New deal in hand, Oleksiak looks for big things ahead
really established or anything like that. Once I arrived, they welcomed me with open arms. I think it clicked right away.
“I learned so much this past half a year. The next three years, I just want to make the most of it.”
It’s tough to separate Oleksiak’s story from one concurrent with the Penguins’ recent success.
In Dallas, Oleksiak was a bit part, an occasional NHL contributor and someone who definitely had not realized his full potential. his full potential.
Jacques Gonchar Oleksiak’s ground they’ve Assistant have Martin up, done went built game the to for it and and same from work Justin coaches Sergei basically the on as Schultz, Oleksiak and Ian others. Cole, praised Chad Martin Ruhwedel for room, his specifically work in the on film the penalty kill and picking out other teams’ and offensive players’ tendencies. Both coaches have worked with Oleksiak on the positioning of his stick and gap control.
into details needs shot Gonchar more. some to of to the use has Oleksiak of game the his drilled defensive booming and that down emphasized he
been while, “Both around and those they’ve the guys game both have for accomplished a said. so “Having much,” Oleksiak the chance to work with both of them is fortunate in that respect.”
The coming season will mean big things for Oleksiak, who is a big man at 6 feet 7, 255 pounds.
Oleksiak’s defense partner likely will be either Olli Maatta or Jack Johnson, whom the Penguins signed as a free agent July 1. In both cases, Oleksiak would play the right side — his off side — where he might be a little more comfortable.
Expect Oleksiak to kill more penalties, something that will help control Kris Letang’s minutes, and Oleksiak is also the Penguins’ best fighter. The task isn’t as essential as it was 10 years ago, but it doesn’t hurt either.
“Being a bigger guy, you’re going to have to be put in those situations,” Oleksiak said. “You answer the bell. But the game is definitely a little bit newer. I don’t think in terms of a traditional enforcer you can be a pure fighter. I think you have to have a well-rounded game. You can’t be a liability on the ice. I’ve never really thought of myself as an enforcer per se, but a defens i v e defenseman who makes his presence known physically.” That much is true. In just 47 games, Oleksiak rang up 138 hits, fourthmost on the team. His pergame average of 2.9 was better than any other regular. In his short time in Pittsburgh, almost everything about Oleksiak’s game has improved. He was even kind of sneaky-good offensively, with five goals and 17 points overall when you combine his time with Dallas and the Penguins. With a full offseason to prepare, there’s a pretty good sense that the best is yet to come for Oleksiak, a restricted free agent who elected for arbitration but never, ever got close to having a hearing. “I couldn’t have landed in was willing to work with me,” Oleksiak said. “Obviously, I praise the coaches and the players, the defensemen we have. Just getting a chance to work with those guys in the future, I can only see my game getting better.” Well into the future, too. Getting Oleksiak under contract means the Penguins will have some pretty end. Brian Dumoulin and Johnson are signed through 2022-23, Letang and Maatta through 202122, Oleksiak through 202021 and Schultz through 2019-20. Only Ruhwedel will be a free agent next summer. “Whenever you get a chance to have a core together for an extended period of time, you can build some chemistry there,” Oleksiak said. “The one thing that kind of stands out is how in tune this group is for the new game, a fast, puck-moving game. They have a lot of guys who can chip in offensively pace.”