A few seasons ago one of our PenguinPoop readers (55 on Point, I believe) attended a Penguins training camp practice session. If I’m a little fuzzy on the details, I’m crystal clear on his observations. He was surprised to find that the Pens’ defensemen spent very little time actually practicing defensive zone coverage. Rather, they focused almost entirely on outlet passes and moving the puck to the forwards.
The better to fuel Mike Sullivan’s puck-possession scheme. And, hey, I get it. You don’t want your defensemen glomming onto the puck in their own zone like so many Rob Scuderi clones (sorry, Scuds).
But there’s a balance to be struck. And right now, our guys haven’t achieved it.
Sure, there are other factors involved in our poor defensive showing (20th in goals allowed). Structurally we’re about sound as the Titanic after it struck the iceberg. And we endured a hail of injuries to our blueline corps.
Other sites have pointed the finger at our goalies. It’s true that Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have hardly been airtight, combining for the worst team save percentage in the league (.862). Jarry, in particular, has been guilty of playing too deep in his net. But when you’ve got opposing forwards routinely invading your space, where else are you going to play?
In terms of cause and effect, it’s a clear-cut case of the chicken or the egg.
Back to our defense. I’m still stewing over our d-zone coverage (or lack of) during the recent 4-3 come-front-in-front loss to the Islanders.
On New York’s first goal, Jordan Eberle turned Cody Ceci into a turnstile. A rusty one at that. It should be noted that Cody’s partner, Chad Ruhwedel, was stranded somewhere in the next zip code.
For the record, all things considered I think Ceci’s done a decent job. Just not on this play.
On the second Islanders’ tally, Erberle somehow escaped the attention of Mike Matheson, who stepped up to take Michael Dal Colle (already covered by Jason Zucker). Eberle was standing all alone and practically on top of Jarry when he shoveled home a rebound.
The third Isles’ goal was a Kris Letang special. Casey Cizikas lugged the puck behind the Pens’ net with Pierre-Olivier Joseph covering. Quicker than you could say, “Great googly moogly,” Letang flew in to double-up on Cizikas, cutting P-O off in the process and leaving Cal Clutterbuck unattended in the slot. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened next. Jarry had no chance.
But for me, the nadir occurred during the game-winning power play goal. Letang and Ruhwedel paid scant attention to Anders Lee, camped in the slot in front of Jarry. Roughly akin to ignoring a Clydesdale parked on your front porch.
Upon reviewing a replay of the goal, here’s how MSG Plus color announcer Butch Goring described the carnage.
“Anders Lee, who makes his living…watch him in front of the net. He’s all alone in front. Anders is battling for position…no one really takes Anders. Pittsburgh doesn’t kill penalties that way…Pittsburgh’s trying to front Anders Lee. And the loose puck…the long reach (he scores). Ruhwedel comes back (too late) and tries to lay a pretty hard stick…”
Actually, if Goring had stopped at, “Pittsburgh doesn’t kill penalties,” he would’ve been accurate. But that’s a subject for another article.
You’ve at least got to try to interfere with Lee. Tie up his stick…give him a bump. Something. Instead, Messrs. Letang and Ruhwedel were content to wave their sticks at the puck…or more accurately…air. Whether they’ve been instructed to defend this way by Sullivan and his staff is a matter of conjecture. But it sure seems like it.
Lest you think this sequence is an anomaly, the Rangers’ Chris Kreider tallied a crucial power-play goal against us on February 1 in a similar fashion. This time it was John Marino and Ceci who turned a blind eye to the net-front presence lurking to their collective rear.
Stats show our defensemen have somehow accumulated 119 hits…roughly the same number as the physical Montreal defense (129). That may be so. But going by the eye test, hardly any of the alleged collisions have taken place near our crease.
In a word, our defense is “soff.” Pudding soft. If he were still our coach Michel Therrien would have a conniption.
It frustrates me beyond belief that no one takes the body around our net, at least not consistently and forcefully. A quick aside…Joseph has shown a taste for physical play. In the 4-1 loss to Boston he lowered the boom on Anders Bjork with a bone-crunching check in the neutral zone.
Let’s hope P-O doesn’t become indoctrinated into the Pens’ preferred style of defending.
There is a glimmer of hope. New hires Ron Hextall and Brian Burke know the value of having a physical player or two in the lineup. Hockey purists needn’t panic…they’re not going to turn us into a modern-day version of the Broad Street Bullies. But I expect the Pens to become more stout…and better able to compete in traffic at both ends of the ice under their collective watch.
Hopefully in the not-too-distant future.
Hi Rick,
Yes, it was me. I attended dozens of practices at the new complex over the years it’s been open. I’ve never seen them do defensive drills — NEVER!
