The Defensive Pairings

[Sty1877]

I haven't seen a lot of discussion regarding our defensive lineup for the upcoming season. Those who have played together in the past may no longer do so given the implementation of Johnston's new offensive system which favors those who excel at puck moving on the back end.

For the purpose of this thread, I'm going to assume that Määttä is healthy. Given this, my lineup is as follows.

Letang, Martin
Ehrhoff, Despres
Scuderi, Määttä
Bortuzzo

This lineup keeps our top two defensemen together for an offensive duo who can also play shutdown when needed, while having a puck mover on each pair. I think this may be one of the top pairs in the league. For our bottom four, we're keeping each inexperienced player with an experienced veteran. I also feel that Scuderi is going to play a lot better this year than last (if injuries haven't caught up with him), and he and Määttä may prove a better pairing, especially defensively, than Ehrhoff/Despres.

What are you pairings? How does each player adapt to the new system?

Click to read more...

 

[Ogrezilla]

The same, except Bortuzzo is in instead of Scuderi. Despres and Maatta could end up swapping as well, but I really like Despres' size in the top 4.

 

[Hottubber]

Letang Martin
Hoff Maatta
Bort Despres

 

[iFishyHD]

Martin-Letang
Maatta-Ehrhoff
Despres-Bort
Scuds

best way when all healthy. Throw Despres up there until Maatta is 110%.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Martin-Letang
Despres/Scuds-Ehrhoff
Despres/Scuds-Bort
Domoulin(Harrington or Samuelsson)

To start the season.
Then when Maata and Pouliot are healthy, i dunno what it'll look like.

 

[NMK11]

I can't decide if I'd rather have Despres and Bort together for an awesome bruising pair, or to split up the size. Either way, unless Harrington or Dumoulin forces the teams hand and takes a spot, I'd probably keep Despres and Bort together until Maatta gets back because a pairing of Scuds-Bort makes me cringe.

 

[Ogrezilla]

We really need someone in the top 4 who can handle bigger players in front of the net. I think Despres is the best option for that.

 

[Country Mac]

I'd have it as

Martin-Letang
Määttä-Ehrhoff
Despres-Bortuzzo

With Määttä and Despres alternating top 4 ice time so as to not overplay either of them and keep both fresh for the playoffs

 

[Jacob]

My pairings would exclude Scuderi entirely.

Martin - Letang
Maatta - Ehrhoff
Despres - Bortuzzo
Dumoulin

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

We all gotta accept the fact that if Scuderi is still here, he will be playing.

 

[No Quarter*]

My pairings would exclude Scuderi entirely.

Martin - Letang
Maatta - Ehrhoff
Despres - Bortuzzo
Dumoulin

I like this but I'd prob have Ulfs kid as our 7th and Dumoulin at WBS

 

[Ogrezilla]

I like this but I'd prob have Ulfs kid as our 7th and Dumoulin at WBS

ya Samuelsson is our 7th D, not Dumoulin. But if we have a long term injury, I can easily see Dumoulin jumping over him.

 

[DearDiary]

I know a lot of pens fans are desperate for wingers but, I think the team would be better keeping the current dman and letting them grow their value.

Letang-Maatta
Pouliot-Harrington
Depres-Bortuzzo


Sure there's lack of veteran players and likely won't happen but, that could potentially be a very good defense corps in a few years

 

[Waffle Fries]

Martin-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Maatta-Bortuzzo

is the most balanced I think. Every pairing has good puck movement and a bit of physicality.

I absolutely love the Despres-Bortuzzo pairing, but I think a Maatta-Ehrhoff pairing lacks grit.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Martin-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Maatta-Bortuzzo

is the most balanced I think. Every pairing has good puck movement and a bit of physicality.

I absolutely love the Despres-Bortuzzo pairing, but I think a Maatta-Ehrhoff pairing lacks grit.

I'm with you. It seems like most people think Maatta is significantly better than Despres though.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Martin - Letang
Maatta/Despres - Ehrhoff
Maatta/Despres - Bortuzzo
Samuelsson

I'd want Maatta and Despres splitting time in the top 4 to manage their TOI. They'd both get top 4 experience but the workload would be reduced.

Scuderi went missing, it was very sad.

 

[End of Line]

Healthy:

Martin-Letang
Maatta-Ehrhoff
Despres-Bortuzzo

Start of the Season:

Martin-Letang
Scuderi-Ehrhoff
Despres-Bortuzzo

 

[Sutter16]

When healthy I'd roll:
Martin-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Maatta-Bortuzzo

To start the season:

Martin-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Scuderi-Bortuzzo

It'd be so, so awesome to move Scuds and that bad contract

 

[BumFortyOne]

When healthy I'd roll:
Martin-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Maatta-Bortuzzo

To start the season:

Martin-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Scuderi-Bortuzzo

It'd be so, so awesome to move Scuds and that bad contract

I really do not want to see a Scuderi-Bortuzzo pairing this year. Especially not in a system that encourages the defense to skate and join the rush. Best case IMO is you pair Scuderi with Ehrhoff and hope that Scuderi rebounds and becomes a tradeable asset by the time that Maatta is ready to return.

I also really like Despres-Bortuzzo as a pairing for this year. I wouldn't be upset to see Despres-Ehrhoff and Maatta-Bortuzzo when Maatta returns either. Just really, really dislike Scuderi-Bortuzzo.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I really do not want to see a Scuderi-Bortuzzo pairing this year. Especially not in a system that encourages the defense to skate and join the rush. Best case IMO is you pair Scuderi with Ehrhoff and hope that Scuderi rebounds and becomes a tradeable asset by the time that Maatta is ready to return.

I also really like Despres-Bortuzzo as a pairing for this year. I wouldn't be upset to see Despres-Ehrhoff and Maatta-Bortuzzo when Maatta returns either. Just really, really dislike Scuderi-Bortuzzo.

I do too, but I dislike Scuderi in the top 4 even more.

 

[Sutter16]

I really do not want to see a Scuderi-Bortuzzo pairing this year. Especially not in a system that encourages the defense to skate and join the rush. Best case IMO is you pair Scuderi with Ehrhoff and hope that Scuderi rebounds and becomes a tradeable asset by the time that Maatta is ready to return.

I also really like Despres-Bortuzzo as a pairing for this year. I wouldn't be upset to see Despres-Ehrhoff and Maatta-Bortuzzo when Maatta returns either. Just really, really dislike Scuderi-Bortuzzo.

Yeah I don't like the Scuds-Bort pairing either but I can deal with it for a month, or until Maatta is healthy I guess.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Yeah I don't like the Scuds-Bort pairing either but I can deal with it for a month, or until Maatta is healthy I guess.

Exactly. I want Despres to be given that time to show what he can do in the top 4.

 

[BumFortyOne]

Exactly. I want Despres to be given that time to show what he can do in the top 4.

I think you could find ways of making sure that Scuderi and Bortuzzo see the least total icetime without playing them together necessarily. I'd much rather see that than potentially 12+ minutes a night at ES of defensemen unable to effectively support the forwards.

You'll get no argument from me about how Despres should be getting top-four icetime as long as Maatta is out.