This is the 24th and final installment in a series of profiles of members of the Penguins' major-league roster, as listed alphabetically on the team's website.
ZACH TROTMAN
Age: 29
Size: 6 foot 3, 217 pounds
Position: Defenseman
Acquired: Signed as free agent in 2017.
Salary-cap hit: $700,000 through 2020-21
2018-19 NHL stats: Zero goals, one assist in 13 games
How he fits: Trotman enters training camp as a depth defenseman. Barring a trade or multiple injuries on the Penguins' blue line, he figures to spend most of his time in the press box, if not Wilkes-Barre.
Shortcomings: Trotman has struggled to consistently perform at the level he's capable of reaching during those times when he's been in the NHL.
Strengths: Trotman is a right-handed shot, which is always a plus, and can put pucks on goal. He also moves the puck pretty well and can play a physical game.
Hidden variable: The key to how much Trotman figures into whatever success the Penguins have in 2019-20 hinges largely on the health of the defensemen ahead of him on the depth chart. If they can avoid injuries, for the most part, he isn't likely to make it into uniform very often.
2019-20 expectations: The most realistic hope the Penguins could have for Trotman, who dressed for as many as 38 NHL games just once during his five pro seasons, is that he proves to be a capable placeholder if he's compelled to step in for a teammate who is injured or ill.
The big question: Will Trotman make the trip from Wilkes-Barre to Pittsburgh enough times to learn the highway exit numbers along his route of choice?
All profiles to date can be found here.
