BT's 2008-09 NHL Season Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins

In the same light, Kris Letang’s role will become more important as well. Letang posted two quality seasons in his last years in the QMJHL, and he even proved he can score at the AHL level with seven points in just 10 games last season. If he can transfer his puck-moving game to the highest level, use his shot early and often, and really start to dominate in his own end, then Letang may be destined for superstardom as early as this season.

Darryl Sydor remains the elder statesman on this defense, but his main assets this season are going to be providing leadership and being a depth guy. The days of Sydor scoring 40 or 45 points are long gone, and the legs are a little slower—but when the younger defensemen are faced with stepping up in the face of adversity, Sydor could not be more useful.

Brooks Orpik is also developing into a fine, young, physical defenseman. He still takes some inopportune penalties, but if he really steps into a role of leadership on the back end this season, and shows that he can be responsible and be “the physical guy” at the same time, Orpik will be dangerous.

Hal Gill remains as another big presence on the Pittsburgh defense, but it’ll be interesting to see how he does against the quicker forwards in the Atlantic Division. Matching up against Zherdev, Gagne, and Gionta, Gill could become someone to pick on for the opposition—although he did look strong in his short audition with the Pens last season (18 games, four points, plus-6).

Until Gonchar and Whitney are back, though, the Pens really need the depth guys to step up.  Rob Scuderi needs to be a steady presence, while Mark Eaton will need to show that he’s fully recovered from a torn MCL last season.

It’ll be an interesting few months on the back end for the Penguins.

 

Crosby, Staal, and Malkin oh my...

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