When the Penguins re-signed forward Evan Rodrigues to a one-year deal last summer, sometimes PenguinPoop scribe Caleb Di’Natale was quite pleased. After all, Caleb frequently extolled E-Rod’s virtues to me and Other Rick…and anybody else who would listen.
“Mark my words,” he’d boast. “Rodrigues is going to hoist the Cup.”
At the time, I didn’t pay Caleb’s claims much heed. But now? His vision just might come true.
That’s because Rodrigues signed a one-year deal with the Avalanche for $2 million. The defending Cup champs.
According to reports, the Avs are viewing E-Rod as a replacement for their erstwhile second-line center, Nazem Kadri, who took the money and bolted north of the border to Calgary over the summer.
It’s a role the Toronto native filled quite ably for the Pens last season while Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were convalescing, to the tune of 15 goals and 30 points in his first 33 games.
Once Malkin returned? It was roughly akin to dragging a needle off the phonograph record in terms of production. Indeed, with E-Rod consigned to bottom-six duty, his output plunged to pedestrian levels more in line with his career numbers.
Still, I thought he remained an effective player thanks to his speed, hustle and puck-hounding nature, not to mention versatility. Shaking off his struggles down the stretch, Rodrigues enjoyed a strong postseason, notching three goals in seven games, including a spectacular shorty in Game 7 that looked for a time like it just might be the difference maker.
Truth be told, I would gladly have extended an offer to E-Rod this summer (and let Kasperi Kapanen walk) but the Pens’ brass had other plans.
It’ll be interesting to see how Rodrigues performs in his new digs and new role. In a way it reminds me of Frederick Gaudreau, who parlayed a solid performance in a supporting role with the black-and-gold into second-line duty with the Wild last season.
Simon Says No
I was somewhat surprised to learn the Pens had extended a training camp invitation to one of the more polarizing players in club history, Dominik Simon. Then again, maybe I wasn’t.
If there ever was a player who seemed to embody the characteristics Mike Sullivan values, it’s Simon. Traits that led our coach to push hard for the Pens to sign him last summer following a lost season in Calgary.
And just to be clear, the former two-time Pen possesses some admirable qualities, including speed, grit, a solid work ethic and the ability to drive possession. Apparently, his teammates…Crosby among the most prominent…loved him and loved playing with him.
Of course, there were shortcomings in Simon’s game, too. Most notably an abject inability to put the puck in the net or to fully exploit the myriad opportunities his hard work helped create.
I confess, I felt badly at times for the Czech forward. While Simon had his supporters, predominantly among the analytics community, he also absorbed more than his share of heat on social media, some of it bordering on abuse a la Jack Johnson. Basically, just for being the player he was and is.
Count me among those who could be hypercritical at times.
Also count me among those who are pleased Simon has decided to return to his homeland to play for his old team, HC Sparta Praha. I wish him all the success and platitudes that seemed to elude him on North American ice.
Deutschland Deutschland
Former black-and-gold forwards Adam Johnson and Carter Rowney have signed to play in Germany this season.
Rowney, who served as a fourth-liner for our 2017 Cup winners, agreed to terms with Lowen Frankfurt. The speedy Johnson, who skated in 13 games for the black-and-gold over a two-season span, signed with the Augsburger Panther.
Both clubs compete in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
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Hey Rick,
Changing subjects to E-Rod, it will be interesting to see what happens in Colorado. If he gets to play 2nd line Center he just might do well. However, if he is the Avs 2nd line Center, I am not so sure about their repeat chances. I have said it several times now, E-Rod does have enough ability to play 2nd line Center on a middling to low team, he doesn't have the skill set to really play wing or bottom 6. Furthermore, even if he is playing 2nd line Center, on your team, that should be a sign that your team isn't strong enough down the middle to go the distance.
If Colorado finds a better option for 2nd line Center and E-Rod gets relegated to the same role he had here, bouncing up and down the lineup, the AVs may get the Cup with him on the team but E-Rod won't have the season of which Caleb keeps dreaming.
