Kahun’s Injury Yet Another Blow to Crippled Penguins

“I think they should cut their losses and trade him.”

I uttered those very words to Other Rick sometime in late October.  At the time the subject of my displeasure, newly acquired Penguins forward Dominik Kahun, had tallied two measly assists in 11 games following an uninspired preseason. Indeed, he’d looked almost singularly unimpressive while toiling mostly in the bottom six.

Another astute observation on my part…not.

Almost from the moment I uttered those words, Kahun executed an abrupt about-face. Over his past 37 games he’s piled up a highly respectable 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points. Better than a 20-goal, 50-point clip when projected over a full season.

It’s safe to say he’s found his niche with the black and gold after arriving in a midsummer trade for Olli Maatta. In fact, following his sluggish start I think quicksilver forward’s been better than advertised.

He’s closely resembled the player I recalled from last January, when the Pens hosted Chicago. I listened to the game on radio and kept hearing a name that sounded like “Kunitz,” as in former Pen Chris who was winding down his career with the Blackhawks. Then I realized the name was actually Kahun. By the sounds of it, the Czech Republic native was heavily involved each time he took the ice.

More recently, the “Big Kahuna” (my corny stab at a nickname) stepped into the gaping void created by Jake Guentzel’s untimely season-ending injury and blended almost seamlessly with new linemates Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust.

“He thinks the game at such a high level,” Rust told Chris Adamski of the Tribune-Review. “He’s able to make those tight-little-space plays and find open ice. Any time you have a guy like that on your line, it kind of buys you more time to either get yourself to open space or to make a play.

“Also, he works (hard). Any time you have any linemate who works that hard, it makes everything a little easier for everybody else.”

Speaking of Rust, Kahun appears to share many of same attributes. He can really fly, works extremely hard as Rust noted, is creative and has a knack for spotting openings and exploiting them. Although his skill level makes him ideally suited for the top six, he can slot up and down the lineup a la “Rusty.” Another one of those Swiss-Army knife type players (Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev also come to mind) who are so valuable to a team.

That’s why Kahun’s concussion…suffered during Sunday’s scorching comeback victory over Boston could really hurt. The Pens don’t have anybody to effectively replace his skill, speed and versatility.

Let’s hope the concussion’s a mild one…and Dom returns to the lineup soon. We really need him.

Hot Shots

Phil’s and Other Rick’s recent comments prompted me to take a gander at an intriguing stat…5-on-5 Shot Attempts Differential. I confess I found it fascinating.

Guentzel tops the Pens with a shot differential of 139, followed by Kris Letang (128), Dominik Simon (117), Malkin (114) and Brian Dumoulin (107).

The latter’s count is particularly impressive, given that “Dumo” achieved his differential in only 23 games. By contrast, Sidney Crosby has a shot differential of 78 in 21 games. Excellent, but nowhere near Dumoulin’s mark.

I have to confess, Simon’s shot differential impressed me, too. Let’s face it, he’s much-maligned in these parts and especially on PenguinPoop. But it does shed significant light on his overall effectiveness, and why coach Mike Sullivan (and Crosby) value him so highly.

Others I found surprising? Marcus Pettersson, who I rate as having a so-so year, sits at a solid 75 while wunderkind John Marino is well down the ladder at 26. I thought Rust (51), McCann (32) and Kahun (30) would have larger differentials. Ditto Tanev, who’s even.

On the flip side? Disappointing Alex Galchenyuk (-28), rookie Sam Lafferty (-39) and Jack Johnson (-44) bring up the rear, along with frequent call-up Joseph Blandisi (-50).

An interesting look at who’s driving possession and who’s not.