Faceoff Factor

A Look at the Baby Pens' needs

Kyle Dreibelbies | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Jun 21, 10:26 AM | Hype this story!

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins still have a number of holes to fill as the free agency period is about to start.

With that in mind, I’d like to analyze the team’s needs.

First, let’s look at who is under contract.

At forward, here is how the lines would look as of now:

Stone – Dixon – Filewich
Kennedy – McLean – James
Jensen – Letestu – Wallace
??? – Rank – Boogaard

And as for defense:

Letang(?) – D’Aversa
Lovejoy – Bissonnette
??? – ???

There are no goaltenders under contract.

So what are the Penguins’ needs?

As of right now, another forward or two would be very helpful in case of injury or call-ups. On defense, there is a need for a veteran or two to lead the team from the blueline. Including Letang, the defensive corps has a combined four games of AHL experience this past year. And Letang may even move up to the NHL with a strong training camp.

Three goalies will need to be signed at the minor league level (one for Wheeling – ECHL).

What are the options to fill their needs?

At forward, RW Dennis Bonvie has a club option that may be exercised by July 1. This is doubtful as he has become even more one-dimensional as his skills deteriorate.

On defense, there is one restricted free agent who may be tendered and kept, Ryan Lannon. He is a stay-at-home defenseman who may provide some of the leadership mentioned above. Matt Carkner, Wade Skolney, and team captain Micki DuPont all are unrestricted free agents. Carkner and/or DuPont would be good signings. Penguins draft pick Alex Goligoski may also sign a contract this summer, which would place him in the AHL. Lastly, there are unconfirmed rumors of Hershey’s Deryk Engelland joining the Penguins on July 1.

In goal, Andrew Penner is a restricted free agent. While not a legitimate NHL prospect, he would serve as an AHL depth player. Penguins draftees David Brown and Bobby Goepfert can be signed at any point until August 15 or become free agents. If all three of them are signed, the three holes in goal would be filled.

Though the components of the roster are far from certain, one thing is for sure: Pittsburgh Penguins assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher, who handles WBS signings, will be busythis summer.