Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves was a healthy scratch last night in favor of youngster Owen Pickering (as per Josh Yohe of The Athletic). Graves has become a magnet for criticism in Pittsburgh just a year and a bit into a six-year $27MM contract he signed in July 2023. Graves has had some better games this season but has been largely sheltered in a third-pairing role.
The scratch is another attempt by Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan to send a message to Pittsburgh’s veteran depth players who have played uninspired hockey for much of this season. Pickering picked up an assist in his NHL debut last night against San Jose and looked like the Penguins’ best defenseman in the game.
In other Pittsburgh Penguins notes:
- Jim Parsons of The Hockey News believes that Penguins forward Drew O’Connor will receive trade interest from other teams because of his inexpensive cap hit. O’Connor is an unrestricted free agent next summer and is making $925K this season in the final season of a two-year deal. O’Connor’s cap hit will make an attractive commodity as the 26-year-old is capable of being a solid depth scorer for any team that fancies themselves a contender. O’Connor has three goals and three assists in 20 games this season and has played both center and the wing for Pittsburgh.
- Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry returned to the NHL this week after a two-week stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry played well in the AHL but had a disastrous return to the NHL giving up five goals on 39 shots, including a goal on the first shot. He allowed goals on two of the first three shots he faced and never looked comfortable in his return. Jarry is likely unmovable at this point (as per Jim Parsons). with three years remaining on his contract (after this season) at an AAV of $5.375MM. PuckPedia’s Perri Salary Cap Relief Calculator estimates that it would take a top 10 NHL draft pick in order to move the remainder of Jarry’s salary, something the Penguins likely have no appetite to do.
The entire Penguins rosters is a healthy scratch.
We have SO many guys who glide instead of skate. Who wave their sticks limply instead of battling for pucks. No team can win with this many passengers.
I don’t care what they make, sit them and find a cheaper guy who cares.
Pickering was, in fact, our best D man last night and played a better game in his first NHL game than Ryan Graves has ever played for us. I don’t need to see Graves again.
Shea and St. Ivany was a serviceable to solid pair for us during that 10-2 run last year (when NOT EVEN SLIGHTLY coincidentally Graves and Jarry didn’t play) .
Put Pettersson and Letang together and see if they aren’t as awful without their anchor partners.
We need one guy to play with Pickering on a second pairing. I guess give the $12 M AAV future HOF a chance with him. If he doesn’t start caring, scratch him, waive Graves and bring up Aho.
Trade Grezclyk before his value drops anymore.
I like DOC but if he’s a pending UFA, move him now and don’t risk injury. Give Broz a chance.