Faceoff Factor

Part 2: Competition Comes To Fruition

Michael Farkas | Pittsburgh Penguins

Sep 13, 10:05 PM | Hype this story!

The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off of a substantial rebuilding process. Having made the playoffs for the first time since 2001, there are still a few holes in the lineup that must be filled in training camp, as they were not adequately filled through free agency and trades. So, in part two of Faceoff Factor’s training camp series, we’ll look at the few spots open for the taking.

Note that lines will be previewed first, then, below, potential candidates to fill holes will be reviewed.

First Line:
The first line is not set in stone. The idea of Evgeni Malkin playing with former linemate Petr Sykora is enticing for the second line. However, this fails to utilize the best offensive winger on the team. For the sake of argument, let’s have Ryan Malone and Mark Recchi on this line for now. Malone, is a smart, physical, two-way winger who has a decent scoring touch that comes in spurts. Recchi is the past-his-prime veteran who is benefiting from Sidney Crosby’s abilities.

The Penguins are likely to slice and dice this line all season until they find something they like, or until the previously-mentioned wingers run out of luck. Amongst NHLers, Gary Roberts, Erik Christensen and Colby Armstrong could all potentially end up on this line over the course of the season as well. The following younsters may be able to step up as well: Jonathan Filewich, Ryan Stone, Angelo Esposito.

Second Line:
The second line could consist of Evgeni Malkin centering Jordan Staal and Petr Sykora. As previously mentioned, Sykora and Malkin were linemates in Russia during the lockout and hopefully some chemistry will carry over. To make up for Sykora’s floating and lackluster defensive game, Jordan Staal plays a good two-way game for such a young player, and has offensive skill, leading the league in shooting percentage (22.1%) last year. Should Sykora find his way up to the first line, any of the aforementioned players could end up in Sykora’s spot (including Malone or Recchi).

Third Line:
The third line may end up being Gary Roberts with Maxime Talbot and Colby Armstrong. Roberts is an up-tempo veteran force that wreaks havoc on the ice. Talbot is a smart, although undersized player who shows he has some offensive instincts at the big league level, while Armstrong is a hard-hitting, grinding forward with the potential for an inconsistent scoring touch. Talbot is not exactly the shutdown center a team would like to have here, but he may be the Penguins’ best bet.

Who else could crack this team on the third line, in addition to Jonathan Filewich and Ryan Stone: Tim Brent and Adam Hall.

Fourth Line:
The Penguins fourth line, like their third line, needs to hit, play a sound defensive game and agitate their opponents to no end. Jarkko Ruutu and Georges Laraque are likely to end up on this line. Other nuisances such as Colby Armstrong and Maxime Talbot could end up down here as well; more talented players like Erik Christensen and Ryan Malone could also find their home, temporary or otherwise, on this line if things don’t work out elsewhere. And, Hall,Brent and Jeff Taffe would make good fourth line material as well.

Bottom Pairing/Seventh Defenseman:
The defense is likely set, between Sergei Gonchar, Ryan Whitney, Mark Eaton, Darryl Sydor, Brooks Orpik, Kristopher Letang and Rob Scuderi. Any others (including Alain Nasreddine and Mike Weaver) would have to make a big time impression to start the season in Pittsburgh.

Backup goaltender:
The backup goaltender is slated to be Dany Sabourin. Sabourin received a two-year, one-way contract this offseason after being swiped from the Penguinss by the Vancouver Canucks the season before. David Brown and John Curry aren’t likely to see even a minute of NHL time if all goes according to plan, so the only source of competition is Ty Conklin.

Potential Candidates To Fill The Holes
RW #34 Jonathan Filewich (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL) 6’2, 208lbs
Filewich reached the 30-goal mark last season for the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins. He has the scoring touch to make an impact given a talented center (the Penguins happen to employ a number of them). Filewich is also a skilled, fast skater, which would allow him to keep up with the play and be a force on the forecheck. Filewich is likely to be in the Scottie Upshall/Ryan Malone/Scott Walker mold, but the Pens could certainly use a speedy winger that netted 20 plus goals in his only two AHL seasons.

