Penguins Update: What to Do About Rickard Rakell?
Ten games into a decidedly mixed bag start to the season, some things have gone as planned for our Penguins while others have gone awry.
On the negative side of the ledger? Despite a near 50 percent turnover in personnel we’re still making many of the same old mistakes that plagued us last season. Chief among them, a lack of consistency and attention to detail, leading to defensive lapses. Depth scoring issues, finishing woes and spotty goaltending have also contributed to our uneven 4-6 start.
On the plus side? We’re getting plenty of production from our top two lines. Boosted by our recent goal-fest against the hapless Sharks, five of our top-six forwards are averaging better than a point per game. Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel are on pace for 107 points apiece! Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and newcomer Reilly Smith, 90 points each!
Impressive indeed.
The glaring exception? Rickard Rakell. With no goals and a meager three assists through 10 games, the silky Swede’s been colder than a mackerel hauled from the north Atlantic.