Ryan Wilson: Penguins Bruin Boston's 19 game point streak Penguins Bruin Boston's 19 game point streak

As opposed to last Friday’s blog, I think this is a fair blurb on Gudbranson thus far. Pretty much my thoughts on him exactly right now, although PDO doesn’t have a bearing on how good the rest of his metrics are besides +/-

Interesting how McCann and gudbranson were traded for each other and both doing well for Peng wengs.... Thanks Canucks

Agree on Gudbranson. Though I am not sure we are talking enough about Marcus Pettersson. How good is this guy?

His metrics have been above average to very good while being partnered with Jack Johnson and Erik Gudbranson. He's playing a lot of minutes and, other than some small inconsistencies, has been rock solid. GMJR's comparison of Dumoulin may not be as far-fetched as I once thought.

Agree on Gudbranson. Though I am not sure we are talking enough about Marcus Pettersson. How good is this guy?

His metrics have been above average to very good while being partnered with Jack Johnson and Erik Gudbranson. He's playing a lot of minutes and, other than some small inconsistencies, has been rock solid. GMJR's comparison of Dumoulin may not be as far-fetched as I once thought.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Eh. I agree that Pettersson’s been solid but he and Johnson had about two weeks where they were a good pairing and then crashed down to earth and sucked, and Pettersson didn’t do that well when put with Letang on the top pairing for that brief stint. Also, I think Gudbranson’s been playing well in his own right and just happens to be paired with Pettersson while doing it, not so much Pettersson giving Gudbranson a bump. I think Pettersson could be a real solid #5 guy like Cole, but I think he’s a far cry from Dumoulin since he hasn’t shown the ability to hang in the top 4 or prop a guy up like Lovejoy.

I remembered two times in the last two games where Gudbransons made two ill advised passes because he was looking up ice trying to drive the play instead of high off the glass. Both actually turned into broken plays that led to penguins scoring opportunities. I also think Pettersson has felt more comfortable with showing his offensive side since playing with big G. The pairing also takes up a lot of room around the net, which will come in very handy in the playoffs when a lot of times skill and systems don’t matter as much as scrambling for dear life in front of your net.

Eh. I agree that Pettersson’s been solid but he and Johnson had about two weeks where they were a good pairing and then crashed down to earth and sucked, and Pettersson didn’t do that well when put with Letang on the top pairing for that brief stint. Also, I think Gudbranson’s been playing well in his own right and just happens to be paired with Pettersson while doing it, not so much Pettersson giving Gudbranson a bump. I think Pettersson could be a real solid #5 guy like Cole, but I think he’s a far cry from Dumoulin since he hasn’t shown the ability to hang in the top 4 or prop a guy up like Lovejoy.
- Victoro311

I thought Pett and Letang were pretty good besides one game where Pett made some gaffs. I would of been fine with that continuing to be a pair.

Pett is also a 22 year old rookie. Dumo didnt look that good until he was 24.

EDIT: fun fact: Both Dumo and Pett each have 21 points (2 goals and 19 assists) haha.

I remembered two times in the last two games where Gudbransons made two ill advised passes because he was looking up ice trying to drive the play instead of high off the glass. Both actually turned into broken plays that led to penguins scoring opportunities. I also think Pettersson has felt more comfortable with showing his offensive side since playing with big G. The pairing also takes up a lot of room around the net, which will come in very handy in the playoffs when a lot of times skill and systems don’t matter as much as scrambling for dear life in front of your net.
- Grinder47

From the first half of this post I thought you were about to pivot towards “Gudbranson actually sucks” to #OwnTheNerds, and I was gonna get a huge kick out of it. You disappoint me, Grinder haha.

Great win against a quality opponent. Defense playing their part. What happens when Letang returns? How will the defensive pairings look? Who sits?

We have to keep in mind that Petterson has only played 93 games. He’s got a lot of room still to develop and grow.

I’m not saying he will grow into a true 2nd pairing dmen. I’m just saying it very premature to say what he definitely is or isn’t at this point.

Great win against a quality opponent. Defense playing their part. What happens when Letang returns? How will the defensive pairings look? Who sits?
- Dr Blob

To me it’s obvious that Pettersson sits, unfortunately. My guess is the following...

Dumo/Letang
Maatta/Schultz
JJ/Gudbranson

However, I wouldn’t be shocked for Maatta play with Guds to shelter his minutes until he gets his sealegs back.

To me... in what seems to be the mind of JR and Sully... ONLY Petterson or Maatta can be the one to sit. JR did hint a bit that Guds could sit against much faster teams when we are healthy... but its not like Maatta is that much faster.

I guess depth is great as long as our 2 advanced stat career poopters keep playing above their heads.

To me... in what seems to be the mind of JR and Sully... ONLY Petterson or Maatta can be the one to sit. JR did hint a bit that Guds could sit against much faster teams when we are healthy... but its not like Maatta is that much faster.

