Three Biggest Needs for Penguins This Offseason
What are the Pittsburgh Penguins' biggest team needs to address before the season?
PITTSBURGH -- With the offseason in full swing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, they are already in roster evaluation mode. The team needs help in various ways and positions, and Kyle Dubas and company must prioritize what they address first. With so many needs, here's a glimpse at some of their biggest ones this summer.
1. Top 4 Defender
Defense should be the top focus for the Penguins' management. Despite adding Erik Karlsson last season, the back end of the Pens' lineup still doesn't make the grade. P.O. Joseph looked solid alongside Kris Letang in the last month of the season, but that isn't enough to prove the top two pairings should remain the same next year.
Instead, the Penguins should focus on reshaping their defense and solidifying Letang's partner. Ryan Graves isn't the answer, and while his contract may prohibit the Penguins from spending more on defense, they need to find a proper solution for the top pairing's left side.
2. Another Goaltender
The goaltending duo fared well in Pittsburgh last year, with Alex Nedeljkovic effectively reviving his NHL status. Due to his play, it's unlikely he will re-sign with the Penguins, and he could be signing a longer deal with another team.
Should Nedeljkovic depart, the Pens will be in the same position as they were last summer: needing a running mate for Tristan Jarry. Promising prospect Joel Blomqvist is hopefully the goaltender of the future, but putting him into a timeshare or backup role wouldn't be the best move for his development. That leaves the Penguins in the hunt for a veteran that can play anywhere from 25-50 games if needed.
3. Middle Six Winger
Improving the third and fourth lines was the priority last season and should remain high on that list this summer. Dubas's moves last year were solid on paper, bringing forwards Matt Nieto, Reilly Smith, and Noel Acciari to round out their forward depth. Nieto has been struck with the worst injury luck of his career, Acciari was in and out of the lineup, and Smith was anything but a fit with the Pens.
The glimmer of hope for the Pens is their burgeoning young forward depth. Drew O'Connor and Valtteri Puustinen took huge steps forward, and youngsters like Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden, and even Brayden Yager will all push in camp for a spot in the NHL lineup. However, to give them a more bonafide and consistent option, the Pens will need to devote resources to acquiring another 15-20 goal-scoring winger.
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