Penguins Update: Should Nylander Have Been Called Up Earlier?

In the wake of Alex Nylander’s very impressive black-and-gold debut last night, it fairly screams the question. Should he have been called up earlier? And if so, could it have had an effect on the moves we made at the trade deadline?

About six weeks ago, in the midst of a dry spell from our bottom six to rival rainfall totals in Death Valley, I posted an article suggesting that perhaps it was time to give some of our prospects an opportunity. Specifically, Nylander and Baby Pens linemate Valtteri Puustinen.

I reasoned it made sense to at least give these guys a look in advance of the trade deadline.

Consistent with our organizational reluctance to make any type of lineup adjustments other than those dictated by injury, Nylander and Puustinen stayed rooted in place down on the farm while the incumbents struggled. It was only during the week leading up to the deadline that GM Ron Hextall moved to correct some mistakes by shipping out slumping bottom-sixers Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen and Brock McGinn.

Although it’s an admittedly small sample set, Nylander absolutely looked like he belonged last night.

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