Evaluating Erik Karlsson’s Impact And The Penguins’ Bottom Six That Is Underperforming…

Evaluating Erik Karlsson’s Impact…

As the week comes to a close, it’s time to assess the performance of the Pittsburgh Penguins in our weekly stock report.

On the Rise:

1. Erik Karlsson: Despite a recent loss to the Detroit Red Wings, Karlsson’s debut with the Penguins was a standout moment. In the face of a three-goal deficit, Karlsson was unleashed in the third period and nearly single-handedly carried the team back into the game. His performance was awe-inspiring, with a goal, an assist, and several close scoring opportunities. It’s a promising sign, and we hope to see more of this level of play from him.
2. The Second Line: The trio of Evgeni Malkin, Reilly Smith, and Rickard Rakell has emerged as the Penguins’ most consistent and productive line in the early season. They’ve quickly developed chemistry, outscoring opponents, and dominating in various statistical categories. This line is proving to be the most reliable for the team.
3. Bryan Rust: Rust has displayed a transformed level of play, scoring goals in three of the Penguins’ first four games. His resurgence is essential to enhance the top line’s performance, and his strong showing is encouraging.

On the Decline:

1. ESPN’s Player Ranking: The disrespect shown to Evgeni Malkin in ESPN’s player rankings is baffling. While he may not be a top-10 player anymore, he undoubtedly ranks among the top 100, if not the top 50 or even 30. It’s perplexing that he was not even mentioned, especially when compared to rookies with limited game experience.
2. Bottom-Six Offense: The Penguins’ bottom-six forwards have struggled to produce offensively, failing to score a single goal in the first four games. This lack of contribution from the depth lines is a cause for concern, as they’ve been unable to generate scoring opportunities or sustain offensive pressure.
3. Jansen Harkins: Harkins’ experiment in the third-line role did not yield positive results, leading to his placement on waivers. The third line needs a player who can contribute to offensive creation, and Harkins wasn’t the right fit. Exploring options like Radim Zohorna might be the solution.
4. The Power Play: The power play’s inconsistency continues to be a concern. While they managed two goals in one game, subsequent attempts fell flat, even providing momentum to the opponent. The Penguins need their power play to be a reliable source of offense, especially given the bottom-six’s struggles. It’s crucial to improve their performance promptly.”

 

The Penguins’ Bottom Six That Is Underperforming…

After four games, it’s evident that the Penguins’ bottom six players are a significant cause for concern. While the top six have been playing exceptionally well, contributing 13 goals and 14 assists, the bottom six have only managed a single assist – an abysmal performance that can’t be excused by attributing it to a small sample size.

The 6-3 loss to the Red Wings was particularly frustrating, given that it was a game the Penguins should have won, and many expected Crosby to shine. However, the bottom six seemed almost invisible on the ice, delivering no goals, assists, and laughable defensive efforts. Their performance was so lackluster that you’d hardly notice their presence unless you stumbled over them.

This isn’t just a one-game slip-up; it’s a consistent issue spanning four games. Their collective plus/minus rating is deep in the negative territory, meaning they not only fail to contribute offensively but also offer a warm welcome to the opposing team.

Let’s identify the culprits. Jansen Harkins was recently waived by the Penguins, and his statistics tell the story of his struggles: numerous zeroes and a -1 plus/minus, along with a few penalties. Jeff Carter has also had multiple opportunities but has yet to make a meaningful impact. It might be time to make some tough decisions. Matthew Nieto shares Harkins’ poor statistics and has double the penalty minutes, making him another part of the problem.

While it’s early in the season, the alarm bells are ringing loudly. Unless the bottom six can turn their performance around, the Penguins are in for a challenging and disappointing season. It’s time for Kyle Dubas to consider various strategies, from reshuffling lines to exploring potential trades, call-ups, or even signing free agents.

Time is of the essence, and action is needed. The last thing we want is for the Penguins to join the list of struggling teams in the city.