News Article: The Penguins hits leader is who?!

[Tom Hanks]

I'm pretty concerned about the physical component to the team or lack thereof. Without Cole, no Kunitz and no ZAR currently we're really in a bind IMO. You need guys like that who can bang bodies and be physical either on the forecheck or in the defensive zone ala Cole. We're a pretty meek team from top to bottom and losing that many hard nosed players may prove problematic when it matters most.

Tortorella is that you?

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I'm pretty concerned about the physical component to the team or lack thereof. Without Cole, no Kunitz and no ZAR currently we're really in a bind IMO. You need guys like that who can bang bodies and be physical either on the forecheck or in the defensive zone ala Cole. We're a pretty meek team from top to bottom and losing that many hard nosed players may prove problematic when it matters most.

While I understand your point, and I'm not trying to knock it, we weren't exactly bruisers over the last two seasons and we see how that turned out.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

I'm pretty concerned about the physical component to the team or lack thereof. Without Cole, no Kunitz and no ZAR currently we're really in a bind IMO. You need guys like that who can bang bodies and be physical either on the forecheck or in the defensive zone ala Cole. We're a pretty meek team from top to bottom and losing that many hard nosed players may prove problematic when it matters most.

Pittsburgh is 6th in the league in hits per game. Neither Cole nor Reaves were even in the top 50 in hits per game. Big Rig more than makes up for what we lost (in my opinion).

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I'm pretty concerned about the physical component to the team or lack thereof. Without Cole, no Kunitz and no ZAR currently we're really in a bind IMO. You need guys like that who can bang bodies and be physical either on the forecheck or in the defensive zone ala Cole. We're a pretty meek team from top to bottom and losing that many hard nosed players may prove problematic when it matters most.

Today will be a good test, with Tkachuk and Ferland likely mixing things up.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Pittsburgh is 6th in the league in hits per game. Neither Cole nor Reaves were even in the top 50 in hits per game. Big Rig more than makes up for what we lost (in my opinion).

In terms of toughness and hitting, I agree. and he certainly has more offensive contribution that Reaves did.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

In terms of toughness and hitting, I agree. and he certainly has more offensive contribution that Reaves did.

He is in the top 20 in hits per game. Reaves and Cole weren't even top 50.

Oops. I can't read today. I thought it said disagree. Man I'm getting old.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Today will be a good test, with Tkachuk and Ferland likely mixing things up.

I'll be at the game tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing Tkachuk. I haven't seen Calgary play live since they got him.

 

[Ryder71]

While I understand your point, and I'm not trying to knock it, we weren't exactly bruisers over the last two seasons and we see how that turned out.

We had Cole and Kunitz though. I just think we are going in the wrong direction on that front. You need guys like that. Losing Kunitz is understandable, even losing Cole would be manageable IF we found an apt replacement which we did not. I love Brassard but we're a much softer team now than we were. I don't think it's even a question. It's not about fighting it's about being hard to play against. We lost two important components in that regard without replacing them.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

I'll be at the game tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing Tkachuk. I haven't seen Calgary play live since they got him.

Enjoy. I hope you go home happy!

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I'm pretty concerned about the physical component to the team or lack thereof. Without Cole, no Kunitz and no ZAR currently we're really in a bind IMO. You need guys like that who can bang bodies and be physical either on the forecheck or in the defensive zone ala Cole. We're a pretty meek team from top to bottom and losing that many hard nosed players may prove problematic when it matters most.

I’d say they’re more or less neutral there with ZAR replacing Kunitz, Oleksiak replacing Cole and others being the same. They were never a significantly physical team in these runs.

One of the Pens talked about hits recently and was talking about taking them when they’re available to break up momentum and slow players down. The roster can manage that. They won’t be lighting many players up but they can do that.

 

[Ryder71]

Pittsburgh is 6th in the league in hits per game. Neither Cole nor Reaves were even in the top 50 in hits per game. Big Rig more than makes up for what we lost (in my opinion).

That's not entirely the point though. Is Cole fun to play against? Is he physical, does he block shots and will he occasionally throw open ice hits? Who do we have who plays like that? ZAR could to some degree pick up the slack for Kunitz cause he hits and goes to the dirty areas, but he's injured and for who knows how long. I think this is a legitimate concern.

 

[Ryder71]

I’d say they’re more or less neutral there with ZAR replacing Kunitz, Oleksiak replacing Cole and others being the same. They were never a significantly physical team in these runs.

One of the Pens talked about hits recently and was talking about taking them when they’re available to break up momentum and slow players down. The roster can manage that. They won’t be lighting many players up but they can do that.

Oleksiak is not in the mold of a Cole though. He's more of a skating type of defensemen with good offensive acumen. Sure he'll stand up for his team mates but he's not the type of player Cole is. I think they play a bit differently.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Oleksiak is not in the mold of a Cole though. He's more of a skating type of defensemen with good offensive acumen. Sure he'll stand up for his team mates but he's not the type of player Cole is. I think they play a bit differently.

