Pascal Dupuis has decided to step away from the game he loves.
Pascal Dupuis will no longer play hockey because of a medical condition. Details: https://t.co/II0R5ciyPG pic.twitter.com/BPjPumaxs2
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 8, 2015
Dupuis is retiring due to complications from his blood clot ailment. He had to leave a game as recently as this week in San Jose due to "chest pains".
“Despite playing on a medical protocol that has worked for other players in the NHL, we feel that the risk of Pascal playing with his condition and the side effects of the tests to monitor him are just not in the best interest of his long-term health,… said Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins’ team physician.Dupuis has been placed on the injured reserve list, and the Penguins intend to place him on long-term injured reserve.
“It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game,… Dupuis said. “My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry for all of us. I want to thank my teammates and the Penguins organization for their unwavering support during this difficult time.…
To understand what a difficult decision this must have been for Dupuis you can read his amazing heartfelt article from the Players Tribune
MUST READ: The newest article in @PlayersTribune, “Why I’m Coming Back… by @Duper0009: http://t.co/KOmnDn35f4 pic.twitter.com/O9DtfP9Web
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 10, 2015
Pascal Dupuis went from an overlooked add on to the Marian Hossa deal to one of the most beloved Penguins in the Crosby/Malkin era. Dupuis personality was intoxicating to his teammates, fans, coaches, management, and media. There is nobody out there that will say a bad word about him.
Sidney Crosby just got choked up talking about Pascal Dupuis. Pretty powerful moment.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) December 8, 2015
Pascal Dupuis' 3.75M cap hit will come off the books and give the Penguins roster flexibility. He will return to LTIR for the 2016-17 season as well
Penguins will honor Pascal Dupuis contract next season too. He's name will be place on long term IR. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 8, 2015
Let's take a look at some of the things that Pascal Dupuis accomplished as a Pittsburgh Penguin:
During his Penguins career he had a 5v5 points/60 of 2.1 which is above the 2.0 threshold of a top line player. Playing with Sidney Crosby is the prime reason for the great offensive production, but he still executed and made the most of his opportunity.
Only Sidney Crosby (663), Evgeni Malkin (619), Chris Kunitz (380), and Kris Letang (331) have had more than Pascal Dupuis' 247 points as a Penguins since the 2007-08 season. What makes the accomplishment more impressive is the complete lack of power play time that those points were accumulated with.
Of Dupuis’ 247 points with PIT, seven came on the PP. Seven. Played with Crosby, yeah, but that says a lot about how good he was 5-on-5.
— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) December 8, 2015
So much talk about Kane's streak & rightfully so. Also in 2012, Pascal Dupuis had a 17-game point streak (10g 12a). Final 17 gms of the year
— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) December 8, 2015
Possession wise Dupuis was strong for his Penguins tenure. He had a 5v5 Score-Adjusted Fenwick of 52.8% which is comfortably above average.
Dupuis was also a positive contributor to the Penguins penalty kill. Only Matt Cooke (65.7) and Sidney Crosby (68.8) had a better Fenwick Against per 60 killing penalties on the Penguins than Dupuis' 69.8. Only Jordan Staal's 15 shorthanded points were better than Pascal Dupuis' 13.
My favorite memory with @Duper0009 , while playing for the @penguins . Prank on our strength coach.. #MK #Pigeon pic.twitter.com/p0jDlmfdpI
— Jay McKee (@JayMcKee74) December 8, 2015
