I Suspect the Penguins D will be Suspect this year

The Pittsburgh Penguins did not make a huge splash this offseason, however, they are in “Win Now Mode” for this upcoming 2022-23 NHL Season.

The Penguins re-signed their “Corner Stone D” Letang #58, to a “Penguin for Life” contract.

The Penguins then traded Defensemen Matheson #5 and a 4th Round Pick in 2023 to Montreal for Defensemen Petry and  forward Poehling.

The Penguins then traded Defensemen Marino #6 to New Jersey for Defensemen Ty Smith and a 3rd Round pick in 2023.

So, what is the “Net Outcome” from all these moves?  Take Note.

The 2022-23 Champion Colorado Avalanche Rolled out: Playoff MVP Makar #8 , Toews #7, Girard #49, Manson #42, Bryam #4, and Johnson #6.

The Back-to-Back Champion (2020-2021) Tampa Bay Lightning Rolled Out: Playoff MVP Hedman #77, Foote #52, McDonagh #27,Cernak #81, Sergachev #98, and Bogosian #24.

As you can see, The Penguins D, will need a Playoff MVP in 2022-23…

Here is The Good, The Bad and The Skinny on this years Penguins Defensemen.

D-Line #1:

Dumoulin #8  Letang #58

The Good:

Letang #58 can still play at a high level.  He had his best year as an NHL Pro last season.  He just signed a new long-term deal to remain a “Penguin For Life”.  All is happy in the Letang World for sure.

Bad:

Can they Defend at a high Level?  Both #8 and #58 had moments last year where they, how shall I say this, did not play up to their high standard level of play.  The real question here is can they Defend in April May and June?  Can Letang #58 be the Playoff MVP in 2022-23?

The Skinny:

Letang #58 will score the points while Dumoulin #8 will guard the D-Zone.  It always serves you well to have a stay-at-home D, with a roamer.

D-Line #2:

Pettersson #28  Petry #26

The Good:

I thought Pettersson #28 actually played pretty well last year, defensively speaking.  Trading for Petry #26 will give the Penguins some D-men scoring depth, another veteran presence in the room and another big body defending in front of the Penguins net.

The Bad:

I am not sure if Petry #26 is the “Missing Piece” on D.

The Skinny:

We shall see fairly early in the season; just how good their chemistry together is.

Line #3:

Smith #24  Rutta #44

The Good:

It is always good to bring in “youth” to the team.  It keeps everyone hungry and reminds everyone just how much fun it is, to actually play in the NHL.

The Bad:

More unknown pieces on D.  How will they play in general, how will they play together?

The Skinny:

It is also quite savvy, bringing in Veteran Players who have played on and been around Championship Teams (Rutta #44 played with TB for 4 years and Chicago for 2 years)

My View from the Cheap Seats

Section: TV

Row: PVR

Seat: Couch

The Penguins opted for a slight Re-Jig on their D-Line.

Letang #58-D signed for $6.1 Million over 6 years… will be 41 at the end of this contract.

Petry #26 -D signed for $6.250 Million over 3 years…will be 37 at the end of this contract.

Both D-men will be asked to carry the load this season for the Penguins.

Both D-men have logged a huge amount of ice time on their legs, up to this point in their careers.

Both D-men have shown they can play at a high level.

Both D-men will be old, at they end of their contracts.

Reviewing the above,  you can see how “This Year” Must Be Their Year.

Quote of the Day:

“Life Begins at 37”

Everyone who turns 37