Is There a Reverend in the Penguins’ Future?

Before I begin, let me be clear. There’s absolutely no official basis for what you’re about to read. I don’t have any inside sources. Or connections to the Penguins. Nothing other than my instincts and fertile imagination to draw from.

Here goes. I can’t help but feel there might be a Reverend in the Penguins’ future. As in former black-and-gold defenseman Ben Lovejoy.

Before you label me an imbecile and swear off PenguinPoop forever, hear me out.

The Pens obviously need defensive help. Someone solid and reliable, and a good skater to boot. A guy who can make a decent first pass and mesh comfortably with coach Mike Sullivan’s up-tempo style.

In all likelihood, we won’t have much to offer. My guess is, Jim Rutherford wants to part with as few pieces from his present roster as possible. Perhaps a mid-round draft pick and/or marginal prospect.

Given those parameters, whose image starts to coalesce in your general manager’s crystal ball?

Yep. Lovejoy’s. Or a reasonable facsimile.

To digress for a moment, we’re probably all craving a sexy pickup. Perhaps a colossus like Brent Burns or Dustin Byfuglien. Possessing Shea Weber’s cannon blast of a shot and Kris Letang’s golden wheels.

Good luck finding him. Especially given the present NHL playoff picture. One in which most teams still have a feasible shot at the postseason. And, thus, aren’t likely to sell off the farm at the upcoming trade deadline.

Back to Lovejoy. True to form, his stats this season with New Jersey are exceedingly modest. In 60 games with the offensively challenged Devils, the Dartmouth grad’s tallied a goal and six points to go with a minus-4.

He’s registered 68 hits and 107 blocked shots while averaging a shade under 21 minutes of ice time. Second among Jersey defenders and similar to the workload he shouldered following his arrival at the trade deadline two seasons ago in a straight-up swap for Simon Despres.

Hardly the stuff of Norris Trophy winners.

However, Lovejoy’s true value never has been measured in numbers or metrics. While he’s best on the third pairing, the 32-year-old’s capable of stepping into a more prominent role should the need arise. Lovejoy’s universal skill set allows him to blend seamlessly with a variety of partners. Much as he did during his recent tour of duty with the Pens.

Blessed with outstanding lateral mobility, he’s extremely agile on skates. Part of the reason he’s such an effective penalty killer and trusted with the bulk of his team’s defensive-zone starts (66.1 percent with the Devils).

Ben brings a ton of intangibles, too, including a willingness to bang and an upbeat, outgoing personality that endeared him to his former Penguins teammates. With a cap hit of $2.67 million, he’s reasonably priced.

Best of all, Lovejoy’s a known commodity. What you see is what you get, game in and game out. No surprises.

Can I get an amen?

Ice Chips

Justin Schultz is progressing through his concussion protocol and may be available for Saturday night’s Stadium Series contest with Philadelphia. The high-scoring defenseman has missed the past three games.

No word of yet on the severity of Trevor Daley’s lower-body injury. Conor Sheary is about a week away from returning, according to Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Bryan Rust’s injury likely will keep him sidelined for most of the homestretch.