In theory, upgrading the Penguins’ defense seems so easy. Just sign a free-agent or two or swing a trade, perhaps involving one of those draft picks we’ve stockpiled.
If only it were that simple.
In particular, the left side is in shambles. IMHO, it’s going to require a significant overhaul.
Scanning TSN’s recently released list of the top 50 pending UFAs, I identified three left-side defensemen who I thought might be attractive to our Pens.
Vladislav Gavrikov
Since being dealt from the Blue Jackets to the Kings at the 2023 deadline, Gavrikov has continued to evolve into a really solid all-around defenseman. He’s got excellent size at 6’3” 220 pounds (same as Conor Timmins) and actually shares some of the same attributes. While not a crusher, he’ll assert himself physically as the need arises. Not overly offensive, although he did contribute a Marcus Pettersson-esque five goals and 30 points to the Kings’ cause this season.
Again, solid.
Outstanding metrics, too, especially since joining the Kings. JFresh rates him an overall WAR of 77 as a second-pair defenseman.
The 29-year-old Russian earned $5.875 million per on his most recent contract. Based on his performance and with the cap going up to boot, he’s probably due for a raise, perhaps a substantial one. Fortunately, Pens POHO/GM Kyle Dubas will have some coin to spend.
Sign Gavrikov up, right?
Wellllll…
What makes the Yaroslavl native attractive to us also makes him attractive to other teams, including contenders looking to fill a need.
Bottom line?
Even if we make a play for him, it’s hard to envision Gavrikov signing with the black and gold.
Ivan Provorov
One notch below Gavrikov on the TSN list, fellow Yaroslavl native Ivan Provorov. A former seventh overall pick of Ron Hextall when the latter was GM of the Flyers, Provorov initially popped to the tune of 17 goals in 2017-18, only to gradually regress in terms of production.
Since then, the 6’1” 213-pounder has settled into more of an all-around role with the CBJ. Although he’s mobile and agile and can still flash some offense, his metrics and WAR (23 overall) are poor. Nor does the 28-year-old seem to be especially proficient at driving the play these days.
Coming off a contract that earned him $6.75 million per?
A hard pass.
Ryan Lindgren
A little further down the list, Lindgren’s name immediately grabbed my attention. I always liked his game with the Rangers, at least what I remember of it. Hard and edgy, with a high compete level.
His nickname, “The Warrior,” reinforces my impression.
That was then and this is now. Somewhere over the past couple of seasons Lindgren’s game cratered, big time. Along the way he became a huge drag on long-time Blueshirts defense partner, Adam Fox.
How bad is it? Lindgren’s most recent WAR chart, generated when he was dealt to the Avalanche in-season, showed an overall WAR of 0, along with an EVO of 0 and an EDO of 17.
Dear Lord, even Jack Johnson’s numbers aren’t that bad!
Perhaps it’s a result of playing a big-man’s game in a not-so-big-man’s body (a modest 6’0” 194 pounds). But apparently Lindgren’s breaking down in more ways than one.
In some ways, his story seems to track that of last season’s reclamation project, Matt Grzelcyk. Ergo, a one-time competent defender who, for whatever reasons, has seen his effectiveness wane.
Do we roll the dice and take a chance on the 27-year-old Minnesota native?
My guess is, Lindgren would command a lot less than the $4.5 million he pulled down this season. I love the elements that were previously present in his game. Perhaps we sign him to a one-year, show-me deal.
Or not.
Dumo & Co.
The other left ‘d’ on TSN’s list? Former Pen Brian Dumoulin, now 33, and the Panthers’ Nate Schmidt, enjoying a resurgence as a third-paring defender with the defending Cup champs. Also 33.
And Grzelcyk.
For what it’s worth, Dumo’s overall (63) and defensive (76) WAR are very good. I actually floated the idea of reacquiring him this season to PenguinPoop colleague Caleb DiNatale, only to get a muffled (and unenthusiastic) response. But Dumo’s been a solid partner for Kris Letang in the past.
Okay, maybe I’m reaching.
Make Me an Offer
All of this serves to reinforce why I suggested in an earlier article Dubas sign Vegas behemoth and RFA Nicolas Hague to an offer sheet.
Another pending RFA, the Sabres’ Bowen Byram, has been frequently cited as a potential trade target. On the surface, he checks a lot of boxes. Byram’s young (23), skates well, has decent size (6’1″ 205) and possesses offensive flair along with a penchant for leading the rush. Qualities that certainly make him an attractive get.
His metrics are a bit of a mixed bag and his most recent JFresh WAR chart…woof. Since we don’t own our second-round pick, the required compensation if we signed Byram to an offer sheet, he’d have to come by way of hockey trade. For the record, the former fourth-overall pick made $3.85 million per on his most recent contract and would likely be due a significant hike in pay, not to mention term.
In-House Options
Based on this season’s performance, I think Owen Pickering will step into one of the portside slots. Whether he’ll be fully ready is anyone’s guess. Young defensemen often take time to develop.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Vladislav Kolyachonok get an extended look as well.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph?
None for me thanks.
The Penguins continue to corner the market on massive forwards. In his first move of…
A heaping helping of good news as we anxiously await official word of any trade…
The Penguins suffered an ugly, disjointed, bizarre, humbling (pick your descriptor) setback at the hands…
In addition to the trade deadline, now less than 48 hours away, there’s a weightier…
Every once in a while life prevents me from doing a full recap of a…
I was reading some articles about the Penguins’ possible approach to the looming trade deadline…
View Comments
Hey Rick,
Fixing the Penguins' Defense may be extremely easy. Fixing the Penguins Defense may be a simple equation - addition by subtraction. Moreover, the major subtraction that should equal a major addition has already happened - the removal of Sully's system.
