The Penguins have assigned rookie goalie Joel Blomqvist to their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club. In a pair of corresponding moves, they recalled forwards Vasily Ponomarev and Matt Nieto from the Baby Pens.
Although he endured a rocky outing in his last start, IMHO the 22-year-old Blomqvist was by far the most effective of the Pens’ three goalies this season. He won three of his seven starts and posted the best save percentage (.904) and quality starts percentage (.571) of the bunch. At times, the youngster was borderline brilliant. No easy feat given the ramshackle state of our team defense.
Still, I absolutely think this is the right move at the right time. The Pens need to protect this kid. No matter how much ice-water you’ve got coursing through your veins, facing down an unthinkable number of odd-man breaks and high-danger opportunities has to affect your mindset after a while, to say nothing of how it might screw with your fundamentals. You can only be called upon to pull your team out of the fire so often.
The team handled Marc-André Fleury in much the same manner back in 2003-04. After granting the 19-year-old phenom a 17-game run to start the season, then-GM Craig Patrick returned the budding Flower to his junior team in Cape Breton. The acrobatic netminder sparkled to the tune of a 1.98 goals against average.
As for the forward side of the equation?
Not to seem harsh, but I’d be lying if I said I was thrilled at the prospect of the 32-year-old Nieto rejoining the team. It’s nothing personal…in fact Matt’s to be commended for battling back from multiple knee surgeries, including reconstructive MCL surgery on his left knee. It’s just that, in my mind, the last thing we need is another defensive-oriented, veteran forward.
Ponomarev?
I confess, I’m a bit Dubious (pun intended) about what we’re getting in the 22-year-old Muscovite. He’s been both injury-prone and unproductive (a goal and an assist in nine games with the Baby Pens) since arriving in last spring’s deadline deal with Carolina.
As much as I’d like to remain hopeful and give Vasily the benefit of the doubt, his production has declined over time since his arrival in North America. It remains to be seen if he has top-six (or even top-nine) potential at the big-league level.
An encouraging word? He’s reputed to be tenacious and strong on the puck, especially around the opposing net. Qualities we can certainly use.
And he’s young.
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Hey Rick,
Blomqvist IS the best Penguin Goaltender in the entire system right now. He is the only one that has beaten a real playoff contender let alone a team above 500. However, I am ok with sending him down for 3 reasons. First, and this ties in with your observations, I don't want the kid trying to backstop this keystone kop defense. Second, I don't want this kid around the stanch of this demoralized, sorry excuse for a team. And I don't mean any disrespect to the players or all of the players. When the system stinks, everyone looks bad. Finally, Blomqvist is capable of stealing games, lots of games and I don't want him creating any illusions to bolster the kool-aid krew.
The only variable that hasn't been changed in this comedy show of trouble shooting is the most common source of error, the Coach. Unfortunately, Penguins' management has chosen to troubleshoot by starting with the least probably source of error and has changed all but the Coach. Even now with logic demanding that change, that change still doesn't even appear a consideration.