Because You Asked (The Ryan Whitney Edition)
Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Penguins
Aug 21, 02:01 PM | Hype this story!
With the announcement late last week that Ryan Whitney will miss the first part of the upcoming season with a foot injury, this week’s Q&A focuses on the questions created by his absence.
With Whitney out for half of the season, what can we expect? Will Therrien go with his experienced bunch from last season plus a returning Eaton, or will he give rookies such as Alex Goligoski an opportunity to take the roster spot previously reserved for Whitney? How do you see the defensive pairings shaping up?—Jane, Ambridge, PA
Matt Bodenschatz answers this one
I think the answer is pretty clear, based on the track record of the coaching staff and the entire management team. Alex Goligoski will be in the NHL only if he outplays at least two defenders and earns his way into the top six. And, for the record, I do not think that will happen…yet. He needs icetime to develop, and he’s just not going to get it on a defense that remained nearly the exact same as it was during the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals. As they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Out of training camp, I think it’s very logical to assume the starting six will be, in no particular order, Sergei Gonchar, Brooks Orpik, Krist Letang, Hal Gil, Mark Eaton and Rob Scuderi. By my estimation, Darryl Sydor will serve as the seventh defenseman and veteran reserve.
I see the following pairings:
Orpik-Gonchar – Don’t mess with a good thing
Letang-Gill – A nice combination of offense and defense
Scuderi-Eaton – A “shutdown” duo
The top two pairings nicely balance offense with defense, while the third pairing focuses on defense. What shouldn’t be forgotten is that, though Eaton is not an offensive defenseman, he does have a crisp outlet pass and is a very good skater, which allows the third pairing to follow the trend set by the first two pairings.
As for the power play, I would assume Letang will get the first opportunity to play the left point on the top unit, though there is a possibility that spot will be filled by a forward, as was the case during the playoffs.
How does Ryan Whitney’s injury impact your views on his 2007-08 season? Does the leadership of playing through an injury justify his lack of production, or does it just make it look worse? Explain. —Tony, Pittsburgh
We turn to Jesse Marshall for an answer to this one
I’m not necessarily sure that Ryan Whitney’s problems stemmed from his foot injury. Let’s keep his year in perspective, the best stretch of play Ryan Whitney saw was through the late rounds of the playoffs and into the Stanley Cup finals. Taking that into account, it doesn’t appear to me that the injury had a lingering effect into the late parts of the season. Ryan Whitney’s problems throughout the duration of the regular season were well beyond that of a foot injury. Whitney struggled with positioning and physicality. At times, he looked downright lost in his own zone. Whether or not we can attribute that to a lack of mental preparation due to the problems caused by the foot, we’ll never know. However, based upon the fact his play became better as the year went on, I’m going to say it’s a wash. As far as leadership is concerned, playing through an injury like that, when the team has a major monetary investment in your future, can’t always be defined as leadership.
Darryl Sydor seems the odd man out and has since training camp last fall. There was even talk that he might be traded this summer. Now that Whitney is out, what will Sydor’s role be? Is he more valuable now than he was a week ago, before news broke about Whitney? Is he just as expendable, considering his price tag? What does he bring to the table?—Bob, Wheeling, WV
And Ashley Gallant responds
I think the whole Whitney situation shows just how important it is to have depth in the lineup. Sure, a number of people would have traded Whitney for a bag of pucks last season, but he is still one of the top d-men on the team. Now that he’s out for several months, the Pens can’t toss Sydor. ‘Syd’ may not be the player he once was, and he’s definitely not a Nicklas Lidstrom on the ice, but he is someone on the team who has plenty of NHL experience and should be given a second shot. I think he’ll find himself on the third pairing – maybe second if he improves on last season – and that he’ll be used as an insurance policy of sorts in case there are problems with the kids coming up from WBS. I’d be surprised if Shero traded him before the season starts, even if his price tag is a little steep. That being said, if he proves to be no better than the WBS crew, then he will likely find himself looking for a new home. After all, why pay $2.5 million for a defenseman when you can get the same product for less than $1 million?
Bryan McCabe’s name has been linked to the Penguins in some rumors this summer. Now that Ryan Whitney is out, how likely is it that the Penguins will pursue McCabe or another veteran defenseman?—Cliff, Toronto
Hahahahahahahahaha! You can’t be serious, Cliff. Bryan McCabe? You mean the Bryan McCabe that is regularly torched in his own end? The Bryan McCabe who feels his game is not complete unless he takes at least one stupid, game-changing penalty? The Bryan McCabe who had all of 5 goals, 18 assists last season? The Bryan McCabe that the Leafs are so anxious to unload that they have considered banning him from camp to force him to waive his no-movement clause? The same Bryan McCabe who is raking in $7.15 mil this year? That one? Or do you mean a different one?
