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Jim Rutherford's X-Factor Is Now In Play |
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It isn’t often when a player is sent down that it is great news, but that is the case with Derrick Pouliot being sent down to WB/S.
The reason this is great news is because you cannot send down a player who is injured. Pouliot has been rehabbing his shoulder since his offseason surgery and it now appears he is healthy enough for contact. He has been skating in WB/S, but not in an official capacity. He will now be able to join their practices.
Derrick Pouliot is going to be one of the biggest x-factors this season for the Penguins. It remains to be seen if he can play at the NHL level, but chances are that he will be given the opportunity at some point this year. Why is he an x-factor? If he is NHL ready it changes the entire trade landscape for GM Jim Rutherford. If he knows that Pouliot is a sure thing, he can be more liberal in moving some of the other defense prospects via trade. As a GM you want options and you are always searching for options, the more the better. Pouliot potentially gives the Penguins more options.
Derrick Pouliot played for Penguins Head Coach Mike Johnston in Portland the past two seasons and there will be no learning curve for the system in place. Also, the coach will not need to get to know the player. These factors play favorably into the chances of Pouliot getting a chance with the big club at some point this year.
The Penguins defense depth organizationally is about as deep as it comes in professional hockey.
Three of those players are Scott Harrington, Brian Dumoulin, and now Derrick Pouliot. Each has an NHL pedigree. To what extent we don’t quite know yet.
Derrick Pouliot will be in game action very soon (WB/S is in Albany tonight). I predict that he will shine at the AHL level and will earn a promotion.
If you are trying to guess what kind of trades the Penguins might make this year the Derrick Pouliot situation is one to follow closely. How he does will dictate what Rutherford does.
The evaluation process on Pouliot officially kicks off today. Should be fun to monitor
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Something to remember about a potential Paul Martin to LA Kings trade is that Martin has interest in the Kings. He may be in a contract year, but if the Kings trade for him then it isn’t a classic rental situation. The Kings are probably the most logical destination for Martin if the Penguins go that route.
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