On Friday I detailed how I thought our forward lines would look like if we would start our current selection in the coming season. Today I will do the same with our defenders and goalkeepers.
Hoo Boy, how nice.
Before I start seriously, I have to mention my conviction that Penguins Poho/GM Kyle Dub Will make every effort to act Mercurial defender Erik Karlsson Before the summer expires. His acquisitions of Veteran-Judge-Shot Defenders Connor Clifton And Matt DumaTo say nothing about the rapid rise of the second Rounder of 2024 Harrison BrunickeAlmost demand it.
The same with the recent and surprising addition of keeper Arthur Silovwho deliberately or otherwise made a logjam in goal. Perhaps a harbinger of a deal with regard to Tristan Jarry?
Because I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t give a prediction with some certainty, we go with the status quo.
DEFENSE
First coupling: Alexander Alexeyev/Parker Wother Spoon (LD), Erik Karlsson (RD)
Which buker? Have you gone crazy? Alexeyev and/or Wother Spoon on the top combination?
Hear me. Karlsson’s partner was for a large part of his huge, 101-point season Jaycob Megna. The Journeyman Defender carried out the essential, meat and potatoes, no fringes chores, which EK65 freed from wheel-and-deal. Alexeyev/Wotherpoon could possibly offer the same basic principles.
What concerns Karlsson? The ultimate enigma wrapped in a mystery to borrow from the film JFKCan sometimes be really confusing, not to mention a deep source of frustration with his Laissez-Faire approach to defense. However, he can still be done offensively. Even at the age of 35, the triple Norris winner remains a great skater who can move the puck in ways that most D-people only dream of. When he ventures into the excellent score areas (the circles and lower), something that took place, all too infallible below Mike SullivanHe can take goalkeepers apart with the precision of a sniper. As long as he seemed to give more.
Second link: Owen Pickering (LD), Kris Letang (RD)
As the old saying is, it does not repair it, if it is not broken. Up-and-Comer Pickering did a decent work while he grabbed Last season alongside Letang. Although he may have been a reach as a pick in the first round, he has shown signs to develop into a solid, mobile defender.
What about Tangier? Unfortunately, there has been a noticeable drop-off in his skates and overall game. It is as if all those hard kilometers logged while on average they have a warrior-like 24 minutes per game in the course of a 19-season NHL career, to say nothing of the strokes, suddenly climbed on his back like the proverbial gorilla of 800 pounds and threatened to bring it down. Indeed, no. 58 seemed more vulnerable and erroneous than ever. With its size, reach and reach can hopefully cover Pickering for Tangier. If not …
Third coupling: Ryan Graves (LD), Connor Clifton/Matt Dumba (RD)
I think the new coaching staff of the pens will do everything to save something from digging, whose play has been spread in fragments since he arrived here. I think Clifton will get the first crack as a partner of Graves, although he and Dumba are virtually interchangeable. Both play with a lead, which we need so badly.
If Graves simply cannot be generated, one of Alexeyev, Wother Spoon or Ryan SheaThe gap could connect the pens. Or maybe Clifton or Dumba move to their off-side.
When Karlsson is treated? It is not outside the empire of the possibility for Brunicke, only 19, to make the team thanks to his puck-moving skills, the all-round game and the growing potential.
GOAL
Starter: Tristan Jarry
For now, Jarry seems to return, enigmatic and erratic, as our starting net, despite a yo-yo season that relegated and waived him twice. However, the former winner of the Memorial Cup seemed to nod after his return in March while he ended with a winning record (16-12-6) -the only pen goalkeeper to do this.
Still, the only predictable of the Surrey, BC, Native? His unpredictability.
Back -up: Arthur Silov, Joel Blomqvist
The surprising acquisition of Silovs certainly threw a key in the pecking order of the pens, which seemed reasonably set after trading earlier backup Alex Nedeljkovic. The Rangy Letse blown hot and cold during his short NHL career. However, he brought Ahl Abbotsford back to the Calder Cup this spring, while he yielded MVP among the season.
My gamble? He was taken over to offer some competition to Blomqvist while he served as an insurance policy in case Joel is not ready for full-time NHL obligation. Count me among those who feel our former pick for the second round, was a bit shaky in his first NHL-Go-Round. In a sense understandable, given the alleged defense that was played for him.
Depth: Sergei Murashov, Filip Larsson and Taylor Gauthier
Many people, including yours, really think that Murashov is our keeper of the future. The athletic young Russian does one thing especially good. Win. During his first season in North America, Sergei compiled a record of 29-10-1 while he split time with the baby pins and nailers. Embedded in those 29 triumphs? A record-typing, 11-game winning streak with the first and a record set, 13 Game-Skein with the latter.
Larsson and Gauthier, the Echl’s goalkeeper of the year in ’23 -24, offer solid and, I dare to say, envy organizational depth in a crucial position.
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