Penguins Trying to Catch Lightning in a Bottle?

Following the Penguins’ inglorious qualifying round defeat at the hands of bottom seed Montreal in August, general manager Jim Rutherford made his direction for the offseason crystal clear.

“This could be a year where we try to get younger but in a way that we feel that we can still win,” Rutherford said. “Bring that new, young energy in.”

It took a while to discern exactly how the venerable GM planned to implement that strategy. But with the makeover complete and the Pens roster more-or-less set, the results are plain to see. JR’s plan was to acquire or sign former high draft picks who, for whatever reasons, hadn’t panned out. In each instance at a favorable rate.

No less than five former first-round picks joined the Pens over the offseason (I’m counting RFA Jared McCann), including one of JR’s own (Kasperi Kapanen). Cody Ceci (15th overall 2012), Mark Jankowski (21st overall 2012) and Mike Matheson (23rd overall 2012) round out the list. For the record, Vancouver took McCann 24th overall in 2014, two slots after the Pens took Kapanen. One of only two first-round picks (Samuel Poulin the other) during Rutherford’s tenure.

Of course, we’ve been dealing our top picks in an effort to add the missing elements that helped contribute to our back-to-back Stanley Cups.

And now? It’s almost as if JR’s trying to retroactively restock the cupboard in one fell swoop.

So who’s the best bet to shine among the former first-round picks? Here’s my purely subjective two cents, for what they’re worth.

Walk on Water

Kasperi Kapanen: The Pens are committed to playing Kapanen on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. A combination that could dazzle. We all know the 24-year-old Finn can fly. Give him a step and…pfft…he’s gone. Like greased lightning. But Kapanen also possesses some nice finishing skills to go with those wheels. He’s got a quick release, a rapier of a shot and he can pick his spots. Handles the puck pretty well, too, with some shake-and-bake. Kasperi’s got a little sand in his game to boot. I don’t think 25 goals is out of the question. My only (mild) concern? The majority of his goals appear to come off the rush. How will he produce on the cycle?

Mike Matheson: I’m going out on a limb. I think Matheson’s going to be a pleasant surprise. Of course, a great deal will depend on his defense partner, who right now appears to be Ceci. But Matheson’s a terrific skater and who excels at lugging the puck. He shares a lot of Kapanen’s attributes, including an excellent shot and a quick release. The key? Whether assistant coach Todd Reirden can curb Matheson’s tendency to skate himself into trouble and turn the puck over. A flaw that diminished to a degree last season under the watchful eye of Florida coach Joel Quenneville. A trend that, hopefully, will continue.

Tread Water

Jared McCann: I like McCann a lot. Especially since the Pens plan to play him on wing. He can skate, transitions well, and he’s got a wicked shot. A bit of a track record as a goal scorer, too, with 25 goals in his first 76 games with the black and gold. However, a chunk of that production came while skating in a top-six role beside Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Barring injuries or an unforeseen shuffle, McCann won’t be sharing the ice with Sid or Geno a whole lot this season, but rather Jankowski and Evan Rodrigues. Big difference. It remains to be seen if they’ll develop any chemistry…or if his linemates can get him the puck. There’s hope for Rodrigues, who skated alongside Jack Eichel at Boston University. But Jankowski…

Sink

Mark Jankowski: I’m dubious about how well Jankowski will fit. First…there are positives. He plays a fairly straightforward game and drives to the net, something we haven’t seen a whole lot of in the ‘Burgh lately. Once he arrives, he isn’t shy about using his big frame to screen the goalie. Most of his goals are of the garbage variety that stem from plays near the crease. The drawbacks. He doesn’t have a strong shot or great release, isn’t all that creative, nor is he especially handsy in terms of playmaking. Although he covers the ice okay, he isn’t fast. I’m wondering how he’s going to mesh with a pair of fleet wingers in McCann and Rodrigues, although that dynamic worked in spades for the HBK Line.

Cody Ceci: I put Matheson in the Walk on Water section. However, as I mentioned, a lot of that will depend on his defense partner. Which looks to be Ceci. I confess, I probably know the least about the 26-year-old Ottawa native. But from the limited video I’ve watched… Although Ceci sagged to one goal with Toronto last season (a career low) he’s netted as many as 10 goals in a season and does appear to have a decent shot that he can elevate. However, getting into position to use that shot could be a problem. Foot speed may be an issue, and we saw how well that worked for Jack Johnson. And it’s odd that Ceci totaled only eight points with the Maple Leafs while skating a fair amount with the likes of Auston Matthews and William Nylander and paired with offensive stud Morgan Rielly (whose numbers dipped). Too, I just can’t get those ghastly 5-vs-5 shot attempt differentials (minus-342 in 2018-19 and minus-358 in ’17-18) out of my head.