The player I’m referring to? No, not captain Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin or the myriad of other high-profile players whose futures with the team appear set in stone.
I’m talking about spare defenseman and resident agitator Mark Friedman.
It goes without saying I’ve been impressed with the peppery defender ever since Ron Hextall plucked him off the waiver wire on February 24, 2021, in his first official move after taking over as GM.
Although a right-handed shot, Friedman’s versatile and can play either side of defense with equal ability. In fact, he almost seems more at home on the left side where our depth is a bit more sketchy. He can play up front in a pinch as well.
The Toronto native’s an excellent skater, agile and mobile, and he isn’t the least bit shy about joining the rush or unleashing his deceptive shot, as evidenced by two goals in his first five games in the ‘Burgh.
And his compete level?
Off the charts.
He’s kind of a latter day Bryan “Bugsy” Watson, a rambunctious defenseman of similar size and temperament who drove opponents batty with his aggressive play and acid-tongued antics back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Indeed, Friedman’s an equal opportunity shite disturber who doesn’t back away from anyone, regardless of size or reputation. During the third period of the Pens’ landslide 7-1 victory over Toronto last October 23, the feisty defender exchanged cross-checks at center ice with Wayne Simmonds, a former acquaintance from his Philly days and probably one of the top five fighters in the league.
Rather than skate away, Friedman had the temerity to front the ornery Leafs winger despite giving up several inches in height. I don’t know if words were exchanged, but Simmonds forgot all about the puck and lashed out, chopping his antagonist down with a wicked slash to the shins. Which led to a fight with Brian Boyle.
Don’t think there’s value in irritating opponents? I beg to differ. In 31 career regular-season games with the black and gold, Friedman’s goaded foes into 17 penalties, while committing only 10 himself. I’ll take that trade-off any day.
Lest you think he’s all bite? When pressed into service during last season’s playoffs he performed admirably in a third-pairing role, notching a goal and a plus-3, tied for the best mark among Pens defenders.
This isn’t to suggest Friedman’s top six when everyone’s hale and hearty. But an ideal No. 7?
Yes.
Problem is, the Pens are over the cap limit by $780 K to $1.4 million, depending on the source. Hextall’s admitted he’s got some hard choices to make. Potentially painful ones, too.
Given the glut of defensemen on the present roster, it’s practically a guarantee one or more of Friedman, P-O Joseph, Chad Ruhwedel or Ty Smith won’t be around come opening night. Depending on how Joseph and Smith perform during the preseason, it’s entirely possible Friedman, valuable as he is, could be exposed to waivers.
With an attractive cap hit of $775 K? It’s very likely another club seeking defensive depth would have the good sense to claim the edgy 5’11” 185-pounder.
Is Friedman irreplaceable? No. But he sure makes us harder to play against. There’s value in that.
I’ll put it another way. Would you look forward to playing against him?
Me neither.
Speaking of the Boyler…
I sincerely hope the Hingham, Mass. native is able to hook on with another NHL team. According to a report on Pittsburgh Hockey Now, Boyle was offered a PTO by another Metro team but declined the invitation after scanning the club’s depth chart.
Personally, I would love to have brought the big guy back. I thought “the Boyler” was one of the team’s most pleasant surprises last season. Skating mostly on the fourth line, he tallied 11 goals and 21 points while providing leadership and top-notch penalty killing. Not to mention a much-needed physical presence.
Unfortunately, there just isn’t a spot for him, especially following the off-season acquisition of Ryan Poehling and the anticipated development of youngsters Samuel Poulin and Drew O’Connor. But I sure hope he lands somewhere.
Rick
I’m hoping Boyle lands with another team as well. Great teammate and locker room guy who can still
contribute. As for Friedman and Sully’s approach to physical play I don’t see him as anymore than our
7th Defenseman on the depth chart. GO PENS
Hey Rick,
I hear you about Friedman but I do not think he is a high priority player in the Pen’s hierarchy. I could be wrong,otherwise he would have played much more in the past.If they really played him to his full potential then his 775K salary would escalate very quickly, and the Pen’s would lose him come contract time.How many times have we seen players leave the Pen’s and go on to have greater careers elsewhere? To many my dear friend.
For me the player we can not afford to lose again is T.Jarry, our goalie,( It pains me to write that Rick.),but I believe it to be true.
