Ryan Wilson: What To Look For During the Penguins Preseason What To Look For During the Penguins Preseason

My cats name is rusty.

Well that was right on cue, I posted in the last thread wondering how long it would take for RW to come to Pouliot's defense and less than 30 minutes later...Bam. According to Josh Yohe who covered the game last night Pouliot was very underwhelming in a game he should have stood out since both lineups consisted of primarily AHL players.

• Someone who didn’t play a particularly spirited game? That would be Derrick Pouliot. Maybe he’s in better shape, but that doesn’t make him the player that the Penguins envision him becoming.

In a game filled with AHL regulars and young players, Pouliot was pretty much invisible.

Obviously it's just 1 game but that isn't a good sign imo knowing that it's make or break for DP and he doesn't step up right out of the gate, especially when he was put in what should have been a very favorable situation to step up being given a prominent role against inferior or lesser players.

Well that was right on cue, I posted in the last thread wondering how long it would take for RW to come to Pouliot's defense and less than 30 minutes later...Bam. According to Josh Yohe who covered the game last night Pouliot was very underwhelming in a game he should have stood out since both lineups consisted of primarily AHL players.

• Someone who didn’t play a particularly spirited game? That would be Derrick Pouliot. Maybe he’s in better shape, but that doesn’t make him the player that the Penguins envision him becoming.

In a game filled with AHL regulars and young players, Pouliot was pretty much invisible.

Obviously it's just 1 game but that isn't a good sign imo knowing that it's make or break for DP and he doesn't step up right out of the gate, especially when he was put in what should have been a very favorable situation to step up being given a prominent role against inferior or lesser players.
- jaydogg1974

yeah thats rough, I watched the interview with Sully too, and his facial expression wasn't too pleased.

DP is not likely to push any of the 1 way d-men out of the picture unless he tears it up in camp... he likely will be number 7 and should be in AHL except for extended road trips. Until injury occurs of course.

Derek Pouliot played in like forty games in his rookie season without ever getting benched. People forget that.

Derek Pouliot played in like forty games in his rookie season without ever getting benched. People forget that.
- Victoro311

And Niskanen was a bum until he was 26. Point being defenseman are funny bunch of squirrels.

And Niskanen was a bum until he was 26. Point being defenseman are funny bunch of squirrels.
- sditulli

They like nuts too.

And Niskanen was a bum until he was 26. Point being defenseman are funny bunch of squirrels.
- sditulli

Not saying you're wrong. I haven't lost all faith in Pouliot, although I don't think he'll become a top pairing defenseman anymore. Just pointing out, once again, how Pouliot defenders like to exaggerate how unfairly he's been treated. DP's been treated quite fairly, especially in a league that frequently egregiously mismanages prospects.

Not saying you're wrong. I haven't lost all faith in Pouliot, although I don't think he'll become a top pairing defenseman anymore. Just pointing out, once again, how Pouliot defenders like to exaggerate how unfairly he's been treated. DP's been treated quite fairly, especially in a league that frequently egregiously mismanages prospects.
- Victoro311

I don't know if he was mismanaged. For some young defenseman just being allowed to fail for a while is what they need, but not easiest thing to do on a team expected to compete for the cup everyyear.

He neither got a good or bad deal. Some of it is his fault and some of it is being in a situation that isn't ideal to develop young defenseman.

Great analytics. Looked dreadful in the playoffs. Being that the caps series was basically the stanley cup final its not surprising a young dman struggled.

Not saying you're wrong. I haven't lost all faith in Pouliot, although I don't think he'll become a top pairing defenseman anymore. Just pointing out, once again, how Pouliot defenders like to exaggerate how unfairly he's been treated. DP's been treated quite fairly, especially in a league that frequently egregiously mismanages prospects.
- Victoro311

It's a tough call. I kind of lost faith last year. Especially after you read some of the rumors about lack of focus and effort. Still, like someone said above, some guys develop slower at that position. Much slower.

It wouldn't upset me in the least if they traded him, but I am curios to see how his season plays out. Sooner or later he'll get into the lineup because of injury.

I think he's been treated fairly as well.

Does Pouliot "squirrel grip" his opponents?

So a question.

If Pouliot has a really solid preseason, which place is he going to take? I would think that he'll still be that #7 Dman at best, so he's probably better starting in the AHL & get toi??

No betting that that will be seen as a negative by 1 or 2, but it's the reality of the situation isn't it?

Top 4 - Tanger, Maatta, Daley, Dumo. Then Cole & Shultz, possibly Pouliot over Shultz but I doubt that will happen, or they may rotate them both possibly???

So in short get ready for a few more 'treated unfairly' blogs.

Does Pouliot "squirrel grip" his opponents?

So a question.

If Pouliot has a really solid preseason, which place is he going to take? I would think that he'll still be that #7 Dman at best, so he's probably better starting in the AHL & get toi??

