night’s goal was a perfect example: the power move to drive the defense back; the feint inside to move the goalie off the post; and the perfectly placed shot. That was a goal-scorer’s goal.
If Staal is able to adapt to playing wing, he and Sid could make a really nice combo ala Malkin-Neal. I’m not so sure about Asham, though. While “Ash” provides toughness and has some underrated skills, I don’t think he skates well enough to keep up with Sid, who does everything at full speed. I think Pascal Dupuis is a more likely candidate, given that he’s played with Sid in the past.
Another guy I’d like to see teamed with Sid—especially if Staal’s on the other wing to provide some size—is Steve Sullivan. He creates a ton of chances with his speed, savvy, and passing skills, and he’s surprisingly feisty, too. He’s the one player on the team who probably sees the ice the same way Sid does.
An under-the-radar guy might be Dustin Jeffrey. Although he hasn’t produced much this season, I think he has the skills to play with Crosby. It’d be more a matter of how well he reads and reacts to Sid, which a lot of guys have trouble doing.
Steve Sullivan and Pascal Dupuis woul both fit in great, but the line would be too small and weak. One of the big problems on Crosby’s last return was that between plays other teams were bumping, shoving, and popping Crosby in the head and there was no one sticking up for Crosby. The Other teams wanted Crosby to retalliate and get him in the box.
Sullivan & Dupuis have never been players that are going to jump in and help or mix it up in front of the net. Asham would do it in a second. If Jeffrey would start getting more involved he would stand a chance to be on that line also.
As far as speed goes, Robbie Brown made a living on Lemieux’s line. Asham’s would just need to head straight to the net each time and mix it up.
BTW: Asham had two years in Juniors that he scored over 40 goals.
I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on Asham playing with Sid. Don’t get me wrong—I love the guy. He’s tough as nails, actually has a decent shot, and can work the give and go. But I don’t think he has the upside you’re suggesting.
Last season when the Pens were auditioning linemates for Malkin (what a difference a year makes) they tried Arron on Geno’s wing for a few games, with less-than-overwhelming results. He just doesn’t have the ability to read and react to an elite talent like Sid or Geno—at least not at their speed.
Then there’s a matter of stamina. If you watch Asham closely, he skates at borderline average speed during the first 15-20 seconds of a shift. Extend him past 30 seconds and his skating drops off dramatically. Now think about Sid, who often extends his shifts and is still flying around after 45-60 seconds. The two just don’t match up.
I like the way you’re thinking .Pens have to go with what’s working NOW. Could you say something positive about Brent Johnson . He’s looking good lately.
What a joke
You mean a joke as in “Two Flyer fans walk into a bar….” Wait a minute, there aren’t two Flyer fans
I love it that Flyer fans are reading a Pittsburgh Penguin blog