Sidney Crosby skates with the Stanley Cup – Photo by Jack Lima
PITTSBURGH – The Penguins are coming off two successful Stanley Cup runs but have lost a number of key pieces in the off season. Matt Cullen went home to Minnesota, Chris Kunitz chose to ride the Lighting, and Nick Bonino got over-payed in Nashville. On the surface these might not look like a huge loss but that group includes two penalty killers, two face-off leaders and a proven leader.
To fill the role of fourth line center the Penguins will look to Carter Rowney. In his brief time centering that line during the Cup run he proved to be adequate. His bruising style of play should work well in a fourth line role. The Penguins have a number of talented young wings, which should ease the pain of loosing Kunitz. Replacing Nick Bonino is proving to be much more difficult for GM Jim Rutherford.
In a recent statement both Coach Sullivan and GM Rutherford told the media that they would feel comfortable using Jake Guentzel as their third line center to start the season. All of Penguins fandom is hoping this is very temporary. Guentzel had a breakout rookie season and even received some MVP votes following the playoffs. Moving such a talent to the third line is less than ideal.
Linesmen Shane Heyer drops the puck as Jay McClement (18) and James Sheppard (15) face off – Photo by Jack Lima
In the past, the Penguins have managed to bring in veterans to fill key roles. They may be hoping PTO Jay McClement ends up making the club and can step in to center the third or fourth line but PTO’s generally end up in the AHL as depth players. GM Rutherford has been adamant that he won’t over pay for a third or fourth line center and he has plenty of interesting trade candidates to work with over the course of a long NHL season.
In addition to the younger players on the big club, the Penguins are hoping AHL players like Zach Aston-Reese and Daniel Sprong can eventually contribute with Sprong possibly starting the season in the NHL. Their seems to be a youth movement in the NHL and the Penguins are no exception. They will counting on a number of young players, including goalie Matt Murray who is technically only a second year player. If past success is predictive of future results, the Penguins should find themselves near the top of the Metropolitan and in a position to try for three in a row.
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