Jansen Harkins didn’t waste much time getting acclimated to his new team.
On Wednesday, a little more than 48 hours after the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets, Harkins appeared in his first game with the Penguins, a 2-1 preseason loss to the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena.
He recorded the primary assist on the Penguins’ lone goal and then drew a penalty in the third period that eventually led to a five-on-three power-play. Overall, he logged 18:27 of ice time on 21 shifts and recorded one shot on two attempts.
“I like my game,” said Harkins, a left-handed shot. “I thought I brought some good energy. Kind of got extended out there a couple of times. Overall, good jump. Pretty good pressure. I’d like to make a bit more plays and feel a little bit better with the puck. But I think that kind of comes with some time.”
The Penguins’ goal came at 17:38 of the first period. After Penguins defenseman Xavier Ouellet hounded Red Wings forward Dominik Shine into a turnover on the left-wing wall of Detroit’s zone, Penguins forward Valtteri Puustinen claimed possession, curled around to the high slot, then left a backhand drop pass. Coolly accepting the puck, Harkins fed a forehand pass to the left circle for Ouellet, who pitchforked a backhander past goaltender James Reimer’s glove on the far side.
It was a slick precision passing sequence involving a player who was still trying to learn some of his new teammates’ names.
“We were all kind of wheeling,” Harkins said. “(Puustinen) kind of had his head looking the other way, and he kind of looked me off. When you do that, lots of guys get open. Pretty simple pass I had to make. Kind of put it in his feet. (Ouellet) made a really nice play.”
Then at 9:10 of the third period, Harkins drew the ire of Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, who was called for roughing after he and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin mugged Harkins in the neutral zone. A few moments earlier, Harkins swiped Raymond with a high “drive-by” hit near the visiting bench, vexing Raymond into chasing Harkins around the rink before tackling him.
While Harkins only appeared in 22 games with the Jets last season, he was 11th on the team in penalties drawn over 60 minutes at 1.02.
“Drawing penalties is a huge part of the game,” Harkins said. “When I’m moving my feet and playing with some pace and a little bit of bite, I think that is kind of what happens. That’s a good thing to have in my game and just getting myself into the middle of it and feeling good. Definitely try to have a little bit of an edge.”
While other players with more service time with the Penguins have been sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in recent days, Harkins has been getting a good look with the NHL roster. During practice Thursday, he skated on the left wing of the third line and was stationed on the second power-play unit.
“He’s made a really good first impression on everyone,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He has good size. He skates really well. He can shoot the puck. He had a real strong game (Wednesday) night. We’re trying to get more familiar with his overall game. Obviously (president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and staff) has scouted him and has highly recommended him. Our coaching staff isn’t as familiar so we’re trying to familiarize ourselves with his game. But he’s certainly made a really good first impression on all of us. He brings a lot to the table.
