Training camp is here. The Penguins started practicing yesterday and are back at it today. We are getting our first glimpses at line combos and defense pairings. We are also getting a first look at how the NHL is going to try and monetize via ads in the absence of fans in the stands.
NHL teams will be allowed to put advertising on the helmets this upcoming season. Would I rather there be no ads at all? Yes, for sure. Do I understand why they are doing it now? Also, yes. Do I think they are ever going away now? No, they are here to stay. Pandora ’s Box is open. This can be done in a way that isn’t intrusive. It can blend in with the uniforms and look like it belongs. Or you can do it how the Penguins did
This looks tacky. The Penguins have one of the worst looking ads in the league. It is one of the biggest and it totally clashes with the black and gold, very ugly. If the colors matched it wouldn’t be as egregious. For example:
The Leafs, Flames, and Capitals all look natural and won’t clash with their look
These aren’t as bad. You’ll even notice the Leafs have some red in theirs and they don’t have red in their uniform. Why is that OK, but not the Penguins? Because red, white, and blue go together naturally. There is no way to make blue work with black and gold.
The NHL has also sold the rights to their divisions
Honestly, are any of these worse than calling one of your divisions Metropolitan? Are any fans going to use the company names? Of course not, let the NHL take their money and we’ll continue to call them East, North, Central, and West.
As for the on-ice news. Here are the lines and defense pairings:
We know Kapanen won’t be with the team for a while. For now, it appears Evan Rodrigues will be filling the top line right wing role. He can skate, but there isn’t much else to be had. Colton Sceviour joins the fourth line after being absent yesterday (he is a new Dad, congratulations).
If you’re looking for Sam Poulin or Nate Legare to get traction and make the lineup you may have to temper your expectations. It is Drew O’Connor who is practicing with the main group. He filled in for Sceviour yesterday on the fourth line and stayed with the group today.
Even if you put Kapanen on the top line and move Rodrigues to the third line things are pretty sketchy. The team has put all their eggs in the Crosby and Malkin will stay healthy basket because if they aren’t I don’t know how to salvage the depth chart.
No surprises on defense pairings. This is how they should start. You have a very solid top four who have experience working with one another. The two newcomers will be on the bottom pairing. You can limit their minutes as they get acclimated to a new team. The Penguins have invested heavily in their defense so this is going to have to be a strength of the team. It should be. I don’t think Matheson-Ceci can be as bad as Johnson-Schultz was. It would be crazy if they were.
The power play *should* improve this year. Todd Reirdan did a great job the last time he was here and he has a lot of familiar faces to work with. I think he will be more open to working with the personnel he has and cater things to the strengths the players bring.
Bryan Rust had eight power play goals last year, yes eight. He led the entire team. Hornqvist had three. Rust has earned this look on the power play. He is also right handed which is much needed on a team dominated by left handed forwards, at least as far as skilled players go. What about Kapanen? Power play doesn’t appear to be a strength. He is in the 37th percentile in that area
Lastly, following up on the story about Pittsburgh taking the federal small business loans. The bad look isn’t getting any better
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»