The Pittsburgh Penguins by all accounts are off to a strong start. During the offseason, the Penguins lost Tomas Vokoun, who could miss most of the season with a blood clot.
Marc Andre-Fleury, who looked awful in the preseason has regained his form to this point and in turn, the Penguins haven’t had to shop for a backup goalie.
Furthermore, the Penguins are atop the Metropolitan division and Sidney Crosby is leading the NHL in points. Earlier in the year, I wrote an article titled, “Pens lacking Grit?” While I think the grit is there with the Penguins, they are definitely lacking a true power forward who can skate, score, and fight when needed.
Here are a few players the Penguins should consider bringing into Pittsburgh.
Ryan Malone:
At 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Malone is a physical presence in front of the net and in the corners. Malone was originally drafted by the Penguins in 1999 who played two years of high school hockey at Upper St. Clair near Pittsburgh.
Over the course of four seasons with the Penguins, he tallied 87 goals, recorded 82 assists for a total of 169 points in 299 games. During five seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he plays now, Malone has recorded 84 goals with 97 assists for a total of 181 points in 267 games.
Furthermore, Malone has been a solid player, averaging around 20 goals a year as he has the ability to take a beating in front of opponents’ nets and still produce. The former Penguin is a solid, physical power forward who still has a lot left in the tank that could make him an ideal fit for the Penguins.
R.J. Umberger:
Umberger is 6’2″, 220 pounds, who can play center or left wing. Umberger, a Pittsburgh native played for the Plum Mustangs in high school. He is the second Western Pennsylvanian born hockey player to play in the NHL, along with Malone.
Umberger is a consistent, solid forward who is great on the back check and isn’t too shabby in the production department either. Umberger, currently in his ninth season, has reached 20 goals five times in his career.
With Beau Bennett sidelined for the foreseeable future, Umberger would be a nice addition that wouldn’t cost the Penguins more than a third-round pick.
Chris Stewart
The Penguins are in need of a player that raises eyebrows, a player that excites fans, and puts fear into opposing players. Chris Stewart of the St. Louis Blues is that type of player.
At 6’2″ and 230 pounds, Stewart is one of the toughest guys in the league who also has the ability to put the puck in the back of the net. Furthermore, Stewart is built like a cement truck and hits like one as well.
Crosby has for the most part taken good care of the Penguins, it’s now time for the Penguins to return the favor. Mario Lemiuex had Kevin Stevens and Rick Tocchet, two bruising power forwards who could skate, score, and fight well when needed.
The Penguins are in dire need of a player that can hurt you with the gloves on or off. In 2009, Stewart in his second season with the Colorado Avalanche, scored 28 goals with 34 assists and 73 penalty minutes. In 2010, Stewart scored another 28 goals with 25 assists and 53 penalty minutes. After a down year in 2011 scoring only 15 goals in 79 games, Stewart scored 18 goals in 48 games in 2012.
Oh and by the way, Stewart loves to fight.
Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Times
