April 20, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) defend the goal against Philadelphia Flyers center Danny Briere (48) and left wing Scott Hartnell (19) during the first period in game five of the 2012 Eastern Conference quarterfinals at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Since the Penguins were unable to acquire a high-impact free agent over the summer, the current roster has me questioning the team’s ability to overcome obvious weaknesses that appeared last season.  Actually, take a look back at the past few years and you’ll notice a number of deficiencies which have come to light in the playoffs, consequentially leading to the team’s downfall.  Lucky for the Pens, their speed, skill, and superstars can carry them through a regular season with ease, but that is not what management or fans play for in this town.  Postseason hockey is a different animal with unique characteristics, such as the physical intensity, overall congestion on the ice, and necessity of a simplified offensive approach; it is these attributes which have exposed Pittsburgh’s flaws.  I have identified four areas of concern.

Power-Winger:

Playoff games are always played much tighter which causes congestion all over the ice.  When a team is in the offensive zone, defenses crowd lanes in front of the net to block shots and create difficult shooting angles.  Even with Pittsburgh’s dynamic talent, sometimes it is best to have some scrappy big-men to plant in front of the net.  Having Sidney Crosby back on the ice will help to an extent, as we’ve all seen how dangerous he can be around the crease, but his medical history does not lend itself to the punishment taken earlier in his career.  I also imagine he will be more cautious since signing his mega-deal.

So who could fill this role? That is to be determined.  The bigger guys on our roster are more skilled, perimeter scorers.  James Neal has too good a shot to stick in there, and it doesn’t suit the rest of his game.  If no moves are made, Eric Tangradi seems to be a lock to begin the season on the roster, although this will certainly be his final chance to impress.  He might actually have the hands to make an impact there and his skating ability is hardly a strong suit.

Could he be a new Ryan Malone or Gary Roberts?  I’d have to see a lot more.  Those guys were both hard-nosed bad asses, and it takes one to man the front of the net.

You can look at Kunitz, Cooke, and Vitale who all very tough dudes-Kunitz being the most skilled of the group-but they aren’t big enough to anchor themselves in spots where a defense doesn’t want them.  I’m interested to see Tanner Glass, as his numbers are bound to go up with more skill around him, but he and Tangradi will need to prove themselves or Ray Shero should think about looking elsewhere at the trade deadline.

If you look at both trips to the Stanley Cup finals, Malone and Roberts were able to jam pucks passed the goalie when a wall of traffic surrounded the net.  That comes in handy when you aren’t playing the Philadelphia Flyers in some bizarre ‘every man for themselves’ series where goalies go to die and defensemen are left-out to dry.

Shutdown, Net-Clearing Defenseman:

As much as I’d like to reincarnate Gary Roberts, there is a tremendous need for a big-ogre to clear bodies away from Fleury.  Hal Gill was as good as anybody, despite skating in slow motion.  Deryk Engelland and Brooks Orpik do a decent job, but they often have trouble with big forwards.  Seeing the opposition’s forwards completely screen our goalies and run into very little resistance on loose pucks around the net has been a reoccurring them.  It is an absolute dagger when a fantastic save by Marc-Andre goes by the way-side after rebounds get flicked in behind him.  Most of the time, at least one defenseman was pushed out of position or missed their assignment, something a true stay-at-home beast could prevent.  Unless some of our highly touted prospects are NHL ready by lockout’s end, this is a problem that can only be solved with an external acquisition.

Winger for Crosby, Defensive Upgrade:

I lumped both of these categories together because they could be solved by satisfying the previously mentioned needs.  Strengthening Crosby’s line is far from, however I am not a fan of Tyler Kennedy filling it out.  The last thing Coach Bylsma should do is break apart the Kunitz-Malkin-Neal line; it’s a sure-fire, top-scoring unit for years to come.  Sadly, the leftovers are not intriguing especially after they let Steve Sullivan go.

