Depth at forward was one of several issues the Pittsburgh Penguins had during the 2022-23 season. While some positions in the bottom six provided positive signs for the future, their right wings proved only how much change is needed this summer.
2022-23 Penguins player reviews continue with Josh Archibald and Mikael Granlund.
Josh Archibald
Archibald was the physical embodiment of "knowing your role" this season for the Penguins. Playing on a one-year deal, Archibald played his part to a tee on the right side of the team's bottom forward line. He showed proficiency in his forechecking ability and ability to get under opposing players' skin, often drawing penalties in the short time he was on the ice.
There is something to be said about playing the part to the best of your ability, and Archibald did that well in 2022-23. The 30-year-old winger will once again hit free agency this summer, and while the Penguins may look to change up their bottom six, Archibald is not a bad "break glass in case of emergency" option for later in the summer.
Mikael Granlund
The Granlund trade was one of the worst trade deadline deals in the Sidney Crosby era. Granlund provided little spark over 21 games with the Penguins, scoring just once in garbage time against the Philadelphia Flyers. His greatest contribution to the team may have been that he was one of the final nails in the coffin of Ron Hextall's tenure as Penguins general manager.
Granlund found some success last season in Nashville as a top-six option but was cast in a bottom-six role when he arrived in Pittsburgh. With two years remaining on his current contract, the Penguins may have to make it work with Granlund entering next season, and playing him with Crosby or Evgeni Malkin may be the only way to get any significant production out of him, a la Dominik Simon.
While the entire bottom six could use a revamp, the right-wing position may be the simplest to transform.
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