By Jonathan Bombulie
December 20, 2017
Jame Oleksiak (6-7, 250lb D) was acquired from the Stars on Wednesday (Getty Images)
Two-plus months into the season, the Penguins have dug themselves quite a hole.
A disappointing 1-2-0 road trip followed a disappointing 2-3-0 homestand. Through 35 games, they're 17-15-3.
If that ditch looks familiar, it should.
Two years ago, the Penguins had the same 17-15-3 record after 35 games.
Everyone knows how that story ended, of course. They went 29-11-5 the rest of the way, streaking into the playoffs and claiming the franchise's fourth Stanley Cup championship.
That turnaround didn't happen by accident, though. The Penguins made significant changes along the way, firing coach Mike Johnston and replacing him with Mike Sullivan, completing three significant trades and infusing youth from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Could the Penguins take a similar path to another turnaround this season? Let's take a look.
COACHING
It would be silly to suggest Sullivan is on any sort of hot seat, but the challenge in front of him might be more daunting than it was two years ago.
When he took the reins from Johnston, the Penguins ranked 22nd in the league in shot-attempt percentage, saddled with a plodding breakout that had little chance to succeed.
Sullivan emphasized speed in all its forms, and suddenly the Penguins looked like new men.
The problems aren't nearly as cut-and-dried this time around. Their shot-attempt percentage is ninth in the league and rising, yet they continue to get outscored decisively at even strength.
If the issue isn't quantity of shots, it's probably quality of chances, and when the Penguins aren't getting enough high-quality chances, they try to skill themselves into prosperity. This often backfires.
“I think you tend to force it a little bit, and that's when you start to make mistakes,” captain Sidney Crosby said.
For Sullivan, convincing a fast team to play fast was easy in 2015. Convincing a skilled team not to rely too much on its skill will be harder in 2017.
TRADES
The acquisitions of Trevor Daley, Carl Hagelin and Justin Schultz reshaped the Penguins almost as much as the coaching change did two years ago.
The Penguins look to be in the middle of a similar remodeling this season. The addition of 6-foot-7 defenseman Jamie Oleksiak from Dallas on Wednesday was the start, but given general manager Jim Rutherford's track record and public comments, it's not likely to be the end.
The impact of a timely deal that addresses a specific weakness should not be underestimated. Just ask one of the parties involved in the 2015 trades.
“As people, we like something new and something fresh,” Hagelin said. “All of a sudden, you have a new guy in the locker room that does something different. Usually guys get excited from that. It's a long year. Sometimes you need to find a way to put yourself in excitement mode. We all love playing the game. It's just a matter of getting in that mindset on a daily basis.”
YOUTH
Strong play from call-ups Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, Tom Kuhnhackl, Scott Wilson and Matt Murray made a huge difference in the 2015 turnaround.
The Penguins don't have the same prospect depth this year, but they have enough to make a difference.
Daniel Sprong, who is tied for the AHL lead with 15 goals, is going to get a shot eventually. Dominik Simon and Tristan Jarry already have arrived. Thomas Di Pauli could be a bottom-six option with speed.
The Penguins learned in 2015 that call-ups can be more than just injury fill-ins. They can be a catalyst. They shouldn't forget that this year.
“The young guys are obviously excited to be here,” Kuhnhackl said. “It's almost like a cake. We have to take a piece of that and bring that motivation to the rink every day.”
Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jbombulie@tribweb.comor via Twitter @BombulieTrib.
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