To say it’s been an unusual season thus far for our Penguins would be putting it mildly.
A piping hot 8-2-2 start, as encouraging as it was unexpected, raised expectations that this group might possess playoff pedigree. A limbo bar that has since been ratcheted down closer to the floorboards on the heels of a ghastly 1-5-4 slide.
Indeed, the way things are going? It feels like we’ll be hard-pressed to win a game here and there. Especially since we face one of the more difficult schedules the rest of the way. Hardly conducive to qualifying for the playoffs on both counts.
While I have no doubt the team will recover somewhat when Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte return from IR, should our priorities change? Should developing youngsters take priority over making a playoff push?
At the present, the Pens seem to be walking the line, to borrow from country music legend Johnny Cash. Yes, there is some development taking place, most notably with the “Kid Line” of Ben Kindel, Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen. Filip Hållander was likewise filling a prominent role until sidelined with a blood clot. Coach Dan Muse has recently dressed 26-year-old Jack St. Ivany, a rare prospect holdover from the Ron Hextall era, in place of veteran Connor Clifton.
Following an early season run with the big boys, Harrison Brunicke has been loaned to Team Canada for the IIHF World Junior Championship.
Is it enough?
Personally, I’m disappointed we’ve elected to plug injury gaps with marginal veterans Kevin Hayes and Danton Heinen. While I get the logic to an extent—in theory veterans are less likely to make mistakes at critical times, going forward I don’t think this would be the best policy. Especially since our masquerade as a playoff contender appears to be over.
For starters, I’d like to see Kyle Dubas promote Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes while cutting bait with the aforementioned vets. Especially if Malkin and Lizotte aren’t due back any time soon.
A center by trade who can also play wing in a pinch, the 23-year-old Broz lead the Baby Pens with 10 goals. Peppery right wing Hayes is right behind him with nine.
If some lineup shuffling is required to accommodate them, particularly among the veterans?
So be it.
Perhaps promote defenseman Owen Pickering, who quietly seems to be finding his game (13 points in 27 games), as well.
The only position where I’d urge more caution?
In goal.
Given the porous nature of our team defense of late, I’d be reluctant to expose either Sergei Murashov or Joel Blomqvist on a regular basis. Perhaps call them up individually and on a cameo basis, much as they’ve done with Murashov. However, I wouldn’t force-feed regular NHL duty onto them just yet.
It’s possible, perhaps even probable, Dubas will wait until the trade deadline to affect serious changes to our roster. It isn’t hard to envision any or all of Anthony Mantha, Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust departing through trades, which would create openings aplenty.
A final word of caution. Not every prospect that glitters turns into NHL gold.
I’m reminded of the high hopes I once had for former Pens prospect Nathan Légaré, now toiling in the Devils organization. I’m going from memory, but I believe JFresh rated him only a 3.6 percent chance of becoming a regular in the bigs. An assessment that appears spot-on.
Ditto former first-rounder Brayden Yager, who has only four goals in 28 games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Suffice to say, he’s adjusting to the pro game.
Closer to home, despite some very good underlying metrics, Koivunen has struggled mightily to produce. Raising legit questions about his future as well.
Despite the best intentions and rigorous development plans, lots of kids simply don’t make it.
Still, it’s time to find out what we’ve got.
It’s time to start promoting the kids in earnest.