Defensive Depth Eases Concerns
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Nov 17, 12:08 PM | Hype this story!
When general manager Ray Shero mentions his desire to have 10 NHL-ready defenseman, something tells me he really isn’t thinking he’ll need numbers nine and 10.
It’s been a difficult few weeks for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that depth has proven fruitful.
They’ve seen one of their star centers, four of their top six defensemen, and a few wingers go down with injuries, and subsequently, they’ve seen their league-leading record dip.
Heck, they’re not even leading the Atlantic Division any longer with the New Jersey Devils unseating them — and the third place Philadelphia Flyers are breathing down their collective neck.
But, even with all these injuries, even with a power play that has dipped to the basement of the league (13.3 percent), and even with a goal scoring drought that saw them net just three goals in four games (including two shutouts), there is a significant bright spot.
Depth. And more specifically, defensive depth.
Going into the season, all people could talk about with regard to the blueline was how difficult it would be to replace shutdown tandem Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill, both of whom left via free agency.
With oft-injured and recently bought-out Jay McKee and double training camp cast off Martin Skoula stepping in, few thought the defense would be good.
It’s been more than good, and the depth has proven to be far better than anyone could have expected – and it might even rival the depth from one year ago, when former All Star Phillipe Boucher was a healthy scratch and Alex Goligoski was number eight on the depth chart.
And make no mistake about it, that depth has been tested.
First with an injury to power play quarterback Sergei Gonchar.
Then with his replacement, Kris Letang.
Then with hard-nosed top-pairing blueliner Brooks Orpik.
And yet again with the team’s third leading scoring and only remaining offensive blueliner Alex Goligoski.
Off the bench came Skoula and up from the farm came Deryk Engelland, Ben Lovejoy, and Nate Guenin.
And they’ve done a commendable job.
The transition hasn’t been seamless, but the results have been decent, as the Penguins have once again found their winning ways with two in a row.
It may not have been a pleasant fortnight – and we’re not out of the woods yet, as only Gonchar looks to be close to a return out of the four injured defenders – but the Penguins and their fans can take solace in knowing that there are at least four defenders beyond the top six who are more than capable of filling in in a pinch.
Comments
bag o' pucks
Nov 17, 12:15 PM
Unrelated to the article, but the Great Mike Zigomanis has left his PTO with Toronto for Djurgardens IF of the SEL.
Another former NHLer, Tyler Arnason, has also left the AHL (Hartford) for Europe.
DaBich
Nov 17, 12:50 PM
Wow, Zigo has left the country. I wish him well. Who knows, maybe he’ll be back some…year…
Matt, I was telling the hubby just this morning, basically what you said. It’s not a perfect defense, but the AHL’ers have definitely held their own. I’m more than happy with how they’ve stepped in and done what needs to be done. I’ve already said I like McKee and Skoula just keeps getting better.
Maybe, just maybe, Coach Bylsma brings out the best in his players. It just seems to me he can coax them into MORE...more than they have done before…more than they think they can do…just MORE. Again, it’s not been perfect…but it sure looks a heck of a lot better…and promises to be better yet. Can’t wait till Thursday to see how we do in Ottawa!
bag o' pucks
Nov 17, 12:59 PM
Dabs, I think you’re right and a road trip will do the club some good. A few guys trickling back into the lineup, fewer distractions on the road, team meals, get the club bonding again. Maybe that will translate to some continued on-ice success. At least they left home fans with a couple good wins in the recent memory bank.
DaBich
Nov 17, 01:03 PM
Heck yeah Pucks, things are lookin up, and it’s about time =)
Chris A
Nov 17, 02:15 PM
I for one am glad to see Lovejoy playing well. I think he will end up being a key dman for the Pens in the future. The other callups, not so much.
Moq
Nov 17, 03:42 PM
Lovejoy could – and hopefully does – have a longterm and successful future with the Penguins, but I don’t think he’s miles ahead of Engelland or even Guenin. Not to mention a couple of the youngsters still in WBS. All in all the competition and depth is good.
Not speaking of defencemen, I think that Letestu has brought a sensible game to the NHL. Active yet responsible and displaying good hockey sense.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 17, 04:16 PM
@Pucks, your boy just keeps getting further and further away. What will you do now that he’s not even in North America?
@Dabich, when you have substitutions, you can’t expect them to fill in perfectly, but these guys have done about as well as could be expected. Specifically, Lovejoy, Engelland, and Guenin don’t look like a trio with a cobined 35 (roughly) games between them.
As for McKee and Skoula, I’m liking both a lot. The way they, along with Eaton, are playing, I’d be more than happy to see any or all return next year, as all three are unrestricted free agents.
@Chris, I can see that being the case. Heck, even Engelland looks good. He’s pretty nasty on the blueline, as is Guenin.
@Moq, the farm system may not be loaded with top-end talent as some organizations are. But the Penguins already have young top-end talent. I’m excited to see guys like Lovejoy, Engelland, Guenin and Letestu stepping in and looking comfortable at the NHL level. They all have legitimate shots at being NHL regulars/role players before long, and it’s great to see them seizing the opportunity they are getting right now.
bag o' pucks
Nov 17, 04:30 PM
Matt, when they get all growed up, ya gotta wish ‘em the best and let ‘em go.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 17, 04:34 PM
Doesn’t make it any easier, does it? Little Bam Bam Zigomanis is a full grown cave man on his way to the SEL. I wish him luck!
bag o' pucks
Nov 17, 04:41 PM
Can’t complain one bit about the Pens’ choice of Adams. He’s been excellent.
I saw LeTom on JB’s blog just yesterday still lamenting the loss of Mormina, “...but is seems foolish to let a talent like Joey go.” He was promptly bashed for that one. I can say with confidence I’m better at letting players go than LeTom.
DaBich
Nov 17, 04:54 PM
Pucks, spoken like a true DADDY! ;)
LeTom will never learn, will he?
Fat Daddy (Bag o' Pucks' clever disguise)
Nov 17, 05:24 PM
Indeed, Dabs, indeed.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 17, 06:22 PM
@Pucks, I saw those comments as well. Gotta love JB’s quick, one-line response of “@Tom: I didn’t know Joey’s family members read the blog. How’s the weather in Montreal?”
bag o' pucks
Nov 17, 09:50 PM
Yes, good reply by JB. We started out with nice, witty retorts for LeTom, too. Then, after a while, he just tests everyone’s patience too much with the constant clueless commentary and the open hostility starts, haha. Thing is, I never had anything against Mormina, but LeTom almost makes one want to player bash because of his ridiculous non-stop fanboy harping.
Meanwhile, we’re about 22 minutes into Toronto-Ottawa and we’ve had four fights already. It’s certainly not for playoff positioning, but the Battle of Ontario seems to be alive and well.
DaBich
Nov 18, 05:54 AM
LOL ~ FAT DADDY!
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