Team: 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 23, 2022

Published: Sep. 23, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Some notes:

Offense:
- I think 1st line would work better with Rakell instead of Rust.
- Poulin seems to be promising at the camp (of course it depends on preseason as well) and I would try him on the first squad without PP and PK responsibility. Experienced and quite prolific players like Carter (finally moved to RW) and Zucker are good options to play with.
- I think healthy Zucker and Kapanen could easily bounce back and have a good season. Or not.
- Poehling is ready when someone is hurt or if the team needs some changes.
- Other players who can take the spot: Zohorna, Puustinen, O'Connor, maybe Nylander. I'm not a big fan of Archibald or Caggiula.

Defense:
Rutta - Generally I think the pairings need to be mixed for upcoming season. I believe he can play with Letang as long as he played well with Hedman in Tampa.
Pettersson - I'd like to move him but it's very unlikely due to his contract.
Smith - He looks promising and I think he's worth to try on the first team alongside some experienced defensively minded and responsible partner. Dumo? Not Pettersson please. Also I would give him a shot on 2nd PP unit.
POJ - A candidate for a higher round draft pick trade.
Friedman - I don't want to lose him but I'm afraid he wouldn't clear the waivers.
Ruhwedel - The first choice to replace someone who's injured. He was solid last year.