“The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that’s all”
On April 16 of this year our Pittsburgh Penguins were rudely removed from the race for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Moreover, they were embarrassed. Their so called best Defenseman, a veteran Defenseman of 13 Winter campaigns and 10 Spring campaigns coughed up the puck multiple times in critical situations. He consistently tried to skate past half the Islander team by himself in situations that any other veteran Defenseman would have safely dumped the puck, often times leading to goals against. This was the second playoff run in a row where said Defenseman single handedly was the best offensive force for the opposing team.
Of course Kris Letang wasn’t the only inept Defenseman on the squad. Newcomer Marcus Pettersson had a critical Giveaway (Gv) behind his own net as well (He is just a rookie so I don’t want to get too critical of him – he has shown flashes of an upside). Brian Dumoulin, a rock during the regular season was a -3, as was Jack Johnson. Olli Maatta only played 1 game but he was a -2 with 2 Gv. Even Justin Schultz, was a -2 despite scoring a Goal (G) and picking up 2 Assists (A). Only Erik Gudbranson remained an even plus/minus (+/-).
Offensively, they only managed 6 Gs in 4 Games, considering 1 of those games went into Over Time (OT), they averaged less than 1.5 Gs per Game.
Our boys of winter managed to take a lead only a handful of times. Defensively, as a team, they melted during the spring playoff thaw. After each lead was taken, our Penguins ceded tying opportunities to the Islanders faster and faster. Rather than tightening down their team defense to try and hold the lead, they opened up the flood gates and allowed Islanders to flow past them toward their goal almost unimpeded.
Management and fans were rightly irate over the lifeless performance. Coach Mike Sullivan and GM Jim Rutherford singled out Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin as culprits. Interestingly enough Kessel and Malkin were among the 6 players who actually managed to score a goal and picked up 2 and 3 points, respectively.
Changes were promised.
“And the world looks just the same
And history ain’t changed”
On July 1 2015, the Penguins signed Sergei Plotnikov. Just 2 months before that, on May 1 of that same year, Chicago signed Artemi Panarin.
On April 19 of this year Rutherford signed Oula Palve another Center on a team laden with Center. Palve did have 51 points in 53 games last year in the Finnish league, Liiga, but he is just another Center. Only 4 of the 13 forwards on the Penguins’ playoff roster, this past Spring were natural Wings. The other 9 forwards are Centers.
Palve is a $792,500 Cap hit.
Recently, while reviewing European talent, I mentioned the names of Oliwer Kaski, Otto Leskinen, and Alexander Yelesin. The Detroit Red Wings have beat our Penguins to the punch for Kaski, a Right Handed Defenseman (RHD). It will not become official until after the World Tournament, so I am not sure how much he signed for, but he certainly would have been a step up from a veteran Defenseman that isn’t savvy enough to dump the puck during a line change.
Montreal signed Leskinen a Left Handed Defenseman (LHD) to a 2 year entry level contract for $925,000 per year. Calgary signed Yelesin (RHD) to an equal contract.
Are Palve and Kaski the next Plotnikov and Panarin?
During the same stretch of time, Rutherford has signed Niclas Almari to a 3 year $809,167 per year Cap hit. And now, yesterday, the Penguins web site at NHL.com proudly announced that Chad Ruhwedel was rewarded with a contract extension.His contract will be for 2 years at $700,000 per year.
Neither of these contracts will break the Penguins, but nor would the contracts Leskinen and Yelesin signed have done that. Granted, Leskinen would have been a difficult signing, since he attended a Canadiens prospect camp in the past but none of those 3 players are in Pittsburgh, today. More importantly, the fact that the team hasn’t sign any other players than those within the organization that got its posterior kicked back in April, mitigates any rhetoric of change,
“I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around”
Of course late last night a new Kessel rumor has emerged, Kessel and Jack Johnson to Minnesota for Winger Jason Zucker and Center (yes another Center) Victor Rask. I heard an early deal that involved Kessel to Minnesota for Zucker and Jared Spurgeon (RHD). I am no Kessel hater. I am sick to tears of listening to tripe spewed to justify Sullivan’s sand paper personality that forces one player after another to be traded.
However, if the team doesn’t stop with a Kessel trade, gets Zucker and Spurgeon (not Rask), and then turns around and trades Letang as well, that not only makes sense but puts the team in a better position than they are in now. The loss of Kessel‘s offensive ability will be significantly attenuated by the concurrent removal of Letang‘s pathetic defense and Jack Johnson‘s salary. If the Penguins’ defense stop giving up as many high quality scoring chances as Letang constantly gives opposing teams, then they won’t need to score as many goals as the difference between Zucker and Kessel.
” Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again”
I am hopeful. Kasper Bjorkqvist‘s decision to forego his senior year at Providence and sign with our favorite flightless fowl could bring a natural winger to the team, if the team is willing to give him a legitimate chance to win a roster spot. And let’s face it, on a team with so few natural Wingers, on team that once you get past Sidney Crosby, Malkin, Kessel (who may not be here next year), and Jake Guentzel, there really isn’t any forward that should be a lock for this team. Jared McCann didn’t look bad on Crosby‘s wing but he is a natural Center and he still has to show that he can sustain his play across an entire season.
” Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss”
However, in the end, the real problem with the team is the Coach. When the entire team quits as our locals did back in April, that is on the Coach. Changing players will only help for a brief time. Eventually, as I wrote way back when Daniel Sprong got traded, it will not take long for another player to fall into the Coach’s dog house and the Kardashian drama will continue.
Hey Other Rick,
A long overdue kudos on another extremely clever, well-written piece. Being of “that” generation, I loved “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
Anyway, you hit all the notes really well… 🙂
The summer rebuild ain’t exactly moving along swimmingly, is it? Given that we’re apparently intent on making a Kessel trade the cornerstone move…and his reluctance to cooperate…we could be in for a really looooooong summer.
Rick
Hey Guys,
I was waiting to reply but did not want to be the first because what ever I say it will come out negative.
Kessel for Zucker.Really. That is not my idea of a fair trade.
JUST A CRAZY THOUGHT. Why not start at the top 6 th draft spot, Detroit I believe and ask if they would trade their pick for Kessel even trade.What other throws are needed? Tristan Jarry??
Then ask all the other 5 teams above and see their answer.Pick the best one.
The reason i say 6 is that there are 6-7 very good players available and each one would be a bonus to our team.
After their performances at the Worlds Championships some rankings may vary slightly guys.
1.Center Jack Hughes 5’10” 172 #
2. Right Wing Kaapo Kakko 6’2″ 197 # Many say he is #1 now. ??
3. D man Bowen Byram 6′ 195 #
4. Center Alex Turcotte 5’11” # ( played injured and has the most upside of any player in the draft Scouts said.) I have a little bias as I know his father Alfie and he lives and works in my Town.This kid when healthy is a dynamo.
The dark horses..
5. Right Wing Vasly Podkoizin 6’1″ 192 # ( This kid is the other unknown commodity. Some rate him 8th and some say 4 th. He has the talent, he needs to be more consistent.) Either way he would look great on Geno’s line.
6. Center Dylan Cozens 6’3″ 180 #. Great play maker.
7. Center Kirby Dach 6’3″ 200# Played hurt most of season.Could not play over seas. At one point he was rated 3rd overall. Plays physical and likes to score. Reports say Chicago and Colorado are very interested in him.
I know it will be difficult to replace Phil for next year but my point was NOT to replace Phil point for point but to get a player we can build around in 2 years.
I am not myself these days so I apologize guys if I mentioned this earlier.
My friend, who is an avid Leaf fan mentioned a fact we need to consider.
With Malkin he says has only 3 years left on his contract. As my friend reminded me, Malkin has said earlier in the life of his contract that at the end of his contract he would go back and play in the KHL for a year or two so that his fellow Russians would get a chance to see him play live in his home Country. I too remember a long time ago reading the same. If this remains true, time is not on the Pens side. Geno’s trade value would be greatly reduced as his contract reaches the end.So ??
No one has the guts to trade Geno.
BTW $9.5 Million US dollars is a great pay day here. You know how far $ 9.5 million US dollars goes in Russia ?? Live like a KING.
This is the rub Coach&Rick. We do not need just one 30 goal scorer and just one 15 goal scoring d man to get back to the Cup. We need several forwards who can score 30 goals and we need at least 3 new d men !! And a Coach ! Plus to add salt to the injury…WE HAVE NO CAP SPACE TO HIRE THE REAL STAR PLAYERS WE NEED !
So I remain unimpressed unless we can secure a top 5 talent this year in the draft and start a overhaul of our line up. My goal now is to see in person Sidney lift another Cup in the next 5 years before his contract expires and he returns to Nova Scotia to enjoy his retirement. WHICH HE WILL DO !
That is it.! Call me selfish …
Great article as always Coach, but I am a little disappointed at the progress to date. Hopefully we can get 2 First round picks and at least one winger to replace Kessel and 2 good d men in free agency.( Dump Johnson and Letang ). It will be a step in the right direction.
Cheers Guys
Jim
Hey Jim,
Great points and all true. I too hate to be negative Nancy all the time but at this point, outside of finally getting a chance to see Bjorkqvist, there is nothing to get excited about here. And even with Bjorkqvist, as hopeful as I am, he is an unproven piece. He may be the asset he appears to be or he could still be just 1 more liability.
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the botched Min trade, Zucker and Rask for Kessel and Johnson? I am not a big fan of Johnson but NO, emphatically NO! Defensively, Johnson isn’t the biggest liability.
Defensively it starts with the coaching staffs inability to adjust their schemes to opposing forecheckers, then moves to Kris Letang, and at least while Sullivan is here extends thru Olli Maatta (sorry Phil, I do like Maatta and would prefer to see Silly-van [intentional misspelling] let go but under the circumstances of Silly-van staying once Kessel is gone, I am pretty sure Maatta is the next man up for his dog house).
