13 Points in 117 games. THAT IS NOT A FAILURE!!!
- Ben37

So when he stepped up his game and became a key contributer when we had 5 d men out of the line up he then deserved to be benched after?
Those numbers include virtually no pp time! Getting how many min a game with the bottom two lines that produce no offense.
Either your right and he s a mediocre prospect thats shown flashes of being very good... or he shown flashes bc everytime he messes up he gets benched for ten games or demoted... and therefore is not allowed to grow into the legit top 4 prospect some of us think he capable of becoming ... sure you can site tangradi... what about bennett last season and lovejoy???
Other teams allow there young player to make mistakes and grow... given that engo is playing over him and we have a 16 point lead in the division its inexcusable!

So when he stepped up his game and became a key contributer when we had 5 d men out of the line up he then deserved to be benched after?
Those numbers include virtually no pp time! Getting how many min a game with the bottom two lines that produce no offense.
Either your right and he s a mediocre prospect thats shown flashes of being very good... or he shown flashes bc everytime he messes up he gets benched for ten games or demoted... and therefore is not allowed to grow into the legit top 4 prospect some of us think he capable of becoming ... sure you can site tangradi... what about bennett last season and lovejoy???
Other teams allow there young player to make mistakes and grow... given that engo is playing over him and we have a 16 point lead in the division its inexcusable!
- Brianandr1

Just because you watch a few games a week it doesn't mean you know more about Despres game then the coaches.

We have no clue how he practices, works outs out off ice or his dressing room attitude. But for some odd reason the coaching staff does.

If Ray Shero ran the Penguins how some of my fellow hockeybuzz posters would have him, the Penguins would be over the cap and in last place.

You cite the 16 point lead, but I have a feeling you would be one of the ones to lose his mind in a three game losing streak.

13 Points in 117 games. THAT IS NOT A FAILURE!!!
- Ben37

who has those stats?

who has those stats?
- SuperHenderson13

Tangradi

Tangradi
- Ben37

Its amazing that every young player we ve had during the disco tenure minus maata has bee treated this way... Lovejoy, Bennett, Bortuzzo, Depres.... do they all have bad work habits... are they all guilty of doing "something the coaching staff does not like"... Disco said at the end of last season that Bennett would get top 6 minutes (hurt obviously) and Despres would get top 4 d minutes.... ???? When did that happen other then when 5 starters were out??? and what did he do to deserved to get benched other that play decent to really well at times... other teams let there young players make mistakes and play ... we banish them to the press box and dont let them grow so Derek Eng can play.... totally ridiculous! Why is he still on the roster if your correct???? and why did disco make those comments????

Its amazing that every young player we ve had during the disco tenure minus maata has bee treated this way... Lovejoy, Bennett, Bortuzzo, Depres.... do they all have bad work habits... are they all guilty of doing "something the coaching staff does not like"... Disco said at the end of last season that Bennett would get top 6 minutes (hurt obviously) and Despres would get top 4 d minutes.... ???? When did that happen other then when 5 starters were out??? and what did he do to deserved to get benched other that play decent to really well at times... other teams let there young players make mistakes and play ... we banish them to the press box and dont let them grow so Derek Eng can play.... totally ridiculous! Why is he still on the roster if your correct???? and why did disco make those comments????
- Brianandr1

Lovejoy is never going to be a top pairing defenseman. He might have flashes but nothing permanent. Bennett has not been able to stay healthy for long enough to be a top 6 winger, Bortuzzo is going to be a 5-6 for his whole career and will be effective in that role.

You keep complaining that Engo is being played ahead of these players but talking about top 6 forward positions and top 4 defense minutes. Well who are these young player supposed to supplant? Kunitz? Neal? Letang? Oh I know, Crosby.

You cannot have both worlds. Bennett does not play Engo's role.

