Pittsburgh Penguins Midseason Grades: The New Additions
Dec 31, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center
Nick Spaling(13) handles the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Spaling #13
One of the best assets Nick Spaling has brought to the Pittsburgh Penguins, simply has been his health. He is one of three players to have played in all forty two of the Penguins games thus far.
“Spaling has a lot of character and “brings it” every shift. I think he needs permanent line mates to be really successful, but that hasn’t happened due to injuries” – Dan Wingard
In those forty two games, he has moved around the lineup and proved valuable at times but has managed to net 6 goals and 12 assists for a total of 18 points. While playing mostly on the bottom two lines Spaling has been a plus 6 skater for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dan Wingard – B
Scott Engstrom – C
Michael Pityk – C
Overall Grade: C/C+
Nick Spaling is the first player where we have disagreed on the grade he receives. Scott Engstrom believes that Spaling is “He is what he is: average” and I agree with his diagnosis.