Faceoff Factor

Evaluating the Penguins' Forwards

Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jun 4, 06:03 PM | Hype this story!

Last week, I evaluated the Pittsburgh Penguins’ defensemen. Today, I look at the forwards. I rate each player on two scales. The first is my opinion on whether they should be back in the organization next season. The second is my guess as to whether they will be. Both are on a scale of one to five, with one being the least likely and five being the most. They are listed in alphabetical order. Only players on the playoff roster are discussed.

Colby Armstrong: 5/4. This is just the type of guy championship teams need. While his offensive output was disappointing, his value lies in his other attributes. He plays tough, and laid some of the season’s biggest hits. He is probably what most thought him to be prior to his rookie season, a gritty checking line type of player who can occasionally step into a top line role. He’s also great in the room.

Erik Christensen: 2/3. Tough call on him. He was the master of the shootout, which likely hurt the Pens’ chances of making it out of the first round. Had they ended up with fewer shootout wins, they might have drawn Atlanta or New Jersey in round 1. Anyway, he is maddeningly inconsistent due to his lack of confidence. As a center, there is no place for him, and he really didn’t distinguish himself at wing. This is exactly the type of guy I envision being used as trade bait, because he certainly has potential. But there just doesn’t seem to be a spot for him.

Sidney Crosby: 5,000,000/5,000,000. A special scale for a special player. Nothing more need be said about the likely Hart Trophy winner.

*Nils Ekman: 1/1. * Nils, we barely knew ye. Played poorly, then got hurt, then never got back in the lineup. Since you can replace his productivity with a guy making the minimum, there is zero chance he will be back, nor should he be.

Georges Laraque: 5/2. I am among those who sees value in him, in the regular season. Many people’s judgments are being clouded by his poor performance in the playoffs. But enforcers have no value in the playoffs (see Andrew Peters, Brian McGrattan, George Parros, etc.). This does not mean they don’t have value in the regular season, though. They do, and even moreso if the instigator rule is changed. But he is on Therrien’s bad side, making it likely he’ll be dealt. Bad move.

Evgeni Malkin: 5/5. A disappointing last quarter of the regular season and a dismal playoff performance took some of the luster off what was a great rookie campaign. Hopefully, that can be attributed to fatigue. But there is no doubt that if he adds some strength, he will among the league’s elite players for years.

Ryan Malone: 1/2. He has worn out his welcome. After a promising rookie season in 2003/04, he simply has not progressed at all. He proved he is not capable of being a front-line player, yet his sometimes lackadaisical attitude makes him ill-suited for a checking role. Aside from two hat-trick games against the Islanders, he was not effective offensively. He did kill penalties well, though. I would like to see his spot taken by Jonathan Filewich or Ryan Stone.

Michel Ouellet: 3/4. This seeming favorite of Michel Therrien was actually not as bad as some make him out to be. Given a limited role, he was moderately productive. His problem is that he’s a “tweener.” That is, he isn’t quite skilled enough to play on a top line, but isn’t quite gritty enough to play on a defensive line. This relegates him to a role as a power play specialist. But given their dearth of scoring from the wings, I highly doubt he gets dealt.

Ronald Petrovicky: 3/1. He is a decent energy guy, but those guys are a dime a dozen. Because of his injury problems, I don’t see him being brought back. But I would be okay with it if he was.

Mark Recchi: 3/4. I want him back only if he is willing to play a reduced role. Otherwise, the first number becomes a 1. His play declined precipitously the second half, and only their appalling lack of forward depth kept him on the top line. He is probably a good third-liner at this point in his career, but if he thinks and expects to be paid otherwise, then he should be shown the door.

Gary Roberts: 5/2. Gary Roberts = hockey god. He was valuable beyond belief after they acquired him. He is a leader by his actions on and off the ice, and gained the respect of everyone on this team in a short time. He still has something left in the tank, though his ice time would have to be managed. I just have serious doubts whether he will return, though, especially if the Leafs come a-callin’. Shero should take some of the money being offered to Recchi and sweeten the pot for Roberts.

Jarkko Ruutu: 4/4. While he was a bit of a disappointment and was probably a bit overpaid, he still played a valuable role. He just didn’t really take a step up as Shero had hoped. But you need this type of agitator in the mix. He can also kill penalties, which might be important if they jettison Malone.

Jordan Staal: 5/5. While his exact role has yet to be determined, he will be a fixture for years after an amazing rookie campaign. He is a superb penalty killer for a veteran, let alone a rookie. He showed an unexpected scoring touch. With Crosby and Malkin in the fold, his likely role will be as a left wing for one of them.

Maxime Talbot: 5/4. A valuable checking line player, but he must improve on faceoffs if he is going to survive in this role. Will pot a few goals here and there, and brings a great attitude to the job.

Chris Thorburn: 5/3. Could well be a younger, healthier version of Petrovicky. While he might not score as much, he is tougher, and he impressed with his ability to stand up for his teammates. He should be given a regular spot next season. Can also fill in at center in a pinch, which enhances his value.