Pittsburgh Penguins: Player grades for the first half of the 2019-20 season

Defensemen

Head coach Mike Sullivan has done an absolutely tremendous job navigating the Penguins up to this point. They have evolved into one of the best defensive teams in hockey. It has not really mattered who has played. Zach Trotman has filled in for Kris Letang when he was injured. Brian Dumoulin and Justin Schultz have missed significant time due to injuries. The Penguins’ defensive structure and system have led to great results.

Here are my first-half grades for the Penguins defenseman and goaltenders.

Kris Letang: A

Kris Letang has performed at a Norris Trophy level for the majority of the season. His play has dropped off a bit of late, but he has seen a quality of teammate drop off (Jack Johnson). That will change eventually.

With Letang on the ice this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are controlling 57% of the shot share, 58% of the scoring chances, and 59% of the expected goals. Elite numbers across the board for an elite player.

John Marino: A

John Marino has been tremendous as a rookie. Nothing rattles him and it is fascinating to watch. He is calm and collected at all times. Marino’s 15 even-strength points are more than high-profile defenders such as Drew Doughty, Mark Giordano, Quinn Hughes, and Jared Spurgeon.

His 8 primary assists are fourth-most amongst all NHL blue-liners. Regardless of who his defense partner is, he is helping the Penguins control territory at an above-average rate. Marino’s emergence has arguably been the story of the first half.

Marcus Pettersson: B+

Pettersson has developed into a reliable two-way defender for the Penguins. He is driving play at a slightly better clip than he did as a rookie last season. Remember, Pettersson is only 23 years old. I suspect he and the Penguins will be agreeing to a long-term contract in the $4 million per year range moving forward. I also feel comfortable in saying the second defense pair next season will consist of Pettersson and Marino.

Brian Dumoulin: B

Dumoulin is a wonderful complimentary piece to Kris Letang on the Penguins’ top defense pair. They have been a dominant top pair in the 23 games they have been together, as they control 62% of the shot share. Dumoulin is trusted and counted on in many crucial situations for this team. He should make his return to the lineup in mid-to-late February following ankle surgery in early December.

Juuso Riikola: C

Juuso Riikola looks a lot more comfortable this season. He is not flashy by means, but his mobility and shot stand out as strengths. His underlying metrics are up across the board compared to his rookie season. He has a case for being the Penguins sixth defenseman when everyone is healthy, but I do not see that happening.

Justin Schultz: C-

As an unrestricted free agent next summer, the Pittsburgh Penguins should let Justin Schultz walk. Keeping him for the upcoming playoff run is the correct decision. However, his inconsistent play and injuries are worrisome. The majority of his rate stats are negative, relative to his Penguins teammates. In 27 games, Schultz has just two primary assists. The emergence of Marino should make this a relatively easy decision for Penguins management.

Jack Johnson: C-

Jack Johnson has been better this season. But on the same token, the Pittsburgh Penguins, as a team, are better this season. Johnson remains a good shot-blocker and appears to be a bit skating a bit better. Mobility, puck skills, and offensive ability are not his strengths.

He has benefitted from playing alongside Marino and that needs to be the third defense pair when this blueline gets healthy. They can get by with him in a sheltered, third-pairing role. Johnson and Schultz are a disaster as a defense pair, and should not be paired together on a consistent basis.

Chad Ruhwedel: D

I feel for Chad Ruhwedel. Coming into the season, it felt like he had not played since the eighth-grade picnic. His performance this season feels as though that was the case. His underlying numbers are the worst amongst the eight defenders on the Penguins roster. He has taken too many penalties and has made blunders in his own defensive zone.