Pittsburgh Penguins: Improving the Power Play for 2015-16

Apr 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot (51) celebrates with center Sidney Crosby (87) after Crosby scored his 300th career NHL goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Power Play Personnel 
Let’s start with the basics. The Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff needs to get the right personnel together and not split up their world class talent like I alluded to on the previous page.

To me, this group has to be Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Patric Hornqvist and Derrick Pouliot.

Some may be surprised that I advocate for Pouliot on the top power play unit, but he has been a power play quarterback all his life. The Penguins have not had a true power play quarter back that can dish the puck since Sergei Gonchar, and Pouliot might be ready to step into that role. Especially if he can keep making plays like this:

Also, how many times over the years have we seen Kris Letang make poor decisions and turn the puck over? In my opinion, this responsibility needs to be taken out of his hands and given to someone who is more comfortable. Letang is a good trigger man from the left point with the man-advantage, but Pouliot has the calmness, confidence, and vision to be the main puck distributor.