Pittsburgh Penguins Midseason Grades: The New Additions
Nov 8, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston watches play from behind the bench during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Penguins (25-10-6) have had a productive first half of the season. They have managed to be successful despite a massive amount of injuries and many new players within their lineup.
Today we are going to be grading the Pittsburgh Penguins new additions. Together with writers Dan Wingard and Scott Engstrom, we come together and review the performance of all of the Penguins new players.
Dec 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing
Blake Comeau(17) celebrates his game winning goal in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Comeau #17
When he was signed on a one year $700,000 contract it was assumed that Comeau would reinforce the Pittsburgh Penguins third or fourth line. However, with the lack of top six wings the Penguins had at the start of the season Blake Comeau assumed that role and had been skating alongside Evgeni Malkin.
“He’s shocked me with his offensive instincts and shot” – Dan Wingard
Though 32 games Comeau produced 11 goals, 8 assists for 19 points and was a plus 6 skater. What is very surprising is the physical play he was able to bring while contributing offensively. He still (despite missing the last ten games) is second on the team with 97 hits.
Dan Wingard – A
Scott Engstrom – A
Michael Pityk – A+
Overall Grade: A
Blake Comeau has been a pleasant surprise and has brought a great combination of physical play with soft hands. His presence has been sorely missed since leaving the lineup ten games ago.
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.
Nov 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing
Patric Hornqvist(72) shoots against New York Islanders goalie
Chad Johnson(30) during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Islanders won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Patric Hornqvist #72
Patric Hornqvist was acquired with Nick Spaling in the deal that sent 40 goal scorer, James Neal, to Nashville. At first I personally was perplexed by the move and really did not understand why GM Jim Rutherford decided to make the deal. However, as time has passed Hornqvist has grown on me and continues to.
“Everything has been good except time lost for injury” – Scott Engstrom
During the first month he was part of the most dynamic line in all of hockey. That line included Captain Sidney Crosby, Chris Kunitz and Hornqvist. In his brief 33 game tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins he has worked his way to 13 goals, 16 assists for a total of 29 points and has been a plus 12 skater.
Dan Wingard – A
Scott Engstrom – A-
Michael Pityk – A
Overall Grade: A
Hornqvist has exceeded my expectations and has been one of the best players for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. Since suffering what appears to be a broken/fractured foot against the Washington Capitals, his presence and scoring prowess has been sorely missed.
Dec 13, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center
Brandon Dubinsky(17) and Pittsburgh Penguins right wing
Steve Downie(23) fight during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Downie #23
Steve Downie is one of the most controversial players in the entire NHL. He has taken over the role Matt Cooke had during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins. As an agitator and tough guy, people have very mixed opinions about Downie.
“Grit, goals, and gusto” – Scott Engstrom
Good news for the people that do not appreciate what Steve Downie brings to the Penguins, he is only signed on a one year deal. Through 37 games Steve Downie has produced 7 goals, 13 assists for a total of 20 points and has been a plus 8 skater.
Dan Wingard – B
Scott Engstrom – A+
Michael Pityk – B+
Overall Grade: B+/A-
Scott loves what Downie brings to the team and I do as well, to a lesser extent. My biggest issue with his play style is the bad penalties he takes. Right now Steve Downie has not played in five games for the Penguins but still leads the league in penalty minutes by a mile. He has 141 penalty minutes so far and often those penalties are taken at the wrong time.
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing
David Perron(39) prior to the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
David Perron #39
The most recent addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins has been wing David Perron. Throughout the beginning of his career Perron has suffered by playing on teams, which really were not any good. He entered the league at 18 and has played six seasons for the St. Louis Blues and the past two with the Edmonton Oilers.
“Known as a slick, skilled and at times physical forward” – Dan Wingard
He was acquired four games ago and has been a viable top six wing for Sidney Crosby. Prior to the Penguins 7-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, Perron had one goal through three games. Well, he finally has found chemistry with Crosby and it showed as he piled on two goals and an assist during the Penguins most recent win.
Dan Wingard – A-
Scott Engstrom – A
Michael Pityk – A
Overall Grade: A
Since joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, David Perron has been a valuable asset and the best part is he is under contract next season. Get used to seeing 39 skating with 87 and 71.
Nov 29, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen
Christian Ehrhoff(10) skates with puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Ehrhoff #10
Some people, including myself, were scratching their heads when Rutherford signed Ehrhoff over the summer instead of further the Pittsburgh Penguins depth at forward. During the first 20 games of the season, if you watched him play, you would ask yourself the same question. Ehrhoff did not seem to fit in.
“Disappointed that he hasn’t been utilized as much as he should on the Powerplay” – Dan Wingard
However since that point Ehrhoff has become comfortable with the system and has been a very valuable addition for the Penguins. Through 37 games, Ehrhoff has 3 goals, 10 assists for 13 points and has been a plus 17 skater.
Dan Wingard – B+
Scott Engstrom – B+
Michael Pityk – B+
Overall Grade: B+
As the season progresses Christian Ehrhoff continues to look better and better. There have been rumors that the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to sign him to an extension shortly and right now that looks like a great idea. Especially since Ehrhoff won’t be looking to get rich with the Buffalo Sabres still paying him from the contract they bought out.
Oct 23, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie
Thomas Greiss(1) during the game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas Greiss #1
One of the most interesting players that the Pittsburgh Penguins brought in. He was signed over the offseason to a one year contract to backup starter Marc-Andre Fleury. Since his signing, opinions have been mixed.
“Not a shut down guy, but he makes some good saves” – Scott Engstrom
Thomas Greiss has posted respectable numbers in his eight games played. He won four games, lost two and lost two in overtime for an overall record of 4-4. In those contests he has played his way to a .919 save percentage and 2.59 GAA. He is talented, maybe more so than Jeff Zatkoff who he replaced. Without sufficient icetime it is hard to evaluate Greiss.
Dan Wingard – B
Scott Engstrom – B-
Michael Pityk – C+
Overall Grade: B-
While Greiss has the talent, he is clearly not comfortable playing in Pittsburgh and much of that is due to not being on the ice. At this point why did the Pittsburgh Penguins feel to sign him just to sit him on the bench. Limited time with the defense has caused for lackluster play and mediocre statistics. With more games played I think Thomas Greiss will improve, but under Mike Johnston I doubt that will happen.