What type of impact will forward Jesse Puljujarvi have on the Pittsburgh Penguins forward core? It’s been well documented that after singing a three-year extension, Jeff Carter hasn’t had the greatest tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Many fans turned Carter into a whipping boy as he mostly struggled in the Penguins lineup. In the 2022-23 season, Carter played in 79 games and recorded 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 total points, and was a minus-16 rating. This time around, head coach Mike Sullivan finally handed Carter a few healthy scratches, but was eventually re-inserted thanks to some injury troubles. Ever since making his way back to the lineup, Carter has looked like a much-improved player; not improved to the point of adding boatloads of scoring, but more responsible in a fourth line role. Carter was rewarded against the Arizona Coyotes with a two-goal night featuring a power play and shorthanded tally. Not only did the Penguins kick their power play drought, but Carter scored his second and third goals of the season in game-changing fashion. Carter’s teammates couldn’t be happier for the veteran, either, giving him multiple ringing endorsements. “He cares so much,” Jake Guentzel said. “He’s such a leader for our team. Shorthanded, power play, it’s pretty cool to see. Obviously, he can score a lot of goals in this league.” The two goals against the Coyotes pushed Carter’s career goals total to 434 over his 19-year career. Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry believes that Carter has built a resume strong enough to earn a call from the Hockey Hall of Fame one day. Head coach Mike Sullivan had a similar statement earlier in the year and Carter continues to make a case for himself, even after suffering some scratches. Carter’s second goal of the game was marked as the game winner, giving him 90 in his career, good for second most among active players behind only Alex Ovechkin with 124. “It’s been a little bit of a tought stretch for us here,” Carter said. “I thought for most of the 60 minutes we were a really good hockey team tonight… We stuck with it.” Carter may not be in the greatest light with the Penguins’ fans, but those that share a locker room with him understand the kind of leader he is. “I think he recognizes the circumstance and he wants to do anything he can to help the team win,” Sullivan said. “He’s willing to embrace any role we ask him to play. I know his teammates have a lot of respect for him and his body of work in this league.” The 2023-24 season seems more than likely to be Carter’s last, and with a pair of Stanley Cup championships and an outstanding leadership acumen, he continues embody what it takes to be a Hall of Famer. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Penguins vs Canadiens: Heading North [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-montreal-canadiens-heading-north] Jeff Carter and Special Teams Make Difference in Penguins Victory [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/jeff-carter-special-teams-difference-pittsburgh-penguins-victory] Returning Penguins Reignites Depth Defensive Battle [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/returning-pittsburgh-penguins-reignites-defensive-battle] P.O. Joseph Available for Penguins Against Coyotes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/po-joseph-available-pittsburgh-penguins-arizona-coyotes] Young Winger Given Opportunity to Make Major Impact on Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/valtteri-puustinen-opportunity-major-impact-pittsburgh-penguins] * undefined * undefined
