In an interesting shakeup, Mike Sullivan finds himself at the helm of the New York Rangers now, stepping away from his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins. As he navigates his new role in New York, Sullivan's immediate task will be molding a roster that includes several young players eager to unlock their full potential. Winning is always a priority in the Big Apple, and Sullivan's experience with the Penguins might provide the insights needed to nurture this young talent while aiming for success.
During his time with the Penguins, Sullivan certainly prioritized winning, often focusing on instant improvements over player development. This meant seeing talented prospects and draft picks being shuffled to other teams to bring in immediate reinforcements. As a result, a notable gap emerged between the promising influx of players like Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel in 2016 and 2017 to what came afterward.
The next wave of NHL-ready young talent for the Penguins wasn't as impactful. Players like Dominik Simon, Zach Aston-Reese, and Teddy Blueger were the next to step up, with others like Sam Lafferty and John Marino hanging around but often left searching for more substantial roles.
These youngsters were given opportunities, but there wasn’t much to salvage from the Penguins’ system. It was a point of contention, often misdirected at Mike Sullivan, jokingly echoing, "Where’s the beef?" when it came to youth development.
Looking ahead, there's hope that the Penguins' new coach can breathe life into some of these young players who might have felt overlooked or underutilized during Sullivan's time.
In the lineup shuffle, there are a few names worth watching. Defenseman Conor Timmins is one such player.
Acquired just before the March 7 trade deadline, Timmins came over from the Toronto Maple Leafs with Connor Dewar. Timmins stands tall at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, possessing the physical edge that the Penguins needed.
Yet, his pairing with Erik Karlsson during games was curious, with both defensemen playing out of their comfort zone on opposite sides. The result?
A pairing that posed challenges for Timmins, making it hard for him to shine.
Timmins, still a restricted free agent, might see a resurgence under fresh leadership. The potential is there, waiting to be tapped in a welcoming environment.
Then there's P.O Joseph, another defenseman and restricted free agent, who showed flashes of his capabilities. Joseph seemed to be just another part of the roster without significant attention until thrust into a top pairing with Kris Letang.
There, he thrived, and while his journey hasn't been straightforward, consistent performances have proven his value. With the shakeup, there's an opportunity for Joseph to truly break out and solidify his place in the defensive lineup.
And even as we scout for promise, Owen Pickering, yet another defenseman, might avoid the pitfall of being overlooked, potentially finding a breakthrough under new coaching strategies.
Ryan Graves exemplifies another story. When he signed a six-year deal to replace Brian Dumoulin, the expectations were high.
However, amidst injury issues and difficulty fitting into Sullivan’s system, Graves struggled to find his footing. Isn’t the point of a system to bring out the best in its players?
That clearly wasn’t the case here, as Graves found himself on uneven ground. A fresh start with a simplified system could do wonders for his style of play, unleashing the physicality he's known for.
Among forwards, Vasily Ponomarev and Sam Poulin stand as players who could benefit from a new system. Ponomarev, known for his aggressive and physical style with a touch of offense at the AHL level, failed to translate that game to the NHL.
Poulin, drafted for his defensive prowess and heavy play, found himself out of step with the Penguins’ fast-paced offensive system. For both, a shift in coaching philosophy could open doors long closed.
The winds of change in Pittsburgh present new horizons for players waiting for the right opportunity to shine. With an alternate approach and a broader perspective, it's anyone’s guess who might rise under a different guide. Here’s to the next chapter, one that might just uncover hidden gems within the Penguins’ roster.
