Ruhd has been OK considering the time he missed. That 3rd goal was a cluster (frank) of epic proportions though. I thought originally it was Dumo that decided to leave 2 sharks alone down low to go help. It was Ruhd and I'm not sure what he was thinking.
- Thorny87

Chad's a bottom pairing defenseman. He's not very good, but he's also capable of holding his own and contributing positively if properly deployed/hidden. I think he's clearly better than Johnson and Riikola, and was arguably on the same level as Oleksiak when he was still here. Given that he's a natural RD, it should be a no brainer to put him in the lineup every night and then chose one out of our three remaining bottom pairing LDs to play 3LD, and that clearly should be Pettersson.

If Maatta could get a little meaner I'd be all for it. I think he apologizes after he hits someone.

Same goes with Dumo. Those two never seem to get mad. It's probably better that way but I do think our D is easy to play against physically.
- Thorny87

No such thing as a mean Finn.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.
- j.boyd919

Don't hate, don't love him either. I just think he has had chances to 'take the next step' and just doesn't take control like I think he should. He is just like Hornqvist, I don't want twenty of them but one is fine.

Pens need another defenseman as insurance for Maatta and they need to get tougher, eh? can we trade a 4th to Dallas for Oleksiak?

Don't hate, don't love him either. I just think he has had chances to 'take the next step' and just doesn't take control like I think he should. He is just like Hornqvist, I don't want twenty of them but one is fine.
- Thunderbolt

He had a really good season last year with Schultz. Arguably the best of his career since he matched his rookie numbers but wasn't being hid on the bottom pairing. Besides last year and his rookie year, he's either been injured or saddled with replacement level partners. If your idea of Maatta taking the next step is becoming a first pairing defenseman that's capable of hauling anchors to successful results, I don't think that's ever gonna happen. But if your idea of taking the next step is a legitimate top 4 defenseman, he's already there and being paid as such.

Great article, and I tend to agree. I've never quite understood the disdain for Maatta, albeit he's not fleet of foot. To me, he should be compared to Dumo rather than Letang or Schultz.

He's a good, positional defenseman, if not better than good. I don't think he's at the same level as Dumo but he's probably the next best defensive-defenseman the team has.

I think the Pens D isn't that bad, if/when Maatta returns he should replace Riikola (would love him to replace JMFJ but that ain't happening), and then in a perfect world they'd run:

Letang/Dumo
Schultz/Maatta
Peterson/Ruw (or if it has to be JMFJ)
- iworkatinitech

Maata's only major knock is his foot speed IMO. He thinks the game well, is positionally sound, has a good stick and I think he has more offence in him.

I think this year he's trying to offset the slow foot speed by leaving the zone quicker and not taking as many chances offensively which could be why his stats are down.

The thing is, to the average fan, being slow is easy to pick out and is why a lot of people get hung up on that.

Maata's only major knock is his foot speed IMO. He thinks the game well, is positionally sound, has a good stick and I think he has more offence in him.

I think this year he's trying to offset the slow foot speed by leaving the zone quicker and not taking as many chances offensively which could be why his stats are down.

The thing is, to the average fan, being slow is easy to pick out and is why a lot of people get hung up on that.
- Thorny87

Your eyes see the slow foot speed but the fact is that doesn't keep him from being a net positive in terms of on ice impact.

Your eyes see the slow foot speed but the fact is that doesn't keep him from being a net positive in terms of on ice impact.
- Feds91Stammer

So you agree?

Maata's only major knock is his foot speed IMO. He thinks the game well, is positionally sound, has a good stick and I think he has more offence in him.

I think this year he's trying to offset the slow foot speed by leaving the zone quicker and not taking as many chances offensively which could be why his stats are down.

The thing is, to the average fan, being slow is easy to pick out and is why a lot of people get hung up on that.
- Thorny87

Agreed, I just see it that I'd rather have a slightly (?) slower intelligent defensemen in Maatta playing in the top 4, and leave Peterson to bring the offense in the bottom pairing preferably with Ruw as opposed to the hockey IQ challenged JMFJ who is just NEVER in the right place during play and offers nothing of positive value (not his first pass, not his offense).