Pascal Dupuis and Sid are great together, and the speed is deadly, but adding Kennedy will expose their weaknesses.  They would be physically overmatched on practically every shift, and have almost identical games that only vary in skill.  You may not think it is a big deal on offense-a discussion for another day- but they will be a defensive liability every time they are on the ice.  I have liked Joe Vitale for a while and he brings a physicality similar to Kunitz(again, less skill), yet he is far from a fix.  I’d use him over Cooke but that’s only because I know Matty’s ceiling, and you never know what would happen with a guy like Vitale or Tanner Glass getting fed pucks from “The KiD”.  The options above are truly a sorry excuse when filling the vacant wingman position at Crosby’s side, but those are the immediate internal options.

Realistically, they will need to acquire the next James Neal or a different dynamic stud(preferably Bobby Ryan!) to achieve true superiority on the Captain’s line.  I’d like to see a talented power-forward with average/above average speed brought in for the spot.  A guy similar to Boston’s Milan Lucic, and they would solve two of their biggest problems.  Winger Beau Bennett is an impact talent who has impressed management with his vision and play-making ability, and is a very exciting internal option in the near future.  Many believe he will be a perfect complement to Crosby, and processes the game as quickly as the prolific center. [check out link for more]

To upgrade the defense, Penguins’ management is going to have to work some magic.  Paul Martin is underwhelming in Bylsma’s speed-based puck retrieval system.  The rest of his situational abilities are nothing to brag about, and he’s cashing a bangin’ check with the $5M/yr deal he signed.  They’ve been trying to rid the books of his contract since the season ended, and based on the interest generated, I don’t see it happening any time soon.  Simon Despres should be an upgrade over Martin if not a few other blue liners, but his game is still a work in progress along with his decision making.  His play resembles that of Kris Letang and bodes well for the system.  The dilemma will be maneuvering Martin’s contract and which player is decidedly replaced.

I’m finishing up a piece on the supremely talented defensive prospects currently moving through the organizational ranks, and will more closely examine the internal fixes then.  I’ll leave you with the fact that most of them will not be NHL ready this year, if any, but the future is overwhelmingly bright.  Joe Morrow, Brian Dumoulin, Olli Maatta, and Derrick Pouliot are enormous talents, and oh yes, Dumoulin is that net-front monster we’ve all been waiting for.  Check this detailed list of Prospects out!

Disagree with me? Leave me a piece of your mind below…

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Pascal Dupuis (center) wears a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet during practice the day before the 2011 Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

The season has been put on hold, a lockout is in place, and exhibition games are being cancelled, but Sidney Crosby and teammates aren’t hanging out on “Flower’s” couch, gamin’ hard on some Call of Duty.  Instead, a group of ten to twenty Penguins have been meeting at the Southpointe Ice-o-Plex for their own preseason workouts.

They’ve been paying out of pocket for the rented surface, and are making the effort to self-evaluate their performance and progression.  One leader will take the reigns on a given day and run the selected drill or scenario as a self-appointed coach.  A number of the guys have also admitted to working out together outside these ‘players-only’ meetings.  Recently amongst a group of 17 skaters were the likes of Crosby, Letang, Kunitz, Cooke, Neal, Kennedy, and Dupuis.  They finished their session with a friendly scrimmage and left after two-plus hours of work.

Knowing the misery our boys’ endured following their self-destruction in the playoffs, I’d bet these pick-up practices will continue into the near future.  It’s great being a Penguins fan and we’re lucky to have such a devoted organization, from top to bottom.  I can tell ya now there are tons of guys clubbing for days on end, and feel like they are on vacation with the lockout in place.  It goes for most sports, not just hockey, but Sid and the gang are in the minority.  Hopefully we benefit from it once the season begins.  Just keep in mind that every last guy on that ice has an overwhelming dedication to the game, not to mention GM Ray Shero, Mario, and Ron Burkle.  That’s a whole lot more than most NHL franchises can account for; a group that Pirates’ Management and their blasphemous agenda should be  identified with.

