Former Cat claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH – Former Prince George Cougars star Jansen Harkins has been claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Winnipeg Jets.

Harkins was drafted by the Jets in the 2nd round (47th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Harkins played 154 games with Winnipeg, scoring 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points.

In 275 games with the Prince George Cougars, Harkins recorded 75 goals and 167 assists for 242 points in 275 games. D Jeff Petry, D Brian Dumoulin, F

Jason Zucker, F Danton Heinen, F Mikael Granlund, G Casey DeSmith. D Erik Karlsson, D Ryan Graves, C Lars Eller, F Reilly Smith, C Noel Acciar.
GOAL:
Tristan Jarry (24-13-7, 2.90 GAA, .909 save percentage), Magnus Hellberg (4-8-1, 3.29, .885) and Alex Nedeljkovic (5-7 – 2, 3,53, .895).
SPORTSBOOK FANDUEL STANLEY CUP ODDS:
22-1.
FINAL SEASON:
The longest playoff streak in North American sports ended at 16 as the Penguins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. -31-11 record of Pittsburgh’s 40 is one point away from the second wild card. took place at the Eastern Conference.
STRENGTHS:
The Penguins will have no shortage of scoring options, especially with Karlsson – the defending Norris Trophy winner – joining Sidney Crosby, Evgeni

Malkin, Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang, among others . The power play will be filled with stars but may cause a bit of selfishness. Karlsson’s arrival could encourage more shots and fewer passes.
WEAKNESSES:
Pittsburgh’s bottom team last season was essentially an anchor who played a key role in the club’s playoff failure. That needs to change to ease the pressure on Crosby and company, who are all in their 30s.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The Penguins intend to maximize the remaining time of the Crosby/Malkin/Letang era. First-year general manager and director of hockey operations

Kyle Dubas spent much of the summer trying to undo some of the damage caused by former general manager Ron Hextall’s ineffective regime. Karlsson

and Ryan Graves have greatly improved Pittsburgh’s blue line and better depth is needed up front. A return to the playoffs is possible if their aging core

can stay healthy, a big “if” at this point in their careers.

PLAYERS WATCH:
Jarry is a two-time All-Star but also a bit of a mystery. He still hasn’t played a game after the first round of the playoffs, and the decision to sign him to a

five-year contract is curious. When he played, he was in the top 10 goalkeepers. When he’s not present, he’s anonymous. With so little behind them, the

Penguins are betting big that Jarry can be consistent enough to help them make a deep playoff run in the spring.
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The big boys are all back for the Penguins tonight in a preseason home game. While this may not be the exact starting lineup for the regular season, I bet

it will come very close (especially in key positions).
Despite the power of the stars, it was a slow start. The Pens faltered on a few power plays and didn’t look as sharp. Considering they started training

yesterday, this is not surprising or cause for concern.
After going scoreless in the first half (despite separating from Sidney Crosby and not having a goal, it was nerve wracking!), Pittsburgh got on the

scoreboard with the first goal of the game in the second half. After Crosby’s win in the offensive zone, Kris Letang punted to Bryan Rust, who offered

Crosby. Rakell, although now nominally a left winger, moved towards the right side of goal and found space.