Note sure who you're talking about here, but Martin has 6 points so far, and our PP hasn't been so great. He's been our best defender for a while now, and the organization seems to understand that. There is a reason he takes the opposition's best players, and it sure isn't Orpik.
As much as people might want Orpik back, or might like to provocatively speculate he's coming back, this organization has clearly prioritized their key players and negotiated with them the minute they were able to within the CBA. Kunitz was quietly extended, here is a quote about that extension per Kasan at NHL.com:
"At his final season meeting, the Penguins asked Kunitz if he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. Kunitz said he did. The deal came together in the last few days and was finalized quickly. "
Did this happen with Orpik?
What? Remind me who Martin's partner is again?
Jacob is correct Martin hasn't been the best D-man this year either, and if we all want to be correct and up until Letang getting back, Niskanen was our best D-man while partnered with Scuderi. Orpik and Martin both taking on the tougher shut down pairing minutes are both tied with 6 points, but one has a better +/- rating and Orpik has played one extra game, so....I'd say both of these guys have played very similarly by virtue of being opposite kinds of D-man and are equally needed for this team. They, along with Scuderi and Niskanen carried this team up to this point. It worked. Take out Scuderi now and add Letang, defensively, this team took a huge hit.
The Kunitz deal cannot be used as a example of what Orpik has to compete with. Kunitz doesn't have his job threatened with possible many replacements just about ready for the jump. I think it's a wait and see if there are "enough" standouts to allow Orpik to walk. There might just be, but they won't know until the very bitter end next year(end of season/playoffs) before they know for sure they have a solid fill in for him. Just because Kunitz got his isn't indicative to what's happening in Orpik's situation. They're two totally different scenarios. One has multiple guys pushing for spots and the other has(remember this is the top six we're talking about) one for sure in the future, but guess what? There's a spot open for him next season already, so that leaves all but none to force Kunitz out.
You don't think they'll ask Orpik should they decide when it's appropriate at the end of this season. They'll either figure they're good to go without him, or ask him the very same question they asked Kunitz if they feel he's still needed.
It's doesn't matter what I think, or anyone else, it's a time figurative matter with, Orpik.
I think when we get to Martins turn next year we'll all be debating the same issue, and it all is dependent on the D-prospects, again. Orpik has one advantage though, he doesn't have multiple replacements for his forte, whereas, Martin does, and Orpik's first inline to get a extension should there be any doubts in those prospects.
IIRC didn't happen that way with Dupuis, either. Or Adams. His contract was up when Shero re-signed him. I'd like to think that this is Orpik's last season in a Pens uniform, but just because he hasn't been extended at this point doesn't mean he won't be.
Exactly. Two totally different situations going on.
