This past summer, plenty of Penguins fans were clamoring for a tear down. Let Geno, Tanger and the other free agents walk. Start rebuilding through the draft.
If only it were that simple. Yes, once upon a time the Pens constructed the foundation for two generations of Stanley Cup champions through the draft. But don’t forget…we were fortunate enough to select supernovas Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Even then it took time and some adroit trades and free-agent signings by GMs Eddie Johnston, Craig Patrick, Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford to complete the championship puzzle.
At the risk of making the ultimate Captain Obvious statement, procuring young talent is certainly an integral facet of any retool or rebuild. There’s nothing like youthful legs and enthusiasm to freshen up the mix and add energy and spark. However, stockpiling draft picks and prospects doesn’t necessarily guarantee success
Take the New York Rangers for example. After reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014 and the Conference Finals the following season, the Blueshirts began to fade. Opting to rebuild on the fly, then GM Jeff Gorton traded off a host of core players, including Kevin Hayes, Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller and Mats Zuccarello for prospects and draft choices, including two first-round picks and two seconds.
Smart move, right?
Well, yes and no. It’s both interesting and instructive to note that the picks gleaned through the deals didn’t net the Rangers any impact players, with the notable exception of Jacob Trouba (acquired in a trade for one of the first-round picks).
With their own picks the Rangers chose Vitali Kravtsov ninth overall in 2018, Kaapo Kakko (pictured) with the second overall pick in ’19 and the crème de la crème, first overall pick Alexis Lafrienere in ‘20. Additional first-rounders Filip Chytil, K’Andre Miller and Braden Schneider also came on board.
A decent chunk of young talent to add during a relatively short amount of time. But none of the kids have developed as hoped or expected. True, the Rangers registered 110 points last season with a heaping helping of youth in the lineup, but the spike was due largely to the play of established veterans, savvy trade deadline pickups and the supernatural goaltending of Igor Shesterkin. With Shesterkin resembling a mere mortal this season, the Rangers are treading water and presently out of the playoff hunt.
Worse yet, with a combined seven goals between them in 26 games, it’s fair to say high-profile picks Kakko and Lafreniere are beginning to look like busts.
It only serves to underscore the fact that drafting and player development is far from an exact science. The same goes for building through the draft.
Need more proof? Over a six-year span beginning in 2009, Edmonton had a slew of top picks, including first overall picks Taylor Hall (’10), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (’11), Nail Yakupov (’12) and Connor McDavid (’15), with Darnell Nurse (fifth overall in ’13) and Leon Draisaitl (third overall in ’14) sandwiched in between. While the infusion of talent has certainly turned the Oilers’ fortunes for the better after missing the postseason nine years in a row, they’re presently only three games over the .500 mark despite the presence of the two best players in the NHL.
With our core aging, at some point in time a tear down and rebuild will be necessary and unavoidable. But I sure wouldn’t be in a rush for that day to come.
Beware the Kraken
In only their second season of existence, the Seattle Kraken have been a pleasant surprise. After falling far short of a playoff berth in their inaugural campaign, the Kraken are presently lodged in second place in the Pacific with a record of 15-6-3 and 33 points. Among those 15 victories are two over the black and gold.
Speaking of the Penguins, or should I say ex-Pens, five of ‘em skate for the Kraken and are contributing significantly to the team’s success. Sharpshooting forward Jared McCann leads the sea monsters with 11 goals. At age 32, Justin Schultz is experiencing a resurgence. The smooth-skating defenseman has 16 points in 24 games…roughly a 50-point clip over a full season.
Turbo-charged buzzsaw Brandon Tanev leads the Kraken with a plus-14, to go with 11 points and…no surprise here…58 hits. Hulking Jamie Oleksiak anchors the defense and provides valued toughness.
Saving arguably the biggest surprise for last, forward Daniel Sprong may at long last be evolving into a bona fide NHLer under the tutelage of coach Dave Hakstol. The Amsterdam native’s notched five goals and 14 points in 17 games, while averaging just 10:25 of ice.
Never said the kid doesn’t have talent.
