With multiple roster spots available, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ preseason game against the Red Wings provided key insights on certain players. The Pittsburgh Penguins continued their preseason with a game against the Detroit Red Wings. The replacement for Saturday night’s contest saw the Penguins secure a 5-1 victory in a strong performance against many of the Red Wings’ top players. With the regular season fast approaching, these preseason contests have become increasingly important for players battling for limited spots. Several key contenders for these spots made their mark in this game. Meanwhile, others fell short in what may have been pivotal moments for their season.
Penguins that Impressed in Preseason Game Four
Impressed
Drew O’Connor
Mike Sullivan just spoke very highly of Drew O’Connor for well over two minutes. The highlight was comparing his development to Bryan Rust‘s: “OC, in a lot of ways, is on a similar track… The sky’s the limit. The opportunity will be there for him. We’re hoping he maximizes it.”
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 30, 2024
Drew O’Connor continues to try to solidify himself as the next top-line “Sidney Crosby” winger. Following Head Coach Mike Sullivan singing O’Connor’s praises as a player with a Bryan Rust-like progression curve, O’Connor impressed with a goal and an assist against the Red Wings. O’Connor’s blend of size, speed and hockey IQ allows him to slot in with many different types of players from Crosby to two-way centres like Lars Eller such as in this game. O’Connor showed chemistry with Crosby and Rust on the top line last season. His impressive preseason play is making a strong case for him to cement himself in a role similar to what predecessors like Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Conor Sheary, and Jake Guentzel have all played with Crosby in the past.
O’Connor also displayed a solid two-way game as well, achieving a +1 rating in over 18 minutes of ice time. He has shown his ability to be both an offensive threat and a responsible defensive player in his own end. This along with his speed make him a valuable asset. He has shown the capability to play an impact role alongside Crosby and Rust on the top line.
Noel Acciari
Veteran forward Noel Acciari is looking for a bounce-back season following an injury-riddled debut year with the Penguins last season. When Acciari is dialled in, he can be a crucial part of the Penguin’s bottom six as a valuable defensive presence. Against the Red Wings, Acciari chipped in two goals. The game highlightd his two-way ability to find the back of the net while shutting down the opposition. Acciari’s ability to penalty kill, play responsible hockey and occasionally chip in helps make a case for him to stay in the Penguin’s bottom six as a lynchpin type of player.
Acciari’s two goals combined with three hits and a +3 rating, highlighted his well-rounded game against the Red Wings. There is a lot of competition in the bottom six. Acciari’s physicality and two-way game make him a fantastic candidate as a fourth-line mainstay.
Struggled
Emil Bemstrom
Acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets late last season, Emil Bemstrom’s play with the Penguins continues to be lacklustre. In a game where many roster spot competitors stood out, Bemstrom was largely invisible. He had only two shots on goal with a minimal impact during 11 minutes of time on ice. Bemstrom did not do enough to separate himself from a crowded field of forwards fighting for the final few spots of the roster, his inability to make an impression during the preseason and in this game does not inspire much confidence in his game over players like Acciari or Jesse Puljujärvi in other preseason games.
The Penguins need depth players capable of contributing offensively while playing responsible defensive hockey. As such, a quiet game such as this one has likely set back Bemstrom’s chances of making the team over other players like Blake Lizotte and Kevin Hayes that are almost guaranteed roster spots.
Vasili Ponomarev
Although Vasili Ponomarev scored an empty-net goal, his overall performance in this game left much to be desired. The Penguins were hoping to see more from the young Ponomarev as he pushes for a roster spot. While he did not cost the Penguins defensively, his lack of offensive production in 15 minutes of ice time will likely mean he’ll spend much of this season with the Wilkes-Barre Penguins developing his game. Ponomarev did show some two-way ability, with two takeaways in the game. However, his lack of offensive production is disappointing for a young forward looking to crack the NHL roster.
As part of the package received for Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes, Ponomarev has the potential to round out into a solid bottom-six centre. Having factored into two NHL games with the Hurricanes prior to being traded, Ponomarev had a goal and an assist, suggesting he is nearly ready to make the full-time jump. The Penguins will need more from Ponomarev for the rest of this preseason and in the AHL if he hopes to stick on the main roster later this season.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Penguin’s fourth game of the preseason against the Detroit Red Wings was a great opportunity to see what the team has in many of their bottom six hopefuls. Both veterans and younger players continued to prove both their value and areas for improvement. Drew O’Connor and Noel Acciari along with Lars Eller had standout performances. O’Connor is a frontrunner for the top-line spot with Crosby and Rust. Meanwhile Acciari will likely be stapled to the bottom six due to his two-way ability. Meanwhile, Emil Bemstrom struggled to make much of an impact and will likely play as a 13th forward this season. Vasili Ponomarev will look to build his resume in the AHL before jumping into the NHL for the long term. With limited roster spots remaining across the roster and the season fast approaching, the remaining three preseason games will be important in figuring out what this Penguins roster will be to start the season.
Main Photo: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
