Confirmed with Link: Pens sign D Niclas Andersén out of Sweden

[Ozz]

About time we get our diamond-in-the-rough Swedish defenseman. Could have been 1989, but noooo...

 

[Shady Machine]

Yeah I guess he is a Chorney replacement if anything. Him or Harry will be first call up from the sounds of it. I was hoping this would signal the end of Scuderi, but this signing may not be related to that. Either way, I can't complain. We have been asking for them to sign a Euro free agent and they did. I'll reserve judgment until I see him play a few games.

 

[Black Label]

He had 31 hits in 54 games. There was like 50 more defencemen in SHL that hit more this season.

Hitting isn't the only thing that makes you physical though. Boxing players out, being strong along the boards, winning puck battles, those are all things that make a player physical.

Fantenberg is a good example for Frölunda because I watch them more than Brynäs. He has 52 hits in 50 games, but I don't consider him overly physical just because he has hits, he will step up on guys but he gets over powered quite easily. A lot of his hits come when he is slightly out of position and hitting is the best option rather than letting people get around him. If he was better positionally then I don't think he would have made all of those hits.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Not photoshopped.

 

[Coach Travis]

Hitting isn't the only thing that makes you physical though. Boxing players out, being strong along the boards, winning puck battles, those are all things that make a player physical.

Fantenberg is a good example for Frölunda because I watch them more than Brynäs. He has 52 hits in 50 games, but I don't consider him overly physical just because he has hits, he will step up on guys but he gets over powered quite easily. A lot of his hits come when he is slightly out of position and hitting is the best option rather than letting people get around him. If he was better positionally then I don't think he would have made all of those hits.

Exactly. How often did Nicklas Lidstrom throw a hit? The game moves to fast for you to be throwing hits and putting yourself out of position, especially as a defenceman. Any defence coach isn't going to teach hitting, it's all about positioning, stick work and, knowing not to engage physically when your opponent has clear body positioning so that your stick is free and you can find your spot to jump in between him and the puck.

 

[Coach Travis]

Not photoshopped.

Eh, all these white boys look the same!

-edit-

I am white.

 

[plaidchuck]

Exactly. How often did Nicklas Lidstrom throw a hit? The game moves to fast for you to be throwing hits and putting yourself out of position, especially as a defenceman. Any defence coach isn't going to teach hitting, it's all about positioning, stick work and, knowing not to engage physically when your opponent has clear body positioning so that your stick is free and you can find your spot to jump in between him and the puck.

And this mentality is why we've been stuck with the paul martins of the world for so long.

 

[MrBurghundy]

And this mentality is why we've been stuck with the paul martins of the world for so long.

Are you implying that Paul Martin, as a defender specifically, isn't that good?

 

[Coach Travis]

Unfortunately we have a logjam of bottom pairing guys but maybe he steps in as a top 4 guy. How come he has to sign an ELC?

The way I see it we're hedging our bets of being able to fill our D with dependable, cheap defencemen. They seem to be easier to come by than cheap forwards who can score.

 

[Coach Travis]

And this mentality is why we've been stuck with the paul martins of the world for so long.

I wish! We just got rid of Brooks Orpik who made some ridiculous bank off of one shift in the 2008 SCF.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Are you implying that Paul Martin, as a defender specifically, isn't that good?

No, but if you have a corps with only Paul Martin types, then you get...

...well then you get the Penguins defense of the last five seasons.


Somehow, some way we need to bring back the snarl.

 

[MrBurghundy]

No, but if you have a corps with only Paul Martin types, then you get...

...well then you get the Penguins defense of the last five seasons.


Somehow, some way we need to bring back the snarl.

What kind of defenders does Chicago have exactly? Can somebody remind me.

There is nothing wrong with being positionally sound and physical when necessary, but not chasing hits.

 

[The Greatest 101]

Is he mean?

 

[The Old Master]

Any defence coach isn't going to teach hitting, it's all about positioning, stick work and, knowing not to engage physically when your opponent has clear body positioning so that your stick is free and you can find your spot to jump in between him and the puck.

sounds good, but it's not true.....it may work for a few, but hitting or at least a threat of being hit is a must. more lost/stolen pucks occur one on one, when a player is trying to avoid a hit than at any other time.

 

[Jacob]

What kind of defenders does Chicago have exactly? Can somebody remind me.

There is nothing wrong with being positionally sound and physical when necessary, but not chasing hits.

Not only does that describe the Blackhawks D, that pretty much describes the Lightning & Blackhawks entire roster.

 

[WayneSid9987]

To be fair to MTLPens though, this team IS gonna struggle if they go full youth movement on D. More growing pains than anything. The guy taking PMarts minutes is gonna look really good on some nights and really bad on others. Especially, if they keep 1 or 2 of Scuds/LJ around with them.

 

[MrBurghundy]

To be fair to MTLPens though, this team IS gonna struggle if they go full youth movement(more growing pains than anything. the guy taking PMarts minutes is gonna look really good on some nights and really bad on others) on D. Especially if they keep 1 or 2 of Scuds/LJ around with them.

Yes, that is true. I don't think they have much of a choice other than to deal with it though.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Yes, that is true. I don't think they have much of a choice other than to deal with it though.

I agree. Really, for me, it's Sekera @ 5.5-6M or go full youth. Sekera's the only bonafide top 4 defender FA. You can slot Franson in there but he has no where near the defending abilities of Sekera.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Seems like a leader, something this team needs. Does he speak English well?

Pretty much every Swede speaks better English than we do.

 

[Jacob]

It isn't like we're going to have 6 rookies on D. If Maatta can regain his form, he's at least a bonafide 2nd pairing d-man. Letang is a legit #1. Lovejoy is a solid 3rd pairing guy. Dumoulin has had 3 full seasons in the AHL, Pouliot is a top-10 draft pick with 3 years of seasoning. Cole is 26. Even Harrington would probably slot into most NHL bluelines.

I guess what I'm seeing is that, youth movement or not, there's nobody unqualified to be in the NHL. Even if Dumoulin (for example) proves he just can't cut it, certainly one of Andersen or Harrington can step in in his place.

 

[WayneSid9987]

My post to MTLPens up there is in the wrong thread. Oops.

 

[plaidchuck]

I wish! We just got rid of Brooks Orpik who made some ridiculous bank off of one shift in the 2008 SCF.

Oh ********. Orpik was solid for a while. Just because the team didn't move on from him like they should have doesn't take away what he contributed.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Whether or not this pans out, i like that they're looking at European leagues for possible talent. A welcome change.

 

[plaidchuck]

What kind of defenders does Chicago have exactly? Can somebody remind me.

There is nothing wrong with being positionally sound and physical when necessary, but not chasing hits.

They may not chase hits but they don't let the opposition live rent free 24/7 in the crease like the pens do to fleury.

Big difference between chasing hits and not getting outmuscled constantly. If only the pens had a young guy with some size... hmmmm

 

[PensBandwagonerNo272*]

About time we get our diamond-in-the-rough Swedish defenseman. Could have been 1989, but noooo...

hindsight is 20/20 fella, we got plenty of value out of paul laus