The Player the Penguins Can Least Afford to Lose (but Probably Will)

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.