This team needs a bonafide shut down pair. Two stalwarts who like knocking heads and clearing creases. But, that will never happen with Sullivan at the helm. Perhaps Burke and Hextall can change his mind, but I’m not counting on that either, at least not this season.
I firmly believe that better defense will lead to better goal tending. DeSmith and Jarry have had little room to breathe as there have been opposing players in their crease all season, with, as you say, cursory stick waving in their general direction.
I just get tired of watching opponents waltzing into the crease completely and utterly unimpeded. Can no one on this team take a body?
— 55
Hey 55,
Truer words were never spoken, this team/Sullivan will never embrace defensemen who will take the body, they/he wants stick wavers. It is a whole lot easier to hit a 6’1″ 202lb (avg sz of an NHL Forward) body standing still, then to get a skinny little stick to poke/block or otherwise eliminate a 1″ thick, 3″ diameter puck but it might cause a little sweat and blood to clear that crease.
I also agree Jarry is not that bad of a Goalie, nor was Murray. When your “D” won’t eliminate a potential pass by taking the opponent’s body, you easily will have a fraction of a second hesitation whether to play pass or shot and that is all an NHL Forward needs. After enough of those plays, confidence begins to erode and Sv% plummets as GAA skyrockets.
As a former goalie, you can imagine my anger over pylons for Defensemen
Hey 55,
I thought that was you, but the mind isn’t so sharp these days … lol
In terms of no one taking the body, Joseph (and I’m not knocking the kid) and Marino were on the ice for Pageau’s power-play goal and basically ignored him per our custom. In fact, for a brief moment the Isles had two guys (Brock Nelson the other) camped unfettered in front of DeSmith.
We’re oh-for-3 on our last three (attempted) PKs, in each instance allowing a goal by a guy planted unguarded in the crease (Kreider, Lee and Pageau).
How many times do we need to get hit in the head with this particular shovel before it sinks in?
Rick
The decline in the Pens PK and buying out of Jack Johnson are not uncorrelated. For all the criticism (just and unjust), he provided muscle in front of the net on the pk. This is why stringbean POJ was never going to be a replacement for him like so many were creaming last year. The Pens clearly need someone like Johnson to take over his role.
It’s too bad they had to dump Gudbranson. He was quite good with the Pens and did ok with Anaheim. Like everyone else, he looks bad in Ottawa. He’s probably available from Ottawa for very little but they would need retention. Just a thought.
Hey Stratton,
I agree 100 percent that we need at least one banger on ‘d.’ And, yes, Johnson gave his all and did move bodies, although metrics showed he wasn’t as effective on the PK as we’d like to believe.
I loved Gudbranson and thought he was very good for us. He felt comfortable in our system and it showed in his performance. If there is any way to get him back, I’d certainly be all for it. Ottawa does have considerable cap space and maybe can eat some $$$.
Rick
PS–With the emergence of Joseph, maybe a Pettersson for Gudbranson and perhaps a draft pick swap makes sense. They’re each making $4 mil.
Hi Rick.
I Read the interesting article below and here is my take. Do not under estimate the very deep talent pool of the Avs and please do not over value the worth of Sidney Crosby at this stage of his career. He is 33 soon to be 34 years of age and as such his market value is on the decline from 3 years ago.
With a balanced mind we can examine the possible trade that Darren Dregger and many others speak of.
Here is a six for one trade that may open many readers eyes and the AVS could do this and never miss a beat.They have one of the top 3 farm systems in the NHL and are owned by one of the Walton family of Walmart fame.
6 for 1…. remember that. Take emotions out of the equation.
1. You want some grit and size on your back line.
Erik Johnson 6’4″ 225 pounds. (former high first round pick). A great 2 way d man and just 30 years young.Shoots right side. Plays a gritty game,
2. Ryan Graves 6’5″ 220 pounds d man, 25 years old on a great new cap friendly contract.Shoots left side and has an offensive touch.
3. Now the sweeteners.Bowen Byram. 6’1″ 205#, First d man drafted at 4th over all in 2019 and Junior player of the year. Just 19 years old and plays in the NHL.This kids talent will be off the charts.
4.Remember the USA won the World Junior Championships this year and the man who scored the winning goal was D Man Drew Heller. He was drafted high second round in 2019. He is a big, physical d man, 6’3″ 210# with a great 2 way game.
Dump Letang,keep Dumo with Johnson, put Bryram with John Morino, and Graves with Oliver. Keep Marcus Pearson as your 7th d man and Heller will be ready to step up in 2 years and take over from Johnson.
By by Ceci and By by Matheson.
To recap we have 2 -19 year olds,a 21 year old,2- 24 year olds, a 25 year old,a 29 year old and a 30 year old defense corps. With size, speed and grit. The defense corps will be good for the next 7-8 years and some even 10 years.
