The Pittsburgh Penguins have reached the 25-game mark of the 2024-25 season. The season has certainly not gone as they’d hoped, as they’re sitting at 9-12-4 and tied for final place within the Metropolitan Division. A handful of gamers have performed as much as expectation, however for essentially the most half, the roster has not executed so. How has the roster graded out to this point?
Penguins with Excessive Honors
C Sidney Crosby
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, eight objectives, 16 assists, 24 factors, minus-7
Whereas the captain had a slower begin to the season for his requirements, he has gotten himself going into full impact because the season has progressed. He continues to be the driving drive for the offense and leads by instance along with his all-around play. He’s the crew chief in power-play objectives with three and in factors with eight.
Associated: Penguins Milestones to Look ahead to within the 2024-25 Season
Amid his twentieth NHL season, Sidney Crosby continues to carry out at a excessive stage and is pushing his regular point-per-game common as he appears to make historical past this season. He’s attempting to move Wayne Gretzky for essentially the most seasons of averaging a point-per-game or higher.
Grade: A
C Evgeni Malkin
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, 5 objectives, 17 assists, 22 factors, minus-11
The other of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin had a scorching begin to the season and has not proven indicators of slowing down as he continues to drive the second line for the crew. He has additionally been paired up with Crosby on the primary line. With “Geno” main the best way on the second line, he has helped preserve stability within the high six whereas additionally serving to chip in on the facility play, main the crew in assists on the person benefit with six. His defensive play has not essentially been the best at occasions (nor has a lot of the Penguins’ roster). Nonetheless, very similar to Crosby, Malkin performs offensively at a excessive stage.
Grade: A
RW Bryan Rust
2024-25 season stats: 18 video games performed, seven objectives, 4 assists, 11 factors, minus-13
Accidents have dampened Bryan Rust’s begin of the season but once more, however when he’s wholesome, he and Crosby have proven off the chemistry they’ve constructed and have led the Penguins’ first line. Not solely have Rust’s offensive numbers regarded sturdy, however he has additionally been sturdy on the forecheck and has created havoc within the offensive zone to assist get his linemates alternatives.
If he can keep wholesome any longer, his offensive manufacturing will vastly assist the Penguins get out of the Metro Division basement.
Grade: A-minus
Penguins with Honors
LW Anthony Beauvillier
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, six objectives, three assists, 9 factors, minus-2
One of many a number of low season additions made by common supervisor (GM) Kyle Dubas, Anthony Beauvillier has labored his approach up and down the lineup to this point this season and has stuffed in admirably wherever he has been requested to take action. He has helped present some secondary offense for the Penguins and is without doubt one of the higher gamers on the roster concerning plus/minus (one in all two gamers which might be minus-2 or higher).
Grade: B-plus
D Matt Grzelyck
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, zero objectives, eight assists, eight factors, minus-12
The plus/minus has not regarded the best for an additional low season addition in Matt Grzelyck, however he has introduced some stability to the facility play when given an opportunity. He has performed a stable recreation from the blue line within the offensive zone for the Penguins whereas additionally taking part in, on common, simply south of 20 minutes a recreation. If he can get his defensive recreation straightened out, he will likely be a much bigger contributor to the crew as they advance by means of the season.
Grade: B
RW Jesse Puljujarvi
2024-25 season stats: 20 video games performed, three objectives, 5 assists, eight factors, minus-2
Within the restricted motion he has seen this season (11:37 of ice time a recreation), Jesse Puljujarvi has regarded sturdy for the Penguins. He has introduced a bodily facet to the lineup in addition to a little bit of a power-forward type of play. His grade is strictly based mostly on what he has executed with the alternatives he has earned. If he can earn extra alternatives and tasks, the Edmonton Oilers 2016 first-round decide may lastly start to point out his potential to be a continuing within the lineup.
Grade: B-minus
RW Rickard Rakell
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, 9 objectives, 5 assists, 14 factors, plus-1
The one Penguin sitting on the plus aspect of the plus/minus class, Rickard Rakell has had a powerful bounce-back season. After solely scoring 15 occasions final season in 70 video games, he has already reached the midway mark of that this season and leads the crew in objectives with the 9 he has recorded. He has been the operating mate with Crosby on the highest line for many of the season and has fed off the captain’s playmaking means. Rakell is one other participant who may curiosity contenders on the commerce deadline if the Penguins are out of competition.