Its amazing that every young player we ve had during the disco tenure minus maata has bee treated this way... Lovejoy, Bennett, Bortuzzo, Depres.... do they all have bad work habits... are they all guilty of doing "something the coaching staff does not like"... Disco said at the end of last season that Bennett would get top 6 minutes (hurt obviously) and Despres would get top 4 d minutes.... ???? When did that happen other then when 5 starters were out??? and what did he do to deserved to get benched other that play decent to really well at times... other teams let there young players make mistakes and play ... we banish them to the press box and dont let them grow so Derek Eng can play.... totally ridiculous! Why is he still on the roster if your correct???? and why did disco make those comments????
- Brianandr1

Lovejoy? Seriously? Bortuzzo? And Bennett has been given plenty of chances, but he hasn't stayed healthy enough to make the most of them. Him just getting called up at all last year is proof to me that they're totally willing to play young talent - if they hadn't needed him, he would have probably learned more by staying at WBS.

And I hate how the "top four" quote is taken out of context. Bylsma never promised him anything - what I took him to mean was that Despres has the potential to be a top four defenseman, nothing more.

Bad teams play young players immediately. Good teams develop players properly and don't rush them into situations that could erode their confidence, especially when it comes to defensemen. All these 18-21 year olds around the league that are playing right now are better than their alternatives. But what does that mean for the entirety of their careers? Not every guy is a Crosby or a Maatta who can immediately take to the game.

They had the largest sample sizes with both players. Ideally Neal would have been in there but his injuries and suspensions leave a smaller plot of data to draw from.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yeah once I started to think about it all the other forwards have been injured majority of the time.

Lovejoy? Seriously? Bortuzzo? And Bennett has been given plenty of chances, but he hasn't stayed healthy enough to make the most of them. Him just getting called up at all last year is proof to me that they're totally willing to play young talent - if they hadn't needed him, he would have probably learned more by staying at WBS.

And I hate how the "top four" quote is taken out of context. Bylsma never promised him anything - what I took him to mean was that Despres has the potential to be a top four defenseman, nothing more.

Bad teams play young players immediately. Good teams develop players properly and don't rush them into situations that could erode their confidence, especially when it comes to defensemen. All these 18-21 year olds around the league that are playing right now are better than their alternatives. But what does that mean for the entirety of their careers? Not every guy is a Crosby or a Maatta who can immediately take to the game.
- hardnosed

What has Depres done this season (during games) to deserve to get benched other then play well when 5 starters were out??? Play the kid or trade him... there are 10 other teams that will put him in there top four and might be willing to give up something of value... maybe he becomes Tangradi, maybe he becomes a top 4 d man... is he going to get that chance on the Pens?? with the guys ahead of him? with the talk of resigning orpik and nisk? With the guys coming behind him?
As far as Lovejoy !! Has he become a solid contributer for the ducks??? Is he better then engo ?? No disrespect to engo of course ... No Lovejoy will never be a star but in time he could become a scuderi type player. ... Was never given a shot in pitt

Mr.Ryan just saw the tittle of your article.

I never thought I'd say this but right now I'd extend Niskanen before Orpik. Niskanen seems to be on his best shape ever while Orpik is getting there in age/broken body.

Of course it all could change depending on their playoff performances. Niskanen hasn't proved much so far.

What has Depres done this season (during games) to deserve to get benched other then play well when 5 starters were out??? Play the kid or trade him... there are 10 other teams that will put him in there top four and might be willing to give up something of value... maybe he becomes Tangradi, maybe he becomes a top 4 d man... is he going to get that chance on the Pens?? with the guys ahead of him? with the talk of resigning orpik and nisk? With the guys coming behind him?
- Brianandr1

I don't think it is what Despres has done or didn't do. It has more to do with what Orpik, Letang, Martin, Niskanen, and Maatta are doing. With those 5 healthy it doesn't leave a lot of room for Engo, Despres, Bortuzzo and so far Bortuzzo has shown more than Despres this season especially in the bottom pairing and Despres sure hasn't been better that Letang, Niskanen, Orpik or Martin.