Never one to pass up a cheap opportunity to promote my work, let me say that I plan to run a series of articles in the next few weeks listing the most overpaid players in the NHL. Ya think McCabe will be on it? I guess that answers your question.
Comments
Pen1967
Aug 21, 02:09 PM
I’m not sure how many remember it, but when Mark Eaton broke in with the Flyers, he was an offensive defenseman. In fact, there were many concerns about Eaton’s ability to play defense at all. IMHO, if Eaton is paired with Scuderi, Eaton would be able to recover the offensive skills he had in his early career. I believe Eaton is perfectly capable of taking on more offensive responsibility if he’s asked.
Mike Adams
Aug 21, 03:02 PM
PEN1967, you are exactly right about Eaton’s pedigree. But I doubt they would try to recast him at this point in his career. You’d likely lose some of the solid defense he provides. He does make a good outlet pass, though, which is about all that separates him from Scuderi. I suppose if they need a second pair PP guy, he could do it, but that’s about all I’d ask of him.
Michael Farkas
Aug 21, 03:43 PM
I dislike McCabe just as much as the next guy. However, at this point, I can’t help but feel that he’s underrated now (overpaid, still, but underrated). He takes such a beating on the internet and from fans that he developed a reputation that he can’t shake. I’m not saying he’s good defensively, he’s quite putrid in fact, but the way some people make it out, you’d believe that he’s one of the worst defensemen in the league. I jumped on the “attack McCabe bandwagon” early on, but I’ve stepped off of it as of last season. That said, I wouldn’t be against him being on an “overpaid players list” ;)
He’ll likely be traded to Florida anyhow.
Just my two cents.
Pens1967
Aug 21, 05:27 PM
Mike, I’m not saying Eaton is Gonchar, Whitney or Letang, but I believe Eaton is perfectly capable of carrying the puck up ice, jumping into the play on offense and shooting the puck from the point. His role since he’s joined the Pens has been defense, but if he’s paired with Scuderi or even Gill, he’ll be able to be a bit more offense
minded and he has the skills to do it.
Dabich
Aug 21, 10:39 PM
::yawn::
Oh, sorry.
Great write up, great answers.
let the season begin!
THEONEANDONLYSURGE
Aug 22, 09:52 AM
Tom, while I somewhat agree with your initial statement, your reason is way too harsh. I think Sydor should be traded but not because he is a poor defenseman. Your right that he won’t throw a big hit or clear the crease. He does however make fewer mistakes with the puck than several of our other defenseman. He is capable of seeing and making a great breakout pass. He also might not have the hardest shot but its at least alright. I think the biggest downful for him is his speed. He has slowed in recent years and with his smaller than average frame, this makes for some punishing hits he takes. His expierence also makes him valuable to a team with young defensman. Even though he is a decent defensman, he has no place on this team. Then add in the fact his salary is 2.5m and you gotta think he will be moved. Maybe not by the start of the season but I would be willing to bet he will not be here come playoffs.
Whitney will definetly be missed but at least when he gets back he will be healthy.
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 22, 10:13 AM
Surge, I actually think a bit opposite. If Sydor is going to be moved, it is my opinion that it will be sooner rather than later with the intention of finding another veteran to replace him as the seventh at a cheaper price. The longer he goes into the season, the more likely he is to stay, in my opinion, because he’ll have less and less value to any potential trade partners because his contract is up after this season. Plus, as we saw last season, his experience isn’t a bad thing to have around the locker room during the playoffs — even if he isn’t dressing.
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 22, 05:28 PM
Tom, for once I agree…to an extent. You know I feel Goligoski is not ready for NHL action — but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is not. If he earns a spot, he should be given a spot. And, if he earns a spot, your pairings are very logical and the depth of shifting Scuderi to the seventh spot more the compensates for the loss of depth by trading Sydor. But, under this scenario, the Penguins would have to wait out camp to be sure Goligoski is capable of earning his spot.
I think, more than anything, Tom, my big disagreements with you stem not from your notions that certain players are ready, but from your notions that certain players should be handed roster spots because of their age and others should be traded because of their age.