I’d have a hard time not being in that ‘majority’, and a million in the bank might drive me to a back-water alley in China, holed-up in a dumpster with a necrotic hangover and screaming, “Bangkok’s Got Me NOW”… Woah, good thing I’m writing this, bank account is still empty, dog asleep next to me, funny dream…

Yeah, far from original, I know.  But damn, aren’t we lucky?!

The question still remains who will be the ever elusive winger the Penguins have been searching for to play with Sidney Crosby.  After the 2008 Stanley Cup run the Penguins let the last suitable big named winger, Marian Hossa, slip away and they have yet to find a replacement.   Ray Shero was able to miraculously pull off a one-sided trade for James Neal (with throw in, top 4 defenseman Matt Niskanen…okay he’s only top 4 on the Penguins but still…) at the trading deadline in 2011 to be this winger. With both centers, Evgeni Malkin (Torn ACL and MCL) and Sidney Crosby (Concussion) slated to make their returns from injury for the 2012 season Shero had to think Neal would fit perfectly alongside Crosby.  As we know Crosby had a tougher time than anyone could have imagined with his recovery and Neal was slated in next to Malkin where he exploded for a 40 goal, 81 point season.

It would seem exceedingly foolish to split up Neal and Malkin now after they both had career years.  Kunitz who put up career numbers himself alongside Neal and Malkin during the 2011-2012 season may have the unlucky draw of having to settle for Sidney Crosby as a center once again.  The Kunitz, Crosby, Dupuis line has, in the past, clicked at extremely high levels most notably when Crosby had a 25 game points streak from  November 5^th through December 28^th 2011 that accumulated 50 points with 26 goals, and 24 assists for Crosby.  During that same span as his main line mates (excluding power play) Kunitz had 19 points and Dupuis had 12.  This was really the last time we saw Crosby clicking on all cylinders considering the concussion that would keep him out for the next one and half calendar years came just two games after the streak ended at the Winter Classic January 1, 2012 on a blind-sided hit from David Steckel. (It’s still frustrating to think about…)

If Bylsma does decide to break up the juggernaut line from last year to put Kunitz back with Crosby that leaves a slot on the Neal, Malkin line empty.  If not there is a space next to Crosby and Dupuis.  Either way that leaves a top 6 winger spot open.  Who will fill it?  Good question, without an apparent answer.  Last year an aging Steve Sullivan filled that top 6 role while Jordan Staal filled Crosby’s role as the center but both have now moved on to Phoenix and Carolina respectively.   So what options do the Penguins have?  Not many but let’s take a look at the candidates:

Eric Tangradi

January 10, 2012; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Eric Tangradi (25) and Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) battle for position in front of the Ottawa net during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Senators won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Tangradi was drafted 42^nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2007 entry draft (a similar spot to where James Neal was taken 33^rd in 2005).  The Penguins acquired Tangradi with Chris Kunitz for Ryan Whitney at the trading deadline in the 2008 season (Yet another huge deadline deal.  Shero’s resume at the deadline has been immaculate).  You would think this would be ideal for Dan Bylsma.  Tangradi is a big power forward with pedigree but has yet to live up to expectations.  He has played stints with the Penguins up from the Baby Penguins over the past several seasons.  He has yet to look comfortable on the ice in the NHL though and has had major trouble finding the back of the net.  As I mentioned earlier James Neal was taken a little earlier in the second round and it took till last year playing with the Hart Trophy winner to truly break out but Neal showed flourishes before that racking up three 20 goal seasons before breaking out with top center Evgeni Malkin.

Would Crosby or Malkin have the same affect with Tangradi?  Unlikely to the same level but that doesn’t mean he won’t score 20 goals opposed to Neal’s 40.  It’s said a parking cone could score 20 goals on a line with Crosby.  Kevin Stevens didn’t show too much promise (admittedly only after his 2^nd year in 1990) before Mario Lemieux was his center and he racked up huge seasons and back to back 50 goal campaigns.  It’s downright stupid to compare Eric Tangradi to Kevin Stevens, one of the  best power forwards ever, but it does illustrate how an all world center can make all the difference to a power forward.

