Well im not overly enamored with Scuds ability on the 4-5 PK, he does take away passing lanes very well which is big and he plays the net front man really well, not in an overly aggressive way but by taking away his stick. Scuds real value shorthanded is on the 5-3.

Im mostly referring to his 5-5 play, he is so sound in his positioning. I know it sounds like an easy thing but he does it better than anyone else on the team.
- nbartley9

Actually I think he's awful at playing the net front man, I don't know how many times I've seen the guy in front of the net score the goal because Scuderi is busy puck watching and not tying up the stick or the body. I also think his positioning is awful too, where he doesn't know when to challenge and when not to because he's a afraid the guy will walk around him, giving the puck carrier or lead guy more room to drive to the net in reality they should never be making it that close to the net in the first place. On the 5-3 he stands in front of Fleury and covers the cross crease... that's simple enough for any defensemen to do. When he gets the puck he throws it off the glass like its a grenade, giving possession back to the opposing team, in reality he should be looking for an outlet player to pass to, or push the puck to an open space where HIS team can get back to the puck.

Actually I think he's awful at playing the net front man, I don't know how many times I've seen the guy in front of the net score the goal because Scuderi is busy puck watching and not tying up the stick or the body. I also think his positioning is awful too, where he doesn't know when to challenge and when not to because he's a afraid the guy will walk around him, giving the puck carrier or lead guy more room to drive to the net in reality they should never be making it that close to the net in the first place. On the 5-3 he stands in front of Fleury and covers the cross crease... that's simple enough for any defensemen to do. When he gets the puck he throws it off the glass like its a grenade, giving possession back to the opposing team, in reality he should be looking for an outlet player to pass to, or push the puck to an open space where HIS team can get back to the puck.
- j.boyd919

Wow I see it totally different, his objective as a defensemen is to force the player to the wall, and not give up that center drive. Which he does, every single night; Martin and Letang make more mistakes as a result of poor positioning than Scuds does no doubt about that. I get what your saying about him being timid when it comes to forcing the forward to make a move; but that's ok if the end result is him being forced to the wall. As far as Scuds play off of the glass goes once that puck is in the neutral one that's up to the forwards to get that puck going north, every D-man we have cant be a puck toting defensemen.

For instance last night 2 times Cole and DP toted the puck just to get so far into the offensive zone that they had no where to go with the puck, no shot or pass was even attempted. I like having a d-man that knows his job is to get the puck to the forwards. Which Scuderi does do, and he is always quick with his decision; very rarely does he give the forwards a chance to make a play on him; that can be looked at as being timid with the puck but it can also be looked at as knowing exactly what he wants to do before that puck touches his stick.

To me hockey is 3 things Anticipation, positioning, and speed. Scuds has the first 2 things down to an art form the last one ehhh not so much.

P.S. now this is hockey talk!!

Wow I see it totally different, his objective as a defensemen is to force the player to the wall, and not give up that center drive. Which he does, every single night; Martin and Letang make more mistakes as a result of poor positioning than Scuds does no doubt about that. I get what your saying about him being timid when it comes to forcing the forward to make a move; but that's ok if the end result is him being forced to the wall. As far as Scuds play off of the glass goes once that puck is in the neutral one that's up to the forwards to get that puck going north, every D-man we have cant be a puck toting defensemen.

For instance last night 2 times Cole and DP toted the puck just to get so far into the offensive zone that they had no where to go with the puck, no shot or pass was even attempted. I like having a d-man that knows his job is to get the puck to the forwards. Which Scuderi does do, and he is always quick with his decision; very rarely does he give the forwards a chance to make a play on him; that can be looked at as being timid with the puck but it can also be looked at as knowing exactly what he wants to do before that puck touches his stick.

To me hockey is 3 things Anticipation, positioning, and speed. Scuds has the first 2 things down to an art form the last one ehhh not so much.
- nbartley9

Pretty sure you just misspelled, Crosschecks, Fighting, and Breaking someone's Clavicle.

Pretty sure you just misspelled, Crosschecks, Fighting, and Breaking someone's Clavicle.
- Guile

HAHAHA I didn't say my favorite things about hockey!!! that was funny man very nicely done.

HAHAHA I didn't say my favorite things about hockey!!! that was funny man very nicely done.
- nbartley9

- Guile

You know whats funny, I had a ref come up to me in my Conf Final game last week and said " don't slew foot anyone tonight"

You know whats funny, I had a ref come up to me in my Conf Final game last week and said " don't slew foot anyone tonight"
- nbartley9

He must know you're a Pens fan

Wow I see it totally different, his objective as a defensemen is to force the player to the wall, and not give up that center drive. Which he does, every single night; Martin and Letang make more mistakes as a result of poor positioning than Scuds does no doubt about that. I get what your saying about him being timid when it comes to forcing the forward to make a move; but that's ok if the end result is him being forced to the wall. As far as Scuds play off of the glass goes once that puck is in the neutral one that's up to the forwards to get that puck going north, every D-man we have cant be a puck toting defensemen.

