Penguins Update: Jealous of the Bruins

I have a confession to make. I’m jealous of the Boston Bruins.

Why, you ask? After all, the Bruins are 3-1 on the young season…our Penguins 2-0-1. So it’s not like their record is that much better than ours. Plus, they’re missing a number of key players, including pot stirrer and sniper extraordinaire Brad Marchand and stud defenseman Charlie McAvoy. By comparison, we’re positively in the pink, health-wise.

Okay, I’ll tell ya why. They’ve uncovered a potential diamond in the rough in career minor-leaguer A.J. Greer.

To digress, anyone who’s read PenguinPoop over the years knows I pine for a legit power forward. I think it’s the one element that’s missing from our mix…a bruising forward who can score while providing a bit of deterrent and an edge.

At 6’3” and 208 pounds, Greer certainly fits the bill. A former second-round pick of Colorado in 2015, Greer had spent small slivers of his six-year pro career (47 games to be exact) in the NHL prior to this season, with limited success (two goals and eight points). Indeed, he was valued mostly for his willingness to hit and drop the gloves when the need arose. However, he’s always put up solid numbers in the AHL, including last season when he tallied 22 goals and 52 points (and 102 penalty minutes) in 53 games with the Utica Comets.

Seeking forward depth, the Bruins signed the 25-year-old on July 13 to a one-way, two-year deal with a cap hit of $762,500. Making the most of his opportunity, Greer scored two goals in four preseason games to go with 11 hits. He also tangled with Philly’s Hayden Hodgson in a spirited scrap.

His aggressive play caught the eye of B’s coach Jim Montgomery, who installed Greer as the third-line left wing to open the season. Following an injury to Jake DeBrusk, Greer was shifted to right wing on a line with fellow hammer Trent Frederic and Charlie Coyle. The trio have a been a physical, forechecking force.

On a personal level, Greer is off to a fantastic start. In four games he’s tallied three goals and five points to go with a team-high 14 hits.

“Greer plays a classic power forward-type of game,” wrote Nick Goss of NBC Sports. “Not only can he create scoring chances, he plays with speed and physicality—constantly going to the tough areas of the ice and trying to make plays.”

Perhaps you can see why I’m envious. A player of that ilk sure would look good in the black and gold. Correction…our black and gold.

The Joliette, Quebec native is one of several late-blooming power forwards to make a splash in the NHL recently. Last season, then 26-year-old Mason Marchment took full advantage of his first extended opportunity at the big-league level, popping 18 goals and 47 points in 54 games with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Panthers. The hulking 6’4” 210-pound left wing parlayed his strong season into a four-year deal with Dallas with an AAV of $4.5 million.

He presently leads the undefeated Stars with three goals and five points in three games.

Tanner Jeannot, who spent time in the ECHL early in his pro career, blossomed with Nashville last season, tallying 24 goals and 41 points in 81 games. The 6’2” 208-pound left wing topped the league in fighting majors (14) and finished second in hits (318) while earning votes for the Calder Trophy. Pretty impressive for a kid who was never drafted.

Jeannot’s off to a bit of a slow start compared to the other success stories (a goal in five games). Based on his strong rookie season, likely a temporary blip.

Sure wish our Pens could cultivate this type of player.

The closest we have in the organization at the present? Feisty right wing Nathan Legare, who endured a disappointing rookie pro season in 2021-22. Collegiate free-agent Corey Andonovski also plays a hard game.

Perhaps one or both will evolve into the next Greer or Marchment or Jeannot. However, given our sorry track record in developing players who possess size and/or a physical bent (Anthony Angello, Sam Lafferty and Radim Zohorna come to mind), I’m not holding my breath.