Pittsburgh Penguins: Early Season Thoughts on Sergei Plotnikov
By Mike Necciai
The Pittsburgh Penguins looked as if they were in dire straits this summer. Could this team really fill-out their winger positions with the limited cap space available and taxing veteran contacts such as Chris Kunitz? In order to help the situation, Jim Rutherford went a bit outside the box and signed Sergei Plotnikov from the KHL.
The 25-year old Russian winger is highly regarded as a big, strong power forward-style player with a lot of offensive skill. He plays a hard-nosed game and isn’t afraid to mix it up when necessary. At least, that’s the scouting report on his KHL and IIHF international playing days. So far in the NHL, I’m not sure that he has delivered as expected. But, that doesn’t mean he’s a lost cause by any means.
In August, I wrote an article about three pressing areas for the Penguins that could prove to be the biggest issues this season. I wish I could say I was wrong about them but unfortunately I’ve been spot-on so far. One of those areas of weakness that I had mentioned is the left-wing position. There was no telling what the Pittsburgh Penguins would get out of the likes of David Perron, Chris Kunitz and Sergei Plotnikov. Considering the late-season performances of Perron and Kunitz, the outlook was grim.
Plotnikov has been an enigma so far. We aren’t really sure of what to expect from him as he continues to adjust to North American hockey. Has he held his own so far? Do you consider him a disappointment up to this point? According to recent line changes, he’ll get another shot in the top-six with Evgeni Malkin so now is a great time for him to show that he can handle those duties. Top-six left-wing positions are clearly up for grabs.
How Plotnikov Has Fared so far With the Pittsburgh Penguins
Oct 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left-wing Sergei Plotnikov (61) against the Arizona Coyotes during the home opener at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Plotnikov found himself in the press box for one game so far, so he has recorded six games-played at the NHL level. Far from a large sample size but there’s still telling data available. Based on his short NHL tenure, there are underlying numbers that support a decision to keep him on the third line. But, with the struggles of Perron and Kunitz, the Penguins need a change and giving him another shot is the right choice.
So far, Plotnikov’s most common center has been Nick Bonino. With Bonino, he boasts a very impressive 59.6% corsi-for. So, that line accounts for 59.6% of shot attempts while on the ice, while holding the opposition to roughly 40.4%. That’s exactly what you want from your third line. As Plotnikov becomes more comfortable with NHL-style hockey, those types of numbers will lead to a lot of production for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Especially with a guy like Bonino, who isn’t going to light the world on fire but he definitely has the ability to create offense and finish periodically. Also, consider that his most common winger on the opposite side has been Bryan Rust. If the Pens smarten up and increase Daniel Sprong‘s role more often, that means a potential for more offense.
Plotnikov has been on the ice with Malkin for almost exactly half of his time-on-ice alongside Bonino. In that time frame, his most common right-wing was Patric Hornqvist, which shouldn’t be surprising. With Malkin, they’re accounting for 50% of shot-attempts. Hardly a bad number but nowhere near as efficient as his time with Bonino. Could it be a style difference that causes the change? Plotnikov looks to be more of a north/south style player. He doesn’t play a flashy game, which might be the reason he struggles a bit more with Malkin. I do believe that he can learn how to fit better alongside Geno in the long-term though.
The Penguins Need More Snarl From Plotnikov
What do I mean by more snarl? Am I talking about going out and dropping the gloves two or three times per game?
Let me be clear. The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t need Plotnikov to be an enforcer.
The Penguins do however need Plotnikov to bring some of the fire that he was known for in the KHL. His highlights consist of big hits, hard work along the boards and an overall intimidating playing style. Any scout you talk to will tell you that he’s a tough guy to play against. So far, he hasn’t shown that same tenacity in Pittsburgh.
Of course, the game here is much different. He seems to be struggling with the lack of time and space so far. He’s also having a pretty rough time with officiating and for whatever reason, hasn’t been able to draw a penalty on numerous occasions where it’s warranted. Those frustrations can weigh on a player and it’s a lot to fight through when you consider that he’s only six games into his NHL career. This is yet another reason I’d like to see him stay on the third line. And, another reason I believe he has excelled there in a more limited role and less expectations. The pressure of playing with Malkin and being expected to produce isn’t what he needs right now.
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