Penguins' Lack of Depth Scoring Costing Games in 2023-24, and Mike Bullard Wouldn't Tank in 1983-84
Welcome to the THW Pittsburgh Penguins Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Penguins writers.
Today we talk about the problems the Penguins’ bottom six forwards are having scoring, and then we discuss whether activating Radim Zohorna could be a solution to those problems. From there we look at Penguins from the past, like Mike Bullard and Mario Lemieux, who got off to a white-hot start in the 1986-87 campaign.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Penguins’ Lack of Depth Scoring Still Costing the Team Games
October 23, 2023 by Sylvie McCarthy
The Pittsburgh Penguins made a lot of changes over the summer, however, so far this season many of last season’s problems are still haunting them. One of the biggest issues was the lack of depth scoring, something that has yet to improve. The Penguins will be facing some tough opponents this month including the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche. Is it too early to panic over the lack of bottom six involvement or should the team make some early adjustments?
Monday NHL Notes on Matthews, Bedard, Nylander & More
October 23, 2023 by Sylvie Mike Cranwell
While my beat is the Pittsburgh Penguins, I am first and foremost a fan and keep an eye on a number of teams, players, and as much of the goings on around hockey as possible. With that in mind and as an ode to the greats like Peter Gammons, Nick Cafardo, and Eric Duhatschek, here are some early season thoughts on several key Toronto Maple Leafs, Penguins, Connor Bedard, and the early season scoring race, among others.
With that said early season Evgeni Malkin has been a revelation. Malkin is skating and playing much like he did a decade ago when he was an MVP and perennial MVP candidate. His defensive game is much improved, and his chemistry with Reilly Smith has been both immediate and impactful. So impactful that Rickard Rakell has disappeared to start the season. Rakell has been a victim of Pittsburgh’s top two offensive trades in that Smith has taken Malkin’s attention at five-on-five, and Rakell is not as prominently featured on the power play, having been bumped to the second unit. This has led to a very slow start with Rakell only posting one assist in five games early this season.
Mike Bullard: The Penguin Who Wouldn’t Tank
October 23, 2023 by George Majchrzak (Archive)
As the NHL enters the home stretch for the 2022-23 season, the Connor Bedard Watch is in full swing, with plenty of worthy contenders for the coveted first overall pick in this summer’s draft. Regarding the draft lottery, Commissioner Gary Bettman assures everyone that no teams are tanking in order to improve their chances to nab Bedard. But there was a time, the 1983-84 season, when two teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils, famously did tank on purpose in order to draft that year’s prize, the legendary Mario Lemieux. However, one Pittsburgh player refused: Mike Bullard.
Today in Hockey History: Oct. 22
October 22, 2023 by Matthew Zator
Oct. 22 has provided plenty of memorable moments in NHL history. Some of the greatest skaters to ever play the game hit personal milestones on this date. Also, a handful of Hall of Fame goaltenders left their mark on the record books. So, let’s begin our journey back in time to relive all the best moments this date has given us over the years.
First up is Mario Lemieux, who scored two goals on Oct. 22, 1986, in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-4 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. These were goals No. 99 and 100 in his career, coming in his 159th game. The win was the Penguins’ seventh straight to open the 1986-87 season, one victory shy of the all-time record held by the 1934-35 Toronto Leafs and 1975-76 Sabres.