For instance last night 2 times Cole and DP toted the puck just to get so far into the offensive zone that they had no where to go with the puck, no shot or pass was even attempted. I like having a d-man that knows his job is to get the puck to the forwards. Which Scuderi does do, and he is always quick with his decision; very rarely does he give the forwards a chance to make a play on him; that can be looked at as being timid with the puck but it can also be looked at as knowing exactly what he wants to do before that puck touches his stick.

To me hockey is 3 things Anticipation, positioning, and speed. Scuds has the first 2 things down to an art form the last one ehhh not so much.

P.S. now this is hockey talk!!
- nbartley9

If the puck is off the glass and out of the zone, the puck is almost always going to land closer to the opposing D-man, giving them the ability to pass back and forth to make another zone entry while the Pens fowards forecheck and try to make a turnover. If someone with some puck skill had that puck they would either find an open spot where a forward/other D can reach the puck and push it out for an outlet pass, or they would make that outlet pass themselves. The latter version is what Letang/Martin/Ehrhoff/Pouliot etc. look for first, whereas Scuderi's first instinct is to clear the puck off the glass. In these instances I'm referring more to the loose puck battles in front of the net/tipped passes not necessarily the breakouts from behind the net/etc. they have planned. In that sense he knows what he's going to do before he gets the puck, but when its an instinctual moment, I hate his decisions. I don't always get to watch the games, I do stream as many of them as I can but for some damn reason, Pens games are always on when I'm working for the Bolts.

The net front play I'm talking about more is when the opposing team has some sustained cycling and are trying to create traffic in front, shots come in or passes from below the goal line and Scuderi is busy puck watching instead of covering his man, tying up a stick, planting someone on his ass. I know all players are guilty of it sometimes, I just notice is a TON more with Scuderi and it shows in the 2nd most on ice goals against on the team.

If the puck is off the glass and out of the zone, the puck is almost always going to land closer to the opposing D-man, giving them the ability to pass back and forth to make another zone entry while the Pens fowards forecheck and try to make a turnover. If someone with some puck skill had that puck they would either find an open spot where a forward/other D can reach the puck and push it out for an outlet pass, or they would make that outlet pass themselves. The latter version is what Letang/Martin/Ehrhoff/Pouliot etc. look for first, whereas Scuderi's first instinct is to clear the puck off the glass. In these instances I'm referring more to the loose puck battles in front of the net/tipped passes not necessarily the breakouts from behind the net/etc. they have planned. In that sense he knows what he's going to do before he gets the puck, but when its an instinctual moment, I hate his decisions. I don't always get to watch the games, I do stream as many of them as I can but for some damn reason, Pens games are always on when I'm working for the Bolts.

The net front play I'm talking about more is when the opposing team has some sustained cycling and are trying to create traffic in front, shots come in or passes from below the goal line and Scuderi is busy puck watching instead of covering his man, tying up a stick, planting someone on his ass. I know all players are guilty of it sometimes, I just notice is a TON more with Scuderi and it shows in the 2nd most on ice goals against on the team.
- j.boyd919

The comparison you have to make in accordance to Scuderi's play has to be someone that preforms the same role that he does. Brooks Orpik for instance had the same roll and played it totally different. Which was not always effective, Brooks was one of my favorite Pens of all time, but often times Brooks was chasing the play because he was looking for the knock out punch, and I honestly think that when it comes to transition Scuds plays the game as intelligently as Dman we have had in a long time. If that means getting it to his d partner that's fine with me. How often does Scuds turn over the puck?? Im not referring to the off the glass play he uses, I mean actual turnovers, that number has to be low; he doesn't hold onto the puck long enough to create a turn over.

As far as his net front play, he is one of the only guys that we have that constantly has his stick in position so that guy has no chance of getting that shot off. Letang is guilty of this time and time again, it drives me nuts.

The comparison you have to make in accordance to Scuderi's play has to be someone that preforms the same role that he does. Brooks Orpik for instance had the same roll and played it totally different. Which was not always effective, Brooks was one of my favorite Pens of all time, but often times Brooks was chasing the play because he was looking for the knock out punch, and I honestly think that when it comes to transition Scuds plays the game as intelligently as Dman we have had in a long time. If that means getting it to his d partner that's fine with me. How often does Scuds turn over the puck?? Im not referring to the off the glass play he uses, I mean actual turnovers, that number has to be low; he doesn't hold onto the puck long enough to create a turn over.

As far as his net front play, he is one of the only guys that we have that constantly has his stick in position so that guy has no chance of getting that shot off. Letang is guilty of this time and time again, it drives me nuts.
- nbartley9

4th most on the team with 39 to go along with 8 total takeaways

but the guys he is behind make it alarming... Letang, Geno, Sid.. meanwhile they generate many many more takeaways so I think they balance out a bit more, as Scudes doesnt really.

4th most on the team with 39 to go along with 8 total takeaways
- j.boyd919

Ohhh they must be counting his glass play as turnovers, which I guess that is what they are. Still that's a deceiving number, I have yet to miss a game this year and he is not a guy I peg as a turn over machine, cough Borts cough.

