Penguins Decisions: Exploring Crazy Number of Line Combos, Strategies

In honor of Labor Day weekend, we’ll do some work for you and tackle the question with an almost unlimited number of answers. The question is not the calculation for pi, but for Pittsburgh Penguins coaches, figuring out the best line combinations may take as long to calculate and, like pi, be a never-ending equation.

We’ve written about the restorative effects of the Rutger McGroarty trade, which helped the Penguins’ offseason about-face. Instead of salary dumps, McGroarty represents a youthful and talented addition.

He also represents a likely addition to the top nine forward crew. While the top six remains pretty well established, the bottom six is a wild jumble with 13 players fighting for seven spots, including one to hold down a plate of press box nachos.

McGroarty forthrightly told Pittsburgh media, including Pittsburgh Hockey Now, on Thursday that the team has given him no promises that he’ll make the NHL roster. In fact, the trade acquisition will have to earn it.

There’s plenty of reason to think the stocky 205-pound forward with a playmaking ability and lottery-pick pedigree will make the team. McGroarty can also play left or right wing, adding just a few more options.

It’s all part of the infinite answers. Of course, no matter how coaches configure the lines, many will assume they’re wrong.

There will be little sway on the blue line as we largely know the roles before camp. The biggest questions are on which pairing Matt Grzelcyk will play and whether Jack St. Ivany will lock down the right side of the third pairing.

The forwards are a much different story. We’ve installed Kevin Hayes as the third-line center, but he could very well slot in as the fourth-line center, and Lars Eller keeps his third-line spot.

The puzzle may feel more like a game of Operation. With each change, there is often a necessary counterbalance measure. So, one player winning a job may affect another or two others.

Lastly, when we laid out the roster, we had a difficult time keeping Valtteri Puustinen in the lineup. Despite his age (25), inconsistent and soft play from last season will haunt him in October decisions.

So, let’s have a little fun before football season starts next weekend. Of course, for our football brethren and those who like the hockey futures, there are the BetMGM bonus bets for signing up.

Penguins Lines Possibility #1: The Standard

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Anthony Beauvillier-Kevin Hayes-Rutger McGroarty

Blake Lizotte-Lars Eller-Noel Acciari

Extra forward: Cody Glass

Waived: Valtteri Puustinen, Jesse Puljujarvi, Emil Bemstrom, Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden. Sent down: Vasily Ponomarev

Reasoning: In this configuration, McGroarty and Hayes will form an offensive punch on the third line. Beauvillier’s job will be a speedy forecheck and puck retrieval. Beauvillier is not without offense either, so his ability to play the speed game and chip in the offense will surpass Puustinen’s inconsistent game.

Penguins Lines #2: Safe Choices

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Rutger McGroarty-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari

Blake Lizotte-Lars Eller-Cody Glass

Extra Forward: Anthony Beauvillier

Waived: Valtteri Puustinen, Jesse Puljujarvi, Emil Bemstrom, Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden. Sent down: Vasily Ponomarev

Reasoning: Adding more offensive flare to the fourth line with Glass and some physicality and speed on the third line with Acciari to retrieve the puck for Hayes and McGroarty.

Penguins Lines #3: Grit & Youth

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Rutger McGroarty-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari

Blake Lizotte-Lars Eller-Vasily Ponomarev

Extra forward: Anthony Beauvillier

Waived: Cody Glass, Valtteri Puustinen, Jesse Puljujarvi, Emil Bemstrom, Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden.

Reasoning: A bit of youth is served by getting Ponomarev into the NHL with tenacious players such as Lizotte and Acciari. The combination could create a gritty lineup that is tough to play against and is fun to watch.

Penguins Lines #4: Finnish Surprise

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Rutger McGroarty-Kevin Hayes-Jesse Puljujarvi

Blake Lizotte-Lars Eller-Noel Acciari

Extra forward: Anthony Beauvillier

Reasoning: Puljujarvi is a former fourth-overall pick (2016), and last season was recovering from double-hip surgery. He’s got all of the tools: size, speed, physicality, and hands. However, he’s never before put them together at one time. Perhaps maturity, desperation, and health will allow him to capture the player he was projected to be.

Waived: Cody Glass, Valtteri Puustinen, Emil Bemstrom, Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden. Sent down: Vasily Ponomarev

Secondary reason: By stashing Glass and Beauviller in the AHL, Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas would clear about $700,000 more in salary cap space than the standard lineup.

Penguins Lineup #5: The Teardown

Rutger McGroarty-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Valtteri Puustinen

Blake Lizotte-Vasily Ponomarev-Noel Acciari

Extra forward: Anthony Beauvillier

Waived: Kevin Hayes, Cody Glass, Jesse Puljujarvi, Emil Bemstrom, Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden.

Reasons: This is the lurch toward youth, and it’s a sweep of salary-dump veterans to the AHL so the kids can play. We’ll consider this a fan’s dream that has less than zero chance of happening. Also, a little forgotten nugget from last season was the chemistry between O’Connor and Puustinen, who seemed to pop with the big forward on his opposite wing.

Unfortunately, even in teardown mode, we couldn’t find a spot for Poulin. If he doesn’t earn an NHL spot, he will need to clear waivers this season.

But how about that fourth line? It would be a fun line to unleash upon opponents.

These are only five, and we can think of a half dozen more if Puljujarvi has a good camp or if Glass starts filling the net. Overall, we like Beauvillier over Glass because of Beauvillier’s speed and ability to contribute without scoring, but Puljujarvi could enter that battle with a solid camp, too.