from Bill West of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

The copycat tendencies of NHL teams led general manager Jim Rutherford and coach Mike Sullivan to speculate about a continued shift toward deep, speed-centric lineups after the Penguins claimed the Stanley Cup last spring.

Sure enough, many of the most lauded offseason roster moves in the league involved trades and signings of puck-moving defensemen and skilled-but-affordable bottom-six forwards.

One month into the regular season, tempo remains trendy. Aside from the Penguins' early success, Montreal leads the league standings, the New York Rangers share first place in the Metropolitan Division and Edmonton sits atop the Pacific Division.

“I think teams have to play a style of play that fits their personnel,” Sullivan said. “Not everybody can play a speed game. It all depends on what the core strengths are of your group and trying to play to your strengths. At least that's our philosophy.”

Baesd on results and shot metrics, there is little indication any of the speedy squads are significantly more effective with their style than the Penguins.

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