Faceoff Factor

Comments

1. Big Pole57

   Oct 20, 10:55 AM

   Good to see Talbot back practicing with the boys, albiet it wearing a red jersey. Who sits upon his return that’s the $64,000 question?

2. Casey

   Oct 20, 11:11 AM

   I’m sure it will be Rupp and Dupuis will be moved to the 4th line. Dupuis will sit and Rupp will play when they want a little more toughness (i.e., games against Philly).

3. Dabich

   Oct 20, 12:32 PM

   Casey, I think you’re right, but I DO like Rupp’s game.

4. TheOneAndOnlySurge

   Oct 20, 01:17 PM

   I gotta diagree. I think Godard sits and Rupp plays. Rupp would provide the fourth line with a more offensive upside than what Godard would and he can still fight and battle. Godard will play against the rougher teams but Dupuis might still sit in those ocassions to allow a real tough fourth line of Rupp/Adams/Godard.

5. Moq

   Oct 20, 02:21 PM

   Common sense – and the love for decent quality hockey – more or less dictates that the worst player sits, ie. Godard, unless the matchup is against a goon squad.

   Since the Rangers was hammered yesterday, it’s time to overtake them by beating the Blues rather than singing it.

6. Casey

   Oct 20, 04:43 PM

   I only see Rupp as being marginally better than Godard. He’s scored two nice goals in the last two games, but based on his career performance, it’s not improbable to think that they could be his last of the season. If I had to choose, my choice would be Godard.

   Of course, this may be a moot argument because Godard has already been scratched twice while Rupp has played all eight games.

7. Big Pole57

   Oct 20, 06:03 PM

   But didn’t Rupp look like he had the hands of a 50 goal scorer on those 2 goals? HA HA HA! That’s 2 more than Godard will probably score his year. How much physicality is needed on any given night? I’m not a big fan of “staged” fights off a faceoff, in the context of the game, sure. I wasn’t a big fan of Rupp’s signing but he has impressed me with his play thru 8 games, probably will not score till mid-March saying that now.

8. Nate

   Oct 20, 06:28 PM

   I still don’t know about Rupp, I’m not sure he will ever score more than 10-15 a season. However, with the Pens playing a much more open style than NJ ever did, stranger things could happen. I do know that right now he is playing top notch hockey and I hope he keeps it up.

9. Matt Bodenschatz

   Oct 20, 11:33 PM

   Word is Gonchar could have a broken wrist. More on his injury tomorrow…

10. Pens1967

    Oct 21, 07:30 AM

    That would be a real shame, if true, about Sarge. But, I think this team is in a much better position to withstand that injury than they were last year when he got hurt.
    The Pens looked like a machine against StL last night.

11. Dabich

    Oct 21, 09:12 AM

    Dayum Matt, not Sarge again! Well, like Pens said, we have the depth to cover his game.

    Nate, Rupp won’t be a 50 goal scorer, or even a 20 goal scorer, but I DO think he will score more goals this season. I also think you’ll see Godard score. Bylsma’s system is bringing out the best in all the guys. They’re ALL shootihg on goal, and that leads to pucks finding the back of the net.

12. Matt Bodenschatz

    Oct 21, 09:41 AM

    @Pens, Rossi is saying a broken bone in the wrist/hand region. A re-evaluation is expected today. To be honest, the sounds of things are that this isn’t as serious as it could be. Let’s hope this is a few weeks, not a few months.

    @Dabich, Rupp is the kind of guy you want on a fourth line. He’ll show flashes of talent at times, but knows his role is to grind it out and stick up for his teammates. I do think, though, that he has more skill than he showed during his days with the defense-obsessed Devils. My guess is a 10-12 goal season for Rupp is about right. That’s pretty solid for a fourth liner.

13. Casey

    Oct 21, 11:05 AM

    @Pens1967 – I agree with you that Pens are in a better position to withstand a Gonchar injury than they were last year. If anything, this could end up hurting Gonch more. Now Letang has a month to show Shero that he should be the team’s #1 re-signing priority.

14. Pens1967

    Oct 21, 11:22 AM

    Matt, with Gonchar being an offensive oriented defenseman and his skill as a passer and shooter, a hand/wrist injury is pretty significant. If he were a defensive defenseman like Scuds or Gill, it would be less of an issue, imho.

    I think Shero and Gonchar will get a deal done before the end of the season. Sarge has lived here for the last 5 years and on the US east coast for many years now.
    I could see him going back to Russia to the KHL if doesn’t re-sign with Pgh to finish his career. He would get a very rich KHL contract.

15. Casey

    Oct 21, 11:34 AM

    To be honest with you, the way Letang is improving, if it were between resigning Gonchar and signing a quality sniper, I would go with the sniper. Just my opinion.

16. Dabich

    Oct 21, 11:50 AM

    It’s nice to see people recognizing what Letang brings to the table (and the ice.) Sarge won’t be here forever. With Gogo stepping it up, Letang has been overlooked, IMO (not as humble as Pens1967’s lol). He takes a LOT of abuse as well, and just gets up and keeps on skating. The kid is tough, and he’s improving all the time.
    I’d love to see him shine if Sarge is off for while with the wrist injury.

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