Penguins/NHL
Ben Kindel with a goal, 5 shots on goal and over 19 minutes of ice, was the buzz of the night from the Penguins 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Kindel has significantly exceeded expectations from those outside the building and even internally.
“We didn’t come in here saying all right, he’s going to play in these four games, that wasn’t the case,” head coach Dan Muse said. It’s like, you get a little bit of a starting point and then as we go, you want to see guys in more situations. I think it’s been good for him. If we didn’t feel that way, then we wouldn’t have him playing in this game.”
Kindel’s big night wasn’t about getting on the scoresheet. He was hands down the best player on the ice in all three zones. The hockey IQ, immense ability to see the ice was as good as it gets Monday night. Pittsburgh’s roster going into camp looked like one that was a year or two away from being the type of roster you hire a Dan Muse for. But, with prospect after prospect pulling their own weight and a number of longshot candidates making strong arguments to unseat veterans, does Kyle Dubas have some ammunition a week before the regular season to actually go much younger than anyone in the organization envisioned and give Muse a roster, he’s more suited to coach? Four to five candidates have given him the option.
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