Last season the Penguins had 13 players who were 30 or older suit up for them for at least a game. Four of them have moved on down the road. The replacements aren’t all entirely younger - 32-year old Kevin Hayes has been playing older than his age these days, but the team is finally starting to churn into some younger players.
The Kyle Dubas effect was in full force in his first season in Pittsburgh. The Penguins used a waiver claim (John Ludvig) for his first taste of NHL action. They gave what had been previously a career minor-leaguer the chance to stick (Ryan Shea) and another in Marc Johnstone the opportunity of a lifetime when the NHL roster was banged up.