I feel like the
Pens can go far with the group of forwards they have but the defense is lacking
a few things. I mourn the loss of Olli Maatta. He didn’t die or anything. In
fact, a well-placed source says he’s in Pittsburgh and seems happy. Isn’t that
just like our Olli…..he’s had a season filled trials and tribulations yet he’s
putting on a happy face. That having been said, his talent is missed in a big
way.
What DO the Pens
have?
Kris Letang is
doing his part by putting up a Norris Trophy-worthy performance. It seems he’s
always in the mix for the Norris but when the smoke clears, someone else takes
the statue home. He is, however, guilty of too many undisciplined penalties and
bad decisions with the puck. I’m not ignoring his blistering offensive game
just suggesting some defensive focus on his part would go a long way in the stretch and
into the playoffs. No reason why he can’t finally take Mr. Norris home….perhaps
with his friend Stanley.
Paul Martin, whom conventional wisdom says is in his last season with the team, has given his all including sacrificing his face in defense of the net. He’s smart, mobile and can log huge minutes but his game has slipped a bit. Rob Scuderi, the oft-malined aging blue-liner, has made an effort to reignite his game and is serving as Yoda to Simon Despres’ young Skywalker.
Paul Martin, whom conventional wisdom says is in his last season with the team, has given his all including sacrificing his face in defense of the net. He’s smart, mobile and can log huge minutes but his game has slipped a bit. Rob Scuderi, the oft-malined aging blue-liner, has made an effort to reignite his game and is serving as Yoda to Simon Despres’ young Skywalker.
Christian
Ehrhoff is needed. He was concussed January 28 at Washington but appears close to return.
Good, right?
Here’s where it
begins to get sticky…. The bottom two pairings.
As much of a fan
as I am of Robert Bortuzzo’s gritty play, his defensive skills have dropped
off. The emergence of Derrick Pouliot makes that glaringly evident. Pouliot has
good vision on the ice and excellent puck distribution skills. He doesn’t have
the physically imposing presence Bortz does on the ice, but is an explosive
skater and does not shy from battling for the puck in corners. I would pair
Pouliot with Ehrhoff, who does have a grittier presence, as the second defensive
pairing.
Who should play
with Scuderi as the third pair? He and Despres have looked good together…at
times. But, Scuderi has slowed and Despres is unpredictable. His potential was that
he would be a top four D-man able to play big minutes and in all situations….he
has improved much this season but still has not reached his potential.
I foresee a trade
to fill out the defensive pairings. I would be in favor of moving Despres in
order to fortify the blue line for a cup run. A friend suggested that a deal
involving Despres and Doumolin might buy a rental with the skills to shore up
the defense. At first I thought that was a heafty price but you won’t get the
defenseman you need for an AHL guy and a case of Iron City….you have to give in
order to get and the Pens have already given up enough future draft picks. It’s time
to trade actual bodies.
Who would fit the
Pens’ needs at an affordable price?
When I first considered the possibility of acquiring a defenseman, I looked at Marc Methot and Kieth Yandle. Methot re-signed with the Senators and (as in life) Yandle became less attractive on closer inspection. Jeff Petry is a possibility. He's an underrated former second round pick (2006 Draft) who is being shopped as the ailing Oilers look to rebuild.
The Hurricanes' Andrej Sekera looks like a nice possible addition. The 28 yr old defenseman has been a good fit for the 'Canes since they acquired him two summers ago. Sekera had a good season in 2013-14 (11 goals and 44 points in 74 games) but his numbers have fallen off this season (18 points in 52 games). It's worth remembering his team's numbers fell off as well. His TOI has remained good at near 23 minutes per game. It looked like Carolina was making an effort to resign him (cap hit $2.75 mil) but with their need to rebuild, it looks like he will likely be dealt.
The Pens’ defense
as it stands today, doesn’t have the moxy for a deep cup run. Sekera is an
affordable option who could make a difference and absorb some minutes. It would be great if, like David Perron, he
could land on a good team and renew his game.
This and That…..
Was anyone else
scratching their head when Letang shot 3rd in the shootout over
Malkin?
Any thoughts about splitting up Crosby and Malkin on the Power Play?
How about at the end of the second period: Crosby was sent off
for tripping Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya, drawing loud cheers from the
crowd. But replays showed Oduya went down on his own and the
officials conferred before rescinding the penalty, allowing Crosby to leave the
box. Damn straight, Skippy!
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