In a recent article, I stated that I’m none too enthused about our Penguins chances this season. To recap ad nauseam, in my opinion we didn’t do so hot during the off-season at the big-league level. We bled off three good players in Cody Ceci, Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev and a solid depth piece in Frederick Gaudreau.
For the record, that’s four of the Pens’ top nine plus-minus players from a year ago. Their replacements? According to homework done by my esteemed partner, Other Rick, Brock McGinn and Danton Heinen had bad WOWY (with or without you) stats. And Dominik Simon hasn’t tallied so much as a second assist in his last 19 NHL games.
Hardly inspiring.
Factor in the dual absences of our erstwhile Two-Headed Monster, Sidney Crosby (short time) and Evgeni Malkin (long time) to open the season? The likelihood of our favorite hockey team getting off to a strong start is roughly the same as finding a buffalo head nickel in your change at the Giant Eagle checkout line.
Is there hope help could come from other sources? Specifically, the kids?
When the Pens got crushed with their usual Biblical plague of injuries last season, a steady stream of 25-and-unders, including Anthony Angello, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Sam Lafferty and Radim Zohorna stepped forward to plug gaps, with varying degrees of effectiveness.
Is it possible we could get a similar boost from within the organization this season?
Perhaps. According to reports, Nathan Legare dazzled at the recent rookie camp, skating circles around other prospects such as Sam Poulin and Filip Hallander. Blessed with a lightning release and blistering shot, the feisty right wing skates with a drive and intensity that may eventually make black-and-gold fans forget heart-and-soul types Tanev and Patric Hornqvist.
The fang-less Pens could certainly use a spirited player of Legare’s ilk, to say nothing of his supreme finishing skills. Whether there’s room on a starboard side that presently features Bryan Rust and Kasperi Kapanen at the top of the heap is another question. You certainly don’t want a player with Legare’s obvious pedigree buried on the fourth line skating six minutes a night. He needs a chance to develop and showcase his wares, the occasional rookie mistake be darned.
Cue coach Mike Sullivan. Initially kid friendly…he promoted Rust, Conor Sheary and Tom Kuhnhackl and gave them defined roles when he first arrived…Sully seems to have grown increasingly kid averse unless they’re fairly bomb proof (think Jake Guentzel and John Marino). A reluctance that could, in part, be due to the increased pressure a win-now mindset brings.
However, with the amount of depth and talent stripped from the lineup over the off-season? He may not have a choice but to turn to the kids.
While Legare appears to be the crown jewel in a shallow prospect pool, could other youngsters have an impact? Although hardly a kid, Zohorna…an intriguing blend of size, skill, surprising speed and hockey smarts…could be a factor. I, for one, am hoping he gets a legit shot at middle-six duty…especially with the Pens short-handed to start the season.
Among the forwards, that appears to be the cut-off.
Poulin, who can play either wing and a little center, is big and has a nice all-around skill set. However, unlike his junior linemate, Legare, he’s yet to really assert himself or impress at any of the Penguins camps. Likewise, Hallander…reputed to be a strong net-front presence…may not skate well enough to make the grade. Valterri Puustinen will likely require seasoning at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to adjust to the North American game.
For now, they’ll likely trail players like Angello, Lafferty and second-year pro Drew O’Connor, who fizzled last season following a big build-up, on the depth chart. Guys who’ve already gotten their feet wet in the NHL.
Barring a slew of injuries, the ebullient Joseph is the only defensive prospect likely to see a significant amount of ice time with the big boys, although right-shot Will Reilly could slip in for a handful of games. In goal, Filip Lindberg figures to be a fixture…with the Baby Pens.
Hey Everyone,
Just a quick note, I saw the Penguins made their first cut. Even though Lukas Svejkovsky apparently impressed he was sent down to his Jr team. However, Rick, Raivis Ansons the kid they drafted last season who was supposed to be a bit gritty made it thru the first cut.
Also, I was glad to see that the team would not be trotting out a 5′-9″ D-man at the start of the season.
Can’t wait for tomorrow night.
Drop the Puck already!
I know it’s early in camp….but I am not surprised at all if Legare even gets a serious look.
Sully not a fan for some reason of giving rookies a real look….I don’t get it.
Again I know it’s very early, but anyone have an idea of how long Sullivan’s leash be this season??
Hey Pen’s4ever,
What I find most comical is that everyone covering the Penguins Camp is raving about Legare in one breath but talking about his demotion to WBS as if it were a fait accompli. Legare could walk on water and he would still find himself in WBS if Sully has his way. I do remember a quote from the Penguins door man in which he explain that he doesn’t have time to teach kids. Since teaching is part of the definition of coaching, what he said in essence is that he didn’t have time to do his job. I don’t forget such illogical comments.
The sad thing is, that I will be surprised if Sullivan gets termed this season. I fear that the injuries to Malkin and Crosby bought him an excuse to continue his lunacy.
Hey Rick,
Excellent stuff!
I do think there are some kids that can help, but your veiled question really is, “Will Silly give them a chance to help, if injuries don’t force his hand?” The odds of that are less than the proverbial snow ball’s chances.
Re Legare: He actually was the best player in his first preseason and got passed over, so again, I am not holding my breath that he will get a shot. Not only does he have an edge that could make us forget about Hornqvist, but he has a shot that could make us forget Kessell and any good coach would give him a look at the top PP, in Kessell’s old role. A right-handed sniper would restore the PP to some level of effectiveness.
He may not end up with Kessell’s playmaking ability but there are precious few RH lethal wrist shots like his. Neither Rust nor Kapanen has his shot. Both are speed merchant’s but neither have is scoring threat. So expect our lame Coach to ship the kid to WBS.
RE POJ: The kid has talent but with his weight he reminds me of wheat stalk in a wind storm. If he is rated the best prospect in the organization, check the scouts glasses. If they have 20/20 vision then Heaven help us. I am sorry, given time if he can put on about 20lbs of muscle, with his skill set, I can see him develop into a solid 2nd pairing but comparing him to any Defenseman in this Organization means absolutely nothing. There is little to nothing worth while here. And what is worth while is 30 or over.
There are kids at forward and Goal who could help but nothing on D; that is a waste land. Come trade deadline deal out some veteran forwards for picks in next years draft and stop gap defenders to hold the fort while we develop some.
Re POJ:
Bad news Rick,
According to Kingarski, today, the opening day of training Camp, @$$4073 Sullivan has Legare skating with Lafferty and Simon. He is trying to set the kid up for failure, skating him with the human pylon!!!!!
And our very own version of Pierre Culliford has 5′-9″ Merisier-Ortiz skating with Matheson!!!!
My morale has sunken even lower!!!