There were the pre-July 1 projections, and now there are the post-free agent frenzy projections for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ opening night lineup.
There have not yet been many changes to the previous Penguins lineup, primarily there have been additions, and there are prospects waiting in the wings.
Missing from this season’s lineup will be Parker Wotherspoon, Ryan Shea, Noel Acciari, Anthony Mantha, and Stuart Skinner, who are the primary departures, but are buttressed by the arrivals of Trevor van Riemsdyk, Declan Carlile, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nick Robertson, and Kaedan Korczak.
It doesn’t quite have the same feel, does it? But neither did many of the departures create a buzz last summer. Rather, most reacted with a “Who?!” So, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has earned more than a little bit of latitude with the bargain bin acquisitions.
Still, it doesn’t look as good.
One problem that remains is the team’s abundance of righty defensemen, a dearth of lefties, and a gaggle of bottom-six forwards, including the group of Penguins prospects.
The Penguins also acquired large Winnipeg forward David Gustafsson and signed him to a two-way contract, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins grinder Atley Calvert was upgraded to an NHL deal.
Also at issue for projecting this season’s lineup are the unresolved trade ambitions. Dubas has made no secret of his hopes to acquire an impact player and other younger players to pack his roster, but to this moment, only Robertson and Carlile would qualify as conforming additions. With any phone call, a veteran player or two could be on the way out.
Otherwise, Kuzmenko is 30, and van Riemsdyk will be 35. For the projection, we tried to pencil a Penguins prospect, such as Rutger McGroarty, into the lineup, but couldn’t find an area where it makes sense. It seems McGroarty and Ville Koivunen will have to battle Robertson for a spot.
Also out of the lineup projections are Justin Brazeau and Elmer Soderblom. Indeed, the Penguins’ glut of bottom-six wingers is perplexing, as both could also surpass Robertson for the third line spot.
If you’re counting along, that is 16 forwards, but McGroarty is waivers exempt while K
Even defenseman Harrison Brunicke, who had a tremendous turn in the AHL playoffs with WBS, looks like he is blocked by the imbalance on defense. While
Finally, a note regarding the return of Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins and Malkin had a chat with him regarding what could be inferred as a reduced role this season. If the Penguins adopt a load management schedule with Malkin, that will open up additional opportunities, albeit occasionally.
Penguins Lines
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Egor Chinakhov-Tommy Novak-Evgeni Malkin
Andrei Kuzmenko-Ben Kindel-Nick Robertson
Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Hendrix Lapierre
Extras: Soderblom, Brazeau.
Defense
Trevor van Riemsdyk – Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard-Kris Letang
Declan Carlile- Kaedan Korczak
Extra: Graves.
Goalies: Artus Silovs, Sergei Murashov.
Hard luck cuts: Pickering, McGoarty, Koivunen, Avery Hayes, and possibly Brazeau.
Analysis: The Kuzmenko signing looks more curious in the larger context. With just 25 points (13-12-15) in 52 games last season, the player has not performed to a level that should otherwise guarantee him a spot ahead of McGroarty, Soderblom, or even Brazeau, but his $5 million contract says otherwise.
The left side of the defense is also problematic. Van Riemsdyk would be a solid third-pair right-side guy, but big minutes on the left could be problematic. Unless the Penguins are moving either Kris Letang or Erik Karlsson, the lineup is both unbalanced and blocking players who would benefit from a long runway to progress.
Stay tuned for 3.0.
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