Penguins Season Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins looked poised to contend after a successful inaugural season. Loaded with 3 dangerous scoring lines, balanced with experience and grit and solid defense, many pundits expected them to flex their muscle this past spring.  However, it didn't work out as planned as a scorching hot Washington Capitals squad ousted them in 6 games in the 1st round.

GM Fargas shook off conventional wisdom and instead of loading up with more veterans, he restocked a meagre cupboard of futures with a plethora of assets. 

Pens' management was ecstatic to draft prospects Jared McCann and Brendan Lemieux at the Entry Draft, among others. They flipped 5th round pick Nikita Tryamkin for Gustav Olofsson and subsequently for European scoring sensation Roope Hintz. 

The makeover had only just begun, however.  The Pens traded disappointing center Brayden Schenn back to Nashville, along with veteran Willie Mitchell and a 2nd round pick to acquire a very valuable 1st round pick in 2016. 

"We felt it was a priority to regain a 1st round pick after gambling away ours the year before", said Fargas.  The Pens will bank on a potential lottery scenario for the Predators who themselves have serious questions in goal.

Speaking of questions in goal, the Pens are hoping for a strong showing from young Calvin Pickard, who takes over the back-up role from departed Thomas Greiss. Jimmy Howard will man the pipes as the no.1 for the 2nd consecutive year.

The blue-line underwent a major overhaul as top pairing defenseman and alternate captain Ryan McDonagh was dealt along with Ian Cole, prospects Cole Cassels and Lucas Wallmark for Cam Fowler and impressive youngster Bo Horvat.  To mitigate the loss of departed McDonagh, Cole, and Willie Mitchell, Fargas went and signed veteran PP quarterback Marek Zidlicky to a one-year deal.

"Losing Ryan is tough. A guy that logs minutes like that.. plays in all situations, it's not easy losing that. But gaining a player like Fowler, who is younger and already a dynamic puck moving, play-making defenseman himself- as well as Bo, well that made it all worth it for the long term health of our franchise. Bo will eventually grow into the no.2 center role, and we're hoping that he will be the tough two-way center we need that all championship calibre teams have," Fargas said.

When asked to project his opening roster, Fargas sketched out a rough outline that looked like this:

Ladd - Benn - Simmonds

Helm - Bonino - Abdelkader

Burrows - Horvat - Brown

Dorsett - Thompson - Smith-Pelly

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Letang - Beauchemin

Fowler - Zidlicky

Sustr - Gudas

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Howard - Pickard

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SEASON OUTLOOK:

Projected season totals: 

41-31-10 (92 pts; 4th Atlantic)

The Penguins figure to be in the mix for a playoff spot, despite the loss of some key players.  Given the potency of their 1st line and what should be an elite powerplay, the Penguins could do some damage in the East if they make it in.

- AP -