Penguins Update: The Importance of Goaltending

Hey all. Sorry I’ve been so lax about posting articles to PenguinPoop. Truth be told, my brain’s shifted into offseason mode and the ideas aren’t exactly flowing.

One thing I did want to touch on? The importance of goaltending.

Yeah. I know. Talk about a Captain Obvious statement. But it’s true.

There was no clearer example than Game 6 of the Rangers-Hurricanes series last Thursday night. The ‘Canes entered the third period with a 3-1 lead and all the momentum. They were a virtual lock to push the series to a seventh and deciding game at Madison Square Garden. And we all know anything can happen in a Game 7 (and usually does).

Yet try as they might, the ‘Canes just couldn’t beat Igor Shesterkin for the put-away tally. The all-world netminder made several key stops, including a brilliant save on Jake Guentzel at the side of the net.

Then the Rangers flipped the script. They exploited ‘Canes goalie Frederik Andersen, no slouch himself, for three goals on nine shots to stun their hosts and capture the series.

In practically every conceivable way the ‘Canes were the better team, and not just by a little, as witnessed by their resounding 224-157 edge in shots on goal during the six-game set. But goaltending proved to be their Achilles heel…as well as the saving grace (pun intended) for New York.

In many ways it reminded me of our second-round triumph over the Capitals back in 2017, when Alex Ovechkin and Co. skated circles around us, only to be thwarted by the superhuman efforts of Marc-Andre Fleury.

Speaking of black-and-gold goalies and our own (unsettled) situation between the pipes, GM/POHO Kyle Dubas appears to be committed (or resigned) to sticking with Tristan Jarry as our starter.

IMHO, that’s a huge mistake, and I’m a former Jarry supporter and apologist. Simply put, I’ve seen him yield far too many goals at critical moments, on occasions too numerous to count.

In particular, our 4-3 come-from-in-front loss to Calgary on March 2 when Jarry yielded three goals in the final 10 minutes, including the game-loser with 50 seconds to play, still aches like a sore tooth begging to be pulled.

Win that game and we likely make the playoffs.

I’m not sure what the answer is. I guess I’m still hoping at the very least for an Alex Nedeljkovic/Joel Blomqvist 1 and 1A situation to play out, despite Dubas intimating that he plans to let Ned walk this summer.

I think I know what the answer isn’t.

Dan-dy

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t always agree with what’s posted on other Penguins media sites. But I wholeheartedly endorse three under-the-radar free-agents put forth by Dan Kingerski on Pittsburgh Hockey Now in his recent article, “3 Former Penguins Forwards Worthy of Bringing Back.”

Specifically, Dan cited Jason Zucker, Stefan Noesen and Daniel Sprong as potential off-season additions.

I confess, at first blush I’m drawn to bigger names like Toronto’s Tyler Bertuzzi and Boston’s Jake DeBrusk, both of whom combine scoring touch with sandpaper and spit. But bigger names are also likely to draw bigger bucks, especially in the frenzy that is NHL free agency and especially with the cap bumping up to $87.7 million this season.

I, for one, hated to see Zucker go and would love to have the spirited left wing back, even if his output tumbled from 27 goals in ’22-23 to a decidedly modest 14 last season while skating for the Coyotes and Predators. The fact that he experienced a drop-off would likely make him affordable.

In my estimation, we need more heart-and-soul guys a la Michael Bunting. The feisty Cali native certainly fits the bill.

Of course, adding Zucks would probably be predicated on us moving Reilly Smith, who has a year to go on a contract that pays him $5 million.

I really (really) like Dan’s suggestion of Noesen, who played six games for the Pens back in ’19-20 before being claimed by the Sharks. The native of Plano, Texas possesses lots of qualities I think we need…namely size (6’1″ 205) and an absolute willingness to compete and do whatever it takes to win. That includes dropping the gloves on occasion to stand up for a teammate.

While he won’t light up the scoreboard, Noesen possesses a decent scoring touch (27 goals, 73 points with the ‘Canes over the past two seasons).

Of the three former Pens, I’d probably be the least enamored of adding Sprong, a right wing who needs to be sheltered due to weaknesses in his overall game. Too, Mike Sullivan had soured on the Amsterdam native in his first go-’round with the black-and-gold and likely would again. However, our former second-pick can flat-out snipe, a quality in short supply.

A last free-agent plug. Although we’re probably a long shot to land him, I’d love to see us make a play for Canucks strongman Nikita Zadorov. We desperately need a bona fide physical presence on the blue line, and the mammoth Russian (6’6″ 248) hits like a freight train. Zadorov’s more than a human road-grader…he’s a capable defender who can provide offense as well (20 goals over the past two seasons).

Oh…and sign Jagger Joshua.