In the latest episode of “Daily Faceoff Live,” Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli engage in a discussion about the impact of adding Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster.
Tyler Yaremchuk expresses his thoughts on the Penguins’ recent acquisition of Karlsson, wondering if it’s merely a flashy move without addressing the team’s underlying issues from the previous year.
Frank Seravalli acknowledges that while Karlsson may not directly address the Penguins’ most significant problem—ineffective bottom-six players—he appreciates the move because it allowed the Penguins to reconfigure their roster, bringing in a high-scoring defenseman while shedding players who were straining the salary cap.
Seravalli views this as a clever maneuver that came at a relatively low cost, considering the circumstances of the trade. He notes that acquiring Karlsson was only possible because the San Jose Sharks were willing to part with him for minimal returns and the Penguins absorbed additional contracts.
Seravalli emphasizes Karlsson’s value to the team, highlighting his exceptional ability to move the puck efficiently and propel the Penguins’ offense. However, he raises questions about the potential impact on Kris Letang, who has long been a cornerstone of the Penguins’ defense and power play.
While Letang appears supportive of the move, Seravalli remains curious about how he will adjust to potentially sharing power-play responsibilities with Karlsson.
In closing, Seravalli believes the Penguins will make the playoffs and have a rebound season but does not view them as strong contenders for the Stanley Cup.
He points out that Karlsson’s previous experience playing alongside Brent Burns in San Jose posed challenges due to a lack of playing time for both star defensemen, and the Penguins will need to find a solution to maximize Karlsson’s potential without sidelining Letang.
To watch the complete episode, please follow the provided link:
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