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With each passing game, it becomes clearer that Ryan Graves is not yet working out for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Graves was one of Kyle Dubas’ biggest free agent signings in his first summer as president and general manager of the Penguins, and this are yet to really take off.
Upon arrival, Graves was lauded for his size and stature, but in recent weeks has played a very small game.
Things seemed amplified up to 11 against the Washington Capitals as he was on the ice for three of their four goals.
We like good bounces pic.twitter.com/uuce3SMOck
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 3, 2024
One of those goals tipped off of Graves’ stick and over Tristan Jarry early in the contest and not long before Jarry was pulled.
“There’s no pity parties going on here,” Graves said. “You don’t want to say ‘it’s a bad bounce that shouldn’t happen.’ It’s hockey, it happens. It’s a game of mistakes. You need to find ways to stay in games.”
Head coach Mike Sullivan was aware pretty early on that Graves was struggling, and sheltered him for just four shifts in the second period and only three in the third against the Capitals.
Despite cutting back on the ice time, the Penguins are still looking for ways to get Graves’ momentum back and make him a useful player again.
At $4.5 million annually for six years, the Penguins need to figure something out with Graves and quickly.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle for him,” Sullivan said. “We’re trying to find ways to get him going. He’s obviously a quality defenseman.”
Sullivan said that while Graves is in the middle of a rough patch, he’s going to be called upon by the Penguins and is seen as an important piece.
“We’re going to rely on him moving forward,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to work with him and try to see what we can do to keep his game simple. I think that’s when he’s at his best. When he defends hard and controls the net front.”
Sullivan illuded to the notion that defenseman take time to settle into new environments and Graves might just be taking longer than normal.
Despite the patience being shown, Sullivan wants to see results and he and the coaching staff are working finding ways that Graves’ game can be adjusted for the better.
“I think he can use his body a little bit more than he’s doing right now,” Sullivan said. “That’s something that we’ve talked to him about.”
The Penguins are hopeful Graves can find some traction in black and gold and become a useful piece.
He was a highly touted piece during the offseason and had high expectations entering Pittsburgh, but it continues to be clear something needs to be solved.
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