Yesterday was a sad day for Penguins fans who like a little mustard on their hot dog. Bobby Farnham, the crowd-pleasing buzz-saw with the enormous heart, was claimed on waivers by the New Jersey Devils.
The move was more symbolic than anything. The modestly skilled marauder wasn’t going to be an effective player for the Pens. Not with pacifist coach Mike Johnston cinching his leash so tight. During a rare shift against Ottawa, Bobby ran one of the Senators into the end boards. When he skated back to the Pens’ bench, he and Johnston locked eyes.
You could almost read Farnham’s expression. Is it okay for me to do that?
Nor was the pocket-sized battler going to neutralize anyone. Certainly not a slugger like Washington’s Tom Wilson, who would’ve eaten poor Bobby alive.
Still, loss of the feisty forward reinforces a disturbing trend for fans like me who feel toughness and aggression are essential elements to a hockey team’s success. It continues a crusade, if you will, that Mario Lemieux initiated back in February 2011. In the wake of an ugly brawl with the Islanders, the Pens’ owner asserted that his team would no longer embrace a certain style.
Mario’s been true to his word.
Since that fateful day, scrappers Arron Asham, Robert Bortuzzo, Matt Cooke, Steve Downie, Deryk Engelland, Tanner Glass, Eric Godard, Mike Rupp, Zach Sill, Joe Vitale (and now Farnham) have departed the Steel City. So has any pretense of black-and-gold toughness.
I’m not suggesting the Pens lure Big Georges Laraque out of retirement. With a heightened sensitivity to the cause and effect of concussions and head-trauma, hockey has evolved to a degree. Old-style enforcers are—for the most part—gone. Few teams are willing to employ players whose sole skill is beating the tar out of an opponent with his fists.
Still, hockey is a hard game. You need guys who play with an edge. Ones who can turn the momentum of a game with a big hit. Or rugged play in the corners. And, yes, you still need guys who’ll drop the mitts on occasion to defend themselves…or a teammate.
The Penguins play the Washington Capitals tomorrow night in DC. The Caps are one of the top teams in the league (6-1). Not by coincidence, they’re among the biggest…and baddest. In stark contrast to the peacenik Pens, they employ players who fight (Wilson and Michael Latta) and players who hit (Alex Ovechkin and ex-Pen Brooks Orpik). Guys who’ll grind and battle (Jay Beagle and Jason Chimera).
We’ll see how our Penguins fare.
Sarge in Charge
The Penguins hired former black-and-gold great Sergei Gonchar to serve as a defense development coach, Jim Rutherford announced today.
“We have some defensemen in Wilkes-Barre we want developed,” explained the venerable Pens GM.
High on Sarge’s priority list? Mentoring prospect Derrick Pouliot, the gifted former first-round pick who struggled mightily during training camp.
Long revered as an exemplary teammate and leader, Gonchar tallied 881 points during a stellar NHL career that spanned 20 seasons. In 322 regular-season contests with the Pens, the popular Russian piled up an impressive 54 goals and 259 points.
Just had to post a follow-up. Farnham scored a goal and an assist in his Devils debut on Halloween night. (No, I’m not making this up.)
Go Bobby, go!
Neither is a Farnham on the team, since he couldn’t fight anyway. Hopefully, Eric Fehr will give us some toughness shortly.
Fehr isn’t a tough guy by any stretch. I think he’s had one career NHL fight … and I’m pretty sure that was way back in his rookie season.
Still, he’ll provide something we really haven’t had since Jordan Staal was traded. A big guy up front who plays a big game.
Just to clarify, Fehr’s had zero NHL fights according to DropYourGloves.com.
Of course, we didn’t sign him to fight. We got him to provide reliable two-way play, score an occasional goal, and be a presence in traffic. Which I’m confident he’ll do.
Sigh…the kinder, gentler Pens aren’t going to win Cups.
Sadly, I agree … 🙁
Me too !
They criticized Steve Downie…Matt Cooke…Farnham…Anyone who played with an edge to his game.The ownership group does not want to admit they are wrong. At least 20 other teams in the NHL are more physical and “can play ” with an edge to their game,if need be.The Pens can not.We do not have those caliber of players anymore.You mentioned Brooks Orpik.Case in point. Not a dirty player,but a player who could hip check the best of them.Clean hits.Very strong on his skates.Big guys like Ryan Getzlaf or Alex Ovechkin were very much aware of his presence on the ice. That element of the Pens game is gone!
Sadly that affects Sid, Geno and the “smurfs”. To beat the Pens now just fore check and agitate Crosby, Malkin, and pound the depleted defense corps and 70- 80% of the time you will beat them.
Our PP is non existent and the PK is questionable. Does not look good for us in the coming season and JR is not to blame!
Putting all our hopes in Pouliot is also a mistake. The kid is to small and will not be physical enough to have a lasting career in the NHL.
He has been twice injured already.How can he handle the 6ft 5 inch, 230 pound power forwards that are coming into the league?
Final point, all the good teams are getting Bigger and stronger while we continue to go the other way ! Does Mario know something the other 29 owners don’t ?