Call it the calm before the storm. Or at the very least, the lull before the roster kerfuffle.
The Penguins signed forward Colin White yesterday to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775K at the NHL level. A bargain rate for a former first-round pick who was once pulling down $4.75 million per season with Ottawa.
Invited to training camp on a PTO, White’s boxcar stats through four preseason games were nothing to write home about (zero points, a minus-4). However, his underlying 5v5 metrics were solid…a 51.61 Corsi and Expected Goals for Percentage of 59.73. Which meant White was driving both possession and plays.
Among other qualities, the 26-year-old provides speed, size (6’1” 194) and the ability to play wing or center, his natural position. Once upon a time the Boston native displayed some offensive chops as well (14 goals, 41 points as a rookie in 2018-19) although he’s settled into more a defensive/depth role since.
White is among five forwards…Jansen Harkins, Vinnie Hinostroza, Austin Wagner and Radim Zohorna the others…vying for what appears to be two available slots. Soon to be whittled to one when Jake Guentzel returns.
At worst, White’s a quality depth piece.
Sully Singing a New Tune?
I like the fact that Harkins and Wagner are in the running for the final forward slots. While neither is the second coming of Ryan Reaves, both have decent size and play with a little bit of jam. Although by no means heavyweights in the Reavo-Tom Wilson class, when push absolutely comes to shove they’ll drop the gloves and at the very least can hold their own in a scrap.
The fact that Mike Sullivan seems to be embracing both? Quite a departure for the Pens’ skipper, who generally avoids players with an aggressive bent.
In all likelihood, only one will make the cut. Of the two, I’d give Harkins the inside track. He appears to be a little more skilled. Too, as of this writing Wagner hasn’t been offered a contract. A situation that could be remedied shortly.
Still, it represents a refreshing philosophical change…and perhaps an admission from our coach that a little sand does have its place in the grand scheme of things.
Kudos for Karlsson
Just wanted to point out a terrific article by Seth Rorabaugh on the Tribune Review titled, “There’s only 1 Erik Karlsson, and the Penguins have him.”
I especially like the comparison Seth draws between the quicksilver defender and another “flawed” superstar acquisition from the past, Phil Kessel.
Spot-on and well worth the read.
