What would an ideal lineup look like for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to get back on track this season after being swept in the first round of the playoffs last season.

August is upon us, which means we’re that much closer to hockey season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had some turnover this off-season, as most teams under the salary crunch tend to. Fans are still disappointed with last years swift playoff exit, and rightfully so. Regardless of the recent success of this franchise, getting swept like that is inexcusable.

Believe it or not, the Penguins really are not that far away from being a Stanley Cup contender again. Talent-wise, the Pens could win the finals every year. The only roster that was devoid of Stanley cup winning talent was the 2014-2015 team. Not a great debut year for GMJR.

The problem this past year was a lack of hungry players, and in getting Galchenyuk/ Bjugstad, who will be trying their best to prove they belong in the NHL, to hungry up-and-coming players like Bleuger, Aston-Reese, McCann, Kahun, and Tanev, that should not be an issue this year.

There is, however, one glaring issue. The Penguins need one more solid defender. And he is out there. He was expected to be signed by now, he’s coming off somewhat of a rebound year, his price tag has come down, his name is….

Ben Hutton! 

Yes, we all want Jake Gardiner, but regardless of how much his price tag may decrease, it will still be too much for the Pens to pay.

That’s why the 26-year-old left-handed, agile moving defender could be a perfect fit. A contract around $2.50M would be fair at this time, and he would immediately stabilize this defensive corps.

I’m aware his plus-minus is not good, but his advanced stats are on the rise and he has the potential to keep improving. The Penguins do not need another spectacular defenseman. They need a solid one. Think a Ben Lovejoy, Ian Cole type.

Ben Hutton could provide that stabilization, and more

This all obviously depends on finding a trade partner for Jack Johnson. We most likely will have to pair Bryan Rust with him, and maybe a prospect/draft pick, hopefully maybe just Tristan Jarry.

And while I don’t want to trade Rust, the writing is essentially on the wall at this point, and of the eligible forwards, he would have the most value.

This would free up enough cap space to sign Hutton, which would potentially leave the lineup looking like this:

Guentzel–Crosby–McCann

Kahun–Malkin–Galchenyuk

Simon–Bjugstad–Hornqvist

Tanev–Bleuger–Aston-Reese

Dumoulin–Letang

Hutton–Schultz

Pettersson-Gudbranson

Murray

DeSmith

Obviously, the forwards will be mixed and matched throughout the year. I would be fine with putting Hornqvist on the first and McCann on the second or switching Kahun with one of the two as well.

Mike Sullivan is all about the idea of having “duos” on lines, leaving the third line member to be replaceable. Listen to Rick Tocchet on the popular NHL podcast “Spittin Chiclets” if you want to learn more about that.

But the point is, the Penguins roster is solid, and getting one more dependable defenseman could take the roster from just short, to again a cup contender.

Let me know what you think! Are the Pens going to be Stanley Cup contenders this year? Leave your comments below!