Pittsburgh Penguins Video Session: Brandon Tanev Gamble (PHN+)

The initial reaction to the Brandon Tanev signing for six years and $21 million which occurred moments after 12 p.m. on July 1 was decidedly negative. Six years is a long time. That’s twice as long as the average NFL running back’s career. That’s an undergrad and masters degree. And in six years, Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin will celebrate his 39th birthday.

We decided to do a full video session on Tanev. Open-minded. Open-ended. The good, the bad and the could-be.

Tanev has a bright skill set. He is immediately noticeable on his shifts. It would not be an unfair comparison to Bryan Rust, though Tanev has not shown the offensive growth which Rust has displayed each season. And therein lies one problem for the Penguins and the length of Tanev’s contract.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now specifically reviewed Tanev against the Metro Division, last season; against the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets. We also added a couple of random games, including Winnipeg against Florida on Nov. 1 in Helsinki, Finland.