Will the Penguins’ New Additions Help Sullivan be More Creative?
With the first drop of the puck just seven weeks away, the new hockey season is fast approaching. Along with it, a renewed sense of hope for better things to come for our favorite hockey team.
Upon his arrival on June 1, new president of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas wasted little time putting his stamp on our Penguins, culminating in the brilliant Erik Karlsson-for-guys-we-no-longer-wanted swap. Indeed, no fewer than 11 of the 24 players who finished the season with us are gone. In essence, we have a brand-new team.
This is especially true up front. Dubas acquired or signed six new forwards to bolster our bottom six, including Noel Acciari (pictured), Lars Eller, Vinnie Hinostroza, Andreas Johnsson, Matt Nieto and Rem Pitlick. Seven if you count the “Big Z,” Radim Zohorna, a likely Baby Pens mainstay but one who could factor into the mix as well before all is said and done.
Along with holdovers Drew O’Connor, Alex Nylander and, yes, Jeff Carter, competition for jobs should be spirited to say the least.