Ryan Wilson: Did Beau Bennett Call Out Jarome Iginla? Beau Bennett claims that playing either side as a winger is a non issue

Great read. I, among alot of Pens fans, are excited what Bennett will be able to do in a full season, especially playing with Malkin and Neal. Jokinen is a good player, and will be a huge help not only on the 3rd line, but filling in on the top 2 if anybody gets injured, but I think you need to let the kid play and learn in the top 6 role.

I think Vanek just said he wasn't a fan of being on his opposite wing after one of the pre-season games this year....

Ryan Wilson: Did Beau Bennett Call Out Jarome Iginla?
Beau Bennett claims that playing either side as a winger is a non issue
- Ryan_Wilson

To the first question....no.

To the second statement....of course he is going to say that. He wants to make the team in any position possible.

Finally...I think Iginla has earned to right to want to play the position that he played in several all-star and Olympic games. Don't you?

Of course, he's trying to justify a spot, any spot on the starting roster. I think most wingers have a preference, especially when they play on one side or the other for most of their careers... Even future HOF players.

How is that a shot at Iggy? Weak sauce.

I read Beau's comments before I even saw this. No, he didn't call out Iginla.

Not a chance. He's just not that kind of guy. If Bylsma said it...then it might be considered that.

The question and answer both seem directed towards him over a few scoring chances that looked a bit more difficult because of his RH shot. He wants it known that he'll play where they want him with no issue.

What would you expect from a rookie that wants a chance at a top 6 role?]

The media is pushing the issue over it and I don't blame him for making it a point to set them straight on his game...right or wrong.

He CLEARLY did !!

I think Bennett is basically saying is I'm ready. Give me any opportunity and I'm going to kill it. I love it. I also agree that acquiring Iginla was a mistake. He's always been one of my favorite players and for years I wanted him on this roster. Once I got what I had been wishing for it was clear he wasn't a fit. If Bennett wins a job on the top 6 we won't be making the acquisitions similar to last year and reducing team speed. This team is highly skilled and can skate I want parts of no one that doesn't fit that mold this year. Of course it's easy for me to say now that the expirement ended badly (well not badly he put up a poop ton of points here)

so a right shot, right wing for 15 years get thrown on the left for the first time in his career and he's a clown for not really excelling?

and with what skating experience can you say how simple it is? it's the same with D men who prefer one side and don't do well on the other.

to catch passes your whole life on the forehand and be on your shot in the zone and then, all of a sudden, catch then on your backhand and have to cut to the middle to be on your shot is not easy if you've never done it. that's why he felt out of position. i don't recall him ever female doging about it either.

weak.

No he didn't call out Iginla in his comments.

so a right shot, right wing for 15 years get thrown on the left for the first time in his career and he's a clown for not really excelling?

and with what skating experience can you say how simple it is? it's the same with D men who prefer one side and don't do well on the other.

to catch passes your whole life on the forehand and be on your shot in the zone and then, all of a sudden, catch then on your backhand and have to cut to the middle to be on your shot is not easy if you've never done it. that's why he felt out of position. i don't recall him ever female doging about it either.

weak.
- Fountain-San

I think you're taking it a little personally because he's on your team. So let me understand 1 Iginla never played left wing at any point in his life and 2 he never took passes on his backhand while playing on the right?

Weak!!

I think you're taking it a little personally because he's on your team. So let me understand 1 Iginla never played left wing at any point in his life and 2 he never took passes on his backhand while playing on the right?

Weak!!
- dbell646

not at all. i have always loved him though. he's a HOF player.

and if he was a left wing it was in minor hockey or something.

and for taking passes on the right wing, being a right shot, think about it.

Bennett was in no means calling anyone out, he simply stating his own opinion on playing the two positions. Yes he was telling management he is ready to play in any role. He is a stud and can't wait to see him play this year.

