Penguins’ Preseason Will Aim To Establish These 5 Things

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ preseason is set to get under way. After a summer of swift changes to the players, the coaches, and the management team, all will be watching intently to see how these changes will manifest themselves. Here are some key things to watch for as the team takes the ice for their first game action of the season:

1. Coach Mike Johnston’s New System:

Who to watch: All of the roster — but the defense, specifically

Perhaps the most important decision of the Penguins’ offseason came when the team parted ways with former coach Dan Bylsma, bringing in Mike Johnston to fill the role. After a summer of hearing about how the new up-tempo, puck possession-centred system will revitalize the team’s offensive strategy and inject life into the team’s defense, we will now get our first chance to see it in action at the NHL level. For most of the roster, this summer’s shift in direction served as the first time in a number of years that the players have had to adapt to a new system. It will be interesting to see how well the players are acclimating to Johnston’s new framework, and whether or not the transition is going smoothly.

2. The Upgraded Physicality:

Who to watch: Patric Hornqvist, Steve Downie

Another key offseason move was the team’s effort to refocus on toughness, adding a more intimidating physical presence to the lineup in the form of Patric Hornqvist and Steve Downie. Other additions such as Blake Comeau and Daniel Carcillo will also look to assert themselves and thus stake their claim on a roster spot. After going to such great lengths to improve this aspect of the team, even trading away All-Star winger James Neal to do so, Pittsburgh’s head office is hoping the experiment pays off and ensures the team becomes one that is much harder to play against this season. The key to this success will not be measured simply by the number of hits or fights, but rather, by the ability of players like Hornqvist and Downie to both provide a physical edge and be productive offensively. These preseason matches will give the team a chance to flex this new muscle for the first time, and hopefully establish a new respect for themselves among their competitors.

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3. The Revamped Third Line:

Who to watch: Brandon Sutter, Beau Bennett, Steve Downie

Coach Mike Johnston has made some noteworthy comments in recent days about building his forward corps by creating pairs of forwards to play consistently on each line, accompanied by a third, interchangeable winger. He specifically identified Brandon Sutter and Beau Bennett as one such potential pair, with Steve Downie skating alongside them. The Penguins have been lacking a reliable, productive, and competitive third line since the departure of Jordan Staal in 2012. A consistent pairing of Sutter, who reached a new level during the team’s playoff run last season, and Bennett, whose raw talent has allowed him to play with both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at various times, would give the Penguins a formidable third trio to back up Crosby and Malkin. If Johnston sticks to his word and allows Sutter to establish some chemistry with Bennett over the course of the year, as opposed to changing wingers every few games as he was forced to do last season, both Sutter and Bennett could be poised for better numbers in 2014-15. A good preseason showing from the two would go a long way towards forcing Johnston to keep them together.

4. Pittsburgh’s Depth Put To The Test:

Who to watch: Brandon Sutter, Beau Bennett, the rookies

With Crosby and Malkin sitting out the first portion of training camp, the Penguins’ depth will be tested early, as it will be up to Sutter, who will take over as lead centre, and the team’s young talent to grind out a win. If the Penguins hope to return to championship status, they must suit up a roster with enough depth that, should the team’s two marquee players not be present, the rest of the team could still be competitive. If the team falters without their two stars, they will be exposed as being too reliant on too few players. Such a situation would be problematic not only because both Crosby and Malkin have extensive injury histories, but also because it is simply much easier to shut down a team when their success hinges upon only two players (especially if, for the most part, only one of these players is on the ice at a time). The preseason presents the best chance for depth players like Sutter and Bennett to show they can make an impact on their own.

5. The Penguins Youth On Display:

Who to watch: The rookies (i.e. Kasperi Kapanen, Oskar Sundqvist), Olli Maatta, Beau Bennett

While this team still belongs entirely to Crosby and Malkin, the two All-Stars are getting closer to their 30th birthdays and thus, Pittsburgh’s youth must begin to establish themselves and take on bigger roles with the team. Without a strong youth movement to begin to take pressure off of Crosby and Malkin, it seems unlikely that the Penguins will remain among the elite, as their contemporaries continue to churn out talented young stars. The time is now for Kapenen and Sundqvist to show their future potential, and for more experienced young stars like Maatta and Bennett to step into larger roles, establishing themselves as key parts of the team’s future core. Their on-ice performance, and behind-the-scenes leadership, during the preseason will begin to show us whether this seems destined to occur.