Penguins Update: Lovejoy’s Injury May Alter Deadline Approach

Poor Ben Lovejoy. He can’t seem to escape the eye of the storm. A year ago, the veteran defenseman’s arrival at the trade deadline created an unintended stir. Now his upper-body injury—apparently long-term in nature—threatens to do the same.

It’s hard to know exactly what moves Jim Rutherford had planned for the upcoming trade deadline. Conventional wisdom suggests the Pens GM sought to upgrade the team at left wing and, possibly, defense. Lovejoy’s injury—coupled with Scott Wilson’s sudden emergence as a scorer—likely will shift his focus.

Coach Mike Sullivan asserted that he’s comfortable plugging the gap with incumbent Ian Cole. However, JR almost surely will try to add an experienced defenseman. A task that may prove a challenge given the recent trades of potential candidates Roman Polak (to San Jose) and Pittsburgh-born Mike Weber (to Washington).

Maligned by some for questionable on-ice decisions, Lovejoy has nonetheless been an effective second- and third-pairing defenseman for the black and gold. One trusted enough by the coaching staff to team with Brian Dumoulin and Derrick Pouliot, two of the club’s most promising young players.

In particular, No. 12 displayed good chemistry with Pouliot while serving as a steadying influence and on-ice mentor. A role in which he excelled last season before his youthful partner, too, was felled by an injury.

Like “the Reverend,” Cole was acquired at last year’s trade deadline. Unlike Lovejoy, the former first-round pick of the Blues struggled to find his niche this season. Fresh from signing a new three-year contract last June, he’s managed only four assists (and a team worst minus-17) in 46 games.

The upside? Cole’s a plus-2 in his past nine games. Despite a string of healthy scratches, he remains third on the team in blocked shots. Equally at home on the left side or right, he’s a solid penalty killer. And, he’s willing to play the man, a quality in short supply on the Pens’ skill-oriented defense.

Anxious for a chance at redemption, too.

Pens Call Up Oleksy

To fill Lovejoy’s spot, the Penguins summoned Steve Oleksy from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 30-year-old Michigan native registered a goal and 10 assists in 44 games with the Baby Pens to go with a plus-13—third best on the team.

A pocket version of former Pen Deryk Engelland, Oleksy paced Wilkes-Barre with 78 PIM. Known for his leadership, the combative defender also served an alternate captain.

Oleksy has prior NHL experience. In 62 games over three seasons with Washington, the 6’0” 190-pounder tallied three goals and 16 assists, along with 86 PIM. He was a plus-15.