FanPost

Fate of Forwards (and maybe defense) Dependent on the Play of Bennett and Plotnikov.

As of today, the Penguins forward lines look like this:

Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel

Perron-Malkin-Hornqvist

Dupuis-Bonino-Fehr

Plotnikov-Cullen-Bennett

That could change, depending on the play of two wildcards: 2010 first rounder Beau Bennett and newly signed Sergei Plotnikov. The Penguins drafted Bennett with the hopes that he could live up to his potential as a top six winger, but he hasn't yet and many people are worried he never will. Bennett's biggest issue has been his health. Since the lockout-shortened 2013 season when he made his debut, Bennett has only played 96 games. He played pretty well that first year, with 14 points in 26 games. The next year was a huge setback; he missed almost three quarters of the season. If Bennett can stay healthy this year and focus on harnessing his offensive abilities, he could work his way up the depth chart. Should that happen, Bennett could move into the top six and move someone like Chris Kunitz or David Perron into the bottom six. Kunitz and Perron have already been consistent players in the top six already, so if Bennett can play well enough to take one of their spots, the penguins would become incredibly balanced top to bottom

The same can be said about Plotnikov, who was brought over as a depth player, but many think he will get a chance alongside Malkin in the top-six. However, that seems unlikely given the fact that Plotnikov has never played an NHL game and only produced at .64 ppg last year in the KHL. The NHL is much more difficult, so it is doubtful that production will directly translate to a faster game played on a smaller surface. He will also start the year in the bottom six, presumably the fourth line. He will not be playing with offensive weapons that can boost his offensive play. Plotnikov will be the depth player the Pens think they're getting, but I don't see him in the top six. It is possible though that he surprises people, including myself, and plays left wing next to Malkin. He has the skill and size (6'2, 205) to compliment Malkin well. If Plotnikov plays well enough to play alongside Malkin, Kunitz or Perron would then play in the bottom six.

While it is unlikely both Plotnikov and Bennett will play in the top six at the same time, if one of them plays well enough to play with Malkin, the Penguins will have unparalleled depth up front. The Penguins' lines could become:

Kunitz/Perron-Crosby-Kessel

Bennett/Plotnikov-Malkin-Hornqvist

Perron/Kunitz/Dupuis-Bonino-Fehr

Plotnikov/Bennett-Cullen-Dupuis

The Penguins and all of their followers have been waiting for Bennett to break out and show everyone how he can play. Strong play from him or Plotnikov would give the Pens so much depth that they could actually trade one of their forwards, hopefully for a defenseman. I do realize this would be very risky, so they'd have to be playing really well for a trade to actually make sense. Our defense is obviously the weakest part of our team, and it needs to be addressed. With strong play of Bennett and Plotnikov, one or more of our forwards could be used as trade bait to acquire a defenseman. I strongly believe that Crosby/Malkin/Kessel/Fleury/Letang (if healthy) are going to live up to expectations, and it's up to the depth players to surprise and silence the critics. The Penguins' depth has been in question for years; it would be so refreshing to see the Penguins now have too much.

P.S. I previously thought Rutherford should have signed Alexander Semin. We had the cap space to match his 1.1 million deal. Could you imagine Malkin with an elite Russian winger? Semin lost his scoring touch for one, rough year. It is not wrong to think that he could find his touch and score thirty next to Geno. A trigger-happy Russian winger + Malkin for $1.1 million + Crosby/Kessel combo = dynamite, otherworldly, unfair, loaded, top six that could annihilate any other team. It would have been a dream come true for the NHL, who can't get enough goals anymore. Semin would make some of our forwards even more expendable.

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