SalarySwishSalarySwish
Avatar

BombSquad

BombSquad
Member Since
Jun. 25, 2016
Favourite Team
Pittsburgh Penguins
Forum Posts
613
Posts per Day
0.2
Forum: Armchair-GMSep. 5, 2016 at 7:13 p.m.
Thread: Ranking Top Prospects
The center position is interesting for the Penguins prospects. While I would say Sundqvist has the best chance of being an NHL player, I also don't think he will crack the Penguins Top 6 at any point in his career. This is especially true under the current regime where you have a Sid line, a Malkin line, and a Kessel line (if it stays that way into next season). I don't see Sunqvist playing a Bonino type role, thus making him a 4th line center, which may not necessarily be a bad thing. If the Penguins were to part ways with Bonino after next season I would say Guentzal, given his offensive talents, would make a better 3rd line center next to Kessel than Sundqvist would. Makes for good competition between the likes of Simon, Dea, and Blueger to try and surpass either Sundqvist or Guenztal though. As we know, our centers have quite the history of getting jurt and being out for long stretches of the season.

I think DiPauli will end up on the left wing, possibly Blueger as well. After next season when Kunitz is gone the Penguins will need a power forward left winger to play next to either Sid or Malkin. Sheary was great in the playoffs but I'm not sure if he is a long term solution next to Sid, although I do really like Rust on Malkin's right side. Could very well see Hagelin move up to Sid's line, and maybe Blueger, Wilson, or Sheary play on Kessel's line.

As far as defense goes, I think the Penguins are fortunate to be in the situation they are in. Daley are Schultz are likely gone after next season, which opens up room for Pouliot, Prow, and Bentgsson. One of Prow or Bentgsson will likely play next to Cole on the 3rd pairing in 2017-2018, while Pouliot could play his off wing with Maatta. Of course there could be quite a bit of movement with the goalie situation and expansion which would change all of that.