Sullivan says he’d be fine with this roster in playoffs

In the past week, the Penguins added three candidates to center their third line in the playoffs. General manager Jim Rutherford feels the team has enough talent on the wings. And, little more than a week ago, they traded a defenseman because they felt they already had too many.

And, considering Rutherford has said he would prefer not to part with his firstround pick before the Feb. 25 trade deadline, this could be the crew coach Mike Sullivan has to work with during the postseason push.

If there are no more tweaks, Sullivan would be OK with that.

“I’m comfortable with our group. I believe we’ve got a very good team,” he said Tuesday before the Penguins played host to the Carolina Hurricanes.

“When we play the game the right way, we’re a competitive hockey team.”

The Penguins, by their lofty standards, have not always played the game “the right way,” which is why Rutherford already has turned over about a third of the roster since the season started in October.

In four separate trades, he dealt for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forwards Tanner Pearson, Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann while also adding Joseph Blandisi, another forward who was sent to the minors.

“The new personalities fit in really well. They’re all good people. I think they’re excited to be Penguins,” Sullivan said.

“They’re excited to be here. And that enthusiasm is hopefully something that will be contagious.”

In-season call-ups Zach Aston-Reese, Garrett Wilson and now Teddy Blueger, who was promoted last week, have made an impact here, too.

Plus, the return of Justin Schultz will feel like a big deadline acquisition.

“We’re a better team today with some of the changes that Jim has made to our team. I think he’s improved the team,” Sullivan said.

“It’s similar in a lot of senses because the core players are still here and the environment feels the same, and a lot of it has to do with our approach every day.”

While some outside the organization have suggested the Penguins should add another top-line winger, Sullivan feels the Penguins have a skilled, versatile group already — especially when you consider that Bjugstad could be moved to the wing once center Evgeni Malkin returns to the lineup.

“We have as much versatility in that regard, I think, as any team in the league,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of natural centers in our lineup.”

Sullivan believes the Penguins have what it takes to make a serious Stanley Cup run with this roster. But they still have to play the games.

“Our challenge is to make sure we go out and we earn it every day,” he said.

“Nothing is inevitable in this game.

“You can put a roster together and it can look good on paper. But we’ve got to go out and make it happen.”

Making progress

Schultz, who participated in his first full-contact practice Monday since fracturing his ankle in October, was back on the ice Tuesday for the morning skate at PPG Paints Arena.

The veteran defenseman did not suit up against Carolina, but it seems likely he returns during the upcoming road trip.

“He responded very well. He had another full day [Tuesday],” Sullivan said.

“His status right now is the same. … He’s getting closer.”

Malkin, meanwhile, skated at PPG Paints Arena alongside Aston-Reese, who remains on injured reserve with a left hand injury.

But both headed to the locker room before the Penguins took the ice for the morning skate. Malkin then missed his third game in a row with an upper-body injury.

“They’re making progress,” Sullivan said.