Last years play offs with the Rangers brings back to many nightmares…
Hope all is well Rick !!!
Cheers
JIM
Hey Jim,
I hear you there (about Jarry). But until our Coach starts to employ something other than a bunch of Stick waving, purse swinging Ruth Buzzy’s on Defense, chances are Jarry and DeSmith will get hurt once again down the stretch run and/or in the playoffs. The injury threat is always there, but with no one willing to knock people down in front of there own net it will be open season of Penguins’ net minders.
I can see Reaves and Trouba dressed up like Elmer Fudd and Jarry and DeSmith in Bugs and Daffy costumes now.
Haha.. Great analogy Coach.
Jim
Agree that Jarry is at least in the top 3 or 4 of players we can least afford to lose. I think back to the
game against Boston when Marchand punched him – I’m not sure theirs another team in the league
that would have let that slide the way the Penguins did. There has to be some sort of hesitation on Jarry’s
part when it comes to his team protecting him.
As for Friedman I think the Pen’s will use him as their #7 Defenseman much like they did with Ruhwedel
before last season. GO PENS
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the great comments. I totally forgot that Marchand incident with Boston. There is NO excuse for what happened. Any other team would have justifiably retaliated and there would have been Hell to pay for what he did.I don’t care if he is Crosby’s buddy or not. Mr. Marchand would be looking over his shoulder for a long time afterwards..
Where is the league in matters kike this….or NHLPA !!!
Cheers
Jim.
The Other Rick
I agree with you on Jarry. Our Defenseman make it tough on a goalie to have consistent
success in nets. Opposing players flourish in our crease.
I have to wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on Friedman. I would like to see the defensive logjam removed by trading someone if two out of the Dumoulin, Pettersson, of Joseph group and not lose Friedman or Ruhwedel. The grit Friedman provides is irreplaceable. He and Boyle had their teammates backs, something that is needed. Don’t need Malkin or Letang mixing it up. Hextall cut ties with some serviceable players over the summer, Boyl and ZAR from the PK, Matheson from the defense, and Erod and Simon from the coward depth. The only loss he may have adjusted for is Petry for Matheson, the others remain to be seen. He kept the core together but the jury is out as to the supporting cast for me.
Hey Vince,
I don’t know if you’ve ever commented on PenguinPoop before, but if not welcome to the blog!
Obviously you and I are in agreement on Friedman and the mustard he provides. And, as reported by Pittsburgh Hockey Now, I’m encouraged by the fact that Sullivan seems to like Drake Caggiula, who I assumed would be a minor-league depth piece. He’s not big, but he’s got some sand and…at least before he suffered a neck injury…would drop the gloves on occasion and was fairly proficient at it. Of course at 5’10” 176 he isn’t going up against the likes of Ryan Reaves or Tom Wilson. But he could at least provide some grit.
As an aside, although his last two seasons have been a washout due to injury, Caggiula scored 41 goals in 222 NHL games up through 2019-20. An average of 15 over an 82-game season. So he’s not a stiff.
The key is if Sully likes him (apparently he does because of Caggiula’s speed).
Interesting that the Pens are pairing P-O Joseph with Letang in camp. Almost as if they’re testing the waters before considering a deal involving Dumoulin?
Rick
Hey all,
There’s a really great article on Sports Net titled, “Goalie coaches break down Matt Murray’s game, how he’ll fare with Leafs.” It really gives a lot of insight into what’s gone wrong with Murray’s game, both physically and psychologically, over the past few seasons. Other Rick, being a former goalie I think you’d especially appreciate this piece.
Incidentally, the article brings out a lot of the things we saw toward the end of his time with the Pens…especially a tendency to play deeper in his net…which his longtime former coach Mike Buckley attributes to a lack of confidence and a lack of trust in the defense in front of him. Which led to him feeling like it was all on his shoulders.
A fascinating read.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Really interesting musings.
I love what Friedman brings, but like Legare, so long as Sully coaches this team, he would be better off on another team, for the good of his own career. Unless our Coach matured over the off-season and has gotten over his resentment of players with an edge, he will not have any chance at TOI. Our coach’s behavior has been one that would rather have a training room that looks like a M*A*S*H unit than admit that there is any value in having players that can bring a physical element to the team.
I wish it were different, but there it is.