Pittsburgh's season has yet to start but in classic Penguins fashion we have an injury to report. Pascal Dupuis is going to miss the season opener. I understand that the immediate reaction will be to think the worst but the good news is that it has nothing to do with his blood clot issues.
Pascal Dupuis has an undisclosed injury - NOT blood clot related - that will keep him out of PIT lineup at least a week and perhaps longer.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 5, 2015
This news is still a bummer because Pascal Dupuis has been a good forward for the Penguins for many years. HIs offensive numbers have certainly received the Sidney Crosby boosting effect but throughout his career but he has always been a positive difference maker regardless of the role he has been in.
In other years this setback would have been pretty damning but seeing as though the rest of the Penguins forward lineup is healthy they should be able to cover for him and still find success.
Dupuis' absence opens the door for Bobby Farnham to join the game day roster.
****
Raffi Torres being suspended 41 games is a non-story. He is a low hanging fruit. When the league starts handing out 10 game suspensions due to completely reckless plays with players that have no track record you will see progress. Real punishments = real money lost which will = real change in players' behavior.
If meaningful suspensions were given more frequently players like Shane Doan don't even think about going out of their way to throw the hit that ended Letang's season last year.
James Neal should have been suspended ~41 games for his knee to Brad Marchand's head. In that same game Shawn Thornton should have been suspended for the year for his assault on Brooks Orpik.
Too many good players miss time because of reckless hits. The reason there are reckless hits is because there is no external force making the players care enough. They can't police themselves, that much is certain, and missing one or two games certainly has had no meaningful impact on behavior.
Thanks for reading!