LW #33 Ryan Stone (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL) 6’2, 207lbs
Stone suffered through injuries much of the 2006-07 season. Appearing in just 41 contests, he managed 26 assists and 33 points. He has learned a solid two-way game and gained a lot of toughness from his four years in the WHL. Stone is more of a set up guy than he is a finisher, but it doesn’t hurt to have two creative players together. Stone also will appear on this list further down the line, in a role that would suit him better.

C #70 Angelo Esposito (Quebec Remparts, QMJHL) 6’1, 180lbs
The Penguins first pick in 2007 plummeted from his elite status that he had going into the year. Esposito is fanciful and spectacular with the puck and very creative offensively. He’s an effortless skater with a nose for the net; however, inconsistency, laziness and attitudinal problems have led many to believe that he was a touch overrated coming out of the QMJHL. Esposito could use at least another year playing major junior hockey, however, Jordan Staal put together a great camp, made the most of his “nine game NHL tryout” and was runner-up for the Calder Trophy last season. Esposito isn’t exactly a sniper, but you can’t have too many skilled players.

C #47 Tim Brent (Anaheim Ducks, NHL) 6’0, 188lbs
Brent was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks during the offseason and has the potential to sneak into the lineup during the course of the season. Brent is a gritty, two-way forward, but like Talbot he’s somewhat undersized. Brent can bring offense to a line as well, he has the know-how and the hands to carry the puck if he needs to. He also has the ability to create turnovers and cash in on them. The 23-year-old is a competitor and could very well see time in the NHL as soon as this season.

RW #18 Adam Hall (Minesotta Wild, NHL) 6’3, 206lbs
The Penguins have extended a training camp invitation to former Minessota Wild and New York Ranger forward Adam Hall. Hall plays a solid two-way game and he uses his frame effectively. The Michigan State grad certainly doesn’t keep defenders at bay with his offensive prowess, but he has some ability to bury some goals. Hall projects to be a bottom six forward, and with some hard work in camp he could grab a contract and a spot in the Penguins lineup.

LW #38 Jeff Taffe (Phoenix Coyotes, NHL) 6’3, 207lbs
Taffe signed a two-way contract with the Penguins this offseason after spending last year in the Phoenix Coyotes organization where he played 17 games at the NHL level. He is a pretty big kid that will hit you, but not as often as he should. The former first round pick was intended for offensive use and doesn’t necessarily possess a strong defensive game. He doesn’t add exactly what the bottom six is looking for, but training camp will decide if that is the case this season.

D #32 Alain Nasreddine (Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL) 6’1, 204lbs
Nasreddine played in 44 of his 68 career NHL games last season in Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old is a steady, no-thrills, stay-at-home defenseman. He brings veteran leadership with him from the AHL level, which is never a bad thing to have with a young team. He displayed the ability to hold his own at the NHL level with a +12 rating and just 18 penalty minutes.

D #43 Mike Weaver (Los Angeles Kings, NHL) 5’9, 182lbs
Weaver is on the smallish side for a defenseman obviously, but he can play a big game at times, he makes a big hit more often than people might guess. His decent first pass and right-handed shot are welcome in the Penguins organization. He is sound defensively but not spectacular offensively, that isn’t to say that he can’t move the puck effectively though.

G #35 Ty Conklin (Buffalo Sabres, NHL) 6’0, 184lbs
If anyone remembers Conklin when he first began, he got off to a hot start. In his first 42 career games, he went 19-14-4 with a 2.36 GAA and .921 save pct. On the other side of the lockout he has struggled mightily with his consistency. You never know what Ty Conklin you’re going to get but Dany Sabourin hasn’t assured anyone that he’s even NHL quality. Conklin will likely mentor David Brown along, but before he concedes to that fate, he may give Sabourin a run for his money.

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