Penguins Keeping Struggling Defenseman
The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely going to see a struggling defender stick on their roster for a few seasons.
PITTSBURGH – It’s been a rough season for Ryan Graves in his first year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it doesn’t appear the organization is ready to give up on him. While fans and outsiders may consider Graves' season a disaster and cause for another move, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas says that’s an unlikely outcome.
Dubas joined the GM Show with Josh Getzoff and discussed the season Graves is having, but looks forward to improvements down the line.
“He’s a very good player,” Dubas said. “The season will only push him to work in the offseason on the things that he’s started to work on. He’s going to be a good player for us for a long time.”
In his first summer with the Penguins, Dubas signed Graves to a six-year contract worth $4.5 million annually. Graves was expected to replace Brian Dumoulin when he left for free agency, but he hasn’t shown that sort of steadiness.
Dumoulin spent years playing on the top defensive pair with Kris Letang, and that is exactly where Graves started the season. Over the course of the year, Graves has dipped to the third pairing.
According to Dubas, Graves has put in extra work with Penguins coaches and development staff to improve his game and excel in his role. On most practice days, Graves can be found on a separate rink in the Penguins’ practice facility, getting in extra reps before the official start of the team workout.
“The thing about Ryan, he acknowledges and knows it hasn’t gone perfectly,” Dubas said. “The thing to me that keeps me optimistic and my belief strong in Ryan, rather than sulk about it… he’s gone to work.”
Dubas looked at what Graves accomplished before coming to Pittsburgh and believes he can hit that level again. Before signing with the Penguins, Graves played with the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils and was a helpful piece in their respective playoff appearances.
“He’s been on two teams that were contending teams,” Dubas said. “Teams that have won playoff rounds. He’s been in the top four with both. A member of their top penalty-killing unit. If you look objectively at it, his pairs in Colorado and then his pair with John Marino received extremely difficult matchups in those places, and he’s had success.”
Dubas stands by Graves and knows he hasn’t just forgotten how to play his position. Outside factors, like a move to a new city and some personal things, may have contributed to a tough year, but Graves has more to give.
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