Poll: WWBD -- What Would Bissonnette Do?
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Nov 19, 04:18 PM | Hype this story!
Poor attempt at a headline, but with all of these defensive injuries forcing the Penguins to reach down to the 11th defenseman on their depth chart, it’s difficult not to be reminded of the waiver loss of Paul Bissonnette.
Bissonnette, a popular and passionate player, was among the final roster cuts in training camp earlier this fall. Following his cut, he was placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Phoenix Coyotes.
But what would a fourth line offensman do for a crumbling defense?
Well, Bissonnette spent the early part of his career patrolling the blueline until he was shifted to forward by one of his professional coaches.
It’s difficult to imagine that a player whose role was shifted from defense to offense would be much help for a team like the Penguins, but the rash of injuries, it’s not far fetched to think he’d be a better substitute than, say, Chris Lee.
If you’re thinking “who?”, don’t worry, I’ve never heard of him, either.
Anyway, back to the point.
Bissonnette, as a fourth liner or healthy scratch is the exact type of player the Penguins lack.
He’d fill a limited role (currently being filled by this year’s empty jersey: Chris Bourque), which means he wouldn’t be blocking young players such as Luca Caputi or Eric Tangradi.
He’d bring another physical element to an already tough team to play against.
And he’s versatile in that he is capable of playing both offense and defense, though he’s not overly great at either.
Hearken back to the days of Ian Moran. He wasn’t a player to get excited about, but his ability to shift from offense to defense was great, as it essentially expanded the bench from 18 skaters to 19.
That’s what Bissonnette would bring, and that’s why losing him on waivers was a bad move for Ray Shero and the Penguins.
So what do you think?
Comments
ppirilla
Nov 19, 05:58 PM
Biz Nasty was never going to be an NHL defenseman. That’s why the Pens sent him straight to Wheeling, where he was switched to Forward.
I highly doubt he’ll ever be a regular as a forward on a good NHL team either, but he was an excellent 13th or 14th man to have for depth.
He’s missed here, but I think that I’d rather have Lee on the blueline than him, anyways.
Eric Politowski
Nov 19, 07:39 PM
“Bissonnette, as a fourth liner or healthy scratch is the exact type of player the Penguins lack.”
Exactly right. He leads the NHL in fighting majors, and is even beating Chris Bourque in goals (1 to 0).
Test
Nov 19, 07:44 PM
He barely belongs in the NHL and certainly not at the blueline.
This ranks up there in a the good idea department along with putting Crosby at the point.
What’s up with the writers on this site these days?
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 19, 10:43 PM
@ppirilla, I agree with you. Bissonnette is a nice depth guy with some energy, a nice touch of agitation, and the ability to fight. NHL regular, he is not, but a fourth liner or healthy scratch, he is.
@Eric, Bourque has been a waste. I didn’t like losing Bissonnette when it happened — not because I think he’s great, but because I thought he filled a bench player role well — and I didn’t like the Bourque claim when it happened.
@Test, first of all, the Penguins’ power play is clicking at 13.3 percent right now. I don’t agree with those who suggested putting Crosby on the point, but I don’t think any idea to improve the power play is a bad one at this point.
Secondly, I’m not suggesting Bissonnette serve as the team’s sixth, seventh, or even eighth defenseman. I just think having a versatile player on hand isn’t a bad idea — if only for the sake of spelling some of the defenders in games when one has been injured, something that has happened quite often of late.
Lastly, no one’s holding a gun to your head to read FF. “What’s up with the writers on this site these days” is that we’re doing this as a hobby and write because we want to initiate discussion — not because we’re professionals or are trying to pose as NHL geniuses.
DaBich
Nov 20, 08:33 AM
Test, tell me, what would you do in this situation? The Pens are losing, their PP sucks green slimy pond scum, and they still have too many regulars out of the line-up.
I’m interested in your idea…c’mon…tell us!
Pens1967
Nov 20, 09:03 AM
Bissonnette is a player in the mold of not only Ian Moran, but Phil Borque. Borque was also a d-man first by trade, but played well as a 3rd/4th liner and was a key contributor to the 90’s Cup teams. There’s always room for guys like Bissonnette. I usually like what Shero does, but waving Biz to claim Chris Borque was not one of his, or Bylsma’s, shrewder moves. Borque just makes little contribution to the team. He doesn’t kill
penalties, he’s not big or strong enough to be an effective forechecker and he’s not even scoring, which is supposedly his
strength, when given the chance to play with Crosby and Malkin.
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