Ryan Wilson: Disecting the Penguins Player Usage at the Defense Position Disecting the Penguins Player Usage at the Defense Position

The only part of this that shocks me is Martin-Ehrhoff not playing as much with the top six. That to me is really shocking. Two very good two way defenders getting the shut down treatment. No wonder their numbers are down.

While I understand that coaches like to protect players, Despres is not going to show his true colors if you don't challenge him.


On Bortuzzo, hasn't he and Scuderi been rotating with Despres in practice? Isn't that a slight indication Bortuzzo jumps ahead of Scuds?

"It will be interesting to see if it is Scuderi or Despres who sits when Bortuzzo is ready."

I am all in on giving Despres 40 games to see what he has. I'm a Bortuzzo guy but I think we already know what he is. I want to see what Despres' ceiling is and I want to find that out ASAP.

If HCMJ sits either Borts of Despres to dress Scuderi..well, I don't know what to even say about that. Borts is better than Scuds now and brings that element we lack. Despres needs to play. No reason IMO not to give the Despres/Borts pairing an extended period of time. Even if they shart the bed in a few games, as I keep saying, that's what the regular season is for.

Isn't playing Scuds the only possible way of moving him out of town?

"It will be interesting to see if it is Scuderi or Despres who sits when Bortuzzo is ready."

I am all in on giving Despres 40 games to see what he has. I'm a Bortuzzo guy but I think we already know what he is. I want to see what Despres' ceiling is and I want to find that out ASAP.

If HCMJ sits either Borts of Despres to dress Scuderi..well, I don't know what to even say about that. Borts is better than Scuds now and brings that element we lack. Despres needs to play. No reason IMO not to give the Despres/Borts pairing an extended period of time. Even if they shart the bed in a few games, as I keep saying, that's what the regular season is for.
- 87_71_11_29

The problem is that Scuds isn't playing like complete trash, so there's now a glimmer of hope that he could become a tradable contract if a big time catastrophe were to happen to some team's blue line. Boston perhaps? If you sit him, his trade value becomes non-existent and we're back to being stuck with him until the end of his contract.

It all goes back to personal preference. Do you see Scuds as sunk cost and want to accept it, move on, and try to develop the young guns. Or are you still on the move scuds at all costs train, even if it means retarding the pipe line's development for a bit longer? There's draw backs to both arguments and there's no clear cut right option.

since were talking logjam on defense...im going to be THAT guy and bring this topic into the new blog

from Bradlee: The Avs lost Johnson last night ! Defenseman are dropping like flies ! When can we take advantage of this already ? All kinds of teams are in need, JR has to be in a decent position right now ?!


any of these teams desperate enough to take scuds off our hands?

Avs, Minn, LA, SJ seem like plausible destinations for Martin..

The problem is that Scuds isn't playing like complete trash, so there's now a glimmer of hope that he could become a tradable contract if a big time catastrophe were to happen to some team's blue line. Boston perhaps? If you sit him, his trade value becomes non-existent and we're back to being stuck with him until the end of his contract.

It all goes back to personal preference. Do you see Scuds as sunk cost and want to accept it, move on, and try to develop the young guns. Or are you still on the move scuds at all costs train, even if it means retarding the pipe line's development for a bit longer? There's draw backs to both arguments and there's no clear cut right option.
- Victoro311

personally, I do whatever is necessary to move Scuds. I'd be okay riding it out this year but I don't want that contract for 2 more years.

So if Scuds dresses over Despres/Bortz we will flame the coach for the decision which might not even be his to make. If your boss says dress this guy you do what he says.

The problem is that Scuds isn't playing like complete trash, so there's now a glimmer of hope that he could become a tradable contract if a big time catastrophe were to happen to some team's blue line. Boston perhaps? If you sit him, his trade value becomes non-existent and we're back to being stuck with him until the end of his contract.

It all goes back to personal preference. Do you see Scuds as sunk cost and want to accept it, move on, and try to develop the young guns. Or are you still on the move scuds at all costs train, even if it means retarding the pipe line's development for a bit longer? There's draw backs to both arguments and there's no clear cut right option.
- Victoro311

Boston won't trade for him. Chara isn't out too long. They can handle that time. I wouldn't rule out Toronto though. Carlyle and that staff, although apparently they have stat guru's now, love to use old timey hockey players. Scuds would replace one of their young, puck movers. It just feels like a Toronto/Carlyle move to make.

since were talking logjam on defense...im going to be THAT guy and bring this topic into the new blog

from Bradlee: The Avs lost Johnson last night ! Defenseman are dropping like flies ! When can we take advantage of this already ? All kinds of teams are in need, JR has to be in a decent position right now ?!


any of these teams desperate enough to take scuds off our hands?

Avs, Minn, LA, SJ seem like plausible destinations for Martin..
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Martin for Marchand

Martin for Marchand
- dbell646

Doubt Boston would even be interested in that, but from a Pens fan's perspective.. yes please.

Doubt Boston would even be interested in that, but from a Pens fan's perspective.. yes please.
- j.boyd919

Think we'd have to add because of Martins UFA status but Boston replaces boychuk for this season then gets 5 mil in cap space next season. I wouldn't want to give Boston Martin though. Looking at Capgeek's projections for next season Boston has 12 mil in cap space but only have 12 players signed

poop Pens holding presser at 1 with GMJR and team Physician. This can't be good

poop Pens holding presser at 1 with GMJR and team Physician. This can't be good
- dbell646

Maybe an update on Beau Bennett?

Maybe an update on Beau Bennett?
- j.boyd919

I didnt think BB would be a player that would get a presser on his health status. Usually reserved for 87, 71, 58?

I didnt think BB would be a player that would get a presser on his health status. Usually reserved for 87, 71, 58?
- sammy87

I would agree in the old regime, but who knows with JR? Couple people on twitter said all players that should be were on the ice for the practice

I would agree in the old regime, but who knows with JR? Couple people on twitter said all players that should be were on the ice for the practice
- j.boyd919

Jr. is old and it's probably related to him

I would agree in the old regime, but who knows with JR? Couple people on twitter said all players that should be were on the ice for the practice
- j.boyd919

I think JR's health might be the best guess, players all skated, and like it was said, only a couple players merit a GM/Dr. press conference.

I just hope whoever it is, it's nothing serious.

..

I think JR's health might be the best guess, players all skated, and like it was said, only a couple players merit a GM/Dr. press conference.

I just hope whoever it is, it's nothing serious.
- rival22

My thoughts exactly

The intetesting thing to me with Martin and Ehrhoff, they are asked to do some heavy lifting, but they are succeeding.

5 on 5 goals for and against, they are #1 & #2 among defencemen. They both have been on for 6 goals for and Martin has only been on for one against and Ehrhoff for two.

poop Pens holding presser at 1 with GMJR and team Physician. This can't be good
- dbell646

Using the team physician to announce a trade, strange.

In seriousness, I hope Old Man Ruth, Lemeuix, and all the other non-players are alright. Of course, you always have to worry it could be Letang....but he's been present in practice.

Using the team physician to announce a trade, strange.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Unless they are trading Scuderi somewhere for some surplus medical equipment?

The intetesting thing to me with Martin and Ehrhoff, they are asked to do some heavy lifting, but they are succeeding.

5 on 5 goals for and against, they are #1 & #2 among defencemen. They both have been on for 6 goals for and Martin has only been on for one against and Ehrhoff for two.
- rival22

This tells us nothing. Don't you know that shots are more important than goals in the newfangled NHL?

Unless they are trading Scuderi somewhere for some surplus medical equipment?
- rival22