Well color me surprised about this team. I’m not ready to sing their praises just yet, because I’ve been fooled before, like last season. But I can say the new pieces appear to be functional, which is already a promising start. Will they save us? Will they be a reincarnation of our Big Three?
It’s a little unfair—and perhaps a touch elitist—of me to shove them into those roles. We’ve had plenty of great players roll through Pittsburgh over the years. Players who were great and left that way. Players who were average but somehow became legends in Pittsburgh. And players who were great five seasons ago, whose carcasses we eventually had to hide in the back of the lineup. I have to view these new toys with a new mindset. Someone more skilled than me can rundown the newbie’s assets so far, but a quick reminder on the additions…
Nick Robertson: Okay, Nick. We see you.
Andrei Kuzmenko: TBD
Trevor van Riemsdyk: Responsible defensive game.
Kaedan Korczak: meh, I haven’t noticed him, which is a good thing.
Declan Carlile: looks like Letang’s son. Has hands.
You can list your favorite or most surprising addition. I’m going to save my Report Card for after November, because that’s usually when the cracks start to show.
Tonight, the Penguins play the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets opened the season with a 4–3 overtime loss to Boston, blowing a 3–2 lead late in the third period. Stuart Skinner made his Winnipeg debut. The Jets are playing Detroit today, so depending on when you’re reading this, Skinner may already have his first win as a Jet. As I write this, Winnipeg is up 3–0, so I’m going to count it as a win.
A player to watch is eighth-overall pick from the 2026 draft, Viggo Björck, who plays center and is already getting a pretty significant opportunity in Winnipeg’s lineup. And that’s pretty much it. I looked at the roster and immediately felt my eyes getting heavy. I’m sure the Jets should not be overlooked and that they have legitimate talent…I just can’t find it.
The AARP crew (Trio + Van Riemsdyk) are still kickin ( Karl…not now 😬). It has only been 2 games, but Swan-song or One-more-year Malkin is already reminding us that the 101 status was apparently an error.. Currently, Geno is leading a riot in the pharmacy line; He wants his Ensure coupon honored.
“It’sssss a HOCKEY NIGHT in Pittsburgh.” Get your mind right.
LGP