Ryan Wilson: Derrick Pouliot Looks Like A Different Player Derrick Pouliot Looks Like A Different Player

Was talking about this before the turn of the blog. Very encouraging stuff. Once the DK guys start talking well about DP you know he's made an impression. And that pic of him that the Pens posted he looks insanely in shape. No more chubby baby cheeks that's for sure.

Like I said last blog. He will play at some point this season whether it be from injury or someone playing themselves out of the lineup. He needs to grab that opportunity by the horns. I've been one of his biggest critics on here but it looks like he finally gets it and is ready. Still don't want to give him a spot just to give it to him and think he needs to earn it, but it looks like he's finally starting to earn it. He's motivated and bought in.

That is either an alien or a doppelganger. Not DP, can't be.

So. Excited. To see what he can do this year. If he can play up to his potential it means we aren't going to miss Lovejoy. In, fact it's probably an upgrade.

I'm not sure that saying Pouliot will eventually be a better defenseman that Maata is that bold of a statement, obviously at this point in their careers it no where close but Pouliot has far more natural talent if he ever reaches his full potential. Saying Pouliot is a better defenseman than Maata now would have been a bold statement.

I'm not sure that saying Pouliot will eventually be a better defenseman that Maata is that bold of a statement, obviously at this point in their careers it no where close but Pouliot has far more natural talent if he ever reaches his full potential. Saying Pouliot is a better defenseman than Maata now would have been a bold statement.
- jaydogg1974

Maatta doesn't have very impressive physical tools save for his size. He's as good as he is because he thinks the game very well and is fundamentally strong when not injured. DP was born with every tool in the box besides maybe ideal size. If he gets to Maatta level hockey iq, there's no question who has the higher ceiling here but Pouliot has a very long way to go to pass Maatta and Dumoulin. He needs to focus on getting better than Cole or Schultz first.

EDIT: just found out DP trained with Scary Gary all summer. This explains everything, and makes me even more impressed with the effort he's put in. Training with Roberts is no joke. He's showing some serious desire which has always been his questionmark.

Maatta doesn't have very impressive physical tools save for his size. He's as good as he is because he thinks the game very well and is fundamentally strong when not injured. DP was born with every tool in the box besides maybe ideal size. If he gets to Maatta level hockey iq, there's no question who has the higher ceiling here but Pouliot has a very long way to go to pass Maatta and Dumoulin. He needs to focus on getting better than Cole or Schultz first.

EDIT: just found out DP trained with Scary Gary all summer. This explains everything, and makes me even more impressed with the effort he's put in. Training with Roberts is no joke. He's showing some serious desire which has always been his questionmark.
- Victoro311

Gary Roberts don't (frank) around.

On a side note, are you guys ready for

Marchand-Crosby-Hornqvist

It's just gotta happen.. right?

Gary Roberts don't (frank) around.


- j.boyd919

Gary Roberts. 2 minutes for being too much of a man

Kessel on his tweet: "Obviously, I didn't mean any disrespect to any of the players."

I mean it was obvious to everyone except the players apperantly

Very excited as well, like you said he doesnt even look like the same person. Very encouraging. Things are looking very good for the penguins future with Letang, Dumo, Maatta and Pouliot.

edit:

Pens Inside Scoop ‏@PensInsideScoop 4m4 minutes ago
Sullivan on Pouliot: He looks terrific. Fitness level is foundation for him to act on his skillset. We have high expectations for him -SK

DP is going to be just fine. He has a good head for the game and makes a lot of smart plays. Conditioning could have been a factor but look at him now. He is going to be a very very good player. Book it

di pauli looks kinda good too

Gary Roberts wasn't very good in a Penguins jersey (though he was entertaining), but damned if he hasn't turned out to be one of the team's best investments anyway. His ties to the organization are ridiculously valuable for player development.

Love that pic!

On a side note, are you guys ready for

Marchand-Crosby-Hornqvist

It's just gotta happen.. right?
- j.boyd919

I'd be pissed if the pens gave a 7th round pick for the scuz bag.

I'm not sure how many people were down on DP... but thought he should earn his spot over the other players. Rumors of attitude problems didnt help... though how many here didnt get into a little trouble at that age. Pens need 7 solid d men at least and I would love to see him supplant cole or schultz if he earns it.

I'd be pissed if the pens gave a 7th round pick for the scuz bag.
- ChrisMS

Oh. So you don't want one of the best wingers in the league on Sid's wing?

Oh. So you don't want one of the best wingers in the league on Sid's wing?
- j.boyd919

I can honestly say no. I hate that type of hockey he plays. I am proud to be a fan of the pens and the efforts they have made to clean up the league... through mario's stance throughout his career... to their clean up of matt cooke. I wouldnt stop watching or cheering the pens if he was a pen but I'd be disappointed. I wouldnt want Burfect on the Steelers either. same thing.

I can honestly say no. I hate that type of hockey he plays. I am proud to be a fan of the pens and the efforts they have made to clean up the league... through mario's stance throughout his career... to their clean up of matt cooke. I wouldnt stop watching or cheering the pens if he was a pen but I'd be disappointed. I wouldnt want Burfect on the Steelers either. same thing.
- ChrisMS

I feel like Marchand has cleaned it up a little bit. I don't really think he's as dirty as people make him about to be. In comparison, there's a lot of people who think Malkin is a dirty player too.. same with Sid. And they aren't wrong. Most hockey players play with an edge, and somethings skill hides that edge. I think when Marchand isn't being a douche, he's a top 10 winger in the league, and if Sully is as good at getting the best out of his players as it seems, then he'd be a perfect fit here in Pittsburgh.

We were never going to miss Lovejoy.
Still my favourite Derrick Pouliot moment of all time. https://youtu.be/6WkMLOaWZC8

Pouliot trained with Roberts last year too but he was rehabbing the shoulder surgery. Everyone forgets that he missed significant training time last year because of that one injury.

Martox-Dipauli was pretty vanilla at the rookie tournament. Did not really stand out at all.

Who are you going to give up to get Marchand? Malkin? Until it's broke don't fix it. Having 4 lines that can score on any given shift is so much better. And when our young guys grow up and want more money we replace them with Guentzle and Simon who both looked like NHL players and actually have great chemistry with eachother. I bet they are the first line for WBS this season.

Who are you going to give up to get Marchand? Malkin? Until it's broke don't fix it. Having 4 lines that can score on any given shift is so much better. And when our young guys grow up and want more money we replace them with Guentzle and Simon who both looked like NHL players and actually have great chemistry with eachother. I bet they are the first line for WBS this season.
- Dcoms

He's a free agent after this year.