I was pondering our Penguins the other day when a thought popped into my noggin. Namely, what will our lineup look like next season?
So inspired, I began to parse our current roster to see who might stick around and who might go.
I’ll start with the expected departures. Any or all of the following UFAs-to-be could be plying their respective trades for other teams next season. I’ll include pending RFA Cody Glass, who hasn’t produced nearly enough despite his outstanding metrics and recent favorable deployment.
Sure to be gone: Anthony Beauvillier (f), Matt Nieto (f), Marcus Pettersson (d), Jesse Puljujärvi (f)
Likely to be gone: Glass (f), Ryan Shea (d)
On the bubble: Matt Grzelcyk (d), Alex Nedeljkovic (g), Drew O’Connor (f)
Now that Tristan Jarry era appears to have come to an abrupt and inglorious end, I can see Ned sticking around as a backup/1A option for starter-in-waiting Joel Blomqvist.
Depending on the return POHO/GM Kyle Dubas might be able to secure at the trade deadline for O’Connor, the Pens may opt to re-sign the rangy forward. Teams do need depth players, and DOC’s big and fast and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty.
Although Grzelcyk’s mediocre at best in his own end, he distributes the puck very well and has been a key component in the improved power play. He’s worked surprisingly well with Erik Karlsson to boot. Given the lack of defensive depth in the organization, especially if we trade Pettersson as anticipated, I think there’s a chance Dubas re-signs Grzelcyk if the price is right.
Among the players under contract beyond this season, I can see the Pens dealing Michael Bunting at the deadline if he fetches a decent return. I’m not saying I’m favor of such a move…I love Bunting’s spit ‘n’ grit and the way he helps drive the power play. But I can see us moving him before, say, Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust.
I’m sure Dubas would willingly part with Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari and especially Ryan Graves if he’s able. A tall order, particularly involving the latter, who’s become virtually unplayable. Although Dubas is generally against buyouts, I think he’ll make an exception with Graves after the season ends.
Provided things play out as anticipated, there will be quite a few openings next fall, especially up front. Among the forward hopefuls, Tristan Broz, Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty and Vasily Ponomarev could be afforded every opportunity to earn roster spots.
Hustling Avery Hayes, hot of late, might factor into the mix as well. Scrappy second-round pick Tanner Howe is probably a season or two away.
On defense it’s a bit more dicey, especially on the left side and especially if Pettersson is traded. Owen Pickering is a lock. I think there’s a good chance we re-sign pending RFA Pierre-Olivier Joseph as a depth piece, primarily due to his familiarity with the organization and vice versa. Again, Grzelcyk could be brought back if he agrees to a favorable rate. Perhaps Isaac Belliveau gets a shot. Or former third-rounder Emil Pieniniemi, enjoying an outstanding season in junior with Kingston of the OHL, although he’ll likely require some seasoning in the minors.
With Karlsson and Letang anchoring the top two slots, the right side is a bit more stable. Jack St. Ivany, enduring a lost season due to regression and injury, will probably get another crack. Like Pieniniemi, training camp standout Harrison Brunicke could be a not-so-dark-horse to make the squad.
When it comes to goaltending, my crystal ball begins to fog up. Now that Jarry has been placed on waivers, the scenario has been altered dramatically. Even more so if we can deal him. No easy feat given his contract.
Still, barring a Lazarus-like rebirth, I think we’ve seen the last of Tristan in a Pens’ jersey. As suggested earlier, I can see us bringing the ultra-popular Nedeljkovic back to serve as a veteran mentor for Blomqvist and Russian malchik-chudo (wunderkind) Sergei Murashov.
The missing piece of my puzzle?
Free agents.
It’s hard to know who Dubas might target. However, we could free up $10 million or more by parting with some of the players mentioned, to go with an additional bump of $4 million due to an expected hike in the salary cap. Which might encourage Dubas to aggressively add talent for a retool-on-fly like the Capitals did this summer.
My guess is, he’ll try to add an established left-side defenseman and scoring winger.
For now, I’ll confine my projected roster to players currently in the organization.
Center: Crosby, Malkin, Broz, Lizotte, Ponomarev
Left Wing: Rakell, Bunting, Koivunen, Hayes, K., O’Connor (?)
Right Wing: Rust, McGroarty, Tomasino, Acciari, Hayes, A.
Left Defense: Pickering, Grzelcyk, Joseph, Belliveau, Pieniniemi
Right Defense: Karlsson, Letang, St. Ivany, Brunicke
Goalie: Blomqvist, Murashov, Nedeljkovic (?)
Rick
The only thing I would like to add is no matter the direction Dubas and Company decide to go with
the players within the organization, its still seriously lacking toughness, and this will continue to bite
the Pen’s in the _ss.