Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Players Poised to Breakout in 2015-16
Nov 29, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen
Olli Maatta(3) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a revamped team that will rely heavily on unproven commodities, mostly on defense, to compliment the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and Kris Letang.
Though the Pens were extremely active this summer and added an immense amount of depth at the forward position, they’re taking a chance with a very young, very inexperienced defensive corps. Can the Pittsburgh Penguins contend with these young guys?
The unproven factor can be looked at both in a positive and negative way. While the first reaction is concern, the other thing to consider is that it’s a great chance for a few players to breakout. Over the next five slides, we visit some names that could have a breakout season for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16.
Next: Ian Cole
Apr 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole (28) checks New York Rangers left wing
Tanner Glass(15) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Ian Cole
Cole doesn’t necessarily fall into the “young” category, as he’s now 26-years old and entering his eighth NHL season. However, he’s quit unproven considering his minimal role while playing in St. Louis.
While he burst onto the scene in his own right last season, he was still somewhat sheltered and played a third pairing role with Rob Scuderi for much of the regular season. While he was launched into top-four minutes during the post-season, it was still alongside less-than-desirable partners so we may not have seen what he can really provide just yet.
Ian Cole has a chance to prove that he’s the next Matt Niskanen in Pittsburgh. It’s assumed that he’ll be paired with Derrick Pouliot on the second defensive pair next season, so I’m anxious to see what he can do when playing a larger role for an entire season.
Next: Derrick Pouliot
Feb 25, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot (51) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals defenseman
Cameron Schilling(45) chases in the third period at Verizon Center. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Pouliot
As I mentioned on the last slide, Pouliot is expected to be a second pairing defenseman in 2015-16 by many fans and analysts. Is he up to the task?
He showed glimpses of greatness last season, and then also showed his youth with poor decision-making and costly turnovers. He also needs to be more sound in his own end and more physical on the puck. But, those are the types of mistakes you expect from a young offensive defenseman.
He has the talent to explode this season with an increased role, especially on the Pittsburgh Penguins power play. He reminds me a lot of Sergei Gonchar on that unit and can really bolster a group that struggled mightily down the stretch of 2014-15. If Pouliot can stay healthy and work through his growing pains, look for him to grow into a very impressive NHL defenseman by season’s end.
Next: Brian Dumoulin
Dec 14, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Dumoulin
Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins faithful had little hope going into the postseason, and fully expected the New York Rangers to blow them out. The biggest question mark was on defense as the Pens were without Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, and Christian Ehrhoff.
However, Brian Dumoulin showed up in a big way and provided a pretty solid third pairing alongside Taylor Chorney despite a lack of NHL experience.
Dumo and Chorney combined for the least amount of goals-against among all defensive pairs in the AHL last season. They contributed their solid play into the NHL offseason, and both likely earned a bid for a real look as an NHL defenseman in 2015-16 (Chorney signed a contract with the Washington Capitals). Dumoulin will likely be competing with Ben Lovejoy and Rob Scuderi for a spot on the Pens’ third defensive pairing.
Scuderi has obviously shown that he isn’t aging well in the NHL. He looked battered and beaten in the post-season last spring and was unable to step up when called upon. The same can be said about Lovejoy, though I wouldn’t call it battered and beaten. Lovejoy struggled with an increased role and continuously made costly fundamental mistakes. So, you’d think Dumo could step in without an issue, right?
Both of the aforementioned veterans are looked at as solid third pairing defensemen, whether we agree or not. Lovejoy should be fine on that bottom pairing, and I’d love to see Dumoulin alongside him. If that’s the case, he has the chance to really make a name for himself and prove that he can provide the defensive depth that everyone is very concerned about going into 2015-16.
Next: Sergei Plotnikov
Feb 10, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; Russia forward
Alex Ovechkin(8) and forward
Ilya Kovalchuk(71) smile as they wait to take a team photo during a training session in advance of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Sergei Plotnikov
What do we know about Sergei Plotnikov at this point? Well, a whole lot of nothing. So, who’s a better candidate for a breakout season in North America?
What we do know is that Plotnikov brings skill, size, and toughness that the Pittsburgh Penguins have needed severely. I’m not talking about fighting, though he does have a few of those on his fight card, but rather his ability to play a hard game and wreak havoc in front of the opponent’s net.
Many scouting reports have him comparable to Patric Hornqvist, but bigger and meaner. He’s slated to play alongside Malkin by most as of right now, but we’ll have to see where he ends up after camp based on his style of play and how ready he is for NHL action. If his KHL performance is any indication of what he brings to the table, he could turn out to be one of the most important acquisitions for the Pens from this summer.
Next: Olli Maatta
Oct 25, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Taylor Beck (41) fights for possession with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (3) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Olli Maatta
Maatta may not be what you consider unproven, considering he played 80 regular season games two years ago and played admirably. Admirably enough that the Pittsburgh Penguins kept him on the roster as a 19-year old kid.
In 2015-16, Maatta is expected to take over top-pairing minutes. This coming season will be a huge test for the youngster as he is essentially replacing Paul Martin in the Pens’ defensive corps. Can he handle that pressure?
We already know that he has the physical skills and hockey IQ to do so. We also know that he has worked through a cancerous tumor in his neck and a season-ending shoulder surgery. At his age, his maturity and ability to deal with these circumstances is nothing short of amazing and impressive.
I have zero doubt that Olli Maatta will be exactly what we’ve all expected this coming season. Now, it’s up to him to continue his brilliance and prove it.
Next: Matt Cullen - What He Means to the Pens' Youth