I was really bad at the sciences in high school. Biology and physics gave me fits (a rocket scientist I ain’t). But chemistry left me totally flamboozled. Yes, I invented a new word…a combination of flummoxed and bamboozled.
Unfortunately, the new-look Penguins seem to be following in my inglorious footsteps. Team chemistry…exemplary before the blockbuster three-way trade that netted center Derick Brassard…has gone south in a hurry. A team that resembled a juggernaut and sure-fire Stanley Cup contender only a couple of weeks back now has some serious design flaws.
I decided to turn my microscope on Jamie Oleksiak to show how dealing Ian Cole and Ryan Reaves has set off a veritable chain reaction of negative consequences. I know…a chain reaction is physics…I told you I was lousy at sciences.
Following a season in the shadows (or coach Mike Sullivan’s doghouse, if you prefer) Cole returned to the Pens’ lineup on January 25 and immediately reestablished himself as one of the team’s steadiest defensemen.
The black-and-gold promptly caught fire following his return, going 9-1-1 while racking up an astonishing 48 goals in the process. While I’d be way overstating Ian’s worth to suggest the Michigan native with the key to the surge, he certainly was an underrated and…apparently…undervalued cog.
Indeed, Cole was remarkably productive during his final 11 games in a Pens jersey, notching a goal and five assists to go with a sterling plus-12. However, it was the effect he had on his defense partner, Oleksiak, that really stood out. The ex-Star had shown flashes after coming over from Dallas in a December 19 trade. His numbers? Decent, but nothing special.
Slotted next to Cole, the ‘Big Rig’s’ game took off. Free to take risks, he displayed the offensive upside that made him a 14th overall pick in 2011, often joining the rush or venturing deep into the offensive zone. His plus-minus soared, along with his confidence.
Following Cole’s trade to Ottawa, Jamie’s game quickly soured. Paired with off-season pickup Matt Hunwick, he’s endured a dismal three-game stretch (minus-5). Due in no small part to Hunwick’s deficiencies as a defender and outlet passer, the new tandem has blended about as well as oil and water while putting a decided crimp in Oleksiak’s game.
Bottom line? The Pens lost two players in the Brassard trade, Cole and an effective Oleksiak.
Make that three players. Ryan Reaves, who’d struggled to fit with the Pens’ up-tempo style, responded to a late January benching by playing his best hockey for the locals, scoring a pair of pretty goals while asserting himself on the forecheck.
“Reavo’s” departure dropped another unintended burden squarely on Oleksiak’s mile-wide shoulders. Suddenly thrust into the role of protector, he’s dropped the gloves twice in the past three games, including a true heavyweight tilt with Boston strongman Zdeno Chara during the ugly loss to the Bruins on Thursday night.
Instead of concentrating on his game, Jamie now has his head on a swivel, taking note of guys he might need to fight. Heaven forbid if he busts a knuckle or hand on someone’s helmet. We’d really be in a bind on defense.
Oh, and if the Pens try Chad Ruhwedel as a third-pairing option, guess who has to move to the left side? Yup. Oleksiak.
I feel for the kid.
Obviously, defense isn’t the Pens’ only issue. We’re a one-trick pony in goal…Matt Murray or bust. The forward lines are a jumble. It didn’t help that Zach Aston-Reese, who quickly established himself with his smarts and productive, crease-crashing style, is on IR with an upper body injury. The fourth line looks positively moribund, as it has for much of the season. Tom Kuhnhackl and Carter Rowney do little to complement each other, offensively or otherwise. Hopefully recent recall Dominik Simon can spice up the mix.
What’s done is done. We can’t turn the clock back and undo the trade or change the players involved. Nor can we pick up a competent sixth defenseman to replace Cole. Sullivan and the coaching staff will have to sort things out on the fly.
In the meantime? Sad to say, the Pens are flunking chemistry. Just like yours truly.
Last night ‘s Game was terrible and basically like months ago . Defense has been the biggest issue all season. No urgency to be in the playoffs or to have some home advantage. Refs continue their bad officiating again as usual.
Everyone please praising Letang because of his points(I don’t ) and they don’t get he is an big liability to this team. Big Defense liability .He just gives up on plays all the time. Opponents walks all over him. His stick broke on that goal but with that left-handed stick he could’ve done better defensively to stop that .imo. One play he went to the net like a forward waking to redirect a goal or something. Bad passing.