If Oleksiak runs into someone they’ll feel it and he does it often. He’s 255 pounds.

 

[BlankFrank416]

That's not entirely the point though. Is Cole fun to play against? Is he physical, does he block shots and will he occasionally throw open ice hits? Who do we have who plays like that? ZAR could to some degree pick up the slack for Kunitz cause he hits and goes to the dirty areas, but he's injured and for who knows how long. I think this is a legitimate concern.

I think they’ll miss a more physical D most especially on the PK. But maybe Oleksiak will continue to get better and Letang and Co. will ramp it up as the post season looms.

 

[Ryder71]

If Oleksiak runs into someone they’ll feel it and he does it often. He’s 255 pounds.

I get that, but he isn't a big shot blocker and they play a different game. I'm glad we have have Oleksiak, but that doesn't mean he can aptly replace Cole in all other areas. Cole for example has blocked 40 more shots in the same amount of games.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Oleksiak is not in the mold of a Cole though. He's more of a skating type of defensemen with good offensive acumen. Sure he'll stand up for his team mates but he's not the type of player Cole is. I think they play a bit differently.

Different styles but still a physical presence. One time he kind of tossed a Cap with one arm when they were going for a puck, he hits and shit bounces off him. I’m really not sure what type of defenseman Oleksiak is, tbh. The offensive numbers at any level have never been amazing but he’s got skills and has been aggressive here. A good part of his defensive game seems to be having reach like a small plane’s wingspan and surprising mobility covering for some sins. He can skate and seems to have offensive instincts but idk. We’ll see what they’re trying to get out of him.

 

[Ryder71]

I think they’ll miss a more physical D most especially on the PK. But maybe Oleksiak will continue to get better and Letang and Co. will ramp it up as the post season looms.

The PK is a big concern and TBH I think we might be asking too much of Oleksiak. To me he's still a work in progress. He's playing well but I still think he has a ways to go.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

Oleksiak is not in the mold of a Cole though. He's more of a skating type of defensemen with good offensive acumen. Sure he'll stand up for his team mates but he's not the type of player Cole is. I think they play a bit differently.

Cole has less hits than, Maatta, Hags, Horny, Guentz, Kuhn, Rust, Dumo, Letang! I liked Cole, but you make it sound like he was some hitting machine or intimidating physical presence which he wasn't. He averages a little over a hit a game.

 

[PensandCaps]

I'll be at the game tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing Tkachuk. I haven't seen Calgary play live since they got him.

He's awesome. Love watching him troll the league.

 

[Tom Hanks]

I get that, but he isn't a big shot blocker and they play a different game. I'm glad we have have Oleksiak, but that doesn't mean he can aptly replace Cole in all other areas. Cole for example has blocked 40 more shots in the same amount of games.

The team is basically blocking the same amount of shots per game as they were last year. Shouldn’t be a real concern.

 

[Ryder71]

Cole has less hits than, Maatta, Hags, Horny, Guentz, Kuhn, Rust, Dumo, Letang! I liked Cole, but you make it sound like he was some hitting machine or intimidating physical presence which he wasn't. He averages a little over a hit a game.

But he blocks shots, wins one on one battles and when we does hit it's pretty significant. He's a blue collar guy, I just think we should have done a better job in replacing him.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I get that, but he isn't a big shot blocker and they play a different game. I'm glad we have have Oleksiak, but that doesn't mean he can aptly replace Cole in all other areas. Cole for example has blocked 40 more shots in the same amount of games.

Shot blocking isn’t necessarily the be all end all. Part of it is that a player is in the position to block all of these shots and that shouldn’t be the goal. Kuhnhackl blocks shots as his calling card; he’d be better off being more aggressive and having to block less.

Cole has blocked 91 this season in 47gp, 1.9
Dumoulin has 110 in 64, 1.7
Maatta has 89 in 66, 1.3
Letang has 89 in 63, 1.4
Schultz has 71 in 47, 1.5
Oleksiak has 33 in 31, 1.1

 

[Ryder71]

The team is basically blocking the same amount of shots per game as they were last year. Shouldn’t be a real concern.

It's clear that the majority here don't see what I see here. Unfortunately you guys might see this more prominently in the playoffs. Maybe that'll help illuminate my concerns more aptly. I hope not but we'll see.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

But he blocks shots, wins one on one battles and when we does hit it's pretty significant. He's a blue collar guy, I just think we should have done a better job in replacing him.

I agree when you say we should have done a better job of replacing him (actually keeping him). And yeah you're right he is a steady blue collar guy. I just don't think we took some huge step back physically when we lost him

 

[Speaking Moistly]

The PK is a big concern and TBH I think we might be asking too much of Oleksiak. To me he's still a work in progress. He's playing well but I still think he has a ways to go.

The PK is probably the bigger concern with losing Cole. They basically need to hope Oleksiak can do well enough if he’s free from Hunwick and/or that Ruhwedel can be good enough. Nlimitng the pk specialist forwards should help them.