So you agree?
- Thorny87

Feds doesn't actually read comments and just hones in on one line that he can pick on confirmed.

So you agree?
- Thorny87

Yes just summarizing the post. Eye test leads people to think he is bad because of the obviously slow foot speed.

Feds doesn't actually read comments and just hones in on one line that he can pick on confirmed.
- Victoro311

He kind of summarized what I meant. He has one knock but it doesn't outweigh his good traits.

Feds doesn't actually read comments and just hones in on one line that he can pick on confirmed.
- Victoro311

This is offensive and I have reported you to the appropriate authorities.

Yes just summarizing the post. Eye test leads people to think he is bad because of the obviously slow foot speed.
- Feds91Stammer

Thank you. It was very well summarized.

This is offensive and I have reported you to the appropriate authorities.
- Feds91Stammer

Listen, strange ladies lying in ponds distributing report flags is no basis for a system of forum governance. Supreme banning power derives from a mandate from the masses, not some farcical "reporting" ceremony.

Thank you. It was very well summarized.
- Thorny87

Apparently vic thinks I just try to argue with everyone

He had a really good season last year with Schultz. Arguably the best of his career since he matched his rookie numbers but wasn't being hid on the bottom pairing. Besides last year and his rookie year, he's either been injured or saddled with replacement level partners. If your idea of Maatta taking the next step is becoming a first pairing defenseman that's capable of hauling anchors to successful results, I don't think that's ever gonna happen. But if your idea of taking the next step is a legitimate top 4 defenseman, he's already there and being paid as such.
- Victoro311

Yes, I would like to see him become a leader. I can see where his injuries and health issues have held him back and he may never reach his full potential.

He has a long career ahead of him and he is paid about where he should be. I still think he can improve and be a solid performer and a leader. Much the way Rob Scuderi did before he injured his leg. As of now I still consider him a #4 at best.

Yes, I would like to see him become a leader. I can see where his injuries and health issues have held him back and he may never reach his full potential.

He has a long career ahead of him and he is paid about where he should be. I still think he can improve and be a solid performer and a leader. Much the way Rob Scuderi did before he injured his leg. As of now I still consider him a #4 at best.
- Thunderbolt

I mean, you can count on two hands the amount of NHL defensemen that can lug around replacement level players and have a successful pairing, and they're all #1 defensemen. Maatta will never be a 1D.

Yes, I would like to see him become a leader. I can see where his injuries and health issues have held him back and he may never reach his full potential.

He has a long career ahead of him and he is paid about where he should be. I still think he can improve and be a solid performer and a leader. Much the way Rob Scuderi did before he injured his leg. As of now I still consider him a #4 at best.
- Thunderbolt

Scuderi? That is a very low bar you set there.

Lebrun.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Great. Chaisson would be a limping-in move. Who is he really better than in this lineup?

Great. Chaisson would be a limping-in move. Who is he really better than in this lineup?
- Rinosaur

Kessel

Apparently vic thinks I just try to argue with everyone
- Feds91Stammer

Argue, teach, same thing. Aside from the dessert conversations.

Yes, I would like to see him become a leader. I can see where his injuries and health issues have held him back and he may never reach his full potential.

He has a long career ahead of him and he is paid about where he should be. I still think he can improve and be a solid performer and a leader. Much the way Rob Scuderi did before he injured his leg. As of now I still consider him a #4 at best.
- Thunderbolt

Become a leader? Like... how? How would you know he’s a leader? He is a solid performer already. Easily a 2nd pairing defenseman. But like... how would you personally be satisfied with him being a “leader?” Not being a Richard just curious.

Become a leader? Like... how? How would you know he’s a leader? He is a solid performer already. Easily a 2nd pairing defenseman. But like... how would you personally be satisfied with him being a “leader?” Not being a Richard just curious.
- j.boyd919

Needs to block more shots and play less fortnite

OTT-CBJ with a trade in the works