I can't say I liked the performance of the Defensemen last season and my knee-jerk reaction is to dump them all, but that which haunts my memories of last season is the systemic instance of sending all Defensemen, regardless of skill into the attacking zone, carrying the puck and driving the net. Seeing Pettersson trying to be the net front presence in the attacking zone or St. Ivany trying a Center Drive are the stuff of which nightmares are made.
But to your discussion, I would not mind finding a way to get Hague. And to Mike's discussion, 100% agree that the team needs Defensive Defensemen to pair with both Karlsson and Letang. Grzelcyk may have put up good offensive numbers but at the expense of focusing the puck on two far better offensive Defensemen and ton of odd man breaks due to the afore mentioned Karlsson's and Letang's inability to actually play defense. Putting leashes on those two RHD's partners and allowing Karlsson and Letang to do that which they do better than others in this org will only help the team - as well as reducing Letang's minutes to 2nd pairing minutes in games Karlsson plays.
Rick
Also, I would like to see Pickering, Kolyachonok & St. Ivany given a chance
to make the roster, but for that to happen their has to be movement with
our current depth chart.
Rick
The Penguins' defensive setup and overall physicality have been weak points, especially when matched against heavier, forechecking teams. Here's a breakdown and some thoughts and ideas:
Defense
1. Letang & Graves:
Letang: Still has skill but shouldn't be playing top minutes. If he's retained, third-pairing minutes make sense—ideally with PP2 responsibilities only.
Graves: Hasn't delivered relative to his contract. If there's any way to move him without retaining significant salary, it's worth pursuing.
2. Shea as 7th D:
Reasonable. Shea can fill in during injuries but isn't a consistent NHL-caliber top-6 option.
3. Physical, Stay-at-Home D to Pair with Karlsson:
Absolutely critical. Karlsson needs a defensive anchor who lets him roam and activate without constantly worrying about covering odd-man rushes.
Think someone in the mold of Joel Edmundson, Radko Gudas, or a younger Brandon Carlo type—not necessarily flashy, but gritty and reliable in their own zone.
Forwards
1. Net-Front Presence:
The lack of a meaningful presence in front of the net has hurt both 5-on-5 and power play production.
Adding a forward like Tanner Jeannot, Jordan Greenway, or Tyler Bertuzzi (pending cost) could make a noticeable difference.
2. Physical Forwards:
Depth forwards need a retooling too. The bottom-six has lacked identity—physicality, penalty killing, energy, and board play all need attention.
Players like Nicolas Deslauriers, Dakota Joshua, or A.J. Greer could fill those roles without costing much.
On Karlsson:
Trading him would create a major void in puck movement and offensive creativity from the back end. Unless you’re somehow replacing that production, it’s better to optimize the structure around him than to move him.
He needs support, not subtraction - IMO
Hey Mike,
I pretty much agree with you right down the line. There was a significant drop-off in Letang’s play this season. I doubt he’ll be bouncing back at his age.
Graves just never looked comfortable or in step…ever. Apparently, he’s had his best success in very structured systems, which Sullivan’s most assuredly wasn’t. Whether he can rebound and be serviceable under our next coach?
I have my doubts.
The aim of my article, and I probably didn’t spell it our clearly enough, was how difficult it’s going to be to upgrade the left side of our defense through free agency.
There just isn’t much out there.
I agree 100 percent about needing physicality. You mentioned Joel Edmundson and Radko Gudas. Unfortunately, neither is a pending free-agent and would require a trade. The former’s under contract with the Kings for three more seasons.
Gudas, who like you I’ve always coveted, has a year to go on his current contract, and he’s a right-sider, where we’re fairly well-stocked. Although he still piles up the hits, he’s 34 and experienced a huge jump in giveaways this season (104, by far a career worst). That’s a lot for his type of defenseman.
It just reinforces my contention that it isn’t as easy to find a proper fit as it might seem.
Again, agree completely about adding physicality and a net-front presence up front. You mentioned A.J. Greer…I’ve always thought he’d be a good add. Very tough and he can play. I wouldn’t at all mind a fourth line of Greer, Lizotte and Dewar.
I think McGroarty will add at least a modicum of physical play to the top six. Would love to find a legit power forward for our third line in the Nick Foligno mold. (Not Foligno, mind you, but someone like him.) Someone who can contribute as well as grind.
Actually, the Oilers’ Trent Frederic is slated to be a UFA. Tough kid who had 17 goals a couple of seasons back.
As aside, another blog that shall go nameless is pushing to acquire Marco Rossi from the Wild. The kid’s certainly productive (back-to-back 20-goal seasons) but s-m-a-l-l. Which is why the Wild are looking to move him in the first place.
One of their folks suggested swapping McGroarty for him. Of course. The one young player we have who even remotely plays a big man's game.
(Head shake.)
I think it was Other Rick who suggested that on a team like the Caps, yeah, you can sprinkle in some small players because the requisite size and physicality is already in place. That’s hardly the case with our Pens.
Rick
PS--This just popped into my head, but I wonder if the Canadiens might be amenable to parting with Arber Xhekaj? He's been kind of a fringe guy for them. He plays the left side and would remedy our toughness issues in a heartbeat.
Rick
I'd love to see the Pens go after that young player from Montreal. ( Xhekaj ) - IMO its a no brainer.
As for the defensemen and forwards I mentioned, those names were meant as comparisons — examples of the type of players the team needs. I didn’t look into their availability or contract situations; it was more about the style of player we should be targeting.