Hey Rick,
Quick question, if Simon is a puck possession wizard, during his time over the last 3 seasons in Pgh, why is his O-Zone starts% 60.89% while his O-Zone FO% is only 54.68%. His GF/60 is only 2.38 so it couldn't be from the team scoring goals. It seems to me that it is not that hard to have a CORSI of 54.29 when you start in the O-Zone 60.89% of the time. But with a O-zone FO% well below your start %, would seem to me that there were a lot of one and done shots; hardly puck possession in my book. And factor in a lot of that TOI was with Sid. No, no thanks.
Not going to put down Simon's character, but his skills would seem to be in people imagination not in his body of work.
Rick,
Never said you wanted Simon back, just saying his "redeeming qualities" are an illusion. His CORSI numbers are not a question of puck possession but a question of starting position. If Simon was a puck possession hero, his start% and FO% would look more even. Confounding variables were stacked in Simon's favor and they confound and even obfuscate the truth. Simon did try and he, like every kid deserve his chance, but he never fulfilled ANY role. Not only did he steal precious opportunity from Zohorna and O'Connor, but Angello, Bjorkqvist, and a host of others.
Most of the team's prospects during Simon's tenure may have done nothing with their opportunities either, but but like Simon, they deserved the chance. Unlike Simon, they didn't get their shot because no one ever seems to ask the right questions.
Whoa now. I didn't say I wanted Simon back. Just that he did have some redeeming qualities.
My main issue? He was taking a roster spot away from a player with a potentially greater upside (Radim Zohorna) or more physicality (a fill-in-the-blank since we have no one in the organization like that at present).
Unfortunate in a way for Simon, the team (and coach) that Sullivan was so enamored of him. It served to put Simon squarely on a hot seat that wasn't necessarily of his doing.
Rick
Rick
Agree with you on Simon. The Pen's and Sullivan definitely placed him squarely in the line of fire. Also, I'm not
an E-Rod hater but I have to tell you I feel a weight has been lifted from my shoulders after hearing he inked
with the Avs. This is for several reasons, one I don't think he's even close to the player we watched while
Malkin was still out with an injury and second, I wanted to see change in the Penguins lineup and Rodriguez
is another smallish type forward. The problem I have with him is more how I view him as a player -not good
enough to be a top 6 forward and not the type of player I prefer on my 3rd and 4th lines. I wish him nothing
but the best in Colorado but if their penciling him in as the #2 Center he won't be hoisting the cup anytime
soon. GO PENS
Hey Mike,
I can certainly understand your feelings regarding E-Rod and wanting changes to our lineup. Just wish we had someone...anyone...to add some physicality up front.
I know Archibald will hit, but I'd dearly love to have someone in the 6'3" 210-pound range. Wishful thinking, I know.
It's going to be interesting to see how the pieces fit, especially on the fourth line. If everyone's healthy, I guess it's McGinn, Blueger and Archibald. Of course injuries happen. I imagine we'll see Poehling and O'Connor at some point. Don't know if they're really suited fourth-line duty.
Rick
You know Rick, They said Archibald was a depth signing for WBS when they signed him? We don't need another Simon.
It is time to stop looking in the rear view mirror for help and start looking at the road ahead. It is time to start looking forward, not continually looking backward. Archibald is not going to get any better, this is his best and it ain't stellar.
Don't wait for injuries. However, neither Poehling nor O'Connor are hitters, if you are looking for grit. Poehling avg's 5.42 Hits/60 over the last 3 seasons 5 on 5 and O'Connor - 3.95. Both Poehling and O'Connor get you more points/60 1.14 and 1.32 respectively compared to Archibald 1.04 but they aren't hitters.
Outside of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Guentzel, Rust, Rakell, Petry, and Jarry, all other roster spots should be up for competition. An open mind should be kept for some of those 8 roster spots as well. Our Penguins don't really have the type of Blue-Chip prospects to consider the probabilities of a challenge to the top 8 players, but you can't close your mind to and stifle a real find by focusing on the days of yore.
If Rakell could provide more space for Crosby to work by drawing players to him in front of the net rather than free to challenge Sid, than maybe rethink Rust on that line. Don't just assume Domoulin will get his game back, the top LHD should not be a lock.
Most importantly, Mr. Suillivan needs to take his allergy to physical players medicine. He needs to stop trying to defang kids with bite.