Penguins' newest addition, Matthew Phillips, hopes to tap into scoring touch shown in AHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice facility in Cranberry was filled to the brim Saturday as a legion of fans showed up to get a look at the newest addition to the club: forward Matthew Phillips, claimed off waivers Friday from the Washington Capitals.

OK, Phillips wasn’t actually the main attraction.

That honor went to another former Washington Capital, a 52-year-old legend from Kladno in Czechia.

Suffice to say, Phillips didn’t take it personally when Jaromir Jagr, taking the ice with the Penguins on Saturday in full gear as a practice participant ahead of Sunday’s No. 68 sweater retirement ceremony at PPG Paints Arena, stole the show.

“I think they threw just about everything at me today, just as far as fans, Jagr and all that,” Phillips said of his debut practice with the Penguins. “It was pretty cool. I know not many people were watching me out there.”

Jagr took part in the first portion of the Penguins’ Saturday afternoon practice, and before he left the ice to conduct a media interview roughly midway through, had scored a pair of goals on Alex Nedeljkovic, a wrister followed by an up-close finish on the backhand.

Poor Alex Nedeljkovic: pic.twitter.com/D3XCpFzewf

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) February 17, 2024

Nothing the Penguins themselves did matched Jagr’s doings, but that’s not to say their practice was uneventful aside from their unique visitor.

As it pertained to Phillips, there was quite a bit that took place.

The 25-year-old, a sixth-round (No. 166) draft pick by Calgary in 2016, has 30 games of NHL experience over parts of three seasons, including 27 this year with Washington.

In a bottom-six role with the Capitals, he averaged 10 minutes, 16 seconds of nightly ice time.

A right-handed shot who is 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, Phillips skated on the Penguins’ third line with Lars Eller and Jesse Puljujarvi.

Additionally, he saw action on the power play with Eller, Jeff Carter, Reilly Smith and Kris Letang.

“Power play is something I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of my whole career with teams up to this season,” Phillips said. “It’s something I like to do. Power plays score goals, and that’s what I’m going to try to do to help the team there. There’s a ton of talent here and a lot of different guys giving me advice and bouncing ideas off of.”

During his time with the Capitals this season, Phillips contributed a goal and four assists.

For president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas, it was Phillips’ prowess in the AHL that warranted scooping him off waivers from a Metropolitan Division rival.

Last year, in 66 games with the Calgary Wranglers, Phillips netted 36 goals with 40 assists, finishing fifth across the AHL in points.

The year prior, had 31 goals and 37 assists in 65 games with the Stockton Heat, ninth most in the AHL.

“He’s a guy that has a pretty impressive body of work, certainly at the American League level,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a top-10 scorer and is averaging 35-plus goals the past couple of seasons. He’s pretty elusive with the puck (and) he’s shown the ability to be very good on the power play.

“… We’re looking for guys to step up and help us win games, and he’s a guy that could potentially help us.”

Phillips could be inserted into the Penguins’ lineup when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday following Jagr’s pregame sweater retirement ceremony.

However his role in Pittsburgh evolves, Phillips will look to translate the high level of offensive success he experienced in the AHL, in spite of his small stature.

“I think I’m a quick player, very hard-working, and I think my hockey sense is one of my strong suits,” Phillips said. “I like to think I play a little bigger than I am, and I like to get around the net.”

Harkins practices

Forward Jansen Harkins skated in a full capacity Saturday, factoring in as left wing on the Penguins’ fourth line with Jeff Carter and Colin White.

Harkins, who was diagnosed with a concussion Feb. 12 after a game at Winnipeg, missed the club’s past two games.

After practice, Harkins said he felt fine but was unsure of his designation for Sunday’s game vs. Los Angeles.

Sullivan described him as a game-time decision.

“When you practice with the team regularly, like I did today, you just prepare to play,” Harkins said. “… From now on, I’m gonna get ready to play, and if I’m in the lineup, then that’s great.”