Penguins This ‘n’ That

Just a few random thoughts on a Snowmageddon Sunday in the ‘burgh.

First off, I wanted to call your attention to a couple of excellent articles on other sites. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now wrote a terrific and insightful piece about rookie coach Dan Muse titled, Big Change: The Dan Muse Difference. And Jim Rixner (aka Hooks Orpik) did likewise with a feature on newcomer Egor Chinakhov on Pensburgh. Both well worth the read.

I’ll toss in my own two cents about the latter. That whip action you see in Chinakhov’s stick in the photo above says it all. My goodness, can he snipe! With five goals in a dozen games, not to mention two shootout tallies, the 24-year-old Russian has been lethal, especially off the rush.

I’ve stated this before but it bears repeating…his release and shot are Ovi-esque. I see a snap of his wrists and the back of the net bulge, but I can’t track the flight of the puck with my eyes. I know I’m old, but still.

Not to be overly gushy, but the only other player whose shot I’m unable follow is the Great Eight’s.

Mind you, I’m not predicting 918 career goals or a Hall-of-Fame career for Chinakhov. However, based on early returns, I think he has a chance to be a special player for the black and gold. And it’s not like “Chinny” hasn’t put up numbers in the NHL. In the two previous seasons, the former first-round pick notched 23 goals and tallied 44 points in 83 games for the CBJ. Hardly chicken feed.

Kudos to Kyle Dubas for moving boldly and outbidding competing clubs with a second- and third-rounder to secure the kid’s services. Stock-piling all those picks pays off.

While I’m doling out superlatives, how about the rest of Chinakhov’s line? When Dubas acquired Tommy Novak from the Predators last spring for feisty Michael Bunting, I was none-too-thrilled. After all, the latter played with an edge and the former was reputed to be a perimeter guy.

However, PP colleague Caleb DiNatale sang Novak’s praises. I’m learning that when Caleb is high on a player (Chinakhov and Blake Lizotte being other examples) he ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie. Caleb possesses a keen eye for undervalued talent, not to mention effective players.

I confess, Novak began to grab my attention early in the season, even when he wasn’t contributing on the scoresheet. Not only was I impressed with his skating, puck skills and vision, but counter to his soft reputation he seemed willing to stick his nose in and compete. Just ultra-smooth to boot.

Now that he’s begun to consistently produce to the tune of three goals and 10 points in 14 games since Christmas, even more so.

As for the third member of the line? I’m truly astounded by how well Evgeni Malkin’s playing at age 39, and at an unfamiliar position to boot. Especially since he appeared to be nearing the end of the line last season.

This season? Honestly, if you superimposed the Geno Machino of his 50-goal, MVP season of 2011-12 onto this version, I’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference. The passion, the intensity, heck even the surprising speed.

That fact that he’s accomplished what he has (39 points in 35 games) with two distinctly different sets of linemates?

Even more amazing.