Faceoff Factor

Where is the Muscle?

Justin Maffei | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jul 5, 05:44 PM | Hype this story!

The Penguins have done well to replace those that they have lost so far this off-season. However, with the losses of Malone, Ruutu, Roberts, and Laraque, the team lacks a physical presence. Eric Godard remains the only winger that was signed to replace some of that physicality. Who could the Penguins turn to as enforcers? Here is a list of all the available enforcers left on the market.

Choice One – Free Agent Enforcers

Enforcers with Offensive Abilities

C Michael Peca signed with Columbus last year for a base salary of $1.3 million. He told Columbus that he wanted to play for a winner. The Pens may be able to bring the 13 year veteran in for around $1 million. It may be a worth it for a two time Selke award winner as the best defensive forward.

RW Owen Nolan signed with the Calgary Flames last year for $1.75 million. He netted 16 goals and added 16 assists. Nolan is a Gary Roberts type of player, hard-nosed and feared. He has appeared in 5 all star games, most recently in 2001-02. The Penguins may be able to add Nolan for a little more than $1 million.

W Brendan Shanahan is a physical presence that can get under the oppositions skin. Sportsnet.ca says that Shanahan is “not as intimidating as he was in the early 90s, at least in terms of physical presence.” However, Shanahan could be a value piece to the puzzle if he is willing to take a discount from his $2.5 million that he made last season. The Pens would be getting offensive production from Shanahan as well. Last season he scored 23 goals and added 23 assists.

W Todd Bertuzzi is feared around the league. Part of that is because of his attack on Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche. He was suspended for the remained of the season and all of the next season. He has since gotten his head on straight and can score if given the opportunity. Last season, with Anaheim, he scored 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists), but as recently as 2005-06 he scored 71 goals (25 goals, 46 assists). He was an all-star in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. The Ducks were to pay him $4 million this season but decided to buy him out for $2.6 million instead to free up some cap space. Since he is already making $2.6 million, he may be willing to take less to play with for a winner. The Pens should at least give his agent a call.

D/RW Steve Montador is a versatile enforcer. There is an interesting blog that ranks enforcers. In that blog, Montador does not rank as an enforcer, but does rank as a “second tier tough guy,” granted Georges Laraque was in the same category. He is versatile and would be somewhat inexpensive. He made $800,000 last season. He does have some offensive abilities as well. Playing mostly as a defenseman last season, Montador had 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists). The Penguins could have him for around $1 million.

C/W Chris Gratton is a veteran enforcer. He is a good defender, good at face-offs, and brings some offensive ability. He had a salary of $1.5 million last season when he played for Tampa Bay. He scored 10 goals and added 11 assists for the Lightning. He also had 77 PIM in 60 games. He missed the final 19 games of the season due to hip surgery. If he is able to bounce back from the surgery, he could be a very good fit for the Penguins. They may be able to sign him for slightly more than $1 million.

LW Andre Roy may get a look from the Penguins. Roy spent one and a half seasons with the Penguins. He is a solid enforcer, but is somewhat of a liability on defense. He does not produce a great deal offensively, but he does have a great slapshot. Last season, he scored 4 goals and 3 assists for the Tampa Bay Lightning, while earning $1 million and 108 PIM. He achieved all of this in 63 games as the team suspended him for the final 13 games of the season. He is an adequate enforcer and could benefit the Penguins. He is not likely to receive much of a raise.

RW Kyle Wanvig played only seven games in the NHL last season. He also played in 62 games with Norfolk, where he scored 23 goals and 33 assists. He has played 75 career games in the NHL, amassing six goals, nine assists, and 94 PIM. He is still developing, albeit slowly. Sportsnet.ca writes that Wanvig has the “potential of a power forward.” Wanvig would not be productive at first, but if signed for a few years, he may reach some of the potential. His salary last season was a meager $475,000, so the Penguins could potentially sign him for around $500,000.

W Arron Asham is a veteran tough guy. He is not quite a goon, but will bring a physical presence. Asham also has a decent all around game. He score 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) last season and had 84 PIM in 77 games. His best offensive season came with the Islanders in 2002-2003 (15 goals, 19 assists). His best enforcer season also came with the Islanders in 2005-2006, when he racked up 103 PIM in 63 games. He signed with New Jersey last season for $700,000. The Penguins may be able to bring him in for around $750,000.

RW Martin Lapointe has been a good veteran winger throughout his career. He has decent offensive skills, but may be slowing a bit. Sportsnet.ca says that Lapointe “is extremely industrious, tough and usually disciplined. Can score big goals and plays a strong two-way game. Has excellent leadership skills.” Lapointe could bring some leadership and experience to our young team. He made $2.4 million, so he would not come cheap. The Penguins may be able to sign him for under $2 million in exchange for a chance at another Stanley Cup (2 time winner with Detroit).

W Matt Cooke split last season between Vancouver and Washington. He scored 10 goals and 13 assists in 78 games. He added 91 PIM. He made 1.525 million last season and would likely earn a modest raise to near $1.7 million. He is an agitator and is a good penalty killer. He would be a great replacement for Jarkko Ruutu.

