Penguins Update: Vegas Stole My Left Wing!

I’d written earlier this summer that erstwhile Montreal left wing Max Pacioretty would look awfully good in a Penguins uniform. As recently as a few nights ago I’d discussed the matter with Rich, a hockey buddy at the Pennsbury Pub & Grille, who assured me that a deal involving the New Canaan, Connecticut, native could still be in the works.

He was right…one was. It just didn’t involve the Penguins.

On Sunday, the Vegas Golden Knights…aka…Pittsburgh West acquired the high-scoring portsider from Montreal for forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Golden Knights GM George McPhee promptly inked Pacioretty to a four-year extension worth $28 million…or a cool $7 million per season.

Truth be told, it would’ve taken some creative wheeling and dealing…not to mention financing…on GM Jim Rutherford’s part to accommodate the big forward at his existing cap rate ($4.5 million), let alone sign him to a long-term deal. In all likelihood, the five-time 30-goal man would’ve been a one-year rental. However, for a team stocked with a gifted but aging core and seeking perhaps its last and best shot at another Cup, I think he would’ve been the perfect pick-up.

Along with his well-documented scoring touch, ‘Patches’ would’ve added size (6’2” 206) and a physical bent (118 hits in ’17-18) to the Pens’ left flank, a position of need.

Oh well, no use in crying over spilled milk. Except that, on the eve of training camp, I’m still concerned over the Pens’ mix up front. More specifically, how we’re going to flesh out the left wing slot, which seems woefully undermanned.

By all appearances, Jake Guentzel’s the real deal. In addition to his Midas touch around the net, he’s feisty and competitive. Better still, he and Sidney Crosby have a sixth sense for each other. Last spring they combined for 19 of the Pens’ 42 playoff goals.

While Carl Hagelin isn’t your classic second-line left wing by any stretch, he brings world-class speed and a defensive conscience to the mix, much like Bob Errey did while skating alongside the incomparable Mario Lemieux back in the day.

After that, it’s a crapshoot. Bryan Rust, a right wing by trade, appears to have the inside track on the third line. While I love ‘Rusty’…he’s one of my favorite Penguins…there are challenges in playing the off-wing, especially along the boards where the Notre Dame grad normally excels.

“Try using your computer mouse with the opposite hand for an entire day,” wrote Sean Conboy of Pittsburgh Magazine while explaining the difficulties.

Ditto the fourth line, where centers Matt Cullen, Derek Grant and Riley Sheahan may see duty at left wing. All three are left-handed shots, which should mitigate the issues to an extent. Still, center is a vastly different position than wing, especially when it comes to defensive-zone responsibilities.

I worry about how it might affect the Pens’ team defense…not exactly stalwart last season. It’s a shortcoming that’s sure to be exaggerated by the full-time presence of right wing Daniel Sprong, a talented sniper who nonetheless is a graduate of the Phil Kessel School of Backchecking.

That’s a lot of ‘own-zone ifs’ for a team that ranked 20th in the league in goals allowed.

While I’m fretting over our team ‘d,’ I’ll toss another log on the fire. Don’t quote me on this, but I believe Matt Murray has the most stints on IR of any NHL starting goalie since his arrival in the league. Billy, a passionate and knowledgeable Pub hockey pal, likened him to a skilled but brittle Pens netminder from the past…Tom Barrasso. A spot-on comparison.

In addition to time spent on IR with various ailments, Barrasso missed practically two full seasons during his stay in the ‘Burgh. Fortunately, the black and gold had capable second starter Ken Wregget waiting in the wings.

With Marc-Andre Fleury guarding the twine in Vegas, our present Pens boast no such luxury. Indeed, backups Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith are largely unproven quantities. While that doesn’t mean they won’t eventually establish themselves as bona fide NHL goalies, pray Murray doesn’t go down for an extended stretch.

Last but certainly not least…the white elephant in the room. At age 31, will Kris Letang rebound from a troubling season and regain his All-Star form?

It’s anybody’s guess.