After watching the Penguins’ big guns struggle to produce through the early going, I’d like to pose a question.
Is it time to split up Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel?
I know. To even suggest such a move smacks of panic. Not to mention cruel and unusual punishment. After all, Sid’s waited his whole career—or at least since Marian Hossa left the ‘Burgh—for a winger of Kessel’s pedigree. And it sure would dampen our lofty expectations of an electric pair lighting up scoreboards for the black and gold.
So do three straight season-opening losses.
The naked truth? Thus far, Crosby’s game reads like an old Dick-and-Jane primer. See Sid skate. See Sid carry the puck. See Sid pass up a shot to feed Kessel.
Nor has the Pens’ second dynamic duo, Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist, enjoyed much success. In the four games they played together in Crosby’s absence last season, Hornqvist recorded a lone assist. Granted, a small window. But enough to get a picture. Factor in Patric’s three pointless games this season, and it would appear the rugged Swede and the quicksilver Russian aren’t a match made in hockey heaven.
Since this hardly is a case of “it ain’t broke, so don’t fix it,” why not reconfigure the top two lines? Team Kessel and Malkin, and pair No. 72 with No. 87.
While not a pure scorer, Hornqvist’s down-and-dirty style has an energizing effect on Sid. It impels the Pens captain—once labeled the most skilled grinder in the league—to get more involved around the net. A task for which, given his uncanny vision and ability to make plays in traffic, not to mention powerful legs and low center of gravity, Crosby is perfectly suited.
Malkin, on the other hand, thrived in the past with a true triggerman on his wing. Remember James Neal? The “Real Deal” blossomed into a 40-goal scorer skating with Geno. Give Kessel a handful of games beside No. 71 and see what happens.
Of course, such a move could backfire and throw Crosby and Company into an even deeper funk. However, with losses piling up faster than power-play goals, it couldn’t hurt to try.
Dumoulin a Plus
A bright spot through the disappointing start? The play of 24-year-old defenseman Brian Dumoulin. Getting his first real shot at full-time NHL duty, the Boston College grad has displayed quick feet and good mobility for a big man (6’4” 219). He also makes a nice first pass and shows a knack for joining the rush. Although not physical—his lone significant shortcoming—he’s been reasonably cool and steady in the defensive zone.
Now, if only the Pens would give Adam Clendening a chance…
Not after 3 games, fir the love of god!!!
Crosby doesn’t mesh with Kessel and Crosby knows it and Kunitz isn’t a top first line winger either…Crosby needs to shoot more Malkin needs to be present more and for god sake win please!
Hi Rick, Great question.
I went back and looked at the Stats for the first 3 games. For the first 3 games
the Pens had 98 shots in total.Many of these were perimeter shots and were
not really quality goal scoring opportunities for a NHL caliber goal tender, as you mentioned in a previous article.That a side,the following is the shot totals
for our stars to date. Letang had 15 shots.HE LEADS THE TEAM.Phil has 12 shots.Patrick and Beau have 9 shots,Chris has 7 shots.Our star centers only have 6 shots for Geno, and 4 shots for Sid.Peron had only 3 shots.
Here lies the problem.There is a reason why Ovi scores 50 goals almost every year…Because he shoots the puck 7 or 8 times every night.Game in and game out.Our guys do not do that on a regular basis.
I would give the current line up another 5 games to see if they can find the chemistry to making it work. If nothing changes, then I would switch up Phil and Patrick and try that for another 8 games.At the same time however,I would try to move either Kunitz or Perron in a move to upgrade the left side as well.( Bigger, younger,faster ).
All this in the back drop of also finding some way to trade Scuds and get another big d man. That one is tough to do.
Thanks again for your blog,
Jim
Hey Jim,
It’s always nice to hear from you.
Again, you make a lot of good points. You’re right—three games probably isn’t enough time for Crosby and Kessel to really get a feel for each other.
Frankly, I’m more concerned about Malkin and Hornqvist. I remember watching them play together last season and feeling like they just didn’t read and react well to each other. I’m seeing the same thing this season. When Hornqvist is planted in the crease wreaking havoc, Geno’s generally off somewhere stickhandling around a defenseman. They’re just not in sync.
Again, maybe it’s just a matter of them getting used to each other. But they don’t seem to have a lot of on-ice chemistry.
Regarding Kunitz, Perron and Scuderi, I’m afraid we’re stuck. While we might be able to move the first two, I honestly don’t think we’d get much in return. The latter is virtually untradeable.
I know we’ve got Scuds for two more years. But that doesn’t mean he needs to be in the lineup on a nightly basis. Why in Heaven’s name they’re not playing Clendening—a kid with some upside—over him is beyond me.
It’s the “Craig Adams Syndrome” all over again.
I don’t think it will matter who is on the Sid’s wing, when on the other wing is either Kunitz or Daivd “First Rounder” Perron!!
AS I look at the sked. it is tough for a while..if the losing contiues how long will coach Mike still be coach??
I was hoping Kunitz and Perron would rebound from their struggles last season. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Perron’s shown some signs of life since being elevated to Malkin’s line, but hasn’t produced. And let’s face it, he was brought here to score goals.
Regarding Johnston, this season has a similar feel to me as 2001-02, when Craig Patrick fired Ivan Hlinka after the Pens lost their first four games. The circumstances were somewhat different…Hlinka had ignored Patrick’s request to take English lessons the previous summer. But given the (perhaps unreasonable) expectations surrounding this team, I don’t think MJ has much margin for error.
If they lose the next two games (Ottawa and Toronto at home) I think you could see a change.
Rick,Pen’s4ever,
You both are correct in saying this Coach will be let go unless a miracle happens and this team some how becomes a consistent winner again. Not just 30 %- 40 % of the time.
The problem is with this current roster it will not happen.It does not matter who is the Coach.For example, if we go with a defensive style Coach,Crosby,Malkin, Kessel,Letang,Peron,Bennett could not play under that style.They are not physical enough to handle the vigorous pounding a defensive system requires on a nightly basis.If we go to an offensive style Coach,our defense can not handle the rapid flow of that style of play.Plus our forwards do not back check enough to support the defense now. As you say,”it is hard to be a great puck possession team when you can not posses the puck”. So when Mike Johnston gets relieved of his job,nothing will change. The new guy will also be let go at the end of the season when the Pens fail to make the playoffs and Mario is still looking to sell his team.
Unless the Pens make a major trade of one or more of the Core players,( not going to happen ) this team is in for a rough season.
How will the fans handle that ?
Excellent points, Jim.
Completely agree!!
So what does MArio do, if the losing keeps going??
Pen’s 4ever,
Drop his PRICE for the team !
750 million +…… Crazy. If this team does not make the playoffs,Mario will be deeply disappointed in the actual offers he will get. Nobody will pay that kind of money for a losing venture.( regardless of the Development Rights for the lands your tax dollars helped secure.)
Get Hornquist on that line and put Kunitz down. Kessel fits with Crosby, and no, Crosby is not a crybaby, unless you’re a Filthadelphia fan who thinks that way!
Crosbys gota realize that to make Kessel effective, he’s got to take some shots also. This constantly trying to set him up is getting old!
Kessel’s style might be a better fit for Geno. At this point they have nothing to lose, so why not give it a try?
Get Kunitz off the top line…He’s not a top six forward anymore..The only reason he is playing up there is because Crosby is a crybaby and wants him up there.
Kunitz definitely seems to be in decline. Unfortunately, the Pens don’t have a lot of options on left wing. They could try Beau Bennett, but he’s always been more comfortable—and productive—on right wing. Perhaps they could try rookie Daniel Sprong. Again, it would require a winger switching sides.