It has been a few days since the big moves to improve Pittsburgh's forward depth.
Here are some more visual comparisons of what the Penguins had versus what they have now.
Brandon Sutter 3.3M Nick Bonino + Eric Fehr 3.9M
Something that hasn't been discussed a lot since the Eric Fehr signing is the versatility that he brings to the lineup. A lot of people think that he is strictly a center when in fact for the lion's share of his NHL career he has been a right wing. Only recently has he made the successful shift to center.
Here is a passage from Kareem E from the Washington Capitals blog Japer's Rink. The entire article is worth reading as it has everything you could ever want to know about Eric Fehr and the job he did with the Capitals.
Enter Eric Fehr. The wing-to-center transformation he began in 2013 is now complete. In 2014-15, he proved that he is a bonafide third-line center, reinforced by the 19 goals, 14 assists and 33 points he put together this past season, besting last year's output by two points. Even with tougher assignments and limited offensive zone starts, he improved his possession numbers from last year, evidenced by his increase in SF% from 48.0% in 2013-14 to 50.2% this year. He finished +8 in two key categories: plus-minus and net penalties drawn. His face-off win percentage improved from 46% to 52%, another impressive feat for a converted winger who had not taken many draws in his career before 2013. Defensively, he logged more time on the PK this year (1:23) than last year (1:00) and his shot suppression numbers on the PK ranked best on the team at 47.8 across 60 minutes, down from last year's less sightly 66.6 across 60. Again, quite an evolution, further enhanced by the fact that he completed his two-year metamorphosis with an entirely new set of coaches.
Pittsburgh has the luxury of having a lot more forward depth than they are accustomed to. This creates some opportunities and options for Mike Johnston.
Considering it is likely that Eric Fehr misses the start of the season due to elbow surgery it opens the door for a player like Oskar Sundqvist to earn some NHL time as the fourth line center. If Sundqvist can prove he can handle those kind of minutes then you could be looking at a third line that has Bonino at center and Fehr on the right wing.
Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist Kunitz-Malkin-Kessel Dupuis-Bonino-Fehr Plotnikov-Sundqvist-Bennett
Pittsburgh would still have a players like Conor Sheary, Scott Wilson, and Bryan Rust fighting for roster spots.
Depth is a great thing. May the best players win spots in the lineup.
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