Jim, my first trades would be to try and get out from under Letang and as I have wrote many times I would be willing to trade him for a bag of pucks and a couple broken sticks. I feel like Mugatu from Zoolander, “am I taking Crazy pills here, hasn’t anyone noticed Letang stinks defensively”. Yes, he is a great offensive talent, but he plays defense. Yes, he is gritty, but he still makes rookie mistakes defensively. Letang reminds me of the Airplane from the old Children’s Classic “Rhudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. That airplane didn’t fly, it swam. Letang is a defenseman that doesn’t play defense but offense. He belongs on the Island of misfit toys not in Pittsburgh.
I am not sure what teams are on Letang’s no trade list, but as I wrote elsewhere, I first try and shop him to Dallas who complained that they weren’t getting enough O from their D. I 1st try to get their 1st pick and Oleksiak back. But I would settle for flipping picks and Oleksiak.
Again, as I wrote elsewhere, I would then try and trade Maatta to Tor for Kapanen. Tor can’t keep Gardiner and will need a D man. They also will need to free up cap space to sign Marner. I package Simon with Maatta and take Marleau off their hands the last year of his contract.
Simon and Kapanen are both RFA but Tor could sign Simon a lot cheaper than Kapanen. (again Sorry Phil) Simon may be a Corsi beast but his TGF while on the ice is below the league average and his team shooting efficiency (TGF/CF) is also below the league average. Simon did have a big IIHF but he padded his stats against poor teams. In the 4 games he played against Sweden, Russia, and Canada – the only countries that have an appreciable number of NHL players on their roster – he had 0 goals, 1 assist, 10 shots, and was -3. If Tor doesn’t do their homework, they could think they are getting a bargain. I heard they turned down Maatta once before (the original Kessel trade) but maybe now particularly dressing Simon up, we can get that done.
Now, at this point, since Silly-van and Rutherford are bent on burning bridges, I trade Kessel and I really try to get a top pick. I try and get the 4th pick from Colorado (Sen’s from the Duchene trade). Although Col has a great top 3 in McKinnon – Landeskog – Rantanen, they need more scoring. I know that some are saying that Kessel wants Tocchet and Az but it is also said that he wants another Cup run and Col could look attractive from that stand point. It would be a tough sell, Sakic is shrewd but I try. They do have about $37mil in Cap space at the moment.
Now that you mention it, I seem to recall something about Malkin wanting to play back in Russia. Maybe we are just making it up but you are right, the time is now to think about that and try and get a player in here. We are loaded with Centers, but there is a huge dip from Crosby – Malkin to McCann, Blueger, Bjugstad, Bellerive, Palve, Center-Du Jours. However, I doubt the Pens could get a top pick to get Hughes. However, maybe they could position themselves to get a shot at Alexis Lafreniere next year. Just a thought.
Thanks Coach !! Good stuff. 🙂
Hey Jim,
While we are sort of on the subject of future players have you seen Lafreniere play? If so what are your thoughts?
Also, what do you know about Jett Alexander? Looking at his numbers and looking to the future he is a big kid 6’5 214 G for North York, for any readers not familiar. His numbers look good 43GP w/ a 1.67 GAA and a .945 Sv% during the regular season and 16GP 2.24 GAA and a .936 Sv%.
and while we are at it What are your thoughts on Raphael Lavoie and Justin Bergeron?
Hi Coach,
Raphael Lavoie is the star Center for the Halifax Moosehead’s of the QHL. He’s a big boy,6‘4”,198#. In the Memorial cup, his team went to the finals and he lead all players with 20 goals in 23 games played. The second Best had 14 goals. In the regular season he amassed 32 goals,41 assists for 73 points in 62 games . He’s ranked 20th by the NHL Central Scouting, 14th by TSN, and 12th by ISS.
I saw him play against Saint John Sea Dogs last winter and he was a very dominant player. He definitely would look good in a black and gold jersey.
Alexis Lafferniere is 6’1” left winger who because of a late birthday cannot be drafted until next year. He was drafted first overall in the entry draft by Rimouski Oceanic and he was Rookie of the year. This is the same team that Sidney Crosby played for and he too was drafted first overall and was rookie of the year. This kid will go very high next year in the draft. Local Quebec media say he is The next great one. I wouldn’t go that far yet, but he’s good. 37goals,68 assists for 105 points in 61 games. So he won’t be available this year, but there’s always hope for next.
Jett Alexandre is a 19-year-old Goalie and plays for the North York Rangers of the Ontario junior hockey league, not to be confused with the OHL. They are a step below the major junior league and his competition level is much less. Really don’t know much about them. But he has a long way to go just to make it to the AHL, not to mention the NHL.
I do not know to much about d man Justin Bergeron accept what is on the Webb.He Played for The 2019 Memorial Cup Champions Rouyn- Noranda of the QHL . 6’0 175# . He had 16 goals,41 assists, for 57 points in 65 games. Was a Plus 56 .
Always good to have when your a d man.
He is rated 89th by the NHL central scouting. He is an over age draft eligible player as he was passed over last year. He gets good marks for his skating and his hockey IQ.
Hope this information you find helpful.
Thanks Coach. Have a great day.
Jim