Grade: B-plus
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, one objective, 9 assists, 10 factors, minus-8
The defensive recreation for Marcus Pettersson has not been the best to start out the season, however he has been like Grzelyck within the sense that he has been sturdy offensively. In accordance with hockeystatcards.com, his offensive ranking units him at a plus-4.4 to this point, which places him seventh amongst all eligible defensemen within the league. If the Penguins discover themselves able to be sellers by the commerce deadline, Pettersson may simply be a rental participant for a contending playoff crew.
Grade: B-minus
Penguins with Room for Enchancment
C Noel Acciari
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, two objectives, three assists, 5 factors, minus-11
Whereas being a bottom-six participant on the crew, Noel Acciari has been unable to supply offensively within the ice time he has been given (he averages simply over 14 minutes a recreation). The offensive numbers haven’t been there, however he has additionally helped out defensively and on the penalty kill. If he can get his offensive recreation going only a bit, he’ll assist immensely.
Grade: C-plus
LW Michael Bunting
2024-25 season stats: 24 video games performed, three objectives, 4 assists, seven factors, minus-8
After being acquired by the Penguins final season within the Jake Guentzel commerce, Michael Bunting had a stable begin to his time with the group. He completed final season with 19 factors in 21 video games with the crew. There was hope that he may garner much more chemistry along with his linemates with a whole offseason and coaching camp, however he has not produced on the stage he has been anticipated to. He solely has seven factors on the marketing campaign and might want to begin producing extra to assist get the crew again on observe.
Grade: C
RW Kevin Hayes
2024-25 season stats: 17 video games performed, 4 objectives, one help, 5 factors, minus-9
After being acquired within the offseason through commerce, Kevin Hayes has given some manufacturing to the underside six of the Penguins’ lineup. He has taken benefit of the ice time he has been given to chip in with 4 objectives (two on the facility play). The offensive numbers ought to improve if he will get the chance to play extra because the season progresses. Chipping in additional will assist Hayes get the next grade sooner or later within the season, however for now, he nonetheless must show extra.
Grade: C
D Erik Karlsson
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, two objectives, 14 assists, 16 factors, minus-11
Erik Karlsson has been sturdy offensively, along with his offensive ranking being the third-best amongst eligible defensemen within the league (plus-5.2). Nonetheless, his defensive recreation has been, for the shortage of higher phrases, horrendous for essentially the most half. He has regarded out of place and has price his crew a number of occasions within the first 25 video games of the season. He has chipped in with six power-play factors, however it doesn’t offset the defensive deficiencies he continues to point out.
If he can determine his recreation in his zone of the ice, Karlsson’s grade will go up immensely. However for now, he has proven he is kind of a one-trick pony (which isn’t a shock based mostly on his observe file).
Grade: C
D Kris Letang
2024-25 season stats: 22 video games performed, two objectives, 4 assists, six factors, minus-13
Kris Letang has had a troublesome begin to the 2024-25 season, probably not chipping in offensively with solely six factors and struggling defensively, very similar to Karlsson. The 19-year veteran has begun to look stronger in his zone however might want to get his recreation going all the best way round to make the impression he has change into anticipated to.
Grade: C-minus
G Alex Nedeljkovic
2024-25 season stats: 11 video games performed (10 begins), 3-4-3 file, .877 save share (SV%), 3.42 goals-against common (GAA)
One other participant whose numbers should not the best, Alex Nedeljkovic has been on the flawed finish of spotty protection in entrance of him. With Tristan Jarry’s struggles, he has taken over the reins because the number-one starter for the crew to start out the season. He has proven flashes of trying like he did final season however has additionally given up three or extra objectives 9 occasions within the 11 video games he’s performed.
He and Jarry might want to get on observe if the Penguins wish to compete for what’s going to doubtless be a wildcard playoff spot by the tip of the season.
Grade: C-minus
LW Drew O’Connor
2024-25 season stats: 25 video games performed, three objectives, 4 assists, seven factors, minus-13
The numbers are definitely not the place they need to be for one of many gamers within the on a regular basis lineup and who the group hoped would take the subsequent step in his recreation. Total, Drew O’Connor has made his presence felt on the ice. He has gotten probabilities to get on the scoreboard however has simply not cashed in on lots of them, with solely his three objectives. Away from the puck, he has been sturdy on the forecheck and creating havoc, whether or not it’s by forcing turnovers or pestering the opposing crew’s netminder with screens and site visitors in entrance.
