Penguins Preview II: What About Muscle?

Anyone who watched the Panthers hammer-and-tongs their way to a Stanley Cup last spring with an aggressive, body-banging style knows that physical play in the NHL is on the rise.

Following Florida’s lead, many teams around the league are reinforcing their lineup with a muscular presence.

In particular, our Metro brethren have loaded up. In fact, you might say our division is heavyweight central. The cast of pugilists includes Kurtis MacDermid and Brenden Dillon (Devils), Nicolas Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway (Flyers), Matt Rempe (Rangers), Matt Martin (Islanders), Brendan Lemieux (Hurricanes), Mathieu Olivier and old friend Erik Gudbranson (Blue Jackets), and Tom Wilson and Dylan McIlrath (Capitals). To say nothing of head-hunters and elbow-slingers like the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba.

Although our Penguins have added some sizeable players to the mix, including Cody Glass, Kevin Hayes and hulking Finn Jesse Puljujärvi, not to mention rookies Rutger McGroarty and Jack St. Ivany, we didn’t join the arms race.

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