I don't think it is what Despres has done or didn't do. It has more to do with what Orpik, Letang, Martin, Niskanen, and Maatta are doing. With those 5 healthy it doesn't leave a lot of room for Engo, Despres, Bortuzzo and so far Bortuzzo has shown more than Despres this season especially in the bottom pairing and Despres sure hasn't been better that Letang, Niskanen, Orpik or Martin.
- Ben37

I actually agree with this .. But at times bortz is banished for 10 games at a time as well ... This thread is called Orpik or nisk ? Will there ever be room for despres? And how do we know bortz is just a 6-7 .. He s def not offensively gifted but if given the opportunity he could become a solid 4 -6 defensive d man

I actually agree with this .. But at times bortz is banished for 10 games at a time as well ... This thread is called Orpik or nisk ? Will there ever be room for despres? And how do we know bortz is just a 6-7 .. He s def not offensively gifted but if given the opportunity he could become a solid 4 -6 defensive d man
- Brianandr1

Pens are a top 5 NHL team and a legit cup contender ... But we need to upgrade our third line very badly ... And if that means moving a despres I'm listening depending on the return

I actually agree with this .. But at times bortz is banished for 10 games at a time as well .
- Brianandr1

Sometimes young players need to see the game from the sky boxes. The Penguins are in a position where they can sit young players and let them learn from the seats.

Sometimes young players need to see the game from the sky boxes. The Penguins are in a position where they can sit young players and let them learn from the seats.
- Ben37

It just seems like depres and bortz progress is at a stand still bc of lack of opportunity ... Agreed the guys ahead of them are better... But these proved they can play when given a consistent opportunity ... Let's not forget doumilin whom also played well that the pens like ... And Harrington who may be ready as early as next season ... There is no room for everyone if nisk and Orpik are resigned .. And we have pressing needs .. I can live with glass vitale Adams as a fourth line ... Sutter as center on the third line ... And Bennett/ gibbons/ megna getting the opportunity to play with Sid. ... But we need third line wingers that can play physical and contribute .. Ie Tyler Kennedy .. Another player benched by disco at times for no real reason that was obvious

It just seems like depres and bortz progress is at a stand still bc of lack of opportunity ... Agreed the guys ahead of them are better... But these proved they can play when given a consistent opportunity ... Let's not forget doumilin whom also played well that the pens like ... And Harrington who may be ready as early as next season ... There is no room for everyone if nisk and Orpik are resigned .. And we have pressing needs .. I can live with glass vitale Adams as a fourth line ... Sutter as center on the third line ... And Bennett/ gibbons/ megna getting the opportunity to play with Sid. ... But we need third line wingers that can play physical and contribute .. Ie Tyler Kennedy .. Another player benched by disco at times for no real reason that was obvious
- Brianandr1

i too would like to see despres get more minutes. but at the same time, to be fair, i dont think anyone imagined maatta just coming on like this. you figure he wasnt expected to be anywhere ready for this level, and is eating a good amount of minutes. its likely some of that and responsibility could have been despres. if maatta was that much better, and obviously he seems like hes belonging just fine, then i am glad with that decision.

barring these injuries, letang/scuderi/martin/orpik/niskanen all had spots lined up. and they love what engo brings for reasons already beaten to death. so time was going to be tough to get regardless. then add maatta surging on, and its hard to find the ice when guys are healthy. im a huge despres fan, but once martin comes back, its hard to find a spot for him. even engo's spot might be tenuous, unless he can continuously log minutes at forward.

i too would like to see despres get more minutes. but at the same time, to be fair, i dont think anyone imagined maatta just coming on like this. you figure he wasnt expected to be anywhere ready for this level, and is eating a good amount of minutes. its likely some of that and responsibility could have been despres. if maatta was that much better, and obviously he seems like hes belonging just fine, then i am glad with that decision.

