The Penguins season has been off to a rocky start as they are now 3-4-1 after the latest shootout loss to the Calgary Flames. They are not getting help from certain people in the lineup and we are going to go over who those players are.
First Up: Kris Letang
We are going to start with franchise legend, certain Hall of Famer, part of the core three, defenseman Kris Letang. Letang is one of those that you never really think of to give criticism because he has been here for so long and has been a cornerstone fot the team.
But to begin the year, he has been abysmal. He constantly looks lost on the ice and does not know what to do with himself. He is always out of position and the puck is like lava to him.
Second Up: Marcus Pettersson
Marcus Pettersson has also not been very good on the blue-line. His contract is up after this season and it seems to be getting in his head.
Like Letang, he is also lost on the ice and he is one of the only defenseman that the Penguins have, that actually plays defense. That has not nearly been the case this year.
Third Up: Anthony Beauvillier
Beauvillier for the most part has been the left winger on the Crosby line and it has not worked out as well as the Penguins have hoped.
Beauvillier has 2 goals on the year and they came in the second game of the year against the Detroit Red Wings and he has not done much since. He is super speedy but does not really do much else. Former Penguins Reporter Danny Shirey agrees.
Fourth Up: Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting is one of those real gritty players that you love having on your team. But for him, he has really struggled this year. So much so, he was healthy scratched against the Winnipeg Jets.
He was back in the lineup against the Calgary Flames but still did not do a whole lot for the team. So far in seven games, he only has one assist and that is not going to cut it.
Bunting needs to step it up and not be a disappoint for the team anymore.
Finally: Matt Grzelcyk
Grzelcyk has been quite the letdown for the Penguins this year. First off, he is old and was healthy scratched quite often for the Bruins last season.
He is not the same player that he used to be and is constantly getting caught pinching up when he does not need to be. He needs to find a way to turn it around before it gets worse and he starts getting scratched again.
These players for the team, all need to find a way to find the next level to their game and step up, before the Penguins get too far out of a playoff spot by the new year.