Ryan Wilson: Thoughts Moving Forward As Preseason Games Conclude For Penguins Penguins closed out their preseason schedule by beating Detroit 5-1

Engelland not playing D anymore in your top 6 makes me sad to see as a Flyers fan

A bottom pairing of Niskanen and Bortuzzo is pretty nice. Plus, they can both contribute to special teams with Niskanen on the #2 PP and Bortuzzo on the PK.

I'm fine with Engelland as a 7th guy... his cap hit is good and he can be played in games where the other team is dressing a heavyweight. Unless there is a roster move, leave Despres in WBS until there is a top-6 injury that he can replace.

If the #1 PP stays with Malkin-Letang-Crosby-Kunitz-Neal, that leaves a pretty darn good second unit with Niskanen & Martin on the points, and Bennett, Jokinen and Sutter... or maybe a guy like Kobasew in front of the net.

Waivers each day going forward will be interesting to watch.

Man at 1st glance I'm pretty angry about Despres likely being sent down. Then when you sit back and think about it I'd prefer to not give up Nisk for nothing and he is a hell of a 3rd pairing guy. Also there will certainly be injuries during the season and anything more than 1 game would warrant a call up for Despres. I just don't get the feel that this is it. I'll be watching the waiver wire to see who we snag to complete our roster. Call it a hunch

I think we all agreed the only reason we wanted nisk gone was because of his contract. It was the easiest way to shed cap space and possibly get a nice little return. However, with the Vokoun injury, the cap may have opened up just enough to have him stay. Despres didn't do anything to seperate himself from bortuzzo or nisk, which unfortunatley means he will be the one to move down, especially since he doesn't have to go through waivers. Despres needs to workout with letang

Man at 1st glance I'm pretty angry about Despres likely being sent down. Then when you sit back and think about it I'd prefer to not give up Nisk for nothing and he is a hell of a 3rd pairing guy. Also there will certainly be injuries during the season and anything more than 1 game would warrant a call up for Despres. I just don't get the feel that this is it. I'll be watching the waiver wire to see who we snag to complete our roster. Call it a hunch
- dbell646

Yeah, it's an 82 game season... at least one defensemen is going to have one of those 6-8 week broken something injuries, combined with the normal short term injuries.

Gotta be on twitter around noon everyday to see who is put on waivers and who is claimed. Fun times....

A bottom pairing of Niskanen and Bortuzzo is pretty nice. Plus, they can both contribute to special teams with Niskanen on the #2 PP and Bortuzzo on the PK.

I'm fine with Engelland as a 7th guy... his cap hit is good and he can be played in games where the other team is dressing a heavyweight. Unless there is a roster move, leave Despres in WBS until there is a top-6 injury that he can replace.

If the #1 PP stays with Malkin-Letang-Crosby-Kunitz-Neal, that leaves a pretty darn good second unit with Niskanen & Martin on the points, and Bennett, Jokinen and Sutter... or maybe a guy like Kobasew in front of the net.

Waivers each day going forward will be interesting to watch.
- rival22

At this point, I really believe Bylsma would dress Engelland over Despres if there's an injury. There's no doubt Despres is headed back to the AHL and I continue to believe it's mind numbingly poor decision.

God forbid we have a young, big defensman that can play both ends of the ice. Sure there will be a mistake or two but that's necessary to grow as an NHL player. I've seen enough of Nisky to know that he'll be consistently over-powered in his own end.

Are we rolling the Buzzers Fantasy Hockey League this year, or did I miss the boat? Been gone for a while.

At this point, I really believe Bylsma would dress Engelland over Despres if there's an injury. There's no doubt Despres is headed back to the AHL and I continue to believe it's mind numbingly poor decision.

God forbid we have a young, big defensman that can play both ends of the ice. Sure there will be a mistake or two but that's necessary to grow as an NHL player. I've seen enough of Nisky to know that he'll be consistently over-powered in his own end.
- madmike71

It boils down to roster options, Despres is not eligible for waivers, its that simple.

Are we rolling the Buzzers Fantasy Hockey League this year, or did I miss the boat? Been gone for a while.
- ryman1566

I will ask John

Would rather see Despres than Nisk at 7th D man position. However I also realize Nisk is not going to go to Wilkes Barre. It is what it is but I am not happy about it.

It boils down to roster options, Despres is not eligible for waivers, its that simple.
- Ryan_Wilson

Oh I understand why they're going to do it. My problem is they're choosing to not put the best team on the ice. I'm even willing to accept that Nisky might be the better player compared to an inexperienced Despres. Let Despres get 50 or 60 NHL games under his belt without worrying about getting yanked and he'll be the far superior player come playoff time.

