The Pittsburgh Penguins are bringing in some experience to training camp. The team announced today that both Brian Boyle and Matt Bartkowski have signed professional tryouts with the club and will be at camp later this month.
Boyle, 36, didn’t play anywhere in 2020-21 before joining the U.S. contingent at the IIHF World Championship, where he captained the squad to a bronze medal. He actually opened some eyes with his play, which resulted in two goals and three points in ten games despite his advanced age, and suggested that a return to the NHL could be possible for the 2021-22 season. That chance is now apparent in Pittsburgh, where he’ll battle for an NHL contract at training camp.
There’s a lot to like in the 6’6″ forward, who has played 805 regular season games over a long career. Boyle at one point was on a streak of deep playoff runs, getting to the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Though he’ll never again be the 20-goal scorer he was in 2010-11, he’s an excellent faceoff man that can add size to the fourth line and chip in offensively now and again. Even while playing just 12 minutes a game with the Florida Panthers in 2019-20 he managed six goals and 15 points in 39 games.
Bartkowski on the other hand has only played 256 NHL games to this point, last finding a regular lineup spot in 2015-16 with the Vancouver Canucks. He played just one game for the Minnesota Wild last season, spending most of the year with the Iowa Wild of the AHL. That injury replacement role is exactly the kind he’s likely fighting for in Penguins camp, but an NHL contract for the veteran defenseman isn’t out of the question.
One thing to note with any PTO is that it is not just a showcase for the team that signs it, but for the entire league. If Boyle or Bartkowski show enough to catch the eye of another team, they are allowed to sign with anyone they want.
Boyle is still a guy who makes a lot of sense as a 4th liner as a big guy with some hands.
Pens needed more size, so the 6’6 pickup whos annoyed them in past playoffs is worth a shot for cheap
Boyle could help with the size issue the Pens have been feeling. Worried that Sully’s speed infatuation may lead to him not making the team. Maybe Burke has talked some sense into Sully’s insistence on 12 forwards exactly the same.
Tarasenko with the Blues paying half of his salary for Rust…who says no?
I love Rust, but he’s going to be 30 soon and they are going to extend him to a contract that will not make sense or hold up.
This assumes the Pens are comfortable with Tarasenko’s medicals, but it would give the Pens two years of a player with a much higher ceiling and give the Blues a very good player and a way out of the Tarasenko issue.
No.
What the heck man.
First the Tanev infatuation, now dumping Rusty for a guy with a bum shoulder, that probably couldn’t play with sid if healthy.
Are you sure the Penguins are your team?
Rust’s next contract will be a mistake. He’ll be 30. Doesn’t match the team’s window. Since the Penguins are my team, I’d prefer they not make that mistake.
A healthy Tarasenko is twice the scorer that Rust is and an elite PP is probably the only way to mask the other deficiencies Hextall has created or continued.
Being a long shot means hitting on low %, high upside moves to have a chance to win.
What deficiencies are you referring to?
Thanks
Our second line until Malkin gets back is worse than last year.
Our third line is worse than last year.
Our fourth line is worse than last year.
Our third D pair is worse than last year.
Our first line and top pair on D are a year older.
Our goalie was supposed to lose his job and be upgraded but after that fell through, they patted him on the back and said “no, really, you’re our guy!” so we’ll see how that works out for him.
Who’s our?
Pretty sure you’re not a pens fan bro
Always liked Boyle and his size, could be a good low cost move for some size. As for Tarasenko it’s interesting but after three surgeries I’d be very cautious, especially in losing Rust in the deal.
Ya like that dude makes no sense.
Also pretty surprised Boyle wasn’t on a roster last season.
As limited as his skillset is, he’s pretty good at what he does well