The Pittsburgh Penguins got the best goalie they could find without sacrificing other offseason targets. Over the offseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins added a juggernaut of offense in defenseman Erik Karlsson. Upon his arrival, many rightfully wondered how the Penguins power play would look after adding such a high flying talent. Would Karlsson become the quarterback while veteran Kris Letang takes back seat on the second unit? According to head coach Mike Sullivan and some work during training camp skates, Karlsson and Letang will share the top unit. The idea of Karlsson and Letang on the point with players like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby on offense is scary, but the success won’t come right away. Judging by the first reps at practice and a few chances in a preseason game, there is still a lot to be worked on. Karlsson and Sullivan noted following their first practice with that group that kinks still need to be worked out. When the Penguins had a man advantage against the Buffalo Sabres in their preseason bout, the first unit looked brutal. Despite not seeing the success yet, the Penguins are confident that the group can work and bring new levels of offense to the Penguins. “Just opportunities and execution I think that’s the biggest thing,” Crosby said. “If you get the chances eventually it’ll go in. It’s not going to happen over night.” Even if things aren’t clicking right away, that kind of group is far from simple to defend against. Newcomer Ryan Graves can tell that once things get moving, the power play will be hard to stop. “I think everybody’s kind of getting used to it,” Graves said. “They snap it around good. A lot of people that think the game the right way. Chemistry and things like that take time. It’ll just get better over time.” One thing that has always burdened the Penguins power play is their tendency to over-pass the puck and not bring a shoot-first mentality. So far with this new formed unit, that is part of the issue; all five players are passing too much and not taking enough shots on goal. “Nothing breaks coverage down better than the shot on goal,” Sullivan said. [https://www.nhl.com/penguins/video/training-camp-sullivan-9-29-23-6338093377112] “It forces decision making, hesitation might take place. In that lies opportunities.” Sullivan knows just how important it is to drum up offense when given such an opportunity, and that’s why Karlsson was placed on the top unit. It will take some time for everyone to build that chemistry, but if they can get rolling on all cylinders, it’ll be a nightmare for the rest of the league to defend against. “I think there’s going to be a feeling out process,” Sullivan said. “We’re trying to give these guys reps. Give them the opportunity to go through it. We’re going to try and exercise some patience.” Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Multiple Penguins Clear Waivers, Assigned to AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/multiple-pittsburgh-penguins-clear-waivers-assigned-ahl] Penguins 'Encouraged' by Jake Guentzel's Progress [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-encouraged-jake-guentzel-progress] Jake Guentzel Skates With Penguins at Practice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/jake-guentzel-skates-pittsburgh-penguins-practice] Penguins Goalie Looks healthy and Ready for New Challenge [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-tristan-jarry-healthy-ready-challenge] Penguins Still Haunted by John Marino Trade [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-still-haunted-john-marino-trade] * undefined * undefined Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTkwMDEyNjI0OTM4MzYw/img_6014.jpg]