Ohhh they must be counting his glass play as turnovers, which I guess that is what they are. Still that's a deceiving number, I have yet to miss a game this year and he is not a guy I peg as a turn over machine, cough Borts cough.
- nbartley9

Oh definitely Bortz was awful, so was Despres at it. I feel like he gift wrapped so many odd man rushes with bad pinches and stupid moves at the blue line.

EDIT: Bortz was credited with 7 giveaways in 38 games with the Pens...

What is it that you disagree with?

I personally love the way Scuds plays and I think he has been fantastic all year long, he is the epitome of what I want in a Defensive Dman; the guy is always in position. Which you cant say for Letang and Martin.

The guy is a +7, and he plays mostly with our bottom 6.
- nbartley9

Yes. Someone actually wrote this.

He gets a sweater because he costs $3.3m against the cap. He should be the team janitor. But I'm not sure he has the hands for it.
- jfkst1

Actually I think he's awful at playing the net front man, I don't know how many times I've seen the guy in front of the net score the goal because Scuderi is busy puck watching and not tying up the stick or the body. I also think his positioning is awful too, where he doesn't know when to challenge and when not to because he's a afraid the guy will walk around him, giving the puck carrier or lead guy more room to drive to the net in reality they should never be making it that close to the net in the first place. On the 5-3 he stands in front of Fleury and covers the cross crease... that's simple enough for any defensemen to do. When he gets the puck he throws it off the glass like its a grenade, giving possession back to the opposing team, in reality he should be looking for an outlet player to pass to, or push the puck to an open space where HIS team can get back to the puck.
- j.boyd919

+1!

Actually I think he's awful at playing the net front man, I don't know how many times I've seen the guy in front of the net score the goal because Scuderi is busy puck watching and not tying up the stick or the body. I also think his positioning is awful too, where he doesn't know when to challenge and when not to because he's a afraid the guy will walk around him, giving the puck carrier or lead guy more room to drive to the net in reality they should never be making it that close to the net in the first place. On the 5-3 he stands in front of Fleury and covers the cross crease... that's simple enough for any defensemen to do. When he gets the puck he throws it off the glass like its a grenade, giving possession back to the opposing team, in reality he should be looking for an outlet player to pass to, or push the puck to an open space where HIS team can get back to the puck.
- j.boyd919

+1!

I would hire Ron Wilson now!

4th most on the team with 39 to go along with 8 total takeaways

but the guys he is behind make it alarming... Letang, Geno, Sid.. meanwhile they generate many many more takeaways so I think they balance out a bit more, as Scudes doesnt really.
- j.boyd919

The best offensive players alway have the most turnovers. They handle the puck the most. That's remedial hockey knowledge. But then again, Girardi probably doesn't have to many turnovers because he's such a great Shutdown Dman.

The best offensive players alway have the most turnovers. They handle the puck the most. That's remedial hockey knowledge. But then again, Girardi probably doesn't have to many turnovers because he's such a great Shutdown Dman.
- jfkst1

Girardi > Scuds 100 days a week. If you have a Dman (like Scuds) who cant skate or handle the puck, what good is he?

Don't tell me hes a great net front guy, because he isn't. He has scored more goals on Fleury than he has against other goalies this year. The ONLY thing he is good at is blocking shots.

Girardi > Scuds 100 days a week. If you have a Dman (like Scuds) who cant skate or handle the puck, what good is he?

Don't tell me hes a great net front guy, because he isn't. He has scored more goals on Fleury than he has against other goalies this year. The ONLY thing he is good at is blocking shots.
- thickman1178

I wouldn't take either of them. Especially at their cap hits. And neither would any front office that isn't innumerate. Which is a growing number I might add.

I've defended Scuderi all year - he was playing just like I expected Rob Scuderi to play.

But he looks gassed, and then he's making mental mistakes on top of it.

He's been on the ice for 34 even strength goals against this season. 8 of those have come in the last 11 games.

The best offensive players alway have the most turnovers. They handle the puck the most. That's remedial hockey knowledge. But then again, Girardi probably doesn't have to many turnovers because he's such a great Shutdown Dman.
- jfkst1

He has 54 giveaways but also has 31 takeaways. he's been on the ice for 70 goals against while playing against top competition whIle your boy scuds has 61 against below average competition.

He has 54 giveaways but also has 31 takeaways. he's been on the ice for 70 goals against while playing against top competition whIle your boy scuds has 61 against below average competition.
- j.boyd919

What are you rambling about now? Girardi and Scuderi are both liabilities handling the puck. I've never defended Scuderi at all. Are you illiterate as well as innumerate?

What are you rambling about now? Girardi and Scuderi are both liabilities handling the puck. I've never defended Scuderi at all. Are you illiterate as well as innumerate?
- jfkst1

Oh sorry, thought you were trying to talk hockey, considering you jumped into a conversation throwing in Girardi's name around in a Scuderi conversation, one could easily make the assumption that you are comparing the too... but now I see that you are not and trying to resort to feeble insults to get under my skin. Bravo keyboard warrior, bravo. You've really got to me. I'm done with you, you're clown shoes.

More like common sense warrior. I have multiple posts and quotes on this page about my opinion on this page.