As I watched our Penguins (check that…our first-place Penguins) blow past Toronto on Tuesday night en route to a resounding 5-2 victory, I couldn’t help but be amazed.
No Evgeni Malkin? No problemo. Dominik Kahun returned from a concussion to provide a welcome dose of speed, skill and versatility.
Zach Aston-Reese on the shelf? Summon rookie Anthony Angello, who scored his first NHL goal (in all of 5:13 of ice time).
It’s been the same story all season long. Players go down and the rest of the guys close ranks and rise to the occasion with almost military precision. Often with dramatic results.
For the record, it was another one of those nights where everyone contributed. Ten skaters…over half the lineup…registered on the score sheet. Five different guys, including Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Teddy Blueger, Jason Zucker and Angello tickled the twine. At the opposite end of the ice Tristan Jarry was terrific, making 34 saves.
Again, the very definition of a team.
Leading the charge was Crosby, who enjoyed a four-point night. In 13 games since returning from abdominal wall surgery, Sid’s piled up seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points (including nine points in his last three) for a stunning average of 1.77 points per game.
You get the sense No. 87 knows this team has a legit shot at another Cup. And when Sid’s dialed in, there isn’t a better two-way hockey player on the planet.
Mike Sullivan concurs.
“I think [Crosby] is getting better with every game that he’s playing here,” said the Pens coach. “I think this is his favorite time of year also. He tends to play his best when the stakes get high. … I just think he’s the most complete player in the game. He’s so explosive offensively, but he’s so conscientious defensively too. It doesn’t surprise me that he elevates his game the way he does at this time of year.”
In many ways, this group is made in his imagine. Fast, gritty, determined and spirited, with a healthy dollop of skill mixed in. Loaded with character, too.
In a word…special.
“I think just everyone’s contributing, and our work ethic, and urgency, has been there every night,” Crosby said. “We give ourselves a chance when we have that. I think the work ethic always sets the tone for everything else.”
More Moves for the Pens?
Are the Pens done dealing? Most sources say no.
GM Jim Rutherford’s rumored to be seeking depth at center and on defense, preferably on the left side. While I wouldn’t expect anything splashy…we simply don’t have the trading chips…I look for JR to make a couple of minor deals.
According to reports, the Pens were scouting Montreal center Nate Thompson, an excellent face-off man and defensive forward with 758 NHL games on his resume. Other trade possibilities include the Sharks’ Melker Karlsson and the Kings’ Trevor Lewis.
In terms of a defenseman it’s a little more murky, although one site suggested former Pens (and present Sens) blueliner Ron Hainsey.
One thing that’s fairly certain? Don’t look for JR to move a goalie to spice up the offering. He’s stated on numerous occasions that he likes our depth between the pipes.
Let’s Make a Deal
Following JR’s lead, teams from around the league have gotten an early jump on the trade deadline. Accordingly, many of the big-name players are off the board.
Our Eastern Conference rivals have been especially active. Last Sunday New Jersey shipped power forward Blake Coleman (21 goals and counting) and veteran defenseman and long-time team captain Andy Greene to Tampa Bay and the Islanders in separate deals. On February 18, the Capitals acquired physical defenseman Brendan Dillon from San Jose to shore up their shaky blue-line corps.
Out west, Vancouver acquired scoring forward Tyler Toffoli from Los Angeles on Monday. In an effort to plug the huge hole left by Jay Bouwmeester, defending Cup champ St. Louis picked up defenseman Marco Scandella from Montreal on February 18. Yesterday, Vegas imported steady rearguard Alec Martinez from the Kings.
Among the players still rumored to be on the block? Ilya Kovalchuk and Tomas Tatar (Montreal), Matt Dumba (Minnesota), Rasmus Ristolainen (Buffalo), Brandon Saad (Chicago), Sam Bennett (Calgary) and a trio of Devils…Damon Severson, Sami Vatanen and Wayne Simmonds.
The biggest name of all, Rangers power forward Chris Kreider, figures to bring a king’s ransom in return. Boston and Colorado are rumored to be bidding for his services.
Hey all.
A quicky update. The Pens made a minor deal today with Montreal, exchanging forwards Joseph Blandisi and Jake Lucchini for forwards Riley Barber and Phil Varone.
At first glance…an exchange of minor-league forwards. However, Barber may prove to be interesting. The 26-year-old right wing is a Pittsburgh native (Washington, PA, actually), and he has some size (listed at 6’0″ 198). He’s scored well in the AHL…31 goals for Hershey in 2018-19 and 31 points in 39 games for Laval this season. And…gasp…he can actually fight! (There must be a mistake somewhere.)
He’s played 12 games in the NHL (nine with Montreal this season) and has yet to register a point.
A 29-year-old center, Varone is a little more seasoned. He’s played 97 NHL games for three different organizations…the Sabres, Sens and Flyers…including 47 games with Philly last year.
Varone was named MVP of the AHL following a 70-point season with Lehigh Valley in 2017-18. Although pocket-sized (5’10” 186) scouting reports say he doesn’t shy away from contact.
Hmmm. Sounds a lot like Blandisi, a frequent call-up who seemed to fall out of favor with Sullivan a month or so ago.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Don’t get too excited, just because the JR traded Blandisi and Lucchini doesn’t mean Sully will call him up, let alone play him. Let’s not forget the little game they played to get rid of Gudbranson, another player from the Sullivan dog house. The first traded him to Ana for career minor leaguer Martinson, who reputedly was not shy about the physical stuff and then after a couple of months to let people forget, they cut Martinson, so in effect, they gave away Gudbranson. This could be the first step in getting rid of Blandisi since he got himself in Sully’s dog house for that Penalty.
Hey tOR,
Gudbranson was clearly the salary dump of a player that didn’t fit Sullivan’s style of play. I’m a huge fan of how they do that. Why waste your time trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
JR saw that Sulli wasn’t a fan of Blandisi’s mistake prone hockey and moved him because he had no value to the organization. Having a GM and coach on the same page is huge in the NHL. I think Bylsma and Shero were never working together, which is also very common in the NHL.
After hearing interview after interview of JR saying he wants to protect the Pens stars, I think he keeps trying to find that round peg for Sullivan.
Hey Phil,
When I say Barber can fight, I’m certainly not suggesting that he’s a heavyweight. I meant he can fight reasonably well compared to who we have, which ain’t saying much…lol.
Regarding JR-Sully and the toughness issue, Other Rick and I were talking about that today. I think Rutherford really would like to have someone on the team who could stick up for his mates. But as fast as he acquires ’em (Reaves, Oleksiak, Gudbranson) Sullivan finds a way to weed them out of the lineup, forcing JR’s hand.
It’s the lone disconnect I sense between GM and coach. Other than that I agree…I think they’re very much on the same page.
Rick