Strictly Enforcers

C/W Mark Smith was Godard’s teammate in Calgary and the two worked well to bring a physical presence to the Flames lineup. He earned $488,000 last season, so he could come in fairly cheap. He had a goal and three assists in 54 games last season. He added 59 PIM to bring his career total to 457 in 7 seasons. Arguably, his best season came in 2005-06 with the San Jose Sharks. He played in 80 games that season, racking up 24 points (9 goals, 15 assists) and 97 PIM. He also enjoyed his best +/- that season with a +3.

LW Eric Boulton spent the previous three seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers. His salary for last season was $525,000 so he could be very affordable for the Penguins. His scouting report on Sportsnet.ca states “Packs a mean wallop and is willing to rumble with anyone—at any time. Knows his role and doesn’t get down when not in the lineup.” He can be a bit out of control at times, however, and does not have great skills. Last season, he scored 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 74 games. He also had 127 PIM.

W Brad Winchester spent last season with the Dallas Stars. He played in 41 games, netting 1 goal and adding 2 assists. He had 46 PIM. His salary was $475,000. Winchester is a borderline fourth line winger. He would be a soft option but would come cheap.

RW Aaron Downey is another borderline fourth liner. He played in 56 games for Detroit last season. His point total consisted of 3 assists. He had 116 PIM. Detroit fans seem happy with his performance. On that website, there is also a video in which Downey discusses his role as an enforcer and his workout regimen. He would also come in cheap, as he made $525,00 last season.

LW Kip Brennan has spent time in the NHL in 5 different seasons. He is a “tweener,” bouncing between the AHL and NHL, but he may be ready to stick. He played in only three games last season for the Islanders, but racked up 12 PIM. He added 247 PIM in 49 AHL games. I found this article from 2003 which gives some pretty good details on Brennan. He is a good defensive forward, but will not provide much in the offensive end. Brennan’s salary for last season was $500,000. The Penguins could probably bring him in at around the same price this season.

D/LW Rob Davison played in 34 games last season. He started the season in San Jose, but was traded to the New York Islanders in February. He had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 53 PIM on the season. His scouting report says, “Is a mountain of a man and displays a big-time mean streak. Could be a major asset for any NHL club if used judiciously.” His salary for the season was $525,000, so the Penguins could add him for around $550,000. He is not the answer that the Pens are looking for, but he would provide depth.

LW Josh Gratton is a young, developing enforcer. He is 25 years old and has played in 67 career NHL games. He has only 2 goals and one assist and added 237 PIM. His salary for last season was $550,000. Sportsnet.ca says that Gratton “Is big, strong and as tough as nails. Can drop the gloves against the very best enforcers in the NHL. Understands his role and is a good teammate.” He is a fourth line enforcer, and the Penguins could have him for around $575,000.

W Jesse Boulerice is a hard-nosed fourth liner. He should split time between the AHL and NHL as he has done throughout his career. Last season he made $425,000, as he split time between Philadelphia and their AHL affiliate. He would be an inexpensive part-time goon.

C Jim Dowd is a 39 year old checking line center. His offensive skills are somewhat limited, but he is a good defender and solid penalty killer. He is a Maxime Talbot-like player, in that he plays with all heart. He played for the Flyers last season, making $500,000. The Penguins could probably get him for around the same price, maybe less.

Choice Two – In House Enforcers

LW Ryan Stone played in six games for the Penguins last season. Fans got to see his physical game, and even saw him drop the gloves. He is a tough forward with some offensive ability. Stone would likely be the first forward the Penguins would consider calling up. He made $675,000 last season. Stone is an RFA who the Penguins have made a qualifying offer to retain.

W/D Paul Bissonette has moved from defenseman to a winger. He plays as an enforcer and could merit a call-up. Bissonnette has also shown a decent offensive game. He had a salary of $525,000 last season. Bissonnette is an RFA who the Penguins have made a qualifying offer to retain. *I must give credit to Pens1967 for mentioning Bissonette

LW/C Jeff Taffe had a solid season for the Penguins last year. He had 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 45 games. He plays a physical game, but does not drop the gloves very often. Last season he made $500,000, but the Penguins must resign him. They may be able to convince him to sign for half a million again.

C/RW Connor James is an undersize, but explosive forward. He has speed to burn and is willing to lay his body on the line. He played in 13 games for the Penguins last season. He is a light-weight, so he may not drop the gloves very often. His salary for last season was $475,000. James was an RFA, but the Penguins did not tender a qualifying offer. Therefore, he is a category VI UFA. (thank you to Ben Schmidt)

My Top Choices

Offensive Enforcers
Peca, Bertuzzi, Cooke, Lapointe, Wanvig, Nolan, C. Gratton, Roy

Strictly Enforcers
Dowd, J. Gratton, Downey, Smith

In House
Stone, Bissonnette

If the Penguins could add one forward from each category, they would be able to field a very solid line-up with the ability to mix it up when needed.