Who are some guys the Pittsburgh Penguins could target to help improve their struggling blueline?
Thus far this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins biggest problem is their blueline. Their six-man unit bleeds shots, particularly high-danger chances against, on a nightly basis. As a result, opponents are peppering goaltenders Matt Murray and Casey DeSmith.
When Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin are not on the ice, the Penguins are not generating the majority of the high-danger scoring chances. Let’s take a look at the data obtained from Natural Stat Trick.
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The number next to each player’s name represents the percentage of the High-Danger Scoring Chances the Penguins generates when that specific player is on the ice at five-on-five.
- Chad Ruhwedel: 56.36%
- Brian Dumoulin: 55.38%
- Kris Letang: 52.94%
- Jamie Oleksiak: 48.25%
- Olli Maatta: 47.32%
- Jack Johnson 44.74%
- Jusso Riikola: 40%
When four of their seven healthy defensemen are on the ice, the Penguins are giving up the majority of the high-danger chances. Only Ruhwedel, Dumoulin, and Letang tread above water here.
Also, the Penguins bottom six forwards are not scoring. The blueline also plays a role in that problem, as they do not possess the ability to make controlled zone exits and entries on a regular basis. Letang, Dumoulin, and Justin Schultz (who is missed greatly) are the only three defensemen that can do it consistently. It sure would be nice to have Derrick Pouliot right about now.
The blue line is the common problem in both the goaltending and depth scoring issues. If the Penguins want to turn this ship around and become a Stanley Cup contender, they will need to upgrade on their blueline. Let’s take a look at some potential trade targets around the league.
Oscar Klefbom
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Edmonton Oilers are “an organization on edge”. Oilers General Manager Peter Chiarelli is panicking and the Penguins need to take advantage of that.
In terms of what the Penguins would give up for Oscar Klefbom, fellow defenseman Olli Maatta could be a fit. Maatta’s resilience and two Stanley Cup rings will likely appeal greatly to the Oilers. Klefbom and Maatta are trending in opposite directions. It is also worth noting that Chiarelli and Rutherford have completed two trades (the David Perron and Schultz deals) since 2015.
Josh Manson or Brandon Montour
As approach the quarter mark of the season draws near, the Anaheim Ducks are one of the worst possession teams in the league. Through 22 games, the Ducks control just 42 percent of the shot share. Send some prayers to John Gibson and Ryan Miller because the Ducks netminders have the most difficult jobs in the league.
If I were a betting man, I’d say that both Josh Manson and Brandon Montour would be a better fit in the Penguins up-tempo system than Maatta currently is. Randy Carlyle is one of the worst coaches in the league, so who knows his thought process in evaluating hockey players.
Rutherford and Bob Murray completed the Carl Hagelin for Perron trade in January of 2016, so there is some history here. In last week’s edition of 31 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman wrote “Do not discount the possibility of Rutherford and Anaheim’s Bob Murray trying a lateral “change of scenery trade.”
Nick Jensen
On a Detroit Red Wings squad that is the seventh worst team in the NHL in terms of shot attempts, Nick Jensen has been a positive contributor for the Wings. Courtesy of Natural Stat Trick, Jensen’s CorsiFor percentage of 50.80 percent and Even Strength Goals Per 60 of 0.41 both rank first amongst all Detroit defenders.
Jensen has been an above-average possession player in all three seasons of his NHL career. He would be a nice fit on the Penguins third pair and likely has the ability to play in the top four when injuries hit. Interestingly enough, there is some history between these managers. Jim Rutherford and Ken Holland completed the Riley Sheahan for Scott Wilson swap just 13 months ago.
Thanks for reading!