So here are a couple of bold predictions I have for the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2014-15 season.
Kasperi Kapanen will Be a Finalist for Rookie of the Year
That being said, I don't only think that Kapanen will be part of the Penguins roster come Oct. 9th against Anaheim but will be a contender for the Calder Trophy come next June. Kapanen has good hands and is a solid player for an eighteen year old kid. What's more impressive, is he has been playing with professionals for the past two seasons and has played well. He was the number one ranked European player at the Draft this year and he plays well in big situations (Just look at his World Junior numbers).
It is not far fetched to say Kapanen will make an impact and that he couldn't be a Calder finalist if he makes the team. He is going to be on a line most likely with arguably the third best player on the planet and will have a solid net-front presence in Patric Hornqvist there as well. Will Kapanen win the Calder, probably not. Is it ridiculous to say he would contend for it? I sure don't think so.
Rob Scuderi will have a renassaince season
He did not fit into the Bylsma system. When Scuds was here in 09, the Byslma system wasn't in place yet, which is why he was the best defenseman in the playoffs. Last year, a system emphasizing speed and getting forward, Scuds was left out to dry. Don't expect that this year.
He is completely healthy. He broke his ankle and missed two months last year. He probably came back a little early and was never back at full speed/strength the rest of the season. He will be 100% this September.
The Johnston system will be a better fit his game. The Pens will be going with a more puck possession game than the run and gun system of Dan Bylsma. I think this will elevate Scuderi's play and make sure he doesn't get caught out of position like he did last year.
I know many think he is done and should have been rid of this offseason, but I still believe that "The Piece" is in there and will be back. Scuderi rebounds greatly, mark my words.
Kris Letang will play 70+ Games and Win the Norris Trophy
This year, I think Kris Letang will be ready to go. A lighter offseason should allow him to be more fresh coming into camp, which is a good thing for him.
I also think the coaching change will greatly benefit Tanger. He and Bylsma were not bosom buddies; I have it on good authority that they did not have a good relationship. Mike Johnston is a new coach, with a new system which should allow Letang to become an offensive force again.
We know Kris Letang has the talent, we have seen it in previous seasons. His biggest problem is staying on the ice. If he can remain healthy, he will be great. I think he will. I think he plays over seventy games for the first time since 2010-11. If he plays in at least 70 games, I think he will be good enough to win the Norris Trophy, becoming the first Penguin to win since Randy Carlyle in 1982.
Brandon Sutter will break 50 points on the season
I think the real Brandon Sutter was the one we saw in the post season. He will always be a defensive forward, but we will see him expand on the offensive performance we saw in the playoffs. Why? Firstly, he will have better linemates. Whether it is Pascal Dupuis, Nick Spaling, Beau Bennett, Blake Comeau or Steve Downie flanking him, they are considerable upgrades to the minor leaguers he had on his wings all last season. He scored 26 with them, with legitimate NHL wingers on his line, he will post better numbers.
Brandon Sutter has never broken 50 points, but I think the number is over 50 for this season. Nick Spaling will allow him to be a little more adventurous in the offensive zone, while a healthy Beau Bennett and/or Pascal Dupuis will use their speed to distribute the puck for prime scoring opportunities. Sutter breaks out, watch for 50 points from the Pens third line center.
The Art Ross Trophy Stays in Pittsburgh, but with Evgeni Malkin
Last year was a down year for Geno. He had some nagging injuries that had him slightly off keel and the loss of Neal for stretches of time definitely effected him. He started to find it again in the playoffs and I think he will find it early again this year.
Now, I bet you're wondering where that screw in my head fell out. Yes, Malkin lost Neal. Yes, Malkin lost Jokinen. The two guys that skated consistently with him the last year and a half are gone, I get it.
You know what I have to say about that? Big deal. Malkin performs better when he gets to shine. His best year was in 2011-12, when Crosby was out the majority of the year. He likes to have the puck and do the work. I think he got lazy the last two years with Neal and Jokinen and expected them to do more work.
This year, he will have Hornqvist, someone he's never played with, but a player of a similar mold to Chris Kunitz. That's a plus to Malkin, who benefits greatly from a net-front presence (remember, Kunitz was that guy in 2011-12). He will have a young kid on his wing; either Bennett or Kapanen will flank him and both are solid puck movers. He will have the likes of Steve Downie in the lineup, who will skate with Malkin occasionally to make sure no one messes with Geno, but more importantly that Geno doesn't get involved in stupid extracurriculars.
Malkin will have the puck more. He will be looked on to shine again and he will have protection from the other teams with the likes of Downie, which will keep him on the ice more. Malkin will rebound from a down year in a big way, expect the Art Ross to stay in the Burgh, in Malkin's possession.