MrBurghundy
I may be older but I'm never forgetting #47 & #41
I'd waive Orpik and Martin in a millisecond if the alternative was not re-signing Letang.
I dont mean can the Pens afford it cap wise or payroll wise.
I'd waive Orpik and Martin in a millisecond if the alternative was not re-signing Letang.
Yeah but DePo puts the Pens defense over the top too. Something else that needs to be mentioned is that the Pens only true PP QB in the entire organization is Pouliot. As great as Letang is he's not that natural PP QB even though he's a good offensive defenseman. Pouliot just brings that natural passing ability that very few have.I, on the other hand, would have taken Trouba over Pouliot if I had to take a D at that spot. He's having a phenomenal year, just like Pouliot but he would have really put our D over the top.
Like others have stated, its too late now and I'm rooting for DePo.
I don't doubt that Pouliot could become another Kabarle. The issue is that he wouldn't complement Letang very well, so they would have to be on different pairs. It will be interesting to see what the Pens will do with their D prospects over the next few years, because they have a bunch of offensive guys, but not a lot of defensive guys.
We actually have several talented defensive-D prospects, some of which are NHL-ready, but since they have limited puck-moving skills or offensive output, they get less respect than Rodney Dangerfield. They are certainly there though.
I don't doubt that Pouliot could become another Kabarle. The issue is that he wouldn't complement Letang very well, so they would have to be on different pairs. It will be interesting to see what the Pens will do with their D prospects over the next few years, because they have a bunch of offensive guys, but not a lot of defensive guys.
Harrington, although he projects more of a second pair guy. Either way, there's quite enough talent in the pool to turn up some quality, balanced pairings.
Harrington is the obvious one, but outside of him, we don't have any super talented shutdown D other than him. Yeah, we have Dumoulin, Despres and Maatta, but I don't consider them elite shutdown D prospects. I'd consider them elite 2-way D prospects
DePo is still out of he lineup. I guess he's still injured. Sucks that he's missed so many games for a minor injury that's supposed to only allow him to miss a couple of games.
The move to add a defenseman comes with a Portland key blueliner - Derrick Pouliot - out with a "lower body'' injury. The Hawks say Pouliot is "week to week.''
with DP out with an injury I guess any chance of seeing him at training camp is gone?
Not sure if he would've been pulled into camp anyway but still...
they're not inviting junior players to camp anyway IMO.
Morrow never played an over age season in the WHL. I think he just turned 20 not too long ago.
Rutkowski wouldn't be a bad pick up. I advocated drafting him a few years back with the caveat that he works on his play in his own zone and improves his skating a touch.
Keep in mind that he's almost two years older than DP and playing in his fifth full WHL season.
Yesterday night, Pouliot finished the game with 0 points and a +2. His D partner scored 3 pts in the last few minutes of the game to take the scoring lead in D.
Pouliot is not leading the WHL or his own team in points anymore. His D partner, Troy Rutkowski is leading the WHL with 40 pts in 42 games although Pouliot is at a point per game pace (38 in 38). Interesting to see that Rutkowski is a UFA since he was let go by Colorado this summer. He's righthanded and has some decent size. Would be nice to sign him if we trade some of our excess D this year for help on the wing.
Although Morrow and Rutkowski were both overagers, they always performed extremely well when paired with Pouliot and its kinda weird to see that they'd outscore him in the process when Pouliot is the one that is more renowned for his offensive prowess. Just saying...