If one or several of Goligoski, Mormina, Caputi or Jeffrey earn a roster spot, I’ll be thrilled. I’m the type of fan who loves seeing young players in the lineup, as they bring so much energy and excitement. But energy and excitement only go so far. They need to play and they need to produce. If youngsters are logging minimal minutes of ice team, they can’t produce and they can’t develop. I’d much rather see an unready player see quality minutes in the minors than waste away on the fourth line or the third pairing (with no special teams ice time) in the NHL.
I don’t like the idea of declaring any minor leaguer definitely ready — few players are sure things (Malkin and Crosby are the only ones on the current roster I ever considered to be 100% ready regardless of age). If you declare certain players such as Goligoski, Mormina, Jeffrey, Caputi, etc. to be ready and they fall flat, then you find yourself in a vulnerable situation.
Last summer everyone had Ryan Stone and Jonathan Filewich penciled into the lineup, with some even saying Filewich was a possible winger for Crosby. Had the Penguins actually bought into that hype and reserved a spot for them, they would have been in poor position.
The way I see it, you fill your roster with players you know are capable — even if not flashy or spectacular — and allow a healthy competition between those players and the young players in training camp. The best players make the team and the others are dealt with, either through demotion or trade. It happened last year, and I think it will happen this year.
But I really don’t want to see any roster spots cleared so that a youngster is handed a spot before he’s earned it — especially if that clearing involves a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, who by many accounts was a huge mentor to the Penguins’ young defensemen during the playoffs last season.
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 23, 02:36 PM
Tom, the problem with basically leaving a spot specifically for a rookie is, as I said, dangerous and shortsighted. None of the players you mentioned have NHL experience, and it’s very likely all of them could prove not yet worthy of playing a regular shift in the NHL — as Filewich, Stone, Brent and a few others did last season.
Sydor likely will fetch nothing more than a draft pick because of his salary and age. Even if he was to garner a player return, it likely won’t be a player much better than Sydor himself — so what is the point other than saving money? And, since the team isn’t butting up against the cap, there isn’t a need to save money.
There is no rush to make a move. If, after training camp, there is a need to move a defenseman — specifically Sydor — I’m all for it. But why rush the process, when, if nothing else, Sydor could teach and provide competition for the young guys looking to break into the NHL. Competition breeds success, and trading Sydor before camp reduces one person from the list of competitors.
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 24, 01:47 AM
I’ve heard/read nothing but positive about Sydor’s attitude and leadership during the postseason, even as he failed to make it into a game prior to the finals. I’ve heard that he has had an impact on Whitney, Scuderi, Letang and even Orpik. We’re not in the locker room, and it’s hard to dispute those who are.
Secondly, the major point is this: why trade Sydor now? What’s the rush? If he’s in camp, he provides a coaching presence and a little extra competition for the young guys who might have an opportunity to earn a spot. If he’s there and they can’t beat him out, they shouldn’t make the team. If he’s not there, someone will have to make the team — and that is basically handing a spot to someone regardless of whether that spot has been earned. His value is in the depth he provides — regardless of his salary. The team is not in cap trouble, so keeping him hurts nothing, yet provides plenty of depth, which is essential.
Lastly, NHL experience is earned by playing in the NHL — when ready. It’s not these players’ lack of experience that has me worried, it’s that they haven’t shown enough in the AHL to justify reserving a roster spot for one of them — even if it means four prospects will compete for that spot.
Above, you mentioned Richards, Mormina, Kemp and Goligoski as guys possibly ready to make the next step. Of them, I would consider Goligoski the only true prospect to keep an eye on.
Jon Bombulie says he’s unsure of Richards’ future in the NHL, and he also lists Mormina below both Richards and Kemp on the depth chart.
Seeing as how Mormina is 26 and still without any NHL experience — even after coming from a Carolina team that signed Joe Melichar as an improvement this summer — I doubt he’s anything other than an AHL depth guy. He may be able to hit, but there’s more to the game than hitting, especially in the new NHL, where skating and positioning are essential.
Again, I’m not saying none of these guys will make it. Someone very well may. But unloading Sydor now means someone HAS to make it, whereas, keeping Sydor until someone pushes him out means that someone will have to prove he is worth it.
And let’s be honest here. Whether you like him or not, Michel Therrien loves Rob Scuderi. So, for a young defenseman to push his way into the lineup, he’ll have to prove his value over Scuderi and Sydor — not just Sydor. Again, you may not like Scuderi, but he’s a solid penalty killer who plays a good positional game. He’s not flashy and he can’t handle the puck at all, but he was one of the most trusted defenders on the second best defensive squad in the playoffs. That’s not a fluke.
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