Derrick Pouliot leads charge of D Prospects

Derrick Pouliot is leading a charge of defensemen in the Penguins system which is causing headaches for the coaching staff. The Penguins currently have a strong D line-up with it being centered around Letang, Martin and Ehrhoff. Alongside them is the emergence of both Despres and Maatta. Maatta broke out last year after impressing in a nine-game spell before being given an extended look. Despres has been held back somewhat by poor ice-time management by Dan Bylsma in the past and is finally showing his true potential in a system that encourages puck play. The group is rounded out by the veteran presence of Rob Scuderi and the physical, if somewhat rough edged skill set of Bortuzzo. 

There has been a remarkable improvement in the play from the defensive core this season compared to last year. Part of this is to do with the removal of Brooks Orpik. Orpik was a good, physical player but someone who didn't have the agility and sharpness to stay. Especially at the detriment to a young player like Simon Despres. The Penguins also lost Matt Niskanen to free agency and I have no doubt the Pens would loved to have kept but not at his cap hit. Niskanen leaving did allow them space to sign Ehrhoff however, so it can be seen as a positive move.

The biggest change is the implementation and performance of the young D prospects available in Wilkes-Barre Scranton playing in the AHL. Last season Despres split time between Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh playing 36 games in the AHL and 34 games in the NHL. Despres often sat in place of Orpik or Engelland which hampered his development briefly. Despres rarely played many games in a row which meant he couldn't develop his skills at the level he should be playing at and was often playing in a league (AHL) that he was too good for. The difference between the two seasons is clear to see. Despres's ES corsi improved from 68 to 92 as did his ES PDO slightly from 101.7 to 101.8. 

One thing that has been brought over from the Bylsma and Shero era which has been good for the team has been the abundance of D prospects which we are now starting to see come through. Last season we saw a brief glimpse of Samuelsson, Dumoulin along with the emergence of Olli Maatta. Samuelsson was since traded for Klinkhammer (Who in turn was traded for Perron as part of a deal) but Dumoulin and Maatta have continued their impressive play and be joined at the big table by Pouliot and Harrington.

Pouliot would be the highest rated prospect based on some of the comments from the management who have been impressed with his play and also anticipate a future for him at the Penguins. Pouliot has somewhat benefited from spending his youth career at Portland alongside Johnston so is familiar with the system he employs which has made it easier for him to adjust and fit in compared to others. 

The biggest benefit of course in all of this is that if they pan out there could be some serious cap benefits down the line for the Penguins. Currently they have around $22m on NHL contracted defensemen and with the likes of Pouliot, Maatta, Harrington and Dumoulin having low level contract values it means that it could free up some space for Pittsburgh to spend in free agency on their forward core.

Going forward to next season I see no reason why the Penguins couldn't run;

Letang-Maatta

Despres-Ehrhoff

Pouliot-Dumoulin

Harrington

If their development goes as planned for the rest of this season then they will all be making cases in camp to be on the NHL roster next season.