Ryan Wilson: Assessing Dupuis' Value

I can't view the chart at work for some reason, but Dupuis' low salary is exactly what makes him valuable. I still contend that players that can have the type of impact he has had are a dime a dozen (i.e. "environment is everything"), but players that can do it for that little money are hard to find. If the guy even looks to double his salary, it's still most likely decent value. If he starts looking in the $4-5 million range, which someone just might give him given the weak free agent crop this year, the Penguins are better off looking elsewhere. What makes the most effective 2nd-3rd tier type players so effective is motivation. Those are usually found with shorter and cheaper contracts. Give them long term security, and they seem to disappear, be it due to a decrease in motivation or the fact that the guy never really had the talent to match the expectations that came along with the big contract in the first place.

Wow that's an impressive list to be part of. Hope his agent doesn't pull that out during negotiations

Didn't realize there was a new blog...

Wanna know one element that is missing in the Pens' locker room?

Read this article on Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook:

http://www.vancouversun.c...+keeps/8556077/story.html

An excerpt:
Jonathan Toews, ever the steady, monotoned, unfailingly positive voice and captain of the 2010 Cup champs, has allowed himself to come unglued emotionally during Game 4 of the Detroit series, and to fall back on the sweet sounds of teammates and coaches pumping his tires for his many wonderful qualities, even as he was mired in a murderous scoring slump.

Both times, the cattle prod has come from Brent Seabrook.

Buddies, roommates during Toews’ rookie season, Olympic teammates, brothers in arms for all of the young captain’s six National Hockey League campaigns, here was the conversation that passed between them in the lounge of the team’s hotel in Boston prior to Game 4.

“He just asked me, ‘What are you thinking about?’ ” Toews said Thursday. “And I was like, ‘Nothing, what are you thinking about?’ And he looked at me again — and I realized what he wanted me to say, and I snapped back and said, ‘Scoring goals.’ There you go. That was all it was.”

Can’t you just picture it? Seabrook’s hard stare from the midst of that heavily-bearded mug, Toews finally getting it. Two friends, one in need.

“He's been trying to help me out, make me think a little bit better,” Toews said.

Seabrook’s motivation, though, when he explained it to the media back at United Center on Thursday, was so startlingly honest, eyebrows shot up all over the room. You don’t usually get candour so deep in a Stanley Cup run.

“To be completely honest, I was sick and tired of hearing everybody talk about everything that Johnny is doing right,” Seabrook said.

Meaning all the things coach Joel Quenneville always mentions about his leadership, responsibility, work ethic, character. Not good enough, Seabrook thought.

“He's a great player. He's one of the best in the league, and I just told him that he's got to stop thinking about that, too,” said the rugged 28-year-old defenceman from Tsawwassen. “He's got to stop thinking about everything that he's doing right. I mean, he's got to score goals for us. He's a big part of our team.

“I knew he was going to be playing great. It wasn't about the little things that he does. It wasn't about the leadership that he brings. I just thought that maybe he needed to start thinking about scoring goals.”


Crosby and Toews are similar... Both ultra competitive and very serious. None of us know the locker room dynamics, but it seems like there hasn't been that trusted guy to pull Crosby aside and straighten him out when needed. A guy like Guerin, Talbot, even Colby Armstrong is missing.

Didn't realize there was a new blog...

Wanna know one element that is missing in the Pens' locker room?

Read this article on Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook:

http://www.vancouversun.c...+keeps/8556077/story.html


- rival22

I think it has been mentioned before, Bill Guerin came into Pittsburgh and wanted to put his stamp on the team. Iginla and Morrow came in and were content to just be there.

The Penguins need another Billy G.

I think it has been mentioned before, Bill Guerin came into Pittsburgh and wanted to put his stamp on the team. Iginla and Morrow came in and were content to just be there.

The Penguins need another Billy G.
- Ryan_Wilson

not to mention, billy g actually added an element of productive play

I think it has been mentioned before, Bill Guerin came into Pittsburgh and wanted to put his stamp on the team. Iginla and Morrow came in and were content to just be there.

The Penguins need another Billy G.
- Ryan_Wilson

You guys don't think Duper fits that mold?

You guys don't think Duper fits that mold?
- dbell646

I honestly don't know.... If anyone is on the team, it's him.

I honestly don't know.... If anyone is on the team, it's him.
- rival22

i love him, but i dont see him having that snarl. if you gave billy sass, you probably got a backhand and a beer can thrown at you. with dupuis, maybe a handful of cheerios

I think it has been mentioned before, Bill Guerin came into Pittsburgh and wanted to put his stamp on the team. Iginla and Morrow came in and were content to just be there.

The Penguins need another Billy G.
- Ryan_Wilson

This is true. No doubt Shero got Iggy and Morrow to play that role. Obviously we're not privy to the true dynamics of the locker room, but it just seemed like Iggy and Morrow were too damn nice. Granted, they had little time to get acclimated to the team before the playoffs began.

