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Pittsburgh Penguins: Bolstering the Blue Line in Free Agency

By Matthew Rodrigopulle |
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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With free agency season almost upon us, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to improve their team with new additions.

One area that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to improve on is their defensive core. With players like Trevor Daley, Ron Hainsey and Mark Streit becoming unrestricted free agents, it’s time to look to add new faces to our blue line.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Karl Alzner

Usually we shouldn’t be looking at rival players but this here is an exception. Karl Alzner is a great, young defenceman who is going to be overlooked due to the availability of Washington Capitals defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk.

He had 13 points this season but he played very well defensively, holding down the Capitals blue line and helping them take the President’s Trophy again. At 28 years of age, the Penguins may be able to sign him to a good, cheap contract as other teams will have their eyes on the big money Shattenkirk.

Mar 14, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Cody Franson (6) controls the puck against San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Cody Franson (6) controls the puck against San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Cody Franson

Keeping it young here, Cody Franson is a serviceable defenceman who can get the job done. Not much to say here about him but if we’re going to have to replace some defenceman on the team, he can easily slot in quite effectively.

Buffalo’s defence has been having their ups and downs, however Franson was a solid defenceman during his Toronto days, and if we can sign him short-term it could pay off.

Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley (6) against the Nashville Predators in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley (6) against the Nashville Predators in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Trevor Daley

OK I know this is cheating since Trevor Daley is already a Penguin but if we were to bring back any one of our free agent defenceman, it would have to be him.

At 33, Daley still has it in him to perform at a high level. In 56 games this season he put up 19 points. He has solidified our blue line and truly helped when he was needed.

We should look to sign him before any other defenceman, and then work from there.

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