The Penguins Deserve to Be Kept Together for Another Run at the Cup

This morning when I entered Wright’s Gym for my workout, Other Rick and I struck up a conversation about the Penguins as we often do. At times my esteemed colleague and I don’t agree, and our discussion became quite passionate, with each of us airing our opinion.

Our exchange planted the seeds for this article.

A couple of months ago I suggested that perhaps it was time for General Manager Ron Hextall to initiate a rebuild. We were coming off a three-game losing streak and hovering on the fringe of the wild-card chase. I opined that our fortunes weren’t going to improve. (Time to get a new crystal ball…lol).

I also suggested that Hextall consider parlaying core players Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust into whatever assets the market would bear. I may have mentioned something about replacing coach Mike Sullivan, too. I’ll plead the fifth on that one.

Amazing what winning 17 out of 19 games can do.

Needless to say, I’ve changed my tune. This team deserves to be kept together for another run at the Cup. Whether they go all the way or fall splat again in the first round, they’ve earned the right to stand or fall together thanks to their extraordinary play.

Our core continues to amaze. After a sluggish start following off-season wrist surgery, Sidney Crosby is playing the Kid of old. He’s tallied 10 points in his last six games, including six goals. So much for my worries that the surgery had robbed him of his shot.

And dear Lord, what about his linemates? Jake Guentzel’s been superb all season long. A team-high 21 goals and 40 points. He’s tallied points in 30 of 36 games. Rust has been smoking hot since his return from a lower-body injury (eight goals and 18 points in eight games).

With three goals and six assists in eight games, Malkin’s looked remarkably strong and rust-free, especially considering he’s 35 years old and coming off major knee surgery and a lengthy rehab. In addition, he’s once again helped stabilize talented but uber-streaky Kasperi Kapanen.

Letang? Truly, I could devote an entire article to singing his praises. Perhaps being in the final year of his contract has provided extra motivation for the quicksilver defender. Whatever the reason, with 37 points in 38 games Tanger, simply put, has been brilliant. He’s cut way down on the mistakes and lapses in judgment that were woven into the fabric of his play like a scarlet chord. His puck distribution…particularly on the power play…has been wonderful in its simplicity. It seems he’s finally learned to take what the game’s giving him instead of trying to force the issue.

Tristan Jarry’s been a veritable fortress in goal. My word, what a turnaround since last spring’s playoffs! He’s reading plays and reacting with almost machine-like precision. And how big…literally…has Jeff Carter been? Twelve goals this season…21 in his 50 games wearing the black-and-gold. What a pickup by Hextall. (Note: the Pens extended “Carts” for two more seasons at $3.125 million/year.)

The list of exemplary performers and performances goes on and on. Some expected. Some not. Evan Rodrigues, Brock McGinn, Brian Dumoulin, Mike Matheson…I could literally name everyone on the team.

That includes Sullivan and the coaching staff. What a job they’ve done melding what looked like rag-tag group into a contender.

I also sense a hunger with this bunch. Like they know they underachieved last spring and are eager for a chance at redemption. Barring a total meltdown, they’ll get that chance come April.

The only glaring need to my eye? An established backup goaltender and perhaps an accomplished right-shot defenseman with some size and sand, although Chad Ruhwedel’s been sound as a pound and a surprisingly solid partner for Matheson.

Whether this group has enough grind in its game to succeed in the postseason remains to be seen. In particular, our defense seems susceptible at times to a heavy forecheck. But they’ve earned the right to try.

Allvin Joins JR

In a move that was rumored if not downright expected, Pens assistant GM Patrik Allvin was hired as general manager of the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.

The Swedish-born Allvin spent the past 16 seasons with the Pens while rising through the scouting and management ranks. He briefly served as our interim GM and was a candidate for the full-time job prior to Hextall’s hiring last February.

Allvin becomes the fourth assistant or associate Pens GM to land a GM spot since 2017, Jason Botterill (Buffalo), Tom Fitzgerald (New Jersey) and Bill Guerin (Minnesota) being the others. He’ll report to his new/old boss, Jim Rutherford.