By now we’ve all surely heard about the latest dollop (or more accurately…wallop) of misfortune to plague our Penguins this summer. After giving non-invasive treatments a try, captain Sidney Crosby submitted to surgery on his left wrist yesterday, a procedure that apparently is related to surgery performed on the same wrist last August. It’s an attempt to correct an issue that’s been plaguing Sid for several years.
Scratch one all-world, two-way center…at least for the next six weeks. Which in the Queen’s English means Sid will likely be out through the first four games of the regular season. With Evgeni Malkin already slated to miss a chunk of time due to off-season knee surgery? While four games do not a season make, it doesn’t bode too well for our boys out of the gate. We sure can’t afford to start out 0-4 or 1-3. Not with the Capitals, Islanders and Hurricanes holding serve and the Rangers, Flyers and Devils likely poised to take big steps forward.
Perhaps that’s why general manager Ron Hextall invited veteran Brian Boyle to camp on a PTO. I’m sure he had more than an inkling Crosby would be going under the knife and that our center depth would be sorely tested.
Sans Sid and Geno, it seems a lock Jeff Carter will be elevated to No. 1 center and Teddy Blueger will slot in on the second line. While I love Carter and his shoot-first mentality, I’m not sure how that’s going to play with his new linemates (I’m assuming Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust), who are used to all those pretty feeds from No. 87. While I like Blueger, too, and think there’s some offensive upside to his game, he’s played almost exclusively in a bottom-six role. How will he handle elevated ice time and responsibilities?
At this stage we have more questions than answers. A lot more.
However, as founding father Ben Franklin once noted, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.” The sudden openings down the middle could provide a chance for players presently on the cusp to shine. I’m thinking specifically of Radim Zohorna, the hulking 6’6” Czech forward who showed flashes of brilliance during his eight-game cameo last season. He displayed excellent speed for a big guy, soft hands and, perhaps best of all, a high hockey IQ. I wouldn’t be dismayed to see him tasked with middle-six duty during Sid’s absence.
Then, of course, there’s Boyle. I really hope he can shake off any rust that may have accumulated during his year away from the pro game. We could sorely use a player with his size, grinding physical presence, underrated scoring touch and defensive sensibilities, not to mention big personality. His leadership qualities are supposed to be off the charts.
Evan Rodrigues also comes to mind. I thought he did a decent job of plugging gaps last season and he’s capable of playing center, although I feel his lack of size will mitigate his effectiveness in the middle.
One player I genuinely don’t want to see (but fear I will)? A certain free agent who shall go nameless (but whose initials are D.S.). I truly don’t mean to be harsh and it isn’t that he doesn’t give his all or possess some redeeming qualities. However, there are a myriad of players I’d rather see get a shot. Anthony Angello, Sam Lafferty…heck, even Jordy Bellerive, who’d bring some sand and (gasp) fighting ability to the mix.
It will be interesting to see how the Pens navigate this latest wrench in the works and who seizes the opportunity.
Hi Jorenz,
Hope the summer went well.
I know we may irritate some fans, but I agree, I don’t expect a strong start for our Pens. With Sid out at least the first 2 Weeks and Geno out from what I am hearing about the 1st Month I can see the team struggling, unless Sullivan changes his MO and gives the Kids a legitimate chance to play. Precious few of the veterans on this team have shown that they can play without Sid or Geno leading them.
I know there is talk that the team may be interested in trying to sign Bozack but I doubt that they can talk him into a PTO or a league minimum contract, so they will be stuck with him for the season and although Geno may be a candidate for LTIR for the start of the season, Sid won’t, so they will have a Cap problem fitting him in, unless they can deal away or bury a couple of Million.
Simon the Human Pylon? Talented? I have an article exposing the myth of Simon’s talent that I wrote a while ago and have revamped a bit that Rick B keeps prodding me to post but I haven’t yet. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead and if Simon is really only going to play in the AHL (or preferably the ECHL) I would rather not post it. However, if Sully in his infinite obstinance and stupidity tries to give this clown an NHL roster spot, I will post it.
Mike – when you actually know how to read the statistics they back up your eye test to a T. There is a reason this hobo looks bad – it’s because he is bad. He needs to be on the 1st freight car out of Pgh.
Jarry and DeSmith?, I am hoping the new coach can fix things but I am not so sure; at least not for Jarry. Looking at his stats, for an athletic/reaction goalie, Jarry has never been very good against high danger chances. His HDSv% 5 on 5 over the last season’s is a combined 0.811. The league average over the same time period and conditions is 0.822. DeSmith’s HDSv% is 0.852.
Chiodo is going to have to teach Jarry how to look big in his net and stop the HDCA and fast, last season the Penguins team D was 5th worst in giving up HDCA 5 on 5 at 8.2/60min and now they will be without Ceci to babysit Matheson and without their best defensive forward, Sid, for at least the 1st 2 wks.
Unfortunately, I am with you on your assessment this season – the team is poised to dig itself a serious hole this October.
Hi Rick!
Too bad Sid has to undergo another surgery. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t expect the Pens to be first out of the gate, at least for the first 10 games. I’m also worried about the goalies. Jarry must be more consistent and I hope that the new goalie coach will help him achieve that objective. As for Domingue, I don’t expect much from him, since he has been travelling back and forth between the AHL and the NHL. But, he is a great cook though (see the video “Inside the Bubble” on YouTube)! I agree with you, Rick, about D.S.: I still don’t understand why he’s back.!! Maybe Sully made a plea for a “talented non puck carrier”, who knows!
As I mentioned in a previous post, my expectations will be at the lowest this year. It will be one game at a time.