Pittsburgh Penguins: Phil Kessel Adds Balance and Improves Pens’ Depth Concerns
By Mike Necciai
After the Pittsburgh Penguins completed the Phil Kessel acquisition Pens’ fans began riding a roller coaster of emotions. Even after the details were released and Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta remained with the Penguins, some wondered how they could possibly fill out the rest of this roster with limited cap space.
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This is exactly where adding a talent like Kessel immediately improves your overall depth. The Pittsburgh Penguins now have three undisputed top-six wings in Kessel, David Perron, and Patric Hornqvist. The trick will be finding that fourth guy that can mesh, and the Pens may have already done that in adding Sergei Plotnikov.
Addressing the Pens’ depth is a highly underrated piece of the Kessel acquisition that isn’t talked about enough. Despite his high salary, he gives the Pittsburgh Penguins the ability to bump guys like Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis into roles that are more fitting for them at this stage in their career.
As of right now, the Pens are likely looking at a third line that consists of Kunitz, Brandon Sutter, and Dupuis. The speed and forechecking on that line alone will be a nightmare for opposing defensemen. Kunitz seemed to dial it back in that regard last season, but in a more limited role hopefully he can turn it back up. Dupuis, though coming off two tough seasons in the injury department, would have it no other way. That’s simply how he plays.
When you have expensive veteran contracts like the Pittsburgh Penguins are strapped with, you have to find a way to utilize them. In this case, you’ll have a fairly expensive but effective third line that could be one of the best in hockey if Dupuis returns to his normal self.
For a lot of teams, the price of that line would be a big issue. But, one benefit of Ray Shero’s obsession with drafting defensemen is that the current Pittsburgh Penguins can deploy them, mostly on entry-level contracts.
Barring serious injury, the trickle effect of adding Phil Kessel will be felt all the way through the fourth line. Historically, with the exception of Marian Hossa, the Pittsburgh Penguins have relied on their two star centers to turn solid wingers into top-six talent. That’s no longer the case, and those players will be slotted into roles that are much more suited for their skill set.
Whether Kessel plays alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin won’t matter. Either way, the Pens are deeper than they have been in the last six years. It’s amazing what happens when you’re actually able to add that stud winger that has seemed so elusive.
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