No betting that that will be seen as a negative by 1 or 2, but it's the reality of the situation isn't it?

Top 4 - Tanger, Maatta, Daley, Dumo. Then Cole & Shultz, possibly Pouliot over Shultz but I doubt that will happen, or they may rotate them both possibly???

So in short get ready for a few more 'treated unfairly' blogs.
- Aussiepenguin

Cole sucks

Old NHL - Do what the coaches tell you, shut up and play. If your good enough you will make it. You want to get noticed? Fight someone for godsakes!

New NHL- Every prospect is mismanaged, wrong partner or linemate, coach doesn't like him, he was never given a chance, they didn't have his favorite protein shake at the snack bar, blah blah blah.

DP's future is resting squarely on his shoulders.

Old NHL - Do what the coaches tell you, shut up and play. If your good enough you will make it. You want to get noticed? Fight someone for godsakes!

New NHL- Every prospect is mismanaged, wrong partner or linemate, coach doesn't like him, he was never given a chance, they didn't have his favorite protein shake at the snack bar, blah blah blah.

DP's future is resting squarely on his shoulders.

Yep. DP has gotten an extremely fair shake. Numerous opportunities to make his mark. And each time he has wilted. And then in between opportunities, he does little to build back trust.

He doesn't get benched because he makes mistakes. He gets benched because he's not a very good player at this point, and he stays benched because he doesn't seem to really care that he's not maximizing his potential.

It's a tough call. I kind of lost faith last year. Especially after you read some of the rumors about lack of focus and effort. Still, like someone said above, some guys develop slower at that position. Much slower.

It wouldn't upset me in the least if they traded him, but I am curios to see how his season plays out. Sooner or later he'll get into the lineup because of injury.

I think he's been treated fairly as well.
- madmike71

I don't see any point in trading him. Maybe if we could get a late 1st, but honestly the hit rate on guys outside the top 20 in the draft are not that great. He has as much potential as anyone we grab there.

If we are playing him as a 7D then his next contract won't be much. Maybe 1.5 and that probably depends on his agent creating an offer sheet situation; where another team is willing to take a cheap punt on a top 15 talent. So if you keep him he's a cheap 7D and if you trade him he's a draft pick that isn't very valuable.

Well that was right on cue, I posted in the last thread wondering how long it would take for RW to come to Pouliot's defense and less than 30 minutes later...Bam. According to Josh Yohe who covered the game last night Pouliot was very underwhelming in a game he should have stood out since both lineups consisted of primarily AHL players.

• Someone who didn’t play a particularly spirited game? That would be Derrick Pouliot. Maybe he’s in better shape, but that doesn’t make him the player that the Penguins envision him becoming.

In a game filled with AHL regulars and young players, Pouliot was pretty much invisible.

Obviously it's just 1 game but that isn't a good sign imo knowing that it's make or break for DP and he doesn't step up right out of the gate, especially when he was put in what should have been a very favorable situation to step up being given a prominent role against inferior or lesser players.
- jaydogg1974

Let me preface this by saying it was one game that doesn't matter in the standings. That said, this is evidence as to why no one should have gotten giddy on all the glowing reports on him within the previous 10 days. Granted, its early. However, he can't rest on the glow of 10 days ago. He better be a difference maker or show some sense of impact in these games, otherwise, his stay in Pittsburgh will end after this year.

I don't see any point in trading him. Maybe if we could get a late 1st, but honestly the hit rate on guys outside the top 20 in the draft are not that great. He has as much potential as anyone we grab there.

If we are playing him as a 7D then his next contract won't be much. Maybe 1.5 and that probably depends on his agent creating an offer sheet situation; where another team is willing to take a cheap punt on a top 15 talent. So if you keep him he's a cheap 7D and if you trade him he's a draft pick that isn't very valuable.
- sditulli

IMO, he isn't worth a late first. He would be worth a similar player - one that needs a change of scenery to hopefully get a fresh new start.

Sestito with the smallest amount of payback. Watch how much work Jarry has done since last year. It is impressive

The tv commentators for this game suck ass.

Aussie, to answer your question Pouliot gets Coles spot,
Maatta Letang
Dumoulin Shultz
Pouliot Daley
2 second pairings

Grinder
Old NHL- every game is interrupted by a WWF cage match or 3
New NHL- guys just play hockey and don't get distracted by nonsense

Aussie, to answer your question Pouliot gets Coles spot,
Maatta Letang
Dumoulin Shultz
Pouliot Daley
2 second pairings
- Dcoms

At this stage, like it or not, he isn't better than Cole unless something changes. People are dying to give him a spot automatically. Dude hasn't earned crap. Make him earn something.

Jerry not Jarry apparently.

Actually he is infinitely more talented than Cole he just is not allowed to make even the slightest mistake. If Maatta was held to the same standard we would have a terrible defence. Shultz gets a longer leash even. We have see. Pouliot make magic plays just to get benched the next shift.