Matt Cullen is no longer cutting it for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Matt Cullen was a fantastic fit as the Pittsburgh Penguins fourth-line center when they won back-to-back championships. Following an underwhelming 2017-18 campaign with the Minnesota Wild, the Penguins were hoping that Cullen could become an effective fourth-liner again this season. That has not been the case.
Over the Penguins last 30 games, the Penguins are generating just 38% of the even-strength shot attempts with Cullen on the ice. During this stretch of play, the Penguins are also generating only 44% of the even-strength scoring chances. Both of these ranks are good for last on the Penguins roster. They are getting hemmed in their own defensive zone with Cullen on the ice.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
The on-ice results for Cullen appear to be adequate. Pittsburgh has scored 57% of the even-strength goals with Cullen on the ice. However, regression is likely in store. Penguins goalies are stopping 95% of the shots they have faced.
Pittsburgh’s on-ice shooting percentage with Cullen on the ice is 11.34%. Both of these marks are unsustainable. Cullen and the Penguins have been relatively fortunate with these results. I do not expect them to last, as the process has gotten worse.
Cullen was an average possession player during his first stint in Pittsburgh. Cullen’s offensive production allowed for Pittsburgh to get pinned in their own-zone occasionally. Back then, you knew that he still had the ability to strike quickly at the other end of the rink. As you can see below, his even strength offense is not that the level it was during his first run in a Penguins sweater.
- 2016-17 even-strength points per 60: 1.86
- 2017-18 even-strength points per 60: 1.46
- 2018-19 even-strength points per 60: 1.59
Mike Sullivan and the Penguins are 8-0 in playoff series with Matt Cullen on the roster. I’m not suggesting he is the driving force for that record, but it is noteworthy. However, it appears the wheels have continued to fall off for Cullen at age 42. The Penguins brass cannot continue to cling to a player who is clearly a shell of his former self. They are paying for past performance.
If the Penguins want to get to 12-0 in playoff series with Cullen on the roster, he needs to perform significantly better or take a seat in the press box.
Thanks for reading!
Data in this article was obtained from Natural Stat Trick and Quant Hockey.