It appears as though logic will prevail, at least for now. Brian Dumoulin has been removed from the top pairing after a rough start to the season.
Some new look combos at Penguins practice:
— Danny Shirey (@DannyShireyPGH) November 8, 2022
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Zucker-Malkin-Rakell
McGinn-Carter-Heinen
Hallander-Poehling-Archibald
Poulin-Blueger-Kapanen
Pettersson-Letang
Joseph-Petry
Dumoulin-Rutta/Ruhwedel
Marcus Pettersson is currently the Penguins best left shot defender. He will get the promotion and I believe it to be the correct call. Over the summer there was a push to move Pettersson which was always strange to me with Dumoulin sitting right there, not only a worse player, but one who would have higher trade value. Pettersson has been a solid player who goes about his business without much flare. He’s been reliable
I also like the decision to put Pierre-Olivier Joseph with Jeff Petry. The Penguins replacement for John Marino hasn’t lived up to his billing yet this year. I don’t think taking Pettersson from him and giving him Dumoulin would be a positive development for the situation. Olivier-Joseph would have likely been demoted if he and Ty Smith’s waiver status was different. Instead, he remained with the big club and has done a decent enough job with his opportunity
I’m willing to see how this pairing will play out.
As for Dumoulin, I haven’t and don’t expect him to find himself out of the lineup completely, at least realistically not yet. Bottom pairing minutes is what Dumoulin has earned so far and is the current situation. It is the correct move. He *should* have to play himself back into the top four. If he does, great, it will have been earned. If he doesn’t, that’s fine too, because at least he wouldn’t be up there underperforming. This was a necessary step for Mike Sullivan to take and one that was obvious.
This is what Mike Sullivan had to say about the situation
Sullivan on Dumoulin moving to the third: "He's a great player, pro, and Pittsburgh Penguin... He takes ownership for his own game, and responsibility for trying to bring his very best. I have no doubt he'll work through it."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 8, 2022
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