As they sit right now, the Penguins would take the last spot in the Eastern Conference, just squeaking into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The season has seen its ups and downs, the firing of coaches, underperforming stars, injuries, etc. It has been a long season to this point, but one that is looking up.
The Penguins superstars are starting to play like stars again. They are getting production from the role players they need as well. GM Jim Rutherford has already made a couple moves, bringing in Carl Hagelin and Trevor Daley to bolster the top six and defense respectively. But is he done?
I think the Penguins still have some holes to fill going down the stretch. I think their most glaring need is on defense. While the top four of Letang, Maatta, Dumoulin and Daley seem set, the bottom pair has many questions. Can Derrick Pouliot live up to expectations, especially after the horrible preseason he showcased? Will Ben Lovejoy be reinvigorated by the All-Star break or will his struggles of late continue into the second half? What do the Penguins do with Ian Cole, who has been so disappointing to date that he's found himself a healthy scratch? These questions need to be answered, and I don't think they will come from within.
Then, there is the forward corps. The Penguins have been lucky enough to (knock on wood) have the health of their stars. Crosby and Malkin have played every game, Fleury missed 2 weeks with a concussion and Letang has missed a handful of games, despite multiple nagging injuries. Otherwise, they've been healthy. Injuries to the Pens have come to the role guys. Bonino will be out a few more weeks with a broken hand. Beau Bennett can't seem to touch ice without hurting himself and veterans like Chris Kunitz and Eric Fehr have missed time due to injury. I think the Penguins would do well to add another winger for the stretch run, particularly a left winger.
The following are five names I think would be solid fits for the Penguins down the stretch and into the playoffs. They address both areas of need and would come at relatively low cap hits and market prices. These are my five names...
6. Brandon Prust
For his career, the 3rd rounder in 2004 has played in 486 games, scored 40 goals and 115pts. He has averaged 11:39 per game, recorded seven career short handed goals and recorded 741 hits.
This season with Vancouver has been a mixed bag for the veteran. He has missed time due to injury, but also hasn't fit well into the Western style of play, despite being a big, physical guy. In 35 games for the Canucks, he has posted a goal, 7 points, 12:47 average time on ice, 40 hits and a 54.5% faceoff success rate.
Brandon Prust is a goon, but he is someone the Penguins could sorely use during the stretch run against division foes. He will lay punishing hits every shift and could be used as a penalty killer as well. He currently has a 2.5 million salary cap hit, but that will be less by the time the deadline arrives. He could likely be acquired on the cheap, especially if the Canucks are looking on the outside looking in on the playoff race. A mid-round pick could bring some snarl to the Penguins bottom six.
5. John-Michael Liles
The 5th rounder in 2000 has had a quiet, but productive career. In 770 career games, he has 86 goals and 356 points, 177 of those points have come via the power play. He has averaged nearly 20 minutes a night on the blueline, but has a career mark of minus-39. Though remember, he has played on some bad teams the majority of his career.
The veteran defenseman is playing well for the surprising Hurricanes. In 51 games for Carolina, Liles has posted 5 goals, 12 points and averaged 20:17 per night. He sees time on the Canes second power play unit and time on the PK. Defensively, he has beens solid. In those 51 games, he is just a minus-4, has recorded 50 hits and blocked 71 shots.
Liles will be an unrestricted free agent at years end and currently has a 3.875 AAV against the salary cap. Only time will tell if Carolina will be sellers at the deadline, but I don't think they will keep up this level. With the rebuild in mind, trading Liles for anything would be productive for the future. I think he could be acquired for a draft pick, perhaps one of the Pens two second rounders. That may be a high price, but Liles would add veteran leadership and experience to the bottom six and would serve well alongside the likes of Pouliot or Lovejoy. It is a name to consider, but he wouldn't be my top choice.
4. Jonathan Drouin
Drouin is a solid player, one who could really be special if given the chance. He has played in 89 career games, posting 6 goals and 40 points in just over 13 minutes a night. This season, which saw him start off before falling injured for a spell, has been less productive with just 2 goals, 6 points in 19 games. Drouin was sent to the AHL in December.
The price is dropping on the young winger because of this current situation. He looks bad because he is demanding trades and sitting out games. That will hurt his value. The other thing hurting his value is Tampa suspending him, which means he isn't playing. The price was high, and will remain high, but the Lightning will ultimately be forced to either reinstate him or trade him. However, keep in mind that Drouin has one more year on his entry level deal, and will be a restricted free agent after. So ultimately, the Penguins would get four guaranteed years from a young, talented left winger.
A lot of teams will call, and a lot of offers will be sent. He would not come cheap to the Penguins, but he could be the permanent replacement for the foreseeable future on Crosby's left side.
3. Dan Hamhuis
Hamhuis has good numbers over his 12 year NHL career. In 841 games, he has 52 goals and 294 points. He's a plus-90 for his career and has averaged over 22 minutes per night.
This season has been difficult for the vet. He has played in only 27 games due to taking a shot off his jaw in early December. He is expected to return following the All-Star break for the Canucks and how he plays will depend on his value come February 29th. In those 27 games, Hamhuis has 4 assists, a plus-7 rating and averaged close to 20 minutes a night.
I personally like the idea of acquiring Hamhuis. There is no discounting the calibre of player; he is a top-4 defenseman, has played in the Stanley Cup Finals, and has won goal medals with Canada both at the Olympics and IIHF World Championships. I see him as the perfect fit for any pair on the Penguins blueline and a valuable veteran in the locker room. I don't know what the price would be, but I'm sure the Pens could work out a team-friendly deal, especially since he is coming off injury.
2. Kris Versteeg
Versteeg is a solid winger, who has some scoring ability. In 532 career games, he has 126 goals, 306 points and averaged 16:43 per night. He is a threat on the power play as well, scoring 81 career power play points often on his team's second unit.
This season for Carolina, Versteeg has played incredibly well alongside Eric Staal. In 50 games, he has 10 goals, 31 points and a plus-3 rating while averaging 16:29 a night. He also has eight points on the man-advantage.
Much like teammate John-Michael Liles, Versteeg's availability will depend on Carolina's standing. They currently remain in the playoff race, but will they still be there by the 29th of February? I doubt it. Versteeg will likely come at a decent price, perhaps for as little as a second or third round draft pick. If the Pens could get him for that price, they should do it. He could certainly help either the top line, or the third line coming down the stretch and in the playoffs.
1. Kris Russell
The 3rd round choice in the 2005 NHL Draft has had a solid career despite playing for a couple struggling franchises. The 28-year-old impending unrestricted free agent has played 555 games for Columbus, St. Louis and Calgary. He has scored 37 goals and 172 points, 58 via the power play. He has a career rating of minus-9, which isn't bad considering the teams he has played for, but he's been underrated too, playing 19 minutes a night and blocking 1117 shots over his nine year career.
Russell has been solid again this year for a surprisingly disappointing Flames team. In 44 games, he has 3 goals, 14 points and blocked 148 shots while averaging 22:46 per night.
Russell is a legitimate top-four NHL defenseman. I see him in the same light I see Paul Martin and I think the Penguins would be smart to call the Flames to kick the tires. While he will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, he could likely be re-signed at a decent number for three year and the Penguins would have a solid core of two-way defensemen with speed and power play ability. He is not the flashy name many would like, but he could be the key piece in a playoff run for the Penguins.