(Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With news breaking just hours ago that Jake Guentzel underwent successful right ankle surgery, the Penguins now suddenly have a major gap in their roster. 

Per the Penguins, Guentzel will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, which puts us almost into November. And it’s important to keep in mind that his re-evaluation date is not synonymous with a return to play date, which will remain unknown. 

The Penguins have many interesting storylines heading into training camp, from the goaltending situation to training camp battles for bottom six roster spots. But now, perhaps the biggest question of them all will be who can step up in Jake Guentzel’s absence. 

It certainly will increase the amount of eyes and stock being put into early performances by several guys looking to make an impact on this team heading into 2023-24. Here are some guys I think could take the leap for part, or potentially all, of Guentzel’s absence. I tried to stay awake from the typical names like Bryan Rust and Reilly Smith who could see a bump in minutes.

Drew O’Connor

Coming off of re-signing with the Penguins just a few days ago, O’Connor is poised with perhaps his biggest showing in the NHL yet, and now, he may have an even bigger opportunity. 

Playing in 46 games for the Penguins last season, the 25 year old New Jersey native put up 5 goals and 6 assists in Pittsburgh. While perhaps not the most standout performer in the NHL, he has shown flashes of great offensive skill at the NHL level, and tore it up this year in the American Hockey League with 22 points in 20 games. 

The Penguins need a guy like O’Connor, who is young, speedy, has NHL experience, and maybe most importantly, is on a cheap contract at under a million dollars, to have a breakout year, and this could be it. 

If given the chance on a line with Sidney Crosby, O’Connor could get a jumpstart on his season on Sid’s wing, and if he succeeds, it would be eerily similar to how Guentzel made it big in the NHL. 

Valterri Puustinen

A lot of people are very high on Puustinen, and there’s no reason not to be. A seventh round pick by the Penguins at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Puustinen has had an excellent last two seasons at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. This past year, Puustinen recorded 24 goals and 35 assists in 72 games. 

He has a real shot to compete for an NHL job this season, and what better start to a career could you get than by playing wing to Crosby. 

Set aside how cool it would be for Valterri, it would be an amazing opportunity to see exactly what you have in Puustinen, and how effective he could potentially be in the NHL. 

Of course, with so many players to compete with, he will need to have a strong training camp and preseason, but the Finn might have a shot. 

Sam Poulin

Much the same for Sam Poulin, Pittsburgh’s first round pick from that same year. 

After returning from his mental health hiatus, Poulin looks poised to compete for an NHL job, and much like Puustinen, the Penguins would have a great chance to see what they have in Poulin by giving him a chance on Sid’s wing. 

Having played just 87 AHL games in his career, it’s possible he might still be sent down for more seasoning, but the 22 year old will at least have a chance. 

It would be a good starting point for Poulin, who, like Puustinen, is waivers exempt, meaning that if things don’t work out at the NHL level at first, he can be sent down after the season has begun. 

Alex Nylander

I think we all would have liked to see Alex Nylander play in more games for the Penguins last season. He was really solid, at both the NHL and AHL levels, which was even more impressive considering he spent half the season on the highway between Scranton and Pittsburgh. 

In 55 AHL games last season, Nylander was just shy of a point-per-game, and at the NHL level, he chipped in two points in 9 contests. While those numbers aren’t blowing anyone’s mind, Nylander was very good while on call ups, and frequently was very noticeable (for good reasons) on the ice. 

With a more regular job at the NHL level, Nylander’s production should improve, and at only 25, he has more than plenty of time to kick his career into another gear. Of all the potential options for a temporary Guentzel suitor, Nylander might be the sleeper candidate as the best one. 

Mikael Granlund

I’m only half kidding. 

Let me start by saying I do NOT think this should happen, but honestly, if Granlund is still on this team come October, part of me sees head coach Mike Sullivan just trying it out at some point to get Granlund going. 

It probably wouldn’t end well, but I just have this vision in my mind that we will see Granlund in a top line role at some point. 

Of course if, and it remains a big if, he is still on the team.