Don't forget that other teams will eventually have injuries on their blue line. If Niskanen plays well, Shero will be able to get a better return instead of getting a 3rd or a 4th right now.

I'm guessing it will be 8 games into the season before Despres is called up due to injuries.

Penguins send Zolnierczyk, Dumoulin and Sill to Wilkes-Barre. Roster stands at 29.

— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) September 26, 2013

Zolnierczyk must clear waivers... Roster is at 29 (including Vokoun). Bylsma said around 25 guys going to West Point, so maybe the junior eligible guys (Pouliot & Maatta) get returned today too.

Penguins send Zolnierczyk, Dumoulin and Sill to Wilkes-Barre. Roster stands at 29.

— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) September 26, 2013

Zolnierczyk must clear waivers... Roster is at 29 (including Vokoun). Bylsma said around 25 guys going to West Point, so maybe the junior eligible guys (Pouliot & Maatta) get returned today too.
- rival22

I was really hoping they were going to give Maata a 9 game stint before he went back to Juniors. It's a a shame he can't go to WBS.

Don't mess with Robert Bortuzzo...

Don't mess with Robert Bortuzzo...


- rival22

I would not. Ever. Would not touch MAF. No sir I wouldn't.

Are we rolling the Buzzers Fantasy Hockey League this year, or did I miss the boat? Been gone for a while.
- ryman1566

That's what I was wondering lol. I was setting up my other league and so the notification for "pens power". Let's do it

Oh I understand why they're going to do it. My problem is they're choosing to not put the best team on the ice. I'm even willing to accept that Nisky might be the better player compared to an inexperienced Despres. Let Despres get 50 or 60 NHL games under his belt without worrying about getting yanked and he'll be the far superior player come playoff time.
- madmike71

Last year I would be upset but with the return of Scuderi things are different. Niskanen in the bottom pairing is very good, Bortuzzo has earned the nod over Engelland. Niskanen is better than Despres at this point in time. I believe that they are putting forth the best team defense wise.

Adding Despres to the top 6 is at best a negligible upgrade with Niskanen as a bottom pairing guy.

If Scuderi wasn't signed I would be right there with you. If there are long term injuries and Engelland gets the call, I'll be right there with you.

Would rather see Despres than Nisk at 7th D man position. However I also realize Nisk is not going to go to Wilkes Barre. It is what it is but I am not happy about it.
- powerhouse

Having Despres languish on the bench as a 7th defenseman does nothing to help his development.

I rather see him go to WBS and get playing time than sit on the bench in Pittsburgh.

Last year I would be upset but with the return of Scuderi things are different. Niskanen in the bottom pairing is very good, Bortuzzo has earned the nod over Engelland. Niskanen is better than Despres at this point in time. I believe that they are putting forth the best team defense wise.

Adding Despres to the top 6 is at best a negligible upgrade with Niskanen as a bottom pairing guy.

If Scuderi wasn't signed I would be right there with you. If there are long term injuries and Engelland gets the call, I'll be right there with you.
- Ryan_Wilson

We'll have to agree to disagree. When the playoffs got going last year and the physicality and intensity ramped up, Niskanen didn't handle that very well. He was frequently dominated and forced into several poor decisions himself. I prefer to let Despres get his experience the entire regular season (lumps and all). When the playoffs roll around next year he should be a much more poised and accomplished player that won't be so easily knocked around like Nisky was last spring.

We'll have to agree to disagree. When the playoffs got going last year and the physicality and intensity ramped up, Niskanen didn't handle that very well. He was frequently dominated and forced into several poor decisions himself. I prefer to let Despres get his experience the entire regular season (lumps and all). When the playoffs roll around next year he should be a much more poised and accomplished player that won't be so easily knocked around like Nisky was last spring.
- madmike71

Niskanen was also paired with Letang and with that comes great responsibility. Bottom pairing guys are given more advantageous matchups.

Having Despres languish on the bench as a 7th defenseman does nothing to help his development.

I rather see him go to WBS and get playing time than sit on the bench in Pittsburgh.
- acdc1206

I don't like a second year of Despres being subjected to Scranton or sitting the bench in Pittsburgh. Again, I think this is more of a function that DB and Shero don't have the faith in him as they claim to have.

I don't like a second year of Despres being subjected to Scranton or sitting the bench in Pittsburgh. Again, I think this is more of a function that DB and Shero don't have the faith in him as they claim to have.
- Oneonta Penguin

I think that's pretty apparent. Rumor was Despres was pretty cocky and Disco wasn't a fan of his attitude. Who knows the reasons... Maybe they don't see a fit for a big, skilled Dman that can skate.