Penguins Blue Line Doesn’t Line Up

Defense. It’s defined by Merriam-Webster as a means or method of defending or protecting oneself, one’s team, or another. A more sports specific definition states: to take specific defensive action against (an opposing team or player or an offensive play): to attempt to keep (an opponent or play) from scoring in a game or contest.

In the wake of a rather spotty retool this summer, one of my chief concerns entering the upcoming campaign is the Penguins’ defense. Getting to the heart of the matter, can our defense defend?

Like everything else about the present iteration of the black and gold, our blue line corps is built for speed and not heavy lifting. It’s no secret Mike Sullivan likes his rearguards to move the puck. The 19 forwards approach, as Other Rick succinctly puts it. A style predicated on spending as little time in your own end as possible. And I get it. Why loiter in your zone when you can play in the other team’s end?

But just because you don’t want to doesn’t mean you won’t need to. That’s where my worries begin.

For the record, we allowed the 13th fewest goals in the NHL last season. Not stellar, but certainly not bad. Veterans Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin form one of the better complimentary tandems in the league. As third pairings go, John Marino and Marcus Pettersson are probably a cut above, although it would be nice to shed Pettersson and his $4 million cap hit in favor of the better-rounded (and cheaper) Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

However, the second pairing could be problematic, especially after we bled off free agent Cody Ceci, arguably our best all-around defenseman last season (17 points, plus-18). IMHO, our most physical, too.

Even with Ceci, our defense was susceptible to a heavy forecheck, a fact that I noted during my preview of the Islanders series. And darned if it wasn’t one of the hidden factors in our upset loss to the Isles. Most susceptible of all was Mike Matheson.

The former Panther did a lot of good things in his first season wearing the black and gold. Mobile and gifted, Matheson helped jump-start the transition game and was highly effective in the offensive zone. His d-zone play improved markedly (only 23 giveaways in 44 games) thanks, in part, to Ceci’s steadying presence. However, the Quebec native still showed a penchant for unraveling deep in his zone when pressed.

Which leads me to a major concern. Who’s going to replace Ceci as Matheson’s partner? The logical choice would be Marino, who burst onto the scene as a preternatural rookie in 2019-20, only to slide back a bit last season. A regression that was due, at least in part, to being paired with Matheson, whose creative style makes for a difficult read at times. Indeed, Marino’s game didn’t level out until he was reunited with the more predictable Pettersson.

What other options do the Pens have? Feisty waiver pickup Mark Friedman might be the front runner. The 25-year-old former Flyer showed flashes in his five games with the locals while playing predominantly on the off-side. He can skate and move the puck and displayed good instincts for jumping into the play. Possesses a bit of an edge to boot.

The downside? At 185 pounds, he seemed overmatched in physical confrontations, sustaining a concussion on a hit he initiated against much larger ex-teammate Nolan Patrick. With 16 NHL games on his resume (some at forward), he’s hardly a seasoned pro.

Chad Ruhwedel could prove to be a steadier, safer option. However, while the perfect seventh defenseman, can he fill a top-six role?

Then there’s the matter of muscle. As presently constructed, the Pens’ defense has very little. A flaw that’s especially evident while killing penalties. When was the last time you saw a black-and-gold defender forcibly move an opposing forward from the crease? Exactly. It just doesn’t happen…at least not often enough. Leaving goalies Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith to virtually fend for themselves at times. Perhaps part of the reason our PK stunk last year.

Problem is, there are no d-men in the organization who play a traditional physical game, and I mean none.

To fix the issue, I’ve advocated signing ex-Pen Erik Gudbranson. It seems the big guy’s had difficulties everywhere he’s played but the ‘Burgh (eerily similar to Ceci in that regard), where he showed a surprising steadiness and affinity for Sullivan’s puck-moving style while providing a much-needed 6’5” 217-pound hammer on the back end. Outgoing and popular with his mates during his time here, he’s genuinely good guy who possesses leadership qualities.

Could he be this year’s Ceci?

To me signing Gudbranson’s a no-brainer, especially since he likely can be had on the cheap. However, according to reports, the Pens haven’t shown a lick of interest. I confess, one of the many things that baffles me about our favorite hockey team these days.