I guess depth is great as long as our 2 advanced stat career poopters keep playing above their heads.
- Guile

Johnson's not really playing above his head, though. He's playing pretty standardly for his natural side. He's just partnered with a top 4 RD and Murray has stepped up his game significantly to inflate his on ice sv%.

Gudbranson? Yeah. He's been a revelation to himself.

Pettersson seems to really be in the good graces of staff and management per Yohe/Mackey, and that Petbrandson pairing is playing at a level that it really shouldn't be separated right now. I really think its gonna come down to whether or not Martin is willing to scratch Johnson for Maatta and I think it could either way.
- Victoro311

From last blog but still same convo.

I'm hoping Pettersson and Gudbranson stay together and Maatta goes back with Schultz which I think was a better pairing then the one with JJ.

What I'm expecting though is Pettersson sits, Maatta plays with Gudbranson, and that 3rd pair struggles because neither is a great skater.

To me... in what seems to be the mind of JR and Sully... ONLY Petterson or Maatta can be the one to sit. JR did hint a bit that Guds could sit against much faster teams when we are healthy... but its not like Maatta is that much faster.

I guess depth is great as long as our 2 advanced stat career poopters keep playing above their heads.
- Guile

JJ just has an insanely high PDO since Maatta got hurt.

From last blog but still same convo.

I'm hoping Pettersson and Gudbranson stay together and Maatta goes back with Schultz which I think was a better pairing then the one with JJ.

What I'm expecting though is Pettersson sits, Maatta plays with Gudbranson, and that 3rd pair struggles because neither is a great skater.
- Tojo.

Its probably either this scenario or Martin grows up and scratches Johnson. The likely scenario that you outlined is my great fear. Gudbranson goes back to sucking because both he and Maatta can be abused due to footspeed and then Maatta gets scapegoated, meanwhile the Johnson-Schultz pairing continues to play not great and gets a pass because they're eating up a lot of ice time and for some reason people seems to think that means you're playing well.

We have to keep in mind that Petterson has only played 93 games. He’s got a lot of room still to develop and grow.

I’m not saying he will grow into a true 2nd pairing dmen. I’m just saying it very premature to say what he definitely is or isn’t at this point.
- Rinosaur

That's what I'm thinking. I see the type of tools that could make him a second pair defenseman similar to Dumoulin: good skating/puck moving for his size, good reach/gap control, smart positionally and able to cover for a partner and play odd man rushes well. Even if he's not there yet I can see it happening.

JJ just has an insanely high PDO since Maatta got hurt.
- Feds91Stammer

Johnson's not really playing above his head, though. He's playing pretty standardly for his natural side. He's just partnered with a top 4 RD and Murray has stepped up his game significantly to inflate his on ice sv%.

Gudbranson? Yeah. He's been a revelation to himself.
- Victoro311

Vic, see above... he is far above his head. As is Gudrowilson.

As long as they keep overachieving it's fine. Ups the trade value so we can keep those who have done better over the entire career sample size. Like many here, I fear when they come down to earth.

Vic, see above... he is far above his head. As is Gudrowilson.

As long as they keep overachieving it's fine. Ups the trade value so we can keep those who have done better over the entire career sample size. Like many here, I fear when they come down to earth.
- Guile

Could be worse.

You could be the habs.

Could be worse.

You could be the habs.
- BINGO!

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- Feds91Stammer

Done.

Just nobody touch my boy Gauthier.

That's what I'm thinking. I see the type of tools that could make him a second pair defenseman similar to Dumoulin: good skating/puck moving for his size, good reach/gap control, smart positionally and able to cover for a partner and play odd man rushes well. Even if he's not there yet I can see it happening.
- Tojo.

He's 22 years old a 2nd round/38th overall pick. As you said, he shows all the tools to be a 2nd pairing guy. I'm just at the point where I'm not ready to say what he definitely is or isn't.

Vic already has him as a #5 guy and I think it's just too soon to make a judgement either way.

Its probably either this scenario or Martin grows up and scratches Johnson. The likely scenario that you outlined is my great fear. Gudbranson goes back to sucking because both he and Maatta can be abused due to footspeed and then Maatta gets scapegoated, meanwhile the Johnson-Schultz pairing continues to play not great and gets a pass because they're eating up a lot of ice time and for some reason people seems to think that means you're playing well.
- Victoro311

Playing with Scultz (and often Malkin's line) is a sweet spot for JJ. That group creates enough offense without him that his numbers look fine like you said, but they'd probably be doing more with a guy like Maatta.

He's 22 years old a 2nd round/38th overall pick. As you said, he shows all the tools to be a 2nd pairing guy. I'm just at the point where I'm not ready to say what he definitely is or isn't.

Vic already has him as a #5 guy and I think it's just too soon to make a judgement either way.
- Rinosaur

I say he shows the same potential as Dumo. I feel that choice of words and label is pretty fair.

JJ just has an insanely high PDO since Maatta got hurt.
- Feds91Stammer

I can only see his current PDO which looks to be very good. What is it since Matta has been gone?