If O’Connor can begin to money in on his alternatives with the puck on his stick, the group will see a participant who may also help carry the load offensively sooner or later.
Grade: C-minus
Penguins Who Must Flip the Nook
D Ryan Graves
2024-25 season stats: 20 video games performed, zero objectives, zero assists, zero factors, minus-8
After signing his massive contract final offseason with the Penguins, Ryan Graves underperformed and has executed extra of the identical this season. He has did not file a single level within the 20 video games he’s performed in and has been out and in of the lineup these days. The Penguins will want him to start out stepping up his recreation to reside as much as the contract the group gave him.
Grade: C-minus
G Tristan Jarry
2024-25 season stats: Eight video games performed (eight begins), 3-3-1 file, .881 SV%, 3.88 GAA
Jarry has had a tough begin to his season and has been unable to bounce again from a down 2023-24 season. He has seen himself spend time within the American Hockey League (AHL) to attempt to assist get himself again on observe. He has struggled mightily initially of video games. However in his final begin in opposition to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 29, he did look extra like his previous self and was very sturdy within the crease for the Penguins. If he can flip the nook and get his recreation again to the place it was, which helped result in his five-year extension in 2023, it may assist propel the Penguins and assist a struggling protection in entrance of him.
Grade: C-minus
C Cody Glass
2024-25 season stats: 14 video games performed, zero objectives, 4 assists, 4 factors, minus-7
Acquired from the Nashville Predators, Cody Glass is one other participant who has been out and in of the lineup and has did not carry out when he has dressed for the Penguins. He has averaged slightly below 12 minutes a recreation of ice time and has been a bottom-six participant, however he might want to begin producing and taking part in a greater all-around recreation if he needs to maintain a spot within the lineup.
Grade: D
D Ryan Shea & Jack St. Ivany
Shea’s 2024-25 season stats: 10 video games performed, zero objectives, one help, one level, minus-4
St. Ivany’s 2024-25 season stats: 19 video games performed, zero objectives, one help, one level, minus-3
It is sensible to throw Ryan Shea and Jack St. Ivany into the identical grade, contemplating they’ve been a pairing for many of the season. The 2 have struggled to search out any consistency or stable floor, defensively and offensively. They’ve averaged simply over 16 minutes of ice time an evening and haven’t regarded good. They each must step up their play as they proceed to be relied upon on the third pairing.
Grade: D
Penguins with Incomplete Grades
G Joel Blomqvist
2024-25 season stats: Eight video games performed (seven begins), 3-5-0 file, .904 SV%, 3.60 GAA
As one of many group’s high prospects, Joel Blomqvist earned a spot on the opening evening roster after Nedeljkovic was injured. He regarded stable in his handful of video games with the NHL crew. With Nedeljkovic and Jarry each being wholesome, Blomqvist was despatched right down to the AHL in the meanwhile. The longer term does look vibrant, although, with him and the potential of Sergei Murashov taking the reins collectively sooner or later down the highway.
C Blake Lizotte
2024-25 season stats: 9 video games performed, three objectives, zero assists, three factors, even plus/minus
Blake Lizotte battled accidents early on within the season, however within the 9 video games he performed, he introduced some power to the lineup and was sturdy within the backside six.
D Owen Pickering
2024-25 season stats: 4 video games performed, zero objectives, one help, one level, even plus/minus
After incomes his first NHL call-up earlier within the season, Owen Pickering obtained his first profession level in his first profession recreation in opposition to the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 16. He has regarded stable for a 20-year-old on the backend of the ice. If he can return from his present damage and proceed his sturdy play, Pickering ought to change into a staple on the blue line for the Penguins.
RW Valtteri Puustinen
2024-25 season stats: 10 video games performed, one objective, one help, two factors, minus-4
A younger participant who the group had excessive hopes for coming into the season, Valtteri Puustinen has not taken the bull by the horns with the alternatives he has been given this season. He has struggled to get entangled offensively and to take his recreation to the subsequent stage.
Loads of Room For Enchancment
Whereas the Penguins have gamers who’ve carried out nicely sufficient by means of the primary 25 video games this season, many of the roster must step as much as get the crew on the observe they wish to be. Because the season progresses, enhancements will should be made, and it is going to be one thing to observe for Penguins followers.
Tell us your ideas and grades on how the Penguins roster has carried out by means of the primary 25 video games of the season!
