Penguins/NHL
Penguins Organizational Depth Chart Pre-Free Agency
(Signed Players)
Forwards
Line 1: Conor Sheary – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist
Line 2: Carl Hagelin – Nick Bonino – Phil Kessel
Line 3: Chris Kunitz – Evgeni Malkin – Bryan Rust
Line 4: Tom Kuhnhackl – Eric Fehr – Scott Wilson
Two-way Contracts/Prospects
Kevin Porter – Oskar Sundqvist – Josh Archibald
Dominik Simon – Jake Guentzel – Carter Rowney
Teddy Blueger – J.S. Dea – Daniel Sprong (injured)
Analysis: If Pittsburgh opts not to sign Matt Cullen, they could start the season with what they got and either move Eric Fehr to center, use Kevin Porter as a 13th forward, or move Oskar Sundqvist into the 4th line center role and keep Fehr on the wing.
Scott Wilson was the most impactful call up with the Penguins before breaking his ankle in early March and is ready for a full-time role. Despite Chris Kunitz mini-surge in the post-season where he played very well in the final two rounds, an ideal situation would have been moving him and his $3.85 million cap hit to clear a top-9 role for another younger player like Wilson or add via trade/free agency.
Kunitz, though, is extremely well liked in the room and the Penguins still value him. With his strong finish, the Penguins are fine with riding out his last season, though, his name has popped up in recent days.
There’s still some uncertainty at the left wing position and whether it’s sustainable Conor Sheary can be a full-time top-6 winger over the grind of an 82 game season. Winning the Stanley Cup, Pittsburgh can be patient and see how things play out.
Among prospects who could be pushing for a role next season,(other than Oskar Sundqvist) Josh Archibald could make some noise as a top call up option.
How Dominik Simon progresses in his second professional season will be closely watched. The 21 year old put up 25 goals in his first season in Wilkes Barre and flashed top-9 skill. There are some holes in his game and he must get better at handling the physicality of pro hockey. Leaves himself open to taking punishing hits.
The player a lot of eyes will be on is Jake Guentzel who the Penguins are enthusiastic about and viewed by some scouts as the organization’s top prospect. Team officials believe [hide] he could be NHL ready by mid-season, though, the best bet is the Penguins developing him to be ready for a full-time role in 2017-2018.
He’s center and winger capable. The organization feels he has a chance to develop into an impact third line forward.
Free Agents: Matt Cullen, Tom Sestito, Kael Mouillierat
Defensemen
No. 1 Brian Dumoulin – Kris Letang
No. 2 Olli Maatta – Trevor Daley
No. 3 Derrick Pouliot -Ian Cole
AHLers/Prospects
Tim Erixon – Reid McNeill
Lukas Bengtsson – Ethan Prow
Takeaways: The Penguins would love to add a top-4 defenseman in a perfect world but Pittsburgh’s cap situation complicates things. The Penguins are preparing to lose both Ben Lovejoy, Justin Schultz in free agency. It will be a show me something year for Derrick Pouliot.
Right now there is no clear No. 7 defenseman, Tim Erixon the best bet on the organizational depth chart as of today. Ethan Prow will be an interesting player to watch due to the high skill set but won’t be much of an option at the NHL level this season.
Pittsburgh will certainly add an AHL defenseman or two who are capable of being a No. 7 or No. 8 type defenseman. There is interest in retaining Steve Oleksy, in addition to signing former Penguin Adam Clendening.
Brian Metzer of the Beaver County Times mentions Bob Sanguinetti and Jamie McBain as potential fits in an article for the paper and I could certainly see one of them as a target due to Rutherford’s familiarity with both. Sullivan was also an assistant coach with the Rangers when Sanguinetti was a member of the Rangers organization.
Free Agents: Ben Lovejoy, Justin Schultz, Steve Oleksy, Will O’Neill
Goaltenders
1. Matt Murray
2. Marc Andre Fleury
3. Tristan Jarry
4. Sean Maguire
Free Agents: Jeff Zatkoff
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Related posts:
Free Agency Outlook & Chatter: Penguins focus in this market should be on finding value for depth forwards
Free Agency Update I: In addition to Parise, Suter, Pens covet depth gritty forward when FA opens at noon
Latest Penguins Buzz: Malkin at wing or center impacts several players on depth chart
Breaking Down Penguins depth chart on defense as movable parts are in play