Now for upfront.
5.Center man/ left wing, 2018 1 st round pick # 14th,?? Martin Kraut . Plays on their taxi squad because he can not crack their talented line up. Last year in the play offs he played because on injuries and played very well. 6’1″.
6. Right Winger Alex Beaucage,6’2″ 220 #, drafted 3rd round in 2019 and plays in the QHL. Same as Sam Poulin but his numbers are much better.
This is just a collection of talent I put together Rick..The Avs can mix and match many, many combinations if they want.
How about local boy Brandon Saad, Erik Johnson, future star Bowen Bryam and highly rated prospect Alex Beaucage.?? That would be enough to do the deal alone….
You see my point Rick…. Kris Letang or Geno will never get you this return..
Why would the Avs do this ??? To win it all this year and keep their Super Star, fellow Nova Scotian, Nate MacKinnon happy.They have made several comments locally that they wish they could win a Cup together. They are very close friends and Crosby taught Nathan how to improve his games as a kid.
Crosby was 21 operating his hockey School in Halifax and Nathan was just a youngster and attended. Nate often said to the local press he was Crosby’s protege and he owes his career to Sidney. They do Tv commercials together in Canada.
Can you imagine a team with 6 new players, Letang gone, Matheson gone, and few others so that now you can use the $$$ to buy more talent or secure draft picks.?
I wrote this article quickly Rick just to make people think logically and not emotionally.
Montreal is a whole other issue that we have talked privately about Rick and I will comment someday, just to say Dregger is not far off base.
You Just have to know the history of his family and the long connection to the red, white and Bleu !!
Hope i made you think brother….
Cheers
Jim
Hey all,
A blow-your-doors off article over on Pittsburgh Hockey Now…”Penguins Trade Talk: Rebuffed on Fleury, Dreger Thinks Crosby Deal Possible.”
Sounds like the Pens had, indeed, tried to acquire Fleury from Vegas last fall. And, as incredulous as it seems, a Crosby deal with Montreal may have been in the works (and possibly a precursor to JR resigning?) and that Colorado may be another potential trade partner.
A must read.
Rick
This notion of Crosby being traded is pure fantasy. This is crap that hack sportswriters dream up to fill empty space and gullible “fans” regurgitate in discussions such as this. Crosby will never be traded as long as Lemieux owns the team. Lemieux is still upset that Jagr didn’t finish his career here. He is 100% not going to let that happen with Crosby.
Hey Rick,
Again, spot on!!
You know my thoughts. I have written them many times. Knock someone down for goodness sake!!!!!! My 5’9″ younger brother, Ed, playing defense in front of me, one particular game, knocked down a Forward who was at least as tall as me 6’2″ who was trying to camp in my crease, then proceeded to mix it up with him when that perpetrator got back up, wacking the Alice the Goon Forward in the back of the head several times after the ref and linesman stepped in. But these Waddling Waterfowl won’t even tie up a stick let alone take a body.
This team’s, Mike Sullivan’s team’s defense is an embarrassment, trying so hard not to get their uniforms soiled with demeaning, lunch pail, physical defense.
Sorry, writing too fast and didn’t finish my thought completely. The point of the story of my brother is that it isn’t always the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. There ain’t no fight in the dogs employed by the black and gold, that is what is embarrassing.
Hey Other Rick,
Thanks for sharing your personal stories from your days as a goalie! And, yes, it isn’t always the size of the dog but the fight in the dog. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of that in our current kennel.
Barring a trade, I’m not sure how we alter the current mix. On defense, we simply don’t have a viable physical option in the organization. With the possible exception of Zach Trotman and Joseph and maybe Will Reilly, all our blueliners are cut from the Sully cloth. Even in the minors.
Up front, Anthony Angello and Jordan Nolan could provide some oomph, although I don’t know how we’d slip them past Sullivan. I like Sam Lafferty, but he looks like he’s playing with restraining bolts on (don’t make a mistake, don’t take a penalty). Tough for a kid to develop that way.
Nathan Legare fits the mold of what we need…feisty, brash, spirited. But I doubt if you want a 19-year-old kid starting out most likely on the fourth line, receiving a handful of minutes a game. It might stunt his growth, and you sure don’t want that with this kid. He has a chance to be special.
No easy solutions.
Rick
Rick – my apologies – I’m a little late responding to your post.
IMO – First move is to trade LeTurnover free up 7+ million on
the Cap. Possibly get a young NHL ready Defenseman and
a prospect.
Second – revamped our 3rd and 4th lines.
Third – We need size and a front net presence especially on
the PP.
Fourth – Trade Rust – I may get some resistance on this one
but he has value and we need at least one physical forward
in our top six that will create havoc in front of the net.
I look forward to your feedback