Ben Kindel, 18, is a center. That’s where he should play.
Ville Koivunen, 22, is a top-six winger. That’s how he should be deployed.
The Pittsburgh Penguins got caught up in their hot start, and who can blame them? (That’s disintegrated, by the way. They’ve lost five of their last six.)
Visions of a playoff spot doubtless danced in their heads. (And the Penguins are still tied for the third-most points in the Eastern Conference, just three points off the top.)
But for the Penguins, this season is about development first. About building to being a legit Stanley Cup contender, not squeaking into a wild-card spot.
So Kindel needs to play center.
Koivunen needs to play in the top six.
Kindel has spent the last four games on Sidney Crosby’s wing.
It’s not working.
Kindel has two assists, both on the power play. Crosby has two goals, both on the power play.
Kindel’s future is at center. He knows how to use the whole ice. He plays 200 feet.
Koivunen has just two assists in 11 games. He spent time with the Penguins’ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club earlier this season — where, used as a top-six, Koivunen ripped it up: four goals and seven assists in six games.
Koivunen has disappointed in his games with the Penguins. (He also got hurt at Saturday’s practice. His status is unclear.)
But using Koivunen as a bottom-six just teaches Koivunen to be a bottom-six.
Put Kindel back at center, Koivunen on Crosby’s wing. Kill two birds with one stone.
Force-feed Koivunen some confidence.
He’s not a bust. He’ll get there. Koivunen has played OK lately. Just can’t score.
The Penguins have netted four goals in their last three games.
Any change likely won’t see them score less.
