How the Penguins Plan to Fix Their Left Side Defense Headache with a New Addition
Photo credit: NHL.com
New Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, signed this summer, could be the solution to the left side of the defense that Kyle Dubas wanted to fix.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a clear transitional period now, and could be entering what are the stages of a long and difficult rebuild, though newly signed defenseman Parker Wotherspoon hopes to be part of the solution.
Parker Wotherspoon Could Bring Stability and Physicality to the Penguins' Blue Line
Wotherspoon signed a 2 year contract with the Penguins, and he views it as a chance to get back to the postseason after missing this year with the Boston Bruins.
When I started talking with Pittsburgh, right from the get-go, it seemed like there was a good connection there. They seemed interested, we seemed interested and we thought it'd be a good fit with some opportunity to play. An opportunity to get back in the playoffs is all I wanted to do. Everything just kind of lined up really well.
Wotherspoon was taken with the 112th overall pick by the New York Islanders in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and he played 6 years with the organization, mostly with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, before signing with the Bruins in 2023, where he's played for the last 2 years.
He has 16 points (1G, 15A) in 108 career NHL games.
Why Solid Left-Side Defense Is Critical for Ending Pittsburgh's Playoff Drought
The Penguins have missed the playoffs in each of the last 3 years, which is the longest in the NHL careers of both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
GM Kyle Dubas spoke about needing to strengthen the left side of Pittsburgh's defense earlier this summer.
I think the left side of our defense, it's been a problem. There's just no other way (to put it). That's an area I think, externally, that we have to (improve).
Wotherspoon gives the Penguins another option on the left side of their defense, as he played in a career-best 18:02 per game this year with the Bruins.
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