History says ‘Trader Jim’ won’t stand pat on roster
was going even before Mike Sullivan professed his undying love for Kessel Friday night. But I did believe there was a chance Carl Hagelin would be moved. Conor Sheary. Matt Hunwick. Perhaps Tristan Jarry. Nothing. That’s OK, though. Delays aren’t denials …
There’s still a good chance Trader Jim will make a significant move before the start of free agency next Sunday. He has to shed some money and make salary-cap room if he wants to add a depth defenseman. It’s also against his nature not to do something — anything — when his team falls short in the playoffs.
But on the odd chance Rutherford stands pat? That’s OK, too. Would it really be so bad if the Penguins brought back virtually the same team next season to take another run at the Stanley Cup?
I believe, as Rutherford does, the Penguins ran out of gas against the Washington Capitals after winning the Cup the previous two seasons. I believe Kessel and Derick Brassard were injured and limited during the past playoffs and will be better next season. I believe, as Sullivan does, that Kris Letang will bounce back from a poor season after getting an offseason to train. I believe Matt Murray will be back to being terrific after an emotionally challenging year. I believe, as Rutherford does, that Daniel Sprong will be a good addition to the lineup. I even believe Kessel and Sullivan will be able to co-exist, although Sullivan’s defense of their relationship was a little too over the top for my tastes.
“I have so much respect for Phil as an athlete and person,” Sullivan told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey Friday night. “I really like Phil. I value the relationship that we have.” What? You expected Sullivan to say he hates coaching Kessel and can’t wait to get rid of him?
Sullivan is a terrific coach and a very smart man. He said what he had to say because he knows Kessel will be back next season even if I have no doubt that Rutherford would move Kessel if he could get the right return, which seems unlikely. Kessel is an amazing offensive player, but he’s difficult to coach. He’s never in great shape. He pouts when he doesn’t get to play with his chosen center. He does nothing to help the team with his defense or his physical play. He wore out his welcome in Boston and Toronto and appears to be doing that here. Sullivan has to figure out a way to get the best out of Kessel for one more season. His comments to Mackey, excessive as they were, can only help.
But Kessel isn’t the primary key to the Penguins’ success next season. It’s Letang. Everyone in the organization believes his upand-down year last season was because he was coming off major neck surgery in April and couldn’t train properly. No one works out harder. If Letang is right, the Penguins defensemen will be a solid unit. Rutherford has said as much, although he surely would like to do better than Chad Ruhwedel and Hunwick as third-pairing defensemen candidates. Brian Dumoulin has become the team’s best. Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta are really good. Jamie Oleksiak played better in the playoffs after adjusting to the Penguins after his trade here in December. You might not like the group. I do.
I like the team as it is just fine.
I can’t wait for the next week to see how much Rutherford likes it.