Can the Penguins Count on Help from Within?

Most of the buzz about the Penguins these days involves our bottom-six forwards. Do we have enough to support what, at least on paper, looks like a pretty imposing top six?

At first blush, the answer would appear to be yes. Jeff Carter, Teddy Blueger and newcomer Ryan Poehling should provide plenty of center depth behind our venerable Two-Headed Monster of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Drew O’Connor can play in the middle, too.

On the wings? The recently re-signed Danton Heinen and Kasperi Kapanen join forces with fellow returnees Brock McGinn and O’Connor and fresh arrivals Poehling and ex-Pen Josh Archibald.

However, on closer examination, the Pens may need help from within the organization. Carter’s defensive play and possession numbers tailed off as the season wore on, and at age 37, he ain’t gettin’ any younger. Following difficult seasons albeit for different reasons, how much can Kapanen and Archibald be counted on? Or for that matter oft-injured top-sixer Jason Zucker?

While both display promise, kids O’Connor and Poehling aren’t sure bets, either.

Factor in the inevitable injuries? Our Pens are likely to need forward help from within the organization. Here are a few players who might be called upon to fill a void, temporary or otherwise.

Radim Zohorna (26, 6’6” 220, LW)

Big “Z” has shown well in cameos over the past couple of seasons (four goals and 10 points in 25 games), to say nothing of his underlying metrics, which have been terrific. An intriguing blend of size, hands, hockey smarts and deceptive speed, Zohorna’s game seems better suited to the big show than the minors. He’s probably the most NHL-ready of the Baby Pens’ bunch.

At 26 years of age, it’s safe to say the veteran of the Czech Extraliga has reached a tipping point in his career. It would seem to be a case of now or never, especially since he’s entering the final season of a two-year deal.

The most sizeable option in the organization, I’d love to see Radim get a legit chance to establish himself.

Samuel Poulin (21, 6’2” 213, F)

When the Pens selected Poulin (pictured above) with the 21^st overall pick in 2019, I admit I was salivating. Here was the brawny power forward I’d so long coveted for the black and gold. Or so I thought.

Indeed, following a highly productive junior career, the Quebec League star didn’t burst onto the scene as I’d hoped. To the contrary, he was remarkably unassertive…physically or otherwise…during training camp and the preseason last fall, making it an all-too-easy choice to ship him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. His uninspired play continued in northeastern PA, leading to time spent munching press-box nachos.

Shortly afterward, coach J.D. Forest shifted Sam to center and the Blainville, Quebec native rediscovered his game. Over his final 49 regular-season games he tallied a respectable 12 goals and 30 points, including his first pro hat trick. Poulin followed up with a strong playoff, notching three goals in six postseason contests.

Reason to believe Sam may eventually fulfill his promise. Whether it happens this season remains to be seen.

Valtteri Puustinen (23, 5’9” 183, RW)

A former seventh-round pick (2019), Puustinen showed very well in his first pro season. The native of Kuopio, Finland tallied 20 goals and 42 points, both team highs, for the offensively challenged Baby Pens. Nor did he disappoint in a one-game cameo with the Pens, notching an assist and finishing a plus-2 in 10:14 of ice time.

As with most European players, there’s a bit of an adjustment to the cozier confines of North American rinks. But Puustinen is smart, speedy, crafty and diligent, precisely the type of player coach Mike Sullivan prefers.

Nathan Legare (21, 6’0” 205, RW)

Following a stellar junior career and equally impressive showings at training camp, hopes were high that the feisty Legare would develop into a legit NHL power forward. And he still may. A Montreal native and long-time friend of Poulin’s, Nathan possesses a wicked shot and release, not to mention a goal-scorer’s instincts. However, his first pro season fell far short of expectations.

Following an okay start with five points in his first 11 games, Legare fell into a prolonged funk. With the exception of a few all-too-brief spurts, he pretty much stayed there, to the tune of a disappointing seven goals and 16 points in 57 games. He did finish on a high note with a one-goal, two-point game in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Whether the 205-pounder can rebound and fulfill the promise that made former GM Jim Rutherford trade up to nab him remains to be seen.

Alex Nylander (24, 6’1” 192, LW/RW)

An almost a forgotten man in the Pens’ scheme of things, once upon a time (2016 to be exact) Nylander was a No. 8 overall pick. He was just beginning to gain traction thanks to a 10-goal season with Chicago when he blew out a knee and missed the entire 2020-21 campaign.

The kid brother of Toronto star William Nylander and son of long-time NHLer Michael Nylander, Alex certainly has pedigree. He’s a good skater and creative to boot, with a quick, deceptive release. Skills he used to tally 22 goals in 67 AHL games split between Rockford and the Baby Pens.

The silky Swede’s intensity and attention to detail have been questioned in the past. But if the Pens find themselves in search of a middle-six option? Nylander might be worth a look.

Lukas Svejkovsky (20, 5’9” 170, RW)

Entering his first pro season, it may be a bit much to ask of Svejkovsky to play a role for the black and gold. But the former fourth-round pick in 2020 earned rave reviews during his junior career, so who knows?

Svejkovsky’s a good skater, quick and elusive, and possesses creativity with the puck and a nose for the net. Although undersized at 170 pounds, he plays with a bit of an edge, a quality the Pens could sorely use.

Hopefully his scoring touch (35 goals and 76 points in 57 games last season) will translate to the pro game.