Penguins
Looks Like Changes Coming to Penguins Lineup; Bunting Out?
The Pittsburgh Penguins could be considering a couple lineup changes, one at forward and one on defense, judging from the looks they used Saturday during practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
Winger Valtteri Pusstinen could make his season debut Sunday in Winnipeg after being scratched the first six games. He skated on the third line Saturday with Lars Eller and Jesse Puljujarvi.
The odd man out would appear to be Michael Bunting, who skated mostly as an extra at practice. He had been a regular on the left wing on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell. Drew O’Connor skated on Malkin’s left flank in practice.
During Friday’s loss to Carolina, Bunting, whose only point is an assist, got moved to the third line.
Bunting made something of a splash after coming over from Carolina in the Jake Guentzel trade late last season. In 21 games, mostly playing with Malkin, he not only brought some scrappiness, but he also had six goals, 13 assists.
Asked about Bunting’s performance through the first six games this season, coach Mike Sullivan said only, “I think our expectation is higher.”
Puustinen, the always upbeat 25-year-old, played in 52 games for the Penguins last season, logging six goals, 13 assists.
On defense, Ryan Shea skated on the third pairing Saturday with Ryan Graves. Shea, who has played just one game, could displace Jack St. Ivany on that pairing.
I have noticed that Bunting hasn’t been on his game and almost seems lackadaisical at times. Other than starting the occasional scrap and getting under a few skins, he has mostly been invisible. He also hasn’t gotten in front of the net very often, which is probably the main thing he excelled at last season. Maybe a one game benching will light a fire. On the flipside, O’Connor has been exceptional and very deserving of the promotion. Also, I hope Puusty plays with some energy, gets some shots off and makes it a hard decision to take him out of… Read more »