2018-19 Penguins’ Season in Review: Garrett Wilson

Vitals

Player: Garrett Wilson

Born: March 16th, 1991 (28 years old)

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 199 lbs

Birthplace: Barrie, ON

Position: LW

Shoots: Left

Draft: 107th overall, 4th Round, 2009 by the Florida Panthers

Contract status: Pending unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2019

Regular Season History

After only logging 5 games for the Panthers between 2013 and 2015, he played in 29 games for Florida without scoring a point in 2015-16.

31 and 42 point seasons in back-to-back seasons for the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins in the AHL gave Pittsburgh some optimism, but it did not continue at the NHL level. In 2018-19 for the Penguins, he would score 2 goals and 6 assists in 50 games.

Fancier Stats

At 5v5 for the Penguins, Wilson’s Corsi percentage sat right around 48%

Playoffs

Very small sample size as the Penguins were swept. Garrett Wilson scored 1 goal for the Penguins in the postseason against the Islanders.

Monthly Split

November: 1 assist

December: 1 assist

January: 2 assists

February: 1 goal, 1 assist

March: 1 goal, 1 assist

Charts

As is the case with a lot of depth players who don’t score, the Penguins do less when he is on the ice, but given his defensive role, it’s not absolutely terrible.

Most of his ice time was spent with Matt Cullen. Better linemates could help, but it’s hard to say that could be impactful definitively.

Good shot control and good at limiting shots against while on the ice.

Highlights

It was one of only six goals scored by the Penguins in four games against the Islanders, so I suppose it was memorable.

Ideal 2019-20

Ideally for the Penguins sake, Garrett Wilson moving on as a free agent to another team would be the best case scenario.

Realistic 2019-20

The realistic and ideal situations aren’t too far off, if you ask me. Free agents, especially those who don’t have long-term ties to the organization or a nostalgic tie (Cup-winning players, etc.) often tend to move on when things don’t work out.

Worst Case 2019-20

The Penguins bringing back Wilson would be the worst case. Surely for the cost of a cheap contract or a 1-year deal on another UFA would be the same replacement level.

Discussion

In a season where the Penguins seemingly lacked an identity, Garrett Wilson is a microcosm of that type of season, in a way. What type of UFA replacement or call-up from WBS would you rather see the Penguins deploy on their 4th line in 2019-20? Would you bring back Garrett Wilson?