The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs last season for the second year in a row for a few reasons and today we focus on the roster’s depth chart. More specifically of the depth chart was the lack of toughness that plagued the team in 2023-24. Physicality is an underrated part of hockey and can change momentum. A fight, a hit, or even screening the goalie are all important. There were a couple reasons for the Penguins struggles including an abysmal power play, but here we focus on the bottom six. They need to avoid getting pushed around and be more physical including a stronger net front presence.
The Pittsburgh Penguins Brass Trying to Fix the Physicality Throughout Roster’s Depth Chart
One fix was when the Penguins acquired Michael Bunting at the trade deadline, despite him being 6’0″ and 192 lbs. His strong net presence tends to lead to a lot of scoring opportunities. He is a very gritty player and shows that with his 200-foot game skating all over the ice. Furthermore, he is also not afraid to throw his body. The Penguins have not had a true enforcer since Ryan Reaves. However, before Bunting, the Penguins last enforcer that can still produce offensively was Brandon Tanev.
Penguins Options Are Not Enough
The Penguins tried to kill two birds with one stone this offseason improving both their physicality and bottom-six when they traded for Kevin Hayes. Hayes is listed at 6’5″ and 216 lbs, thus one of the biggest Penguins on the team. However, the problem with Hayes is he is no longer the scorer he once was throughout his career. During his ten-year career, he averages 41 points a season, but had just 29 this past season. Also, Hayes’ expected goals against was 6.8 percent higher than his expected goals for. Meaning, his offence is already on a decline and his defence is not making up for it either.
Another guy with size on the Penguins is Jesse Puljujarvi and at this point, he is more of a depth forward. In 22 games, he had just four points. On the bright side, he did have 40 hits showcasing his physicality. Unlike Hayes, Puljujarvi’s expected goals for (8.2) was higher than his expected goals against (6.9). However, his offensive abilities are nothing to write home about and are not worth a spot in the lineup.
Another option, and he is the biggest guy on the team, is defenceman Ryan Graves. At 6’5″, 220 lbs, Graves should be very physical and aggressive due to his size while productive. Graves showed that in flashes with his 72 hits and 142 blocked shots, however he was not consistent. Offensively, he had the worst season of his career since his rookie season, as he had 14 points this past season. As a defenceman, he did not handle the puck well as he had 40 giveaways and only 19 takeaways. Similarly to Puljujarvi, Graves expected goals for is slightly better than his goals against. Penguins fans have been extremely disappointed in Graves’ play and he needs to step it up on both ends of the ice.
Penguins Lack of Physicality Amongst Competitors
This past season, the Penguins were not physical at all as they were ranked 25th in the league in hits per game at 18.1. The Penguins also did not fight much. From 2017-2022, the Penguins also were 25th in major penalties at 56. Conversely, this is a double meaning for the Penguins. They can either stay out of the box due to their discipline, or they do not get into fights often.
In the Penguins Metropolitan Division is a mix of tons of talent and gritty players. For example, William Cuylle is a solid bottom six forward for the New York Rangers with 21 points this season and was also seventh in the league this past season with 247 hits. Another guy is newly acquired New Jersey Devils defenceman Brenden Dillon. Dillon is a solid defenceman who had 20 points. In addition, he had 242 hits placing him tenth in the league.
Also in the division, is one of the best enforcers in the league that can also produce offensively in Tom Wilson. Wilson averages 30 points a season while being an enforcer with his ferocious hits. The Penguins next season if they want to get back in the playoffs, need to be more aggressive. However, it needs to be in an intelligent manner where it is not forced and can still contribute offensively.
Main photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
