When I arrived at Wright’s Gym yesterday afternoon to relieve The Other Rick (he works there, too) we began discussing the Penguins as we often do. While I’m not sure how we got on the subject, the Pens’ physicality (or lack of) came up.
“Wish we could find another Battleship Kelly,” Other Rick opined.
“Or Gary Roberts,” I added. Hence, my title.
For those who never saw him play, Bob “Battleship” Kelly was a fearsome left wing who skated for the Penguins back in the mid-1970s. In addition to enjoying a near mythical reputation with his fists, Kelly possessed a wicked slap shot. Over a two-season span he netted 52 goals while riding shotgun for phenom Pierre Larouche during the heyday of goon-squad hockey.
Roberts, likewise, was a hard-as-nails performer with a scoring touch. Dubbed “Scary Gary” for his steely demeanor, he’d hop over the boards and light up the first opponent he saw. At the ripe old age of 41, Roberts carved out a permanent spot in black-and-gold lore when he beat the tar out of Philly’s Ben Eager, a hulking specimen 25 pounds heavier and 17 years his junior.
They don’t make ‘em like that any more.
Well, actually, they do. Josh Anderson and Boone Jenner of Columbus and Washington’s Tom Wilson (yes, that Tom Wilson) come to mind. We just don’t draft or cultivate them.
The closest thing we have to a classic power forward is Patric Hornqvist. Don’t get me wrong. In terms of pure hockey toughness, the supercharged Swede is second to none. But while “Horny” relishes contact…especially in front of the net…he’s not a deterrent or protector.
True, one could argue the game has changed since the Pens employed the likes of Roberts, Ryan Malone and Big Georges Laraque back in 2007-08 and you’d be right. Speed and skill are at a premium. As the Pens proved during their back-to-back Cup runs, you can win it all without a traditional physical presence.
Sort of.
Actually, those Cup teams had more gristle than you might think. In addition to Hornqvist (387 hits over two seasons), Chris Kunitz doled out a whopping 480 hits during the same span. Sporting a choir-boy grin, “Kuni” had a way of putting every ounce of his 195-pound frame into his checks, to bone-jarring effect. Although undersized, Scott Wilson likewise brought a physical element in ‘16-17 (167 hits).
Hornqvist and the surprisingly feisty Jake Guentzel aside, it’s hard to imagine any of our current Pens forwards finishing their checks with such frequency.
Lest you think physical play has no place in today’s game, think again. Deploying hammers like Wilson, Devante Smith-Pelly and ex-Pen Brooks Orpik, Washington pounded our boys to the tune of 223 hits over last spring’s six-game set, many of the brutal variety. The incessant body work softened us up and no doubt sapped the starch from our legs as the series wore on.
Detestable as it was, Wilson’s demo job on Zach Aston-Reese midway through Game 3 (in full view of the benches) was arguably the turning point of the series. Up 2-1 at the time, the Pens…visibly shaken…yielded the game-tying goal 85 seconds later. The Capitals rallied for a 4-3 victory to snatch control of the series.
There’s a reason Washington signed Wilson to a long-term deal for $31.2 million this summer. Loathe him if you will. But he’s a difference maker.
Which brings me back to our largely punchless Pens. Without a serious upgrade in the muscle department, I’m concerned we’ll once again be the poundees instead of the pounders during the upcoming season…especially against bitter Metro Division rivals like the Capitals and Blue Jackets. Both have the requisite thumpers to make our lives miserable.
Help may be on the way in the guise of Anthony Angello, a 22-year-old center of impressive proportions (6’5” 210) who reportedly plays a power game. Ditto forward prospect Kasper Bjorkqvist, who scouts liken to a young Hornqvist. Second-round pick Filip Hallander also boasts some size and jam. Don’t expect them in the ‘Burgh any time soon.
In the meantime? I wonder if Roberts has any kids.
Should never have traded Reaves.
That’s why I think Penguins should get another Big RHD on the back end with Bg Rig. Pens do need another forward that’s tall,gritty, strong, can put up some points and throw some mean checks.
I thought Nickie Ritchie could be a great fit.
I miss Reaves!!
My PICks:
Tyler Myers
Jacob Trouba
• one of Tampa Bay’s big tall prospects
Pens D pairing
Dumoulin-Shultzy
Määttä – NeW RHD
Johnson-Rig
#7 Riikola #8 Rud
Hi Rick,
You kinda busted loose here with a trifecta!
The size and toughness thing is still an issue with me. The second pre-season game, at Detroit, was a stark reminder, pre-season or not. Yes, it was the third string, mostly, and a pre-season walk through, but still, nobody hit anybody back, while some of our guys got pounded pretty good. Detroit was playing for real.
I don’t like not having more of that in the line up. I just don’t. I still believe it was no coincidence while Reaves was here Crosby played an entire season, relatively unmolested. Not only that, if you start standing people up at the blue line, it changes the whole game, and almost always in your favor. Nothing changes coaching strategies like a couple of his puck carriers kissing the ice in the neutral zone and watching the puck go the other way.
— 55
Hey 55,
Re: trifecta…I don’t know what got into me. Maybe it was that extra bowl of oatmeal…or extra beer at the Pub… 🙂
Per our usual, I think you and I pretty much see eye-to-eye on things. As the old adage goes, it’s better to give than to receive, and I’m definitely a proponent of that when it comes to physical play.
I realize the game has changed dramatically…just in the past handful of years. For example, our 2010-11 team boasted toughies like Eric Godard, Mike Rupp, Deryk Engelland, Arron Asham, Craig Adams, Matt Cooke, Max Talbot and Brooks Orpik, not to mention James Neal. Talk about armed to the teeth.
However, different game or not, if an opponent ramps up the physical play the way the Caps did last spring…especially in a playoff series…you have to be able to answer. We didn’t…or more to the point…weren’t physically able. We just stood there and absorbed the abuse. That can’t be good for a team, physically or psychologically.
I’m not advocating a return to “Broad Street Bullies” hockey…even the Flyers don’t play that way anymore. But a couple of guys…specifically forwards…who combine a degree of skill with an aggressive nature would do wonders.
Regarding Reaves. While I’m not sure if his presence alone would’ve turned the series…we definitely were a tired hockey team…I do think he would’ve made a difference in that pivotal Game 3. With ‘Reavo’ around, perhaps Wilson doesn’t feel emboldened to throw that huge hit on Aston-Reese, which I truly believe was the turning point of the series.
Even if Wilson delivered the hit, I think the Pens would’ve responded differently (been less rattled) with the big guy on the bench. We win that game, we go up 2-games-to-1, and it’s a whole different series.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Now you have me hearing Peter, Paul, and Mary singing that Pete Seger tune “Where have all the Gary Roberts gone, longtime passing on……..When will they ever learn? ….”
Who knows, we may actually see Angello at some point this year if the injury bug gets bad. Too bad Pedan in in the KHL, maybe Angello and Pedan could try and resurrect memories of Kelly and Durbano, next time Tom the goon disregards the rules and blatantly tries to injure someone.
I doubt the league is ready yet to do the right thing, they are still in denial on the concussion thang.