Penguins Flunking Chemistry

I was really bad at the sciences in high school. Biology and physics gave me fits (a rocket scientist I ain’t). But chemistry left me totally flamboozled. Yes, I invented a new word…a combination of flummoxed and bamboozled.

Unfortunately, the new-look Penguins seem to be following in my inglorious footsteps. Team chemistry…exemplary before the blockbuster three-way trade that netted center Derick Brassard…has gone south in a hurry. A team that resembled a juggernaut and sure-fire Stanley Cup contender only a couple of weeks back now has some serious design flaws.

I decided to turn my microscope on Jamie Oleksiak to show how dealing Ian Cole and Ryan Reaves has set off a veritable chain reaction of negative consequences. I know…a chain reaction is physics…I told you I was lousy at sciences.

Following a season in the shadows (or coach Mike Sullivan’s doghouse, if you prefer) Cole returned to the Pens’ lineup on January 25 and immediately reestablished himself as one of the team’s steadiest defensemen.

The black-and-gold promptly caught fire following his return, going 9-1-1 while racking up an astonishing 48 goals in the process. While I’d be way overstating Ian’s worth to suggest the Michigan native with the key to the surge, he certainly was an underrated and…apparently…undervalued cog.

Indeed, Cole was remarkably productive during his final 11 games in a Pens jersey, notching a goal and five assists to go with a sterling plus-12. However, it was the effect he had on his defense partner, Oleksiak, that really stood out. The ex-Star had shown flashes after coming over from Dallas in a December 19 trade. His numbers? Decent, but nothing special.

Slotted next to Cole, the ‘Big Rig’s’ game took off. Free to take risks, he displayed the offensive upside that made him a 14th overall pick in 2011, often joining the rush or venturing deep into the offensive zone. His plus-minus soared, along with his confidence.

Following Cole’s trade to Ottawa, Jamie’s game quickly soured. Paired with off-season pickup Matt Hunwick, he’s endured a dismal three-game stretch (minus-5). Due in no small part to Hunwick’s deficiencies as a defender and outlet passer, the new tandem has blended about as well as oil and water while putting a decided crimp in Oleksiak’s game.

Bottom line? The Pens lost two players in the Brassard trade, Cole and an effective Oleksiak.

Make that three players. Ryan Reaves, who’d struggled to fit with the Pens’ up-tempo style, responded to a late January benching by playing his best hockey for the locals, scoring a pair of pretty goals while asserting himself on the forecheck.

“Reavo’s” departure dropped another unintended burden squarely on Oleksiak’s mile-wide shoulders. Suddenly thrust into the role of protector, he’s dropped the gloves twice in the past three games, including a true heavyweight tilt with Boston strongman Zdeno Chara during the ugly loss to the Bruins on Thursday night.

Instead of concentrating on his game, Jamie now has his head on a swivel, taking note of guys he might need to fight. Heaven forbid if he busts a knuckle or hand on someone’s helmet. We’d really be in a bind on defense.

Oh, and if the Pens try Chad Ruhwedel as a third-pairing option, guess who has to move to the left side? Yup. Oleksiak.

I feel for the kid.

Obviously, defense isn’t the Pens’ only issue. We’re a one-trick pony in goal…Matt Murray or bust. The forward lines are a jumble. It didn’t help that Zach Aston-Reese, who quickly established himself with his smarts and productive, crease-crashing style, is on IR with an upper body injury. The fourth line looks positively moribund, as it has for much of the season. Tom Kuhnhackl and Carter Rowney do little to complement each other, offensively or otherwise. Hopefully recent recall Dominik Simon can spice up the mix.

What’s done is done. We can’t turn the clock back and undo the trade or change the players involved. Nor can we pick up a competent sixth defenseman to replace Cole. Sullivan and the coaching staff will have to sort things out on the fly.

In the meantime? Sad to say, the Pens are flunking chemistry. Just like yours truly.