Expiring Contracts
2016 will be an important year for the future of the franchise with key players being up for contract in June. The General Manager, Jim Rutherford, is out of contract in the summer as well. He was originally appointed as a stop gap for two years to provide a quick fix to the franchise, but he has hinted at staying for as long as needed. Personally, I would give him an extension for a year if he wants to stay.
Some people have been stating that we should let him go and I can understand their reasoning. There have been a few trades that people would likely not make in hindsights and the management of some players has been questionable. But, on the whole, I think he has helped turned this team in the right direction.
The Penguins have more depth on their forwards but have regressed on their defence. That last point is seen as the biggest issue with Rutherford along with the mismanagement of Daniel Sprong and Derrick Pouliot. Both of whom were rushed, or had their time wasted sitting in the press box, in Rutherford's words. I think the team are generally happy with the direction he is going in, the team just need to perform better on the ice.
Trade deadline
Jim Rutherford was active last year at the trade deadline acquiring Ian Cole and Ben Lovejoy. Depending on where the Penguins are at that moment in time in the standings will determine what action he takes. For the Penguins it would be better to be a team in the play-offs as there will be less of a chance of some moves being made, moves that in the past the Penguins have been wrong to make.
For the first time in years the Penguins should just stay pat unless they're able to move the poor performers in the team in Kunitz, Lovejoy and Zatkoff. Overall I think the Penguins should be given the play-offs and any drastic trades should be avoided so that the Penguins can, for a change, get some good prospects in the summer.
If the Penguins are out of the play-offs by a way then we could see them as sellers and if they are at that point they should look to get as many picks or prospects as possible to improve the team going forward. Nearly all players should be made available apart from a strong core.
Mike Sullivan
We all remember what we were doing when Mike Johnston was fired. Since he was fired the Penguins product on the ice has improved drastically, the only outlier being the actual results themselves. Under Johnston the team operated a defensive system first which relied on dumping the puck into the opposition zone. The team was not effective in this system and often lost possession when dumping, making it harder to score.
Under Sullivan the team have employed an offense first system that looks at speed and shots. Carrying the puck into the zone is the preferred method and this has helped give the Penguins improved zone time and, in turn, more shots on net. Nearly all advanced metrics point to an improvement in the Penguins since Johnston was fired. The test will be to see if Sullivan is able to continue this improvement and if, at the end of the season, he deserves another season. At the moment, he does but it is early.
Star players performing
The Penguins have had trouble scoring and this has been mentioned many times. Under Johnston the Penguins were missing their leading edge over teams in talent from their 1-2 punch with Crosby and Malkin. There was also a real lack of chemistry with the lines which lead to problems due to incompatible play styles.
Mike Sullivan has seen an improvement in the star players. Under Johnston, Crosby scored 6 goals and 13 assists in 28 games. In just the 8 games following on, under Sullivan, he has scored 3 goals and 5 assists. His production per game has nearly doubled. Malkin has seen an improvement too, from 13 goals and assists in 28 games under Johnston to 5 goals and 3 assists in the 9 following.
The Penguins need their star players to perform if they're to have a chance in the play-offs as without them their chances are bleak. Thankfully, they seem to be trending upwards and we should see that continue and a return to the "norm" for those players.
There will lots of games and lots of ups and downs for the Pens in 2016, lets hope it is a good year and one to remember for the right reasons.
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