Penguins Update: Wild About Harry

I wasn’t planning to do a summary of the Penguins’ 2-1 loss to a green Red Wings squad at PPG Paints Arena. Really, not a whole lot transpired last night to write about.

Statistically, we dominated, piling up a 44-19 edge in shots on goal and winning nearly 57 percent of our faceoffs. Rickard Rakell scored early in the second period, with assists from Evgeni Malkin and kid defenseman Harrison Brunicke. (More on him in a bit.)

On the negative side of the ledger?

We didn’t finish our myriad chances. We allowed the tying goal 74 seconds after taking the lead. We were 0-for-5 on the power play. And Tristan Jarry yielded the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining, albeit on a breakaway to Grade-A prospect Nate Danielson.

Hmmm. Seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.

One black-and-gold skater who did earn rave reviews?

Brunicke.

The youngster’s having an exceptional camp and preseason. How exceptional you ask? There are rumblings he might begin the season in the bigs should Erik Karlsson not be ready.

Not since a fuzzy-cheeked Olli Määttä burst onto the scene back in 2013 has a kid defenseman displayed such poise and aplomb.

For the record, Brunicke is big (6’3” 202), fast and exquisitely mobile for a player of his dimensions, and a righty to boot. Although still a bit raw, the 18-year-old native of Johannesburg, South Africa, appears to possess all the tools, physically and mentally. He’s equally adept at joining the rush and making plays as he is bodying an opponent off the puck.

Best of all, he displays an almost preternatural feel for the game.

When was the last time you could say that about a Pens defenseman, kid or not?

Needless to say, he’s grabbed the attention of coach Mike Sullivan and his staff. Not an easy thing for a youngster to do.

“I thought he was terrific,” Sullivan gushed during the post-game media conference. “He’s making an impact. He’s so active in the rush. He’s active off the offensive blue line. He got a number of scoring chances. He was part of the goal. He’s defending hard. We’ve really liked his progress throughout the course of camp. I think his confidence is growing. I thought he had another terrific game for us.”

After years of watching vultures perch atop our bone-dry developmental pipeline, it’s really heartening to see some young guns causing a stir.

Brunicke front and center.

How does that old show tune go?

I’m just wild about Harry…

You betcha.