Penguins Wrap: Evaluating O’Connor; Grzelcyk Checks In; Pens’ What Ifs?

There is one large order of business the Pittsburgh Penguins have yet to check off this offseason. Here’s a hint: There are at least 87 reasons to get this task done.

Still, even though this is part of the quiet stretch of the NHL summer, the Penguins made some news over the past week, and there were some issues to look at. PHN had you covered. Click on the links to review.

Sunday: There’s still no contract for the captain, and it seems president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas is prioritizing the future of winning now. What does that mean for a few veterans on the PHN singled out Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, and Wes Clark and examined a few what-ifs.

Monday: There seems to be a perception that if the Penguins don’t somehow acquire someone new to play on Crosby’s left flank, that spot will fall to the guy who played on the left side of that top line late last season after Jake Guentzel was traded. If he remains there, how might things work out with Drew O’Connor?

Tuesday: Things don’t happen in a vacuum. How has the Penguins’ offseason stacked up against what has been happening this summer with the Penguins’ rivals?

Penguins prospect Brayden Yager has been invited to the Team Canada summer camp, which is a kickoff to determining the team that will compete at the World Junior Championships.

Wednesday: One Penguins rival in the Metropolitan Division has made a big run toward rebuilding this offseason, specifically around Alex Ovechkin. It has been a very busy summer, including some good talent ready to play at Capital One Arena. Here’s how the Penguins’ offseason compares with that of their rivals, the Washington Capitals.

Another Penguins prospect, Tanner Howe, will join Yager at the Team Canada summer camp.

Yet another Penguins prospect flashed some sick stickwork to score a goal in Da Beauty League. There might be more talent than we think lurking in the pipeline. See the video of that goal by Tristan Broz.

Thursday: The Penguins’ newest defenseman is looking for a big bounce-back this season after admittedly struggling with his confidence in his final season with Boston. Regional reporters, including Pittsburgh Hockey Now, discussed last season and what’s to come with free agent acquisition Matt Grzelcyk.

The division didn’t uniformly improve this summer as one Metropolitan Division foe took some big losses in free agency. Check out the carnage surrounding the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Penguins signed Harrison Brunicke, a second-round pick in this year’s draft, to an entry-level contract.

Friday: Does ESPN even care about hockey? We remember when Evgeni Malkin was snubbed when an NHL top 100 of all time was named. Now, PHN’s Dan Kingerski points out, ESPN has dissed fellow Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby.

Saturday: In a continuing look at the Penguins’ Metropolitan Division competition, take stock of what general manager Tom Fitzgerald has accomplished this offseason. His moves could lead to a resurgence by the New Jersey Devils.