On Monday and Tuesday this week the Penguins played their first two games of the preseason. We have seen basically every player with the exception of Erik Karlsson get their first game action of the season. Through two games, my Pittsburgh Penguins preseason takeaways are pretty clear: Nick Robertson looks like a real fit with Sidney Crosby, Ben Kindel’s line showed real upside before his injury, and Arturs Silovs left the goalie competition much more open than expected.
Pittsburgh Penguins Preseason Takeaways: Nick Robertson Looks Legit
Nick Robertson was acquired right before free agency, and at the time it appeared to be a move that was putting the Penguins in a position to acquire his brother. However, Nick looks pretty good in his own right. During his time in Toronto, he always looked like a guy with the tools to become a legit offensive threat, but they never let him truly cook. The Penguins are taking a different approach and throwing him up with the big boy on the first line. As we all know, Sid likes to play with guys that bring a lot of speed which Robertson certainly provides. We saw Robertson’s speed on display Tuesday night during a penalty kill where he scored a familiar goal to longtime Penguin’s fans…
Who knows how long they will actually leave Robertson on Sid’s line, but he definitely looks the part so far.
Kindel, and his line, look great
Ben Kindel was once thought of as too small, and too slow, to play in the NHL. He dispelled both of those notions last season after sticking around in the NHL for an entire season at 18 years old. However, he has seemingly taken his game to a whole new level. On Monday, his uptick in speed was extremely noticeable. He was undoubtedly the best player on the ice against Buffalo in the first period. The first period was his only period as he left with a lower-body injury. The Penguins initially called him day-to-day, but as of Thursday he is considered week-to-week while the team waits on more testing. Kindel’s new linemates Andrei Kuzmenko and Bryan Rust looked like perfect fits with the kid. Kuzmenko gives the line a legit scoring threat at all times, while Rust’s all-around game helps the line with defensive deficiencies. If this line were to stick together, it could be an extremely potent third line. I love the idea of spreading the wealth and allowing Rust to play with Kindel, as long as Robertson continues to look good.
Certain forwards aren’t ready
We spent a majority of the offseason talking about how there were too many NHL capable forwards. I still believe that to be the case, but there are a few standing out above the others. With Blake Lizotte injured there are two open spots on the fourth line now and only a few options remain, in my opinion. I don’t think Rutger McGroarty has done enough, despite scoring late in the game Tuesday.
Very pretty goal, and you can see why the Ruck’s were selected high. The Ruck’s aren’t ready yet either, but you can tell they will be after a couple of seasons working with the Penguins development staff. Rutger finished off that beautiful passing play but was largely invisible for most of Tuesday’s contest, not something you want to see out of a guy fighting for his chance to make the roster.
I believe that Bill Zonnon and Mikhail Ilyin are both NHL caliber, but both need seasoning in the AHL still. The bodies on both men are capable of taking the grind of the NHL but there are parts of their game that could benefit from more time playing pro hockey in the AHL, and that isn’t a bad thing.
Justin Brazeau is going to be waived. Braz was great last season, but I think the Penguins noticed how slow they were last year in the playoffs. Brazeau doesn’t provide speed but rather takes up space with his big body. That isn’t going to help him make this team. Big Braz was noticeably slower than every other player on the ice during Monday’s game and I do not believe that will bode well for him making the team.
Ville Koivunen will also be waived. Ville got hurt during a scrimmage which removed him from preseason game action. No fault of his own but he probably needed to show out during a game, or two, to have a chance at making this team. Luckily, his contract will provide as a safeguard against waivers, and we will eventually see him called up as an injury replacement during this season. I still believe his contract was a smart bet by Dubas.
So, the forwards still fighting for those two spots are: Elmer Soderblom, Hendrix Lapierre, Filip Hallander, Tristan Broz, and Avery Hayes. Hayes scored against Buffalo and looked like a perfect fourth liner winger. I doubt he makes the team due to his waiver’s status, but if he continues to show out maybe he can force their hand. Tristan Broz falls into a similar category as Hayes, but his performance hasn’t been as tantalizing. Broz could be a good bottom six center, but he needs to start producing to get a longer look. If he wasn’t a center, and Lizotte wasn’t injured, he would have no chance to make the team. That leaves Soderblom, Lapierre, and Hallander. I believe all three will make the team. I believe that Lapierre will be the extra forward. Hallander was looked lightning fast in camp and showed he can play in the NHL last season before the blood clot. Soderblom looked really good on Monday night and I think they love his combination of size and skill for the fourth line. Dewar could take over center responsibilities while Lizotte is hurt and Lapierre could be used a pivot at center if Dewar is better suited for the wing. Either way I think the Penguins have a lot of good options to fill that fourth line even with an injured Lizotte.
Silovs looked bad
Silovs, the presumptive game one starter, allowed seven goals to a Detroit lineup devoid of NHL talent. Giving up goals in the preseason truly doesn’t matter, but the fact the goals followed a familiar trend is concerning. Silovs was having trouble tracking shots from distance and his rebound control was poor. Now, it takes longer for goalies to reacclimated and maybe he will look good in his next performance so maybe there’s no reason to panic. I don’t think I care much if Silovs bounces back because to me it’s clear that Murashov is the team’s best option. The real question would become is Blomqvist a better option than Silovs. Both Blomqvist and Murashov played good on Monday, granted the competition wasn’t exactly NHL level, and neither goaltender has done anything to merit not playing in Pittsburgh. As of today, I would seriously consider starting Murashov in Philadelphia for the first game of the season with Blomqvist as his backup.
The defense seems set
I think this is a shame because Owen Pickering looks NHL ready. He’s not going to make the team though. TVR, Carille, and Girard all look good to go on the left side. Korczak has played good hockey too, which ruins Brunicke’s chance at making the team (I think Harrison could use some time in the AHL anyway). The real question becomes the seventh defensemen but based on Tuesday night I would hand that job to Soloyvov as he played extremely well against Detroit, on a night where the defense struggled no less.
Whatever happens over the next week is going to provide a lot more insight to how this team will ultimately be constructed, but from where things sit right now, I think we have a good idea on what the opening night roster will look like against Philadelphia.