He had two good moments. Too many bad moments that outweighs that two good moments. It’s every game.He doesn’t work hard to me put his team on his shoulder to win the right way. Top pairing and Bottom paring is really weak to me.
Sullivan needs to improve the team defensively among the forwards and definitely the Defense parings . If not they will be eat alive in the playoffs. They needs to be better with structure against opponents. To much easy ice . No more physicality or relentless forechecks.Sloppiness. Etc..
Connor Sheary needs to be scratched for multiple games. There’s nothing I like about his game. I don’t understand Sullivan blindness with him but he couldn’t give Sprong that chance to grow in the system and right now another forward from WBS should take his place.Sprong or Jooris should be call up for fourth linez until ZaR is healthy. I believe Hornqvist is great for first line but I think it best for him to be with Malkin while Simon plays right wing for Crosby and Rust with Brassard.
Also Sullivan should let Crosby and Malkin only 15-16 a games right now. Definitely Crosby. Let them rest and get ready for the playoffs. Let Brassard and Sheahan take more shifts in games.
Only players that stood out was Hagelin, Guentzel, Maatta, Shultz , Brassard, Kessell and Malkin . Definitely Guentzel all night. I didn’t understand Rust on ice with Crosby instead of Guentzel to win the game . Great Ot goal for Shultz.
Thank you. Thank you.
I love this website because it just pure honesty and straight to point with no pucks given. It’s everything .My thoughts. It validates my perspective on this team.
I don’t trust the Pens coaching staff at all. Really Sullivan. Also Rutherford sometimes as well because of his signings, bad call ups where Guentzel shouldn’t have been 3rd center with available centers in WBS,his faith in players to much like Letang and him not pursuing hard to replace the biggest issues on D , Rw for Sid and goalieI believe Tocchet was the glued definitely the best coach behind the scenes plus real with players like Sheary , with lines and he was very real with Sullivan that he needs right now basically this whole season. Rick Toochet did a lot of things. Botterill too. Someone needs to check him while reigning him on some decisions thats cost games and some players’ continuity all season.
Sullivan praised Sheary’s game vs the Islanders had me just baffle and disappointed more with him as a coach. Very asinine. Every time he does that he continues to reward Sheary back with Crosby where Crosby don’t even want Sheary there .It makes me mad. Sullivan did ok with line up but I would rather put Simon with Crosby, Rust with Brassard and Hornqvist with Malkin.
Everyone knows how I feel about Letang , Sheary and Hunwick. Not a fan of them.
Red flags were pointed out in games with Sheary during regular season and postseason for no contract. It would have been easily to let him walk during off-season.
Yes. It might not easily to let go of Letang’s big contract but it could’ve been done years ago and it’s obvious that the Pens will be great without him beyond happy in their cap space. Hunwick was a big no no from the jump. It hurt them of giving Cole that type of deal. It is what it is.
Can’t turn back the hands of time.. I wish I could .
Right now Pens needs to like Guentzel and Crosby stay together long term.
Let them build with Simon as right winger. Figure out how D can get better with consistency before playoffs. Bring more urgency with D, forward unit and goaltending. It gonna be long Playoffs this year because of Rutherford bad way of running for three peat and Sullivan’s bad desicions on this team. I Have Little faith in Sullivan to do better with players and I can see Rutherford letting go of Sheary, Hunwick and Letang during off -season . Long Road.
I know you can’t turn back time…..most here and in Pen’s nation liked the signing of Hunwick and didn’t like getting Reaves. Living in Canada I watched Hunwick every Leaf’s game… and he sucks and still does.
And now without Reaves and Cole, Pen’s are not tough at all except Jamie and Rust.
Too add to that JR didn’t even get a veteran back-up for playoffs as a rental and with Murray out now and what happens come playoff time if the injury bug hits us in net.
I have said it before and will keep saying it…I am not a fan of Jim Rutherford, overpaid for Brassard, stupid signings of hunwick and Sheary, I also said over two years ago to trade Letang while his stock was so high…
I hate to say it but I told you so!!!
Hopefully they can get it together for the playoff push and have a good run for a three-peat
Hey Pen’s4ever,
You are preacher to the choir for the most part with me. I didn’t get a chance to watch Hunwick play night in and night out like you but was never impressed with his signing and groaned greatly when it happened.
