Penguins Need to Construct Younger Lineup in 2023-24
The Pittsburgh Penguins need to find a way to not only improve in skill, but also find an increase in age.
PITTSBURGH - All throughout the 2022-23 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins were not only the smallest team in the NHL, but they were also the oldest.
With average age of just over 30-years-old, the Penguins had one of the oldest teams the NHL has seen in a long time.
While their main core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will still be around and another year older, will there be an increased focus on infusing some youth into the lineup?
Is the 2023-24 season the perfect time for prospects like Valtteri Puttstinen, Sam Poulin, or Jonathan Gruden to get regular NHL playing time?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, especially with the amount of decision a new front office will have to make, but head coach Mike Sullivan says that a good mix of young and old is beneficial to the team.
“There’s always been a combination of older, veteran guys with young players that become part of the team,” Sullivan said. “When you have that dynamic, they have the ability to push one another.”
The Penguins don’t have the greatest prospect pool by any stretch, but some of the young faces that did reach the NHL this season made themselves useful.
Drew O’Connor found footing as a regular NHL player, albeit in a depth role, but still an important cog in the machine.
Ty Smith’s NHL tenure in 2022-23 was short, but productive and he’s more than deserving of a regular role next year.
Even Alex Nylander made a good impression despite being past the label of ‘prospect.’
“Younger players bring a certain level of enthusiasm to the rink every day,” Sullivan said. “They’re excited to be in the NHL. There’s that youthful enthusiasm that can be contagious.”
When building the 2023-24 Penguins, part of the game plan should be to include a few extra young pieces.
It’s obvious the core is staying put, but now it’s about filling in the spaces the proper way.
“I think there’s value in aspects of both youth and energy and veteran players who have experience, knowledge, and perspective.”
The Penguins have plenty of decisions that will need to be made in the very near future, and a commitment to getting a younger lineup should be a part of the plan.
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