PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the disappointment of not getting a big-name veteran or high-end younger player, the Pens did at least give Mike Sullivan some lineup options. He believes that will help the bottom lines who have been inconsistent at best.
While no Jordan Staal’s, Tyler Kennedy’s, Phil Kessel’s or Carl Hagelin’s in their primes joining this team, they do have the ability to move people all over the ice. Mikael Granlund and Nick Bonino can play anywhere and Sullivan said that is invaluable to what they are putting together.
“Versatility is such an important part of a competitive roster,” Sullivan said Monday. “When you have guys that can play center, can play the wing, can kill penalties, can move up and down the lineup depending on what the needs of the team are. I think that versatility is essential to having a team compete at the highest level. That’s something we’ve always prided ourselves on.”
“Both of those forwards we brought in can play anywhere, top to bottom, left-center-right,” said forward Josh Archibald. “It’s nice to be able to have those.”
Bonino returns to Pittsburgh six years older, but wiser. Bonino has played a lot of wing recently because of the quality of centers on his former teams. He’s good with playing wing, but loves the idea of settling into center. During Monday’s practice, the 34-year-old Bonino centered the fourth line and Grandlund the third.
“I feel good, my body feels great,” Bonino said. “I’m trying to skate even more if that makes sense. Just moving my feet. I think I’m thinking the game the same, just more experience.”
“I think the good thing about Bones is that he’s been here before,” Archibald said. “I don’t think a lot has changed since he’s been here. A lot of the personnel is the same, but you know for those other guys. I think it’s spending time with them. Spending time on the ice with them, getting to know tendencies. Having them know your tendencies and getting in games. I think for Granny getting a couple under his belt with us is a good start for him and I think the other two will catch up right away.”
“It’s been good. It’s a really good group of guys,” Granlund said. “I have two games under my belt, the system is coming along better and better, really excited about this. There are still some things you still need to think about a little bit. It’s not (yet) coming instinctively.”
“I think you learn your teammates, line mates tendencies out there pretty quickly. I know the game gets a little quicker when you know the system. It comes with time, now I just go out and play hockey.”
“We are trying to figure out combinations that give us the balance we need to give us the best chance to win,” Sullivan said. “We are going through a little bit of a process to see what that looks like.”
Pens host Columbus Tuesday night at 7p, the start of a five-game homestand.