I also wanted Sheary to walk RFA. I couldn’t believe what I read in the PG after last game where Sullie was praising Sheary’s play against the Isle’s. Sheary showed his worth last playoffs when he disappeared under the weight of heavy hitting. The league now knows just to hit him and he falls down. You don’t even need a solid hit, a glancing blow knocks him off the puck or causes him to fan on the play. Crosby has to have a very sore back from carrying Sheary for so long. (OK maybe not, Sheary couldn’t really be that heavy but you get the point).
The only place we disagree, at least a little is with Reaves, I wouldn’t have traded for him in the first place. I would rather have had Nicolas Hague. But I will agree that trading him in the second place was just as bad as trading for him. With Only Oleksiak left, it is open season on Penguins.
I wouldn’t qualify myself as a Letang hater, but again, I was there with you looking to get out from under that $7mil contract.
I still think they have the bodies in the organization to pull off a 3-peat, but it is going to be a ton more difficult from self-inflicted wounds. Although I question some of Sullivan’s moves and motivations behind those moves, I still have faith that he can get the most out of the players that are here.
Rick
Great article – you hit it on the nose. I think a lot of people who don’t truly
understand the game thought Reaves was expendable with the addition of
Oleksiak. Wrong assumption – Oleksiak is more of a support fighter – meaning
he’s a good guy to have for back-up – Not cut out to take the lead – that’s not
who he is.
I get so sick and tired of people thinking you need (4) lines to score – You have to have a physical / checking line. Jake Guentzel leads the team in hits – “are you kidding me right now” Would you rather get hit by Guentzel (300) times or by Reaves once. “Case closed”
JR put us behind the 8-ball – 3peat is not looking good.
Hey Rick,
Excellent Rick!
With all of the focus on Reaves physicality , Cole’s physical presence is getting over-looked in the trade. Not only did the team trade away its’ most effective defensive D man they gave away 2 of their preciously limited physical players. It is no surprise then that teams are leaning heavily on them now. Not only did they trade away 2 of their physical guys, another one is on the shelf with an injury (Aston-Reese).
Hopefully this trade really isn’t an oil/water trade. Hopefully the Pens brain trust can restore the balance and the trade will turn into something akin to an “Sn1 reaction” with a a slow first step followed a fast second step.
Honestly, I still think that fast second step has to be a call up of a bigger D man of at least Czuczman (Phil’s pick), Pedan (My Choice), or TInordi.
I haven’t had a chance to look at the final games but part of me wouldn’t mind seeing Wilson or Sestito get a call up for certain teams.
We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm at the hockey rink
Hey Rick, leave them kids alone
Oh and I am still advocating an E1 reaction, get Sheary off of the ice.
The other Rick
In agreement with Sheary – problem is who do you replace him with?? Simon – he has skills but extemely inconsistent and I worry about his
ability to sustain at the NHL level.
To me the bigger problem is Letang – he just doesn’t have it – some of
his decisions in his own end our mind boggling. Look Letang has always been suspect with decisions and turnovers – the difference now is he’s can’t recover and eliminate his mistake.
JR – needed to add a couple of “D-Men” at the trade deadline – I’m assuming that Letang will be gone in the off-season. Right now we’re
stuck with a very fragile defensive group.
Hey Mike,
Interesting stuff who do you play over Sheary. My answer start with a bit of what you mention above in your solo comment “Who would you rather have hit you Guentzel or Reaves?” Simon is not Reaves but would you rather have Simon playing who has 32 hits in 28 games or Sheary who has 20 hits in 62 games? At least Simon is trying to make it tougher on opposing teams. Factor in that Simon averages 1.95 Pnts/60 while Sheary is averaging 1.48 Pnts/60min.
Simon isn’t optimal but he is a far better option than the Gnat.
Also, sorry about mixing discussions but I had an interesting conversation today with someone who said that the Pens really weren’t looking to trade Reaves. If you recall the trade was put on hold after the league reviewed it. According to my source the NHL said that the Pens didn’t give up enough to get Brassard, so they had to pick another player to put into the trade.
For me, I would have made Sheary that guy if I could get Vegas or Ottawa to take him. Not only is Reaves bigger and obviously out hit Sheary, his production is fairly similar; 1.23 for Reaves.
I hear what you are saying about Letang too. If I could have dealt Letang for Ericksson or even someone a little less profile I would have but to me the real problem is moving Hunwick.
I ran into several Hunwick fans today who kept trying to defend him talking about what he did elsewhere, but I am sorry, that was elsewhere, different players different systems. Just like Perron who was able to score in several other cities, he never really produced here.
Start with Hunwick and once that problem is addressed, move out from there.