Rookie Defenseman Ready for Role With Penguins
Jack St. Ivany impressed in his debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he's ready for a larger role next season.
PITTSBURGH -- When the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled defenseman Jack St. Ivany, it was with very little expectations. The team was riddled with injuries and short on right-handed defenders, paving the way for St. Ivany's first chance at the NHL. Seizing the opportunity, it's clear after his brief stint with the Penguins that St. Ivany is ready for a larger role with the team next year.
St. Ivany played in 14 games with the Penguins, but in that small sample size, he looked like a veteran. He displayed a shutdown mentality that was foreign to the Pittsburgh defense and brought a physicality to every shift. Skating on the third pairing and forcing his way into penalty killing minutes, St. Ivany impressed his teammates and coaches with his performance.
Just five games into his NHL career, head coach Mike Sullivan was simple and direct when describing his newest defenseman's impacts.
"We've liked his game and that's why we've kept him in the lineup,” Sullivan said. “He's helping us right now."
St. Ivany’s other nine games were more steady performances. Standing at 6'3 and over 200 pounds, St. Ivany is a bit of a bruiser. He blossomed this season in the AHL as a defensive specialist, and that shutdown style translated seamlessly in his first taste of the NHL.
And while he plays with a safer and steadier approach, make no mistake, St. Ivany can skate and move the puck. His length alone gives him an advantage in getting up ice quickly. Sure, he doesn't possess the offensive IQ of Kris Letang or Erik Karlsson, but he can put the puck on net when called upon. More offense will come with experience, but it will never be a major part of his game.
Luckily for him, he won't need to be a power play producer anytime soon for the Penguins. Instead, the team will rely on his defensive nature to contrast the offensive inclination of the right-handed defenders in front of him. With Letang and Karlsson eager to jump into the offense and generating chances, the switch to the stay at home St. Ivany is an excellent change that can disrupt opponents.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
The Penguins are actively trying to get younger. It has been Kyle Dubas' battle cry since arriving in Pittsburgh. The organization seems to be sticking to that too, with a new emphasis on younger players and prospect development.
Sullivan incorporated a few younger players this year, giving forwards Drew O'Connor and Valtteri Puustinen larger roles and elevating defenseman P.O. Joseph to a top line role later in the season.
In Wilkes-Barre, players like Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden, and St. Ivany prior to his promotion, took huge steps towards being NHL regulars. It seems next season will be the first season in years that multiple lineup spots are expected to be filled internally.
One of those lineup spots is the third pairing, right side defenseman. Not only would St. Ivany help achieve the goal of adding youth, he's earned it. Going into next season, the Penguins need to give the 24-year-old defenseman a long leash to cement himself in his role and on the team.
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