Penguins Re-sign McCann to a Two-Year Deal

Well, it appears I have the answer to the question I posed in my previous article. Could Calgary’s Sam Bennett be the Penguins’ answer at third-line center?

It ain’t too likely. That’s because Pens general manager Jim Rutherford re-signed restricted free agent forward Jared McCann today to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2.94 million.

“Jared is a good offensive player who can play center or wing,” said Rutherford when he announced the signing. “We saw improvement in his play this year and feel that there is more upside to his game.”

Had the McCann signing occurred on January 15? I would’ve been thrilled. At the time Stratford, Ontario native was piping hot, notching goals in three-straight games and four of his last five and looking every bit a legit top-six forward in the process. His scoring binge gave him 25 goals in his first 76 games wearing the black-and-gold. Very impressive.

Then…pfft.

Indeed, McCann’s 2019-20 campaign could be summed up as a tale of two seasons. Through his first 44 games he was darn-near exemplary…14 goals and 28 points to go with a gaudy plus-15. Along with Bryan Rust and Tristan Jarry, he was among the team’s most pleasant surprises.

However, over his last 22 games he went cold. We’re talkin’ polar gale cold. McCann failed to tally a single goal during that span while registering a paltry seven assists and a minus-9. His lackluster play carried into the postseason, when he was scratched in Game 3 of the qualifying round.

It’s widely believed the dip in McCann’s play coincided with a shift from wing to center, his natural position. However, during the productive portion of his season he averaged over 11 faceoffs per game. During the final icy stretch…a little over 3.

I guess the question remains. Is McCann the promising player he showed himself to be when he first arrived in the ‘burgh? And, to go a step further, is he capable of anchoring the third line, where he’ll almost certainly be slotted in the wake of the Kasperi Kapanen deal?

The tools are certainly there. He’s fast, possesses an excellent shot with a lightning quick release and even has a modicum of sand in his game. At 6’1” and 185 pounds, he’s got size…at least by our Pens Smurfish standards. And he’s only 24.

However, faceoffs are an issue…46.7 percent with the Pens (a ghastly 41.6 percent for his NHL career). Not exactly what you’re looking for from your third-line center. At least to my eye, he was more effective on wing, where he got more opportunities to shoot the puck.

For now, McCann remains somewhat of an enigma…an unknown quantity. Let’s hope he proves to be otherwise.