The Pittsburgh Penguins will not be very good this season. There are still too many question marks about goal convening and defense. They have put together a strong preseason performance with a 5-1-1 record, but that record will go out as soon as the regular season starts. Pittsburgh is expected to go to the bottom of the metropolitan division this Season, but is there a chance that they will be better than everyone thinks?
Penguins look decent on paper
It is not to be denied that the penguins have a good amount of talent in their top six and are sprinkled over their selection. Sidney Crosby is still performing at a high level, and although the team without Bryan will be rest to start the season, they have some young talent that can fill in.
Ville KoiVunen is one of those young players who will get more than likely to get some NHL playing time this season. Last season he played with the Penguins in eight games, but spent most of the season in the American Hockey League with Wilkes-Barre/SCRANTON, where he scored 21 goals in 63 games. He has strong offensive instincts and he is good at creating plays. He also has power potential and is good at reaching the grid. With rust put aside, Koivunen was able to start the season with Crosby.
Pittsburgh has several other young players who have shown many promises during the preseason, including Ben Kindel, Filip Hallander, Harrison Brunicke and Avery Hayes. Head coach Dan Muse was partly taken to Pittsburgh because of his work in the development of players. Because the penguins do not have much to lose this season, many more opportunities will probably be given to younger players. That can ultimately work to their advantage.
The penguins have been struggling with depth production for a while now. With the return from Tommy Novak to the third line center and the possible addition of Hallander, the third rule could find a good rhythm if Philip Tomasino can remain consistent.
The biggest question mark in the lower six on the way to the regular season is probably Justin Brazeau. The Penguins added it over the low season and hope that he uses his 6-foot-6, 227 pound frame in his favor. If he can be good on the pre -check and the net, that would be a huge plus. Blake Lizotte showed flash of potential last season, and if he can stay healthy, his defensive consciousness will be useful. If Connor Dewar can build on his success last season, the fourth rule can also be strong.
Will the penguins hang out this season?
Pittsburgh has a good performance during the preseason. They have been able to find chemistry and put together full team performance. On September 29 they defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. They limited the strange man and the defense played well for goalkeeper Tristan Jarry. They were good at the front check and did not allow scoring opportunities in the second period. Detroit did not have their entire opening night schedule on the ice, but they used a competitive team and the Penguins played well against them.
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Nobody expects a lot from Pittsburgh this season, but they have enough talent in their selection to stay competitive. To do that, they would need good goal congregation, solid defense and consistent versions of various important players. That seems like a long assignment for these penguins, but their preseason performance proven that the talent is there. One thing is certain, as long as Crosby is still playing, it will always be the goal in Pittsburgh at the late season.
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