barring these injuries, letang/scuderi/martin/orpik/niskanen all had spots lined up. and they love what engo brings for reasons already beaten to death. so time was going to be tough to get regardless. then add maatta surging on, and its hard to find the ice when guys are healthy. im a huge despres fan, but once martin comes back, its hard to find a spot for him. even engo's spot might be tenuous, unless he can continuously log minutes at forward.
- stayinthefnnet

I trust shero... He ll get something done. .. Pens might be the top team in the NHL with a solid third line... Top. 5!without one ... That and injures have been there only issues this season

I don't think it is what Despres has done or didn't do. It has more to do with what Orpik, Letang, Martin, Niskanen, and Maatta are doing. With those 5 healthy it doesn't leave a lot of room for Engo, Despres, Bortuzzo and so far Bortuzzo has shown more than Despres this season especially in the bottom pairing and Despres sure hasn't been better that Letang, Niskanen, Orpik or Martin.
- Ben37

Orpik has been horrible, literally the blog you are responding to shows partly how bad, and Martin has been injured. Letang has been notably inconsistent. Apart from Niskanen, Despres has been more consistently good than everyone in the current lineup. What is your point?

You didn't provide the option to let both walk.


I like them both. I have a bit more admiration for Orpik beyond the numbers. It just seems to me that even with the cap going up our need isn't as much on the blue line. Niskanen has earned a raise for sure but I feel like it should be somewhere else.

Orpik could return on a short deal and I'd be fine with that because he and Martin are stout. Ultimately if they both left I wouldn't be totally heartbroken. That's just the nature of pro sports.

With Letang, Martin, Despres, Scuderi, Maatta, Bortuzzo and Dumoulin I feel like we will be fine. Plus, Harrington probably isn't far away. Spend the money to upgrade the top 3 lines however you see fit and let the depth you've created take over.
- HopintheCordoba

This is my choice. Why continue to have all these young defensemen if they aren't going to play? Orpik has had some terrific years here but I don't have a problem with him leaving after the season. Niskanen has really done a nice job so far this season but I also remember how abysmal he was in last year's playoffs. If the Penguins weren't deep at defense then I would have a different opinion. Now not all these young players will pan out but it's time to see what some can do. With the Penguins not that deep at forward I would rather see the money that would go to resign either of those players go there instead.

personally I wouldn't keep either, it's time to move on with the younger guys....

Orpik won't be traded at the deadline but I think the pens should just move on from him... His play has eroded to just average over the last couple years, this year awful.

Niskanen can be moved and he should be IF there is a value to doing so... Sure he's UFA but a team will easily want him for the playoffs... I can see the pens getting a second round pick and a prospect for him. The only reason I would trade him is cause his new deal will beyond what the pens should pay him to try and progress their higher ceiling players. Obviously if they can't get something good, he will be retained for the playoffs.

I think two of Niskanen, Bortuzzo, Dumoulin or Despres should be moved for a top 6 winger and bottom 6 help, just that obviously won't get that return... I'm just making the centre pieces. The fill ins like Megna and gibbons can and should be on the bottom 6. I loathe the fact of trading Despres but if they get a player of value and he has term I think he can be moved.

Wheeler, Camalleri and Ott would be my targets.

Canucks vs Kings turning into a fun rivalry.

Canucks vs Kings turning into a fun rivalry.
- Ben37

Been a very good 1-0 game

Been a very good 1-0 game
- nelson911

If all 1-0 games were like this no one would complain about the lack of offense.

If all 1-0 games were like this no one would complain about the lack of offense.
- Ben37

I have a half a season of Canucks tickets... I'm impressed, they haven't played with this intensity more than 2-3 times this year

“If you're going to try and play hockey like the Harlem Globetrotters, you're going to get burned," Scuderi said via the Tribune-Review. "We continue to make the same mistakes, go for the same highlight reel plays. That might look good on the highlight reels every now and then, but it's not a formula for winning.”

----------------------------

Meanwhile, Kunitz having a career year, on pace for 42 goals and 89 points, is a plus-70 over his last three seasons.