The Roberts Effect
Mike Wilson | Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 31, 11:35 AM | Hype this story!
With injuries still plaguing their lineup, the Penguins have had to rely on other players to contribute. Throughout the season, that hasn’t been a problem as most players called to step up are used to playing in these positions and are happy to get their chance in the spotlight.
When Fleury went down, Conklin stepped up. Malkin shared a lead in the team in Crosby’s absence. When Rob Scuderi fractured his finger, the defense struggled but still managed to win games.
There is one player, however, whose void became too big to fill by another forward. Gary Roberts, who broke his fibula on December 29, is out indefinitely for the regular season.
A slew of players have been brought in to fill Roberts’ role.
Though not all of them play the same position as Roberts; Connor James, Chris Minard, Tim Brent, Jonathan Filewich, Nathan Smith, Ryan Stone, Kris Beech, Adam Hall, and Jeff Taffe have all taken up parts on the line that was once anchored on one side by Gary Roberts.
The most successful forward to take Roberts’ place was Jeff Taffe.
Taffe seemed to never give up on a puck and presented himself with some very opportunistic scoring chances. He continued his play enough to earn him a frequent spot on the second power play unit.
However, it was Taffe’s inability to put his scoring chances behind goaltenders that brought a new face to the forwards, even though he was a familiar face among the team.
Starting this past week, coach Michel Therrien put defenseman Ryan Whitney on either the third or fourth line.
When Rob Scuderi was planning on returning, Whitney’s defensive play, along with line mate Darryl Sydor, began slipping a little and some thought that maybe one of them would be put on reserve (barring any contractual interference that might cause problems).
Since then, the defense has really pulled together and Whitney’s not doing too much self damage on offense.
So maybe this isn’t a bad idea. But…
What if Roberts does come back for the playoffs? He has been seen practicing with the team and it is highly likely that he could return before the Penguins wrap up their season, no matter how far they go.
What does this mean for Ryan Whitney? He certainly won’t be playing forward after Roberts’ return, but will it be he or Sydor who will have to fight for a blue line position?
No other defenseman’s current play deserves a scratch in the playoffs and no other forward need be scratched to apply seven defensemen.
Last season, Georges Laraque was scratched during the playoffs, when the enforcer isn’t as necessary. However, Laraque has showed some offensive talent this season and that might be enough to keep him playing.
Back on the blue line, Whitney can still contribute offensively, where Sydor has recently been lacking. However, it is Sydor who can make the veteran plays when it matters most, where Whitney has occasionally failed.
Nonetheless, if Roberts does return to the line up later this month when the playoffs begin, someone else on the Penguins’ roster won’t be dressing. Who it will be is a tough decision resting in the hands of Michel Therrien.
Comments
Phil
Mar 31, 11:44 AM
Whitney at D tonight, Letang scratched (bad move) but Roberts will replace Taffe when he returns.
Hoenstly, I could see Letang going to WBS if for no other reason than we have the ability to. We have 6 NHL defensemen, and even though I love Letang’s game he’s the odd man out business-wise. It’s tricky, that’s for sure.
Justin Maffei
Mar 31, 12:00 PM
Phil, I was shocked when I read your comment, but found the story up on Post-gazette. What a disappointment! However, they may just be resting Letang. I think they would be hard pressed to move him to WBS after the season that he has had. The best move, in my opinion, would be to scratch Sydor and keep him as their seventh d-man. We may see tonight that no one else can make up for Gill’s lack of speed. This would be my playoff line-up. Taffe would be in, but I would switch Laraque for Taffe if a series was getting too physical.
Dupuis – Crosby – Hossa
Malone – Malkin – Sykora
Roberts – Staal – Kennedy
Ruutu – Talbot – Taffe/Laraque
Gonchar – Orpik
Whitney – Scuderi
Letang – Gill
Bobby
Mar 31, 12:23 PM
Letang can’t play in W-B after the regular season. He isn’t on the clear day roster.
Plus he has earned a spot in the NHL, without a doubt.
Mike Wilson
Mar 31, 12:31 PM
Phil, I, too, was suprised to see that. Letang and Whitney both share offensive responsibility and Letang has been the most productive of the two. It very well could be that they are just resting Letang though.
Justin, I agree. The best route, in my opinion, would be to scratch Sydor and at least keep him as a worthy reserve man.
And Bobby, you’re exactly right. Letang certainly has earned his stripes in the NHL.
Phil
Mar 31, 12:47 PM
Notice I said I didn’t want to send Lateng down, but rather if it meant scratching a defenseman why not send Letang down so he’s still playing, that was it.
I forgot about the roster limitations, so that nixes it all together. I do like your lineup though, Justin.
Here’s my question, if we play Philly in the first round that’ll be 6-9 straight games against Philly. If we have the #1 seed locked up come the back end of the home/home series against the team we’re playing the first round, do you rest some stars?
Knowing Philly I could see Cote or Downie (if he’s not still out) taking a run at Sid/Geno/Hossa. I’d be weary if there’s nothing to gain in the standings, that could be just me though.
Michael
Mar 31, 01:01 PM
Letang scratched .. ??!! .. and replaced by Whitney .. ??!!! WHAT ??!!
This is just absolutely ludicrous.
Holy cripes.
