Opinion: The Peguins' defense is a problem

It’s not new to us, but for those who are not aware, the Penguins defense stinks.

Whether it is the softest defenseman in the league Ryan Graves, or the turnover machines in Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson, the once-blooming dynasty of the Pittsburgh Penguins has turned the corner of darkness.

The Pens really don't have a X-factor on D or a true shutdown defenseman and these are just a few reasons the back end sucks.

The rebuild is near, and the defense is sadly the reason why.

Here is our full report of the struggles below.

It’s obviously no secret that the defense in Pittsburgh has been abysmal, that's why we are here writing this article.

Every single night just continues to be a struggle watching the Pens D just fool around with the puck and that same puck ending up in the back of our net.

There have been so many defensive breakdowns and mistakes that just cannot happen and I can’t even recall the amount of odd-man rushes given up this year so far.

We are going to specifically detail every player on the Penguins blue line.

JACK ST. IVANY: Why is he on the team

Exactly what it says above, why is he even on the team? The guy is just straight dust and for some reason, Sully loves the guy.

He was brought up through the Penguins farm system, but when you think about the Penguins defensive players they have had in the past, in what world should he be playing over a guy like Harrison Bruinicke who was just drafted?

MATT GRZELCYK: Not Effective

Grzelcyk was brought over from Boston in free agency this past offseason. The signing obviously wasn’t a big splash signing but for a guy who has had an impact offensively years prior in Boston, Grzelcyk has been underwhelming so far.

He has had a plus rating every single year of his career and I know it's only been eight games this year but he sits at a -3 right now.

MARCUS PETTERSON: Inconsistent

Petterson hasn’t been terrible but also hasn't been good. You really don’t even notice him until he makes a mistake or somehow finds the back of the net.

He has struggled a bit defensively in his top-four role but look at who he’s paired with.

Nothing stands out with his game, which isn’t good for a group that struggles mightily.

ERIK KARLSSON: Doesn’t play defense

Erik Karlsson, oh man Erik Karlsson. This guy is just unbelievable when it comes to defending.

The guy isn’t physical at all and I can’t even count the number of times there’s an opposing team's player just standing in front of the Pens net with ease when Karlsson is just looking at him.

It just boils my blood just writing about him because of how frustrating it is to watch.

KRIS LETANG: Turnover machine

When the moment gets big and when the going gets tough, the main question is; Where is the puck? Well, it is obviously not on Kris Letang’s stick because that would be too easy right?

It’s probably on its way to the net on a 2-on-1 in the other direction leading to a goal being allowed.

This was a problem, especially on the powerplay last season, and it hasn’t gotten better.

RYAN GRAVES: Softest player in the league

Ryan Graves stands at 6 foot-five and 222 pounds, and I genuinely don’t think he would hurt a butterfly.

Graves does not go into the corner to fight for the puck and refuses to hit anybody either.

We were genuinely excited when the Pens signed Graves because he was a big physical defenseman and chipped in offensively as well for the Devils.

He came over here and hasn't done anything but stand there and be a pylon.

The perfect way to describe the Penguins' defense so far this season is what Michel Therrien said back in 09.

“Soft.”

“Pathetic performance.”

“Are we going to be happy to play eight minutes? What will those guys say if we take 50 percent of their salary because they only play 50 percent of the time.”

“I really think their goal is to be the worst defensive squad in the league, and they’re doing such a great job to be the worst defensive squad in the league.”

Austin Moran is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu.

Giustino Racchini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email gar5448@psu.edu.