As we talk about the Dupuis deal, I don't think it's been discussed very much about his role as leader in the locker room. It's been reported that he's a significant contributor in that department. It would be tough to lose another "heart and soul" guy.

i love him, but i dont see him having that snarl. if you gave billy sass, you probably got a backhand and a beer can thrown at you. with dupuis, maybe a handful of cheerios
- stayinthefnnet

Was he the one who beat the crap out of Eager?

Edit: Nevermind, that was Roberts

I think it has been mentioned before, Bill Guerin came into Pittsburgh and wanted to put his stamp on the team. Iginla and Morrow came in and were content to just be there.

The Penguins need another Billy G.
- Ryan_Wilson

Hmmm...this is interesting from the standpoint that in both cases...Toews and Crosby...it suggests they are still TOO YOUNG to be captains.

You can maybe argue that all players go through stuff like this and need another guy to set them straight...but isn't the captain supposed to be that guy, most of the time?

I personally think that there is not enough determination from Crosby at times...at least in the Bruins series I thought that. The example I give is look at what he did in that 10 secs of time after his helmet was knocked off?

You can't play a whole game like that...but once you see that...it makes you wonder why you don't see more of it.

not to mention, billy g actually added an element of productive play
- stayinthefnnet

Billy G was also used in a productive correct manor. Unlike Iggy.

Was he the one who beat the crap out of Eager?

Edit: Nevermind, that was Roberts
- jmatchett383

I don't believe Duper has ever been in a real hockey fight, NYI game doesn't count.

I don't believe Duper has ever been in a real hockey fight, NYI game doesn't count.
- nbartley9

Agreed, that game was absurd. The closest thing the Penguins have to Guerin is probably Kunitz.

Billy G was also used in a productive correct manor. Unlike Iggy.
- nbartley9

i will give you that one. however, morrow made guerin look like hell on wheels

Billy G was also used in a productive correct manor. Unlike Iggy.
- nbartley9

I hate being the editing/spelling police but...come on man.

Unless he was used in a large estate full of upbeat people.

Hmmm...this is interesting from the standpoint that in both cases...Toews and Crosby...it suggests they are still TOO YOUNG to be captains.

You can maybe argue that all players go through stuff like this and need another guy to set them straight...but isn't the captain supposed to be that guy, most of the time?

I personally think that there is not enough determination from Crosby at times...at least in the Bruins series I thought that. The example I give is look at what he did in that 10 secs of time after his helmet was knocked off?

You can't play a whole game like that...but once you see that...it makes you wonder why you don't see more of it.
- icedog97

Not sure it's an age thing, but more personality. A lot of high skill guys are great leaders by example, but not the voice of the locker room. Look at the 90's Pens Cup winners. Lemieux was the captain and leader, but Kevin Stevens was the voice of that room. You probably don't want Stevens as your captain, but you need a guy like that in the room.

Not sure it's an age thing, but more personality. A lot of high skill guys are great leaders by example, but not the voice of the locker room. Look at the 90's Pens Cup winners. Lemieux was the captain and leader, but Kevin Stevens was the voice of that room. You probably don't want Stevens as your captain, but you need a guy like that in the room.
- rival22

On the current Pens team (aside from Crosby) is there a captain? A guy who, when you're down by a goal going into the 3rd, he can get everyone going just by looking them in the eye? That's the kind of guy Guerin was, he just commanded that respect.

Gunner, another kick ass blog. You should make a career out of this!

All the best and good weekend to all.

Cheers!

On the current Pens team, aside from Crosby, is there a captain? A guy who, when you're down by a goal going into the 3rd, he can get everyone going just by looking them in the eye? That's the kind of guy Guerin was, he just commanded that respect.
- jmatchett383

Orpik is described as the conscious of the room, he has the respect, and from what it sounds like this season was that Vokoun had a good calming effect on the room.

Not sure it's an age thing, but more personality. A lot of high skill guys are great leaders by example, but not the voice of the locker room. Look at the 90's Pens Cup winners. Lemieux was the captain and leader, but Kevin Stevens was the voice of that room. You probably don't want Stevens as your captain, but you need a guy like that in the room.
- rival22

I would think guys like Orpik, Cooke, Adams, Duper, Kunitz would step up and say something when necessary. I think there were times 87/71 looked frustrated but with those 2 it seems like they may be frustrated for a few then it fuels them to try harder most of the time. I don't think leadership in the lockerroom is the issue. Might be from behind the bench or maybe that was as good as that team could have played.

I hate being the editing/spelling police but...come on man.

Unless he was used in a large estate full of upbeat people.
- jmatchett383

Really; I don't think you hate it.

At least I didn't say Stall.

Really; I don't think you hate it.

At least I didn't say Stall.
- nbartley9

Well, it's the internet, so I usually let things go. But for some reason, that one just got to me. Sorry. Nothing personal.

On the current Pens team (aside from Crosby) is there a captain? A guy who, when you're down by a goal going into the 3rd, he can get everyone going just by looking them in the eye? That's the kind of guy Guerin was, he just commanded that respect.
- jmatchett383

Its been said before, if Crosby wasn't on the team Brooks would wear the C.

He exemplifies a captain in almost every MANOR. suck it

haha