I find this just totally unbelievable .. yet I know how Therrien has had bouts of mental instability .. so this is evidently yet-another of these instances in which Therrien just flat-out loses his friggin’ mind. Wow.
You see, folks .. THIS is why I criticize Therrien as Head Coach of the Penguins. Not only is he a bit stupid and stubborn, and not only does he fail to make tactical adjustments to in-game strategies employed by opposing coaches .. he actually is mentally unstable!
Therrien is really out of line and over the edge, with this move. He’s a head case, for sure. Wow.
Phil: what the hell are you talking about? .. “he’s {Letang} the odd man out, business-wise” .. ?? That is a ridiculous statement. Are__you__on Planet Therrien? What planet ARE you on, Phil?
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 31, 01:06 PM
We don’t know the whole story, but there is a very solid possibility Letang suffered some sort of minor injury yesterday or this morning. Let’s not jump to conclusions or line up at the bridge just yet. Therrien has coached this team into first place, so I doubt he’s going to derail the train at this point.
Michael
Mar 31, 01:13 PM
Come on, now .. “they must be resting Letang”. (?)
What?? You must be joking .. ?
RESTING Letang .. ??
Again .. you’ve got to be joking, here ..? (I hope you’re joking).
And just why the hell would they be “resting” Letang?
{{Am I in the middle of a nightmare, or what?}}
Phil
Mar 31, 01:17 PM
“he’s {Letang} the odd man out, business-wise”
If you read my earlier post I talked about sending him to WBS, the only D-man who can do that without having to pass through waivers. I forgot about roster limitations for the AHL playoffs so that’s no longer my point of view.
On which planet did you learn to read, Planet Olczyk? (cheap anti-Therrien joke)
I think somebody needs a nap. Letang is not make or break for this team, he’s a useful player THIS SEASON (to save you more ‘have a seizure’ time). Relax, it’ll all work itself out.
I get the feeling the only path you wouldn’t lose your mind over is scratching Whitney (not an option, he’s not THAT bad). Let those who are being paid mightily decide these things. Not we who post on message boards.
Phil
Mar 31, 01:25 PM
Oh, and where (if anywhere) does Kris Beech fit in? He’s still in NHL player, and I think I’d take him over Laraque and Taffe.
Nathan
Mar 31, 01:32 PM
“Let those who are being paid mightily decide these things. Not we who post on message boards.”
Thank-you Phil for those two sentences, I couldn’t agree more.
We have never coached, or even seen first-hand what it takes to manage a proffesional sports team. There is so much fans don’t understand about what is REALLY happening.
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 31, 01:37 PM
Nathan, and, as I said, it’s a very real possibility Letang has a minor injury preventing him from playing.
As I said, let’s not start lining up at the bridge just yet.
Phil
Mar 31, 01:41 PM
I’m personally fine with whoever plays, just as long as they pull their weight. Conlkin over Fleury at this point though? Not sure I can NOT question that one. Maybe when the conference is secured…
Ashley Gallant
Mar 31, 01:43 PM
Michael – I seriously hope that you are more calm than you appear to be in your posts. If not, all of that stress will do nothing but bad stuff for your heart, and it’s not worth it.
As Matt said above, we don’t know why Letang is sitting out tonight. Maybe it was a slight injury, maybe the team is just resting him. And you know, resting him might not be such a bad idea – he was playing junior hockey just last season, where the schedule is much shorter and the games are not nearly as physically demanding. The last thing we’d want is for Letang to get tired and ineffective in the playoffs.
Think about it: how bad are things right now? Seriously? The Pens are first in the East, they have home ice for the QF, and they can clinch the division tonight with a win.
Is there any other team in the East that has it as good as the Pens right now? Montreal is sliding at the wrong time and their captain may be out 4+ weeks. Ottawa may end up missing the playoffs entirely if they don’t get their act together. Washington is trying hard to get into the top 8, just 2 points behind the division-leading ‘Canes, but they haven’t done it yet. The Devils are trying to score a goal now and then to win a game. The Rangers, Bruins, and Flyers all have 91 points and occupy the final 3 playoff spots.
I’m not saying that the Pens will be playing in June, but I’m also not about to start freaking out when there is no justifiable reason.
Phil
Mar 31, 01:57 PM
I remember getting excited if Rico Fata had a good game, and now we’re (well I’m not, I just like to discuss hockey) crying about whether or not to start our good, young defenseman or our really good, young defenseman.
I agree with Ashley 100%.
Tom
Mar 31, 03:01 PM
Mike et al., The benching of Letang makes absolute sense. He is our best defender and Whitney is our worst. Clearly, we wish to return to the dynamic duo of Whitney and Sydor so that the Rangers can score goal after goal over this inept pairing. Watching Letang on Sunday, he did not seem to be tired or hurting, In fact he effortlessly flipped Mark Staal, a big man, off of Crosby and slammed him to the ice (hardly a sign of injury or fatigue). The Pens are clearly afraid that fans will realize that Letang is not being used up to his potential. Can’t have that, can we?
DaBich
Mar 31, 03:20 PM
LOL @ Tom! You crack me up!
Ashley ~ well said, girl.
Michael ~ it’s a proven fact that if your head is up your butt MOST_OF_THE_TIME, you cut off oxygen to the brain. That causes seizures. Relax, dude!
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