Pittsburgh Penguins Preparing for a Marathon – Not a Sprint
By Mike Necciai
When the 2015 free agency period began it was almost like the Pittsburgh Penguins were beginning a sprint to the finish. Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, and Jeff Skinner rumors were running rampant and the Pens were reportedly involved in trade talks with everyone in the NHL. Or so it seemed, anyway.
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As teams prepared their offers and agendas for free agency, Jim Rutherford had another plan in mind. He made it clear that he wanted Phil Kessel, and would stop at nothing to wear down the Toronto Maple Leafs brass until a deal was done. And, he accomplished exactly that.
Of course, Rutherford did sign Sergei Plotnikov from Russia, formerly of the KHL. But, after the Kessel deal things got very quiet in the steel city. While some are wondering if Rutherford and the Pittsburgh Penguins have another move up their sleeves, it seems as though the roster we’re looking at will be exactly what we see on opening night.
If there’s anything the Pittsburgh Penguins should have learned from the last five seasons, it’s that the regular season is simply a primer period in order for teams to finalize their rosters for a playoff push. Yes, it’s a long 82 games. Yes, it’s grueling and you obviously have to be successful in order to qualify for the playoffs. However, you don’t have to qualify for the playoffs in November.
Last season, the Pens saw their playoff destiny come down to the wire in the last game of the regular season. While that isn’t ideal by any means, it’s a good indication of how much wiggle room there is in the regular season. If the Pittsburgh Penguins stick with their young and inexperienced defensive corps and things go downhill, there’s time to adjust.
Another thing to consider is how different the team will look in April 2016 compared to right now. Teams have until next season’s trade deadline to figure out what combination of players will give them the best chance to win. This past season saw Maxim Lapierre, David Perron, Daniel Winnik, Ian Cole, and Ben Lovejoy on the active roster late in the season, all of which were added after the calendar turned to 2015.
There are a few spots up for grabs, and changes will be made throughout the season. But, if you’re surprised or shocked by the lack of moves right now in Pittsburgh, you shouldn’t be. I fully expect the Pittsburgh Penguins to stand pat for the remainder of the summer. Rutherford is known for his willingness to trade mid-season, and he doesn’t shy away from blockbusters. There’s plenty of time to adjust and address any shortcomings recognized within the current lineup.
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