When Rob Scuderi Returns...?
Jesse Marshall | Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 13, 11:27 AM | Hype this story!
I hear it on all the talk shows and see it on many message boards: “When Rob Scuderi returns, what defenseman sits”?
It’s a pertinent question. Rob Scuderi has had his best year as a Penguin. He’s been reliable in his own end, he’s been very adept at getting the puck out of the zone via new avenues, and he’s been strong on the penalty kill.
Even outside of the year that Scuderi is having personally, the Pittsburgh Penguins themselves are improved defensively. As Mike Adams pointed out earlier this week, the Penguins, at the 70 game mark of the year, had allowed 13 less goals than they did last year at the same mark. It seems the core of defensemen we have, for the most part, have learned hard lessons from the Ottawa series last year. Rarely do we see them succumb to the pressure of forecheckers in the corners. The puck is leaving the zone in new ways.
The additions of Darryl Sydor, Kristopher Letang, and Hal Gill have been nothing short of steady. Sydor, Whitney and Letang are great at skating the puck out of the zone and Hal Gill seems to be learning the system well. Add in the fact that Sergei Gonchar is proving to be worth his contract and Brooks Orpik has been playing some rejuvenated hockey, and you’ve got a daunting task in front of you: who sits?
The answer isn’t found in the 6 starting defensemen. It’s found on the 4th line.
To be frank, Georges Laraque has brought nothing to the team since the New Year.
The last straw regarding my attitude towards Laraque came in Boston during Marian Hossa’s short debut as a Penguin. The Pens were getting worked over and Milan Lucic was lambasting every Penguin forward he came across.
Laraque approached Lucic in the second period and politely asked him to have a go. Lucic obviously declined. Laraque never forced the issue, and the two skated away from each other.
Fast forward to later in the game. Jarkko Ruutu had seen enough of Lucic having his way with the Penguins. Ruutu grabbed Lucic, and without politely asking permission, proceeded to wail upon him en route to a fight that lasted nearly 2 minutes.
Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands.
The myth that Georges Laraque protects his teammates has been debunked by Ryan Malone, who has jumped at the opportunity each time it’s presented itself.
I don’t see a downside to the Penguins rotating seven defensemen. It would give Michel Therrien the opportunity to rotate his star forwards in double duty from time to time. We’ve seen the magic that Therrien has created this year in depleted lineups. The team believes in him. Let him work that magic with his fowards by making on-the-fly changes and giving star players like Evgeni Malkin more ice time.
When Rob Scuderi returns it will only bolster an already solid defensive core.
There’s dead weight to be cut, and that dead weight is Georges Laraque
Comments
Heath Condiotte
Mar 13, 11:49 AM
I’ve been calling for the benching of George for a while now…especially considering the embarrassing second base slide into Biron. Ruutu/Malone/Roberts bring a physical presence and can all take regular shifts. I’d rather have Scuderi as the 7th d-man as well.
Now the bigger question that I have in mind comes in the off-season when we have to start thinking about Eaton again. He would be d-man number 8. I’m all for depth at the blue line, but how do you manage 8 guys?
Mike Adams
Mar 13, 12:38 PM
Jesse, I don’t really see this as an option. If (and yes, it’s a huge if) everyone is healthy, they would have 12 forwards.
Crosby-Hossa-Dupuis
Malkin-Sykora-Malone
Staal-Roberts-Kennedy
Talbot-Taffe-Ruutu
Who do you sit?
Now, if any of these guys can’t go, then I see them giving it some thought. The advantage to me is on the PK. Yoou cold use both Scuds and Gill on the PK, and limit the icetime of Gonchar or Whitney, neither of whom I think is suited for this role.
Jonathan Farzalo
Mar 13, 01:21 PM
I don’t feel as if Talbot AND Roberts will make it. I’m not sure why, but I just have this gut feeling that either Tablot’s reinjury will turn out more serious, or Roberts will not cut it after his 2 injuries and so much time away from the game at such an age.
Justin Maffei
Mar 13, 01:33 PM
I think this is a great idea. I have been disappointed by Laraque a lot lately. Not only by his play, but by some of his actions. As Heath mentioned, there was the slide into Biron. There was also the elbowing incident last night, for which I’m guessing he’ll be suspended.
Mike, I probably would sit either Taffe or Ruutu from that if I had to decide. Taffe before Ruutu as Jarkko is a great agitator and can really get under the skin of the opposition. Taffe brings some offense and grit, but we will already have a lot of both; Crosby, Hossa, the Malkin line, Staal, etc. for offense and Dupuis, Malone, Roberts, Kennedy, Talbot, and Ruutu for the grit. I would not blame the Pens for having seven defensemen in exchange for Taffe.
Jonathan Farzalo
Mar 13, 02:08 PM
me neither…assuming that we’re all healthy…
therwise, keep taffe up and run 6 dman….
seb f
Mar 13, 05:02 PM
I disagree…if the team allowed 13 less goals that is thanks to the best penalty killer: Ty Conklin who was not in last year. The defense did not improve from last year, did not learn from the Ottawa playoff games …the puck is leaving the zone b/c of Ty Conklin moving the puck behind his net… ask Fleury to do that!!
Tom
Mar 16, 05:54 PM
Rob Rossi suggested on radio today (3/16/08) that either Orpik or as he would prefer, Letang ought to sit when Scuderi returns. Clearly, he has lost his mind. Why would you sit your fastest skating, hardest hitting, and in Letang’s case best shooting defensemen in favor of slow skating, non-hitting slugs like Whitney, Sydor, Gonchar and, yes, Scuderi. Only Letang, Orpik and Gill hit with any authority. Orpik is an adequate skater who is quite strong on his skates. Gill is slow, but seems to hit and play excellent positional hockey. Letang is the best defender on the team. He hits, he is a fast and agile skater who is extremely strong on his skates. He has been playing excellent positional hockey, is the best passer and has the strongest clearing shot on the team. Additionally, he has unlimited offensive potential.
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