Penguins Not Ready for Prime Time

After watching Chicago’s dynamic rookie Artemi Panarin shred our Penguins to the tune of four goals over the past two nights, the difference between the organizations became painfully apparent. The Blackhawks sign studs like the undrafted Panarin. We sign duds who struggle to score.

Indeed, last night’s ugly 3-1 defeat in the Windy City served to underscore a gap between the clubs that has widened to an embarrassing degree. Regarded as the NHL’s model franchise, the Blackhawks continue to reinvent themselves under the brilliant stewardship of GM-extraordinaire Stan Bowman. Even if it means trading away a rising young star like Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad for the sake of salary-cap sanity.

On the flip side, the Penguins have frequently misfired on personnel decisions while emulating the failed and flawed Tampa Bay model from the early-2000s. Despite a significant offseason overhaul, the black and gold remains a top-heavy team whose fate rests squarely on the shoulders of its stars.

When Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang score, we usually win.

If they don’t? There isn’t enough secondary scoring to pick up the slack.

Ironic in a way, because GM Jim Rutherford focused his attention over the past summer on adding quality depth. Newcomers Nick Bonino, Eric Fehr and Phil Kessel have had their moments, but far too few. Recent call-ups Conor Sheary and Scott Wilson provided an energy boost, but little else.

Blend in a cast of top-six wingers who’ve been mostly MIA from the scoresheet and you have a team that doesn’t seem to know where its next goal will come from. A far cry from the offensive juggernaut everyone was expecting.

A pedestrian defensive corps hasn’t helped. It’s true there’s been more balance among the pairings since Trevor Daley arrived. But on a whole, the group lacks the creativity to drive a puck-possession game. Not to mention the size, strength and defensive acumen to make life easier for Marc-Andre Fleury.

A shame, too, because “Flower” continues to perform athletic wonders between the Penguins’ pipes. Like last night, when he stopped a point-blank shot by Hawks defender Trevor van Riemsdyk with the knob of his stick. But he’s not a miracle worker. There’s only so much a goalie can do.

One can argue the Pens are a work in progress. Indeed, after a dozen games on the job, new coach Mike Sullivan is still learning how the pieces fit. However, the countdown to the playoffs continues. And precious points slip away.

The bottom line? Following a first half that’s featured as many dips and curves as the Steel Phantom, our boys aren’t ready for prime time.

Penguins Promote Kuhnhackl and Rust

The Penguins promoted forwards Tom Kuhnhackl and Bryan Rust from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rutherford announced today. In a corresponding move, the Pens returned Sheary and Wilson to the Baby Pens.

A hustling winger known for his flat-out style of play, the 23-year-old Rust had six points (3+3) in 16 games with the Baby Pens. He also skated in five games for the parent club this season, registering a plus-2.

Kuhnhackl, 23, is slated to make his Penguins debut Saturday night against Montreal. A fourth-round pick in 2010, the 6’2″ 196-pound winger netted 39 goals in 2010-11 with Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League.

Following a sluggish start to his pro career the native of Landshut, Germany rediscovered his scoring touch this year with Wilkes-Barre, tallying seven goals and 15 points in 23 games.