Penguins Update: Is Our D Good Enough?

Back in the 1970s, defenseman Larry Goodenough skated for six mostly nondescript seasons with the Flyers and Canucks. His nickname, appropriately, was “Izzy”… as in Is He Goodenough?

Entering a brand-new season, it’s a fair question to ask of the Penguins ‘d.’ Is it good enough? There are reasons to believe it is.

Any evaluation of the Pens’ blue line corps must start with Kris Letang. As “Tanger” goes, so goes the black-and-gold defense…or something like that.

Need proof? Three seasons ago, the quicksilver defender enjoyed arguably his finest season, racking up 16 goals and 67 points. He was equally splendid in the postseason, averaging a staggering 28:53 of ice time while becoming only the fourth player in NHL history to tally a point on each of his team’s game-winning goals in the Final.

The result? The Pens captured a Stanley Cup in thoroughly impressive fashion.

Last season? Not so good. While it’s unfair to pin the Pens’ failure to three-peat solely on the Montreal native, he was…to be kind…horrific, especially against the Capitals. His defensive reads were consistently awful and led directly to several costly goals against.

A source with ties to the team claims No. 58 never found his legs…or confidence…following the surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck that caused him to miss the 2017 playoffs. With a full summer to train, apparently he’s hale and hearty and rarin’ to go. And while, at age 31, it may be too much to ask for a return to his pre-surgery form, even a reasonable facsimile would be huge.

I have no such concerns about Letang’s likely partner, Brian Dumoulin. Despite less-than-gaudy numbers (five goals, 18 points, minus-5  in ’17-18), the Maine native’s emerged over the past couple of seasons as perhaps the team’s best defensive defenseman. He showed signs of elevating his game even further…especially on the offensive side…last spring.

Again, no worries about “Dumo.”

I really like Justin Schultz, too. I was particularly impressed with his work in the defensive zone last season. Although his output took a surprising tumble (from a career-best 51 points in ‘16-17 to 27), he’s got big-time offensive abilities and instincts. With his shot and elite puck distribution skills, I’d like to see “Schultzie” get more time with the top power-play unit.

It isn’t clear who the Pens might pair with the British Columbia native. Newcomer Jack Johnson could be an option, especially if he can shore up the defensive side of his game following a lackluster season in Columbus.

Johnson still possesses the elements…good size, decent wheels and underrated offensive skills…that once made him a coveted prospect. If he can curb his penchant to gamble on the big hit and solidify his decision-making, he could be a bargain at $3.25 million.

Should Johnson prove too error-prone? Look for Olli Maatta to step up. A grizzled veteran at age 24, the baby-faced defender does a lot of good things. He’s heady, alert and sees the ice well. Olli makes crisp, accurate passes and possesses a decent shot to boot.

Defensively, he does a good job of getting his 206-pound frame in the way and even showed a physical side (131 hits last year) while rediscovering the scoring touch he displayed as a 19-year-old phenom.

His lone weakness…and it’s a glaring one…a lack of foot speed. When he gets turned, fagedaboudit. He’s toast.

At least for now, Jamie Oleksiak anchors the third pairing. While the features of his game are still coalescing, you see occasional flashes of the latent offensive skills and heavy shot that made him a 14th overall pick back in 2011. I have hopes that coach Sergei Gonchar can help “the Big Rig” tap his full potential.

Things you can’t teach? Jamie’s size (6’7” 255) and inclination to use it (138 hits in 47 games with the locals), elements in woefully short supply on the skill-oriented Pens.

Speaking of budding young talent. It appears GM Jim Rutherford nabbed a diamond in the rough when he inked Finnish defenseman Juuso Riikola to a one-year, entry-level contract in May. By all accounts, the 24-year-old rearguard and former teammate of Maatta’s plays an NHL-ready game with an accent on skating, solid positional play and a blistering shot. While hardly a hulk at 190 pounds, he’s displayed a willingness to get his nose dirty.

Tailor-made for coach Mike Sullivan’s retrieve-the-puck-and-move-it-to-the-forwards-in-a-hurry style.

Look for Riikola to open the season at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he figures to see plenty of ice time. However, should the inevitable injury occur, expect the youngster to be promoted ahead of veteran Chad Ruhwedel, the resident No. 7 d-man who does everything at least reasonably well.

Throw in Zach Trotman, a sturdy 6’3″ 217-pounder who has 70 games of NHL experience? I’d say we’re in surprisingly good shape on the blue line.