Could Tangradi fill in the points Kunitz had put up?  Maybe, probably not, but he would fill the grinder role and open up ice for the two big guns Malkin and Neal, or Crosby.  Does Tangradi just need the confidence before he blooms? It’s hard to say.  A good camp could make all the difference but with a lockout looming, they won’t have a camp and it may be hard for Bylsma to stomach putting him on the top line without proving himself.

Dustin Jeffery

March 2, 2011; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Dustin Jeffrey (15) takes a shot at the Toronto Maple Leafs net at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Pittsburgh 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE

Jeffery has shown promise at the NHL level, mainly in the 2010-2011 season, where he put up 12 points in 25 games. Extrapolate that and he would have had a 40 point season on mainly the third and fourth line.  Add Crosby or Malkin to that and we may have ourselves a key contributor. Jeffery also has to be 100% to be considered.  He has had knee problems throughout his whole career including last season where he was only was able to muster half the points he was in 2010-2011 in the same number of games but Jeffery has come up with big goals in big regular season games and is noticeable on the ice.  Jeffery has a lot of talent and paired with Malkin or Crosby he could take the next step.  Jeffery isn’t the big net front presence that Tangradi is but he is a more finesse passer and playmaker which would be more beneficial playing with Neal and Malkin who are shooters. Another plus on his side is that Jeffery has worked hard to get where he is since being a 6^th round draft pick in the 2007 entry draft.  He doesn’t have the pedigree but does have the work ethic it takes to make it in Bylsma’s system.

Matt Cooke

Mar 20, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke (24) gathers the puck in the corner against Winnipeg Jets defender Matt Stuart (5) during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Cookie monster’s bad/cheap shotting/reckless days are seemingly (hopefully) behind him and down the stretch he played well with Crosby proving he had goal scoring capabilities.  Cooke would also bring grit to either line that would be a welcomed sight.  Cooke has the most experience and would be a decent short term solution to the problem.  Cooke will never be a big numbers player but could play the same type of role Dupius does, with the Crosby, Kunitz, on the Malkin, Neal line.  The first two names were more long term solutions but if Shero thinks he can get a big name winger at the deadline or in the next offseason (which he has not yet been able to do) Cooke might fill in nicely and add on to the career high 19 goal season he had last year.  If all else fails with the two prospects Jeffery and Tangradi, I would turn to Cooke over Kennedy…Speaking of…

Tyler Kennedy

Dec 27, 2011; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Tyler Kennedy (48) with the puck as Carolina Hurricanes forward Zac Dalpe (22) closes in during the second period at Consol Energy Center. Pittsburgh won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Dave Miller-US PRESSWIRE

For the love of god, No.  Tyler Kennedy is admittedly, for me, the one player that everyone has to blame everything on.  It should be stated that Kennedy is probably the leading candidate to take the position, Kennedy is a previous 21 goal scorer and did so, for the most part, without the help of Malkin or Crosby in 2011 when he stepped up to fill a goal scoring role the penguins sorely needed without their two injured superstars.  The problem is not his shooting ability but the fact that he shoots from everywhere, anywhere and at any time without looking to see if that’s the best play.  This has worked for him in the past, but he hasn’t played substantially with superstars in the past like Malkin, Neal or Crosby.  With Neal and Malkin, who have similar types of mindsets but with infinitely more skill, it would not work.  Most likely if Kennedy would be in a top 6 role they would put him with Crosby.  Who would you rather have shooting puck with the game on his stick Sidney Crosby or Tyler Kennedy?  Yeah me too.

Only time will tell who Bylsma decides upon. It could be a committee of all of them at different points in the season, just turning to the hot hand. Will it make or break the Penguins? No. Will they miss the playoffs because whoever Bylsma picks isn’t up to snuff?  No.  Could it mean the difference between the first seed and the fourth seed?  Absolutely. Could it make the difference in playing Ottawa or Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs?  You bet.  With the Atlantic as tight as it is, little things could make all the difference in the world.  As I prefaced at the start, offense won’t be what drowns the Penguins, but it will be what they rely on, if it were you who would you rely on?