Kris Letang's New Role on Penguins' Top Power Play
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to give Kris Letang a new opportunity on the man advantage.
Over the past four seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins' power play has been one of their biggest points of contention. Despite being stockpiled with talent, the team's top unit has failed to find consistency since the departure of Phil Kessel in 2019.
Kessel deployed in the Penguins' left half-wall position from 2015 to 2019, finding tremendous success as both a playmaker and a goal scorer. As a result, the Penguins finished those four years with the best power play percentage in the NHL (23.0%).
Jared McCann was the only other player on the Penguins to succeed in Kessel's half-wall position. During the 2020-21 season, McCann's powerful shot helped him lead the Penguins in power play goals (7), resulting in that unit finishing 4th in the NHL (the highest they've finished since Kessel left).
However, the Penguins' top unit has failed to recreate the same sustained success, averaging 21.2% on the man advantage the past four seasons, 13th in the NHL. The rest of that unit has remained in place since Kessel departed, until now.
Last month, the Penguins brought in an undeniable power play quarterback in Erik Karlsson. The three-time Norris Trophy winner will likely take over the point position on the Penguins' top power play, leaving Kris Letang to find a new role.
The 36-year-old defensemen is the perfect candidate to revive the Penguins success from the left half-wall.
One of the principal issues with Letang leading the power play has been his refusal to shoot the puck more often. Letang's vision and passing ability make him a playmaking threat from that spot on the ice while opening up more shooting lanes.
There is a chance that Penguins associate coach Todd Reirden will change the power play scheme to fit Erik Karlsson's skillset, but if the Penguins continue to use their traditional left half-wall position, Kris Letang should be the one filling it.
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