Pittsburgh Penguins: Evaluating the options for black aces
Who will the Pittsburgh Penguins black aces be during the postseason?
With phase 3 and a version NHL training camps set to begin on July 10, expect to see expanded rosters for the remaining 24 NHL teams. 28 skaters could end up being the maximum roster size when all is said and done. It is expected that each team will be able to carry at least 3 or 4 goaltenders. Today I’m going to be projecting the Pittsburgh Penguins “black aces.”
Black aces are players primarily from the AHL and CHL that practice with the NHL club during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. These skaters are eligible to play in postseason games. They primarily serve as extra players during practices.
Let’s take a look at the options.
Forwards
Sam Poulin
There have been multiple reports that Poulin will be heading to Pittsburgh this summer. Poulin is the most intriguing name on this list. The 19-year-old produced 32 goals and 77 points this past season with Sherbrooke of the QMJHL. He is the best and most talented prospect in the Penguins system.
The Penguins had former top forward prospect Daniel Sprong serve as a black ace from 2016 through 2018. Since the Penguins selected Sidney Crosby first overall in 2005, all but one of their first-round picks after that has left the organization. The exception to that is Poulin.
In no way, shape, or form am I comparing him to Crosby. That just shows the unique way that the Penguins have had success. Back in October of 2019, Poulin had an eight point night. Here are the highlights:
Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson possesses the speed to fit into the Penguins’ bottom-six forward group. He could also provide the tenacity and hunger to make Pittsburgh’s practices a bit more competitive. He played seven games at the NHL level in 2019-20 and posted 1 goal and 1 assist. Down on the farm, Johnson produced 10 goals in 48 games. He led Wilkes-Barre in assists with 24.
Thomas Di Pauli
Over the last 4 seasons, Di Pauli has been a solid depth forward for Wilkes-Barre. He has played in 147 games. During that span, he has scored 29 goals and 25 assists. He made his NHL debut this past season but did not tally any points. He could be an option in the Penguins bottom-six if there is a slew of injuries.
Kevin Roy
Roy was acquired in a mid-season trade with the Florida Panthers. After reporting directly to Wilkes-Barre, Roy produced 10 goals and 21 points in 35 games. The 5’9″ left-handed shooting winger has played in 28 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks and scored 6 goals. If Roy is called up, I expect him to be at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of forward depth.
Defenseman
Zach Trotman
Jim Rutherford has said on a semi-frequent basis that the Penguins management and coaches always include Zach Trotman in the discussion of roster moves regarding their blueline. Trotman played in 8 games at the NHL level this past season and held his ground well.
In the 108 even-strength minutes that Trotman played, the Penguins were above average in terms of generating shot attempts, shots on goal, and scoring chances. I feel as though he is the ninth-best defender currently in the organization and is capable of filling into a depth role on the Penguins bottom pair if needed.
David Warsofsky
David Warsofsky just keeps finding his way back into the Penguins organization. The 30-year-old is now in his third stint with Wilkes-Barre. This past season, the offensively-minded blueliner posted 33 points in 51 AHL games. He was also a -33. He provides depth behind Juuso Riikola on the left side of the Penguins blueline.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Joseph is easily the Penguins’ best defense prospect. Here is to hoping that if and when Joseph reaches the NHL level, he does not struggle to the degree that Alex Galchenyuk and Phil Kessel did this past season. The 2017 Coyotes first-round pick battled mononucleosis 6 games into his Wilkes-Barre tenure.
He lost 10 pounds but eventually recovered from it. Wilkes-Barre Head Coach Mike Vellucci recently told DK on Pittsburgh Sports that Joseph has shown “tremendous growth” since Christmas. The 6’3″ and 175 pound Joseph will turn 21 on July 1, and I doubt the Penguins want to accelerate his development too quickly. If memory serves, Jim Rutherford has a belief that defense prospects are not developing until their age 24 season.
Goaltenders
Casey DeSmith
What a weird calendar year it has been for Casey DeSmith. Based on his strong rookie campaign at the NHL level, I was expecting him to be entrenched as the backup behind Matt Murray. That was not the case.
Tristan Jarry won the job out of training camp and outplayed Murray during the regular season. As a result, DeSmith surprisingly cleared waivers and spent the season with Wilkes-Barre in the AHL. He was named the AHL Goaltender of the month back in November. Here are some highlights of DeSmith during his terrific stretch in November.
Among the 49 AHL netminders who qualified, DeSmith ranked 35th in save percentage (.905) and 34th in goals-against average (2.92). It is important to note that he faced the fourth-highest amount of shots (1,207) amongst this same group. In early January, the Penguins attempted to call him up for a game in Montreal but he misplaced his passport. I still feel that DeSmith is an NHL caliber netminder and will be back in the NHL on a full-time basis come next season.
Emil Larmi
Emil Larmi split the season between Wilkes-Barre and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. In Wilkes, Larmi went 2-3-4 with a 3.55 goals-against average and .883 save percentage. In Wheeling, he went 4-7-0 with a 3.55 goals-against average, .908% save percentage, and 1 shutout.
He will be the fourth goaltender on the depth chart and is likely included here in large part for practices, scrimmages, and depth. I would reckon that Larmi is the best Twitter follow of any Penguins skater in the organization. It has been one helluva battle for him to get from Finland back to Pittsburgh.
My guess is that Poulin, Johnson, Joseph, Trotman, and DeSmith will be the five additions to the expanded postseason rosters. With the Penguins entering the second week of Phase 2, expect to see more players from the organization trickling back into town. Thanks for reading!