With the Pittsburgh Penguins almost halfway through the season so far at 38 games played, it is time to reassess how the Penguins newcomers are playing so far this season. The Penguins currently have 39 points and are fourth in the Metropolitan Division. If the season ended today, the Penguins would be back in the postseason as they currently have a wildcard spot.
The Penguins Newcomers this Season
Sebastian Aho
Sebastian Aho joined the Penguins this season on a two-year $1.5 million dollar contract. Aho has not appeared in a game this season as a Penguin. He has appeared in 12 games this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and has a total of five assists. In addition to his five points, he also has a +/- of 2.
However, he will still have plenty time due to injuries that will occur throughout the season. He may also see additional and more permanent playing time if Matt Grzelcyk (will be mentioned later) or Ryan Graves continue to struggle. Although, the Penguins defensive core is crushed with injuries as Marcus Pettersson, Owen Pickering, and now Kris Letang are all out due to injury. Even with a depleted defensive core, Aho has still not earned himself a shot yet.
Two years ago, Aho had the best season of his career in terms of offensive production (23 points) and all-around defence (+9 +/-) and then followed it up with the worst season of his career as he was a -7. To earn more playing time, Aho needs to step it up offensively while remaining an effective bottom six defenceman.
Matt Grzelcyk
The second of the Penguins newcomers is a defenceman. Similarly to Aho, Matt Grzelcyk joined the Penguins but instead signed a one-year $2.75 million dollar contract. Grzelcyk has always been a solid defensive defenceman as his +/- has always been in the positives. However, his points and +/- did noticeably dip compared to last season.
Rutger McGroarty
McGroarty is the youngest Penguin newcomer as he was a recent first round pick that was traded to the Penguins. So far, McGroarty has not gotten too much playing time at the NHL level to showcase his talent. At the NHL level, he has played in just three games and has zero points.
In 25 games this season, he has 12 points. Penguins fans have hoped he would be more dominant in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and even make his way up to Pittsburgh at some point this season.
However, there is still plenty of time this season to earn his chance. If he does not play more in the NHL this season, it is not the end of the world and he will have his chance next season.
Blake Lizotte
Blake Lizotte joined the Penguins on a two-year, $3.7 million dollar deal. Lizotte is a solid defensive forward who has been heavily relied on in the penalty kill. He has rotated at every forward position on the third and fourth line this season. He currently is the fourth line centre playing alongside Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari.
Lizotte has been a pleasant surprise this season and definitely one of the more underrated additions in the offseason. In just 22 games this season, he already surpassed his goal total from last year in 40 less games as he has eight goals this season. However, the one knock on Lizotte’s game is this year his giveaway to takeaway ratio is the worst of his career as he has 17 giveaways and just three takeaways.
Overall, Lizotte has been a solid addition to the Penguins.
Kevin Hayes
The Penguins oldest acquisition this offseason was trading for veteran forward Kevin Hayes. Hayes ended last season the worst offensively of his career as he finished with 29 points. As of now, he is currently on pace to have an even worse season offensively. In 22 games, he has just seven points and a +/- of -11.
Hayes as spent most of the Penguins game lately as a healthy scratch. His last game played was December 10th against the Colorado Avalanche.
Cody Glass
This past offseason, the Penguins traded for another young forward in Cody Glass. Glass has earned the third line centre spot this season and has been alright this season. In 25 games this season, he has just eight points and has a +/- of -10. However, where Glass excels is his size at 6’3, 206 lbs. His size and physicality has helped the Penguins this season defensively as he has 13 blocked shots and 16 hits this season.
Anthony Beauvillier
Last but not least is Anthony Beauvillier. He joined the Penguins this past offseason a one-year, $1.25 million dollar contract. Beauvillier spent most of this season in the bottom-six but, now due to better play lately, he has earned himself on the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin and Michael Bunting.
This season, Beauvillier has 12 points in 38 games played this season. However, his ninth goal of the season helped defeat the New York Islanders on Sunday night where he started his career. Unlike Lizotte, Beauvillier has created takeaways (9) while keeping the puck on his stick as he has just 12 giveaways this season.
David Quinn
The last of the Penguins newcomers is a coach. In addition to the roster, there was a new addition to the coaching staff as David Quinn was brought in. Quinn’s responsibilities are coaching the defence and powerplay. Quinn also reunites with defenceman Erik Karlsson as Karlsson had his iconic 101 point season under Quinn in San Jose.
Quinn so far has rejuvenated what used to be an abysmal powerplay that has been a bottom-five unit the past two seasons. Last season, the Penguins had the third worst powerplay unit in the league at 15.3%. This season, the Penguins are ranked fifth in powerplay percentage at 25.9%.
Main Photo: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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