I think you're really stretching for a story here.

not at all. i have always loved him though. he's a HOF player.

and if he was a left wing it was in minor hockey or something.

and for taking passes on the right wing, being a right shot, think about it.
- Fountain-San

I get what you're saying. And I don't think it slowed him down much he had 11 pts in 13 regular season games and 12 pts in 15 playoff games. Not bad numbers.

so a right shot, right wing for 15 years get thrown on the left for the first time in his career and he's a clown for not really excelling?

and with what skating experience can you say how simple it is? it's the same with D men who prefer one side and don't do well on the other.

to catch passes your whole life on the forehand and be on your shot in the zone and then, all of a sudden, catch then on your backhand and have to cut to the middle to be on your shot is not easy if you've never done it. that's why he felt out of position. i don't recall him ever female doging about it either.

weak.
- Fountain-San

I take it that there are a lot of current, or former, hockey players on here. With that, would you agree that when playing wing you may end up anywhere on the ice. Iginla can take passes from either side. Also, once in the offensive zone you are constantly flowing. The only thing that is effected by the wing you play is the odd man rush. And, even then, you are still switching lanes if its a 3 on 2. Wingers should be able to adjust over a short period of time.

I think you're really stretching for a story here.
- Talkshowhost

I can see the connection. Iginla made comments about it being an adjustment switching wings. Almost every Pens fan particularly on this site was female doging about him being moved from right to left. Bennett made a comment about switching wings when he is the front runner to replace Iginla. Still nothing?

I take it that there are a lot of current, or former, hockey players on here. With that, would you agree that when playing wing you may end up anywhere on the ice. Iginla can take passes from either side. Also, once in the offensive zone you are constantly flowing. The only thing that is effected by the wing you play is the odd man rush. And, even then, you are still switching lanes if its a 3 on 2. Wingers should be able to adjust over a short period of time.
- cranktheradio

i see what you're saying. but it's also a comfort zone thing. any wing who switches to play the off wing will tell you it's a completely different way of looking at the ice.

other than the offensive zone flow i think of the breakout and the neutral zone.

I cant stongly enough disagree with the statement. Shero set his team up the best he could by aquiring Iginla and doing so at a relatively cheap price. Bebbett had some chances during the playoffs and, with exeption of his first goal, didn't do anyhting exceptional. Neither did Iginla. It's easy to say the trade was bad in retrospect but the trade was a no brainer. Future hall of famer, best forward available at the deadline for 2 maybe but probably not nhlers and what should have been (and was) a late 1st. Any GM not making that deal should have been fired.

I'm just curious but have you played organized ice hockey before Ryan? It really is quite different, the entire game becomes backwards, receiving passes on your forehand have to be taken on your backhand, you have to protect the puck with the opposite side of your body, working the boards on your off wing very hard as well because you're turning your back to the play and the biggest reason why players get wallpapered into the boards face first. 30 years of instincts will go way beyond where you lineup for the faceoff.

I think you're really stretching for a story here.
- Talkshowhost

Molehills into mountains, my friend.

I think you're taking it a little personally because he's on your team. So let me understand 1 Iginla never played left wing at any point in his life and 2 he never took passes on his backhand while playing on the right?

Weak!!
- dbell646

I think you don't understand the significance of playing the opposite wing, especially for a guy like Jarome. Throughout his career he scored the majority of his goals from the top of the circle coming down the boards on the right side. Angles are a large factor for a goal scorer as you can imagine.

I think you are taking it a little personally because you acquired a great player (albeit in the twilight of his career) who was mismanaged by your coach. The points he put up before being switched by Byslma were more than a good start on a new team. It was after the switch that he began to struggle.

Just wait, he will have a great year (for a 36 yr old) in Boston. Can't wait to see it, sure hope he lifts the cup.

I'm just curious but have you played organized ice hockey before Ryan? It really is quite different, the entire game becomes backwards, receiving passes on your forehand have to be taken on your backhand, you have to protect the puck with the opposite side of your body, working the boards on your off wing very hard as well because you're turning your back to the play and the biggest reason why players get wallpapered into the boards face first. 30 years of instincts will go way beyond where you lineup for the faceoff.
- sushi

I played right and left wing at the Div III college level.

Is it that boring in Pittsburg that you have to over read a rookies off the cuff remark as a shot at Iginla? Wow thats treading into Garth, Cloutier, Esplen and Berry territory. No need to invent any drama. Every time I think Hockey buzz is cleaning up its act we get reminded that half of its bloggers are pure trolls. Sad.