A few disjointed ramblings regarding our Penguins during the Christmas break.
Free Jesse
I’d love to see Jesse Puljujärvi have his sentence commuted for whatever sin he committed. With the exception of our 5-2 victory over Toronto on December 7, the big guy’s been a healthy scratch for every game since the horrid 6-1 loss to Utah back on November 23.
It probably isn’t helping Jesse’s cause that the Pens are 8-3-1 without him during that stretch. Perhaps a case of guilt by association.
Ironically, Puljujärvi scored goals in back-to-back games during the week leading up to the Utah debacle. Too, he has some of the better underlying numbers on the club. He’s eighth (among 28 black-and-gold skaters) in Corsi (51.17) and seventh in expected goals for percentage (52.23). Not to mention the fact that he’s big, fast and possesses some pedigree.
Doesn’t sound like a guy who deserves to be parked in the press box, does it?
The New Simon?
Speaking of metrics, Cody Glass’s are terrific. He’s third on the team in Corsi (55.63), first in xGF% (60.50) and tops in high danger chances for percentage (62.07). Yet the former sixth overall pick has just one goal and seven points in 23 games to show for it, along with a staggeringly low shooting percentage of 3.2 on 64 shots on goal.
Shades of Dominik Simon. Who, by the way, is alive and well and playing for Plzen HC in his native Czechia.
Down on the Farm
A quick glance at the Baby Pens’ scoring list through 25 games shows the kids are holding their own.
Left wing Ville Koivunen is second to Emil Bemström in scoring with 21 points, including five goals. Center Tristan Broz has 10 goals, tied with Bemström for second-best on the club, and 17 points. Twenty-six year-old NHL-AHL tweener Boris Katchouk leads the way with a dozen goals.
Vasily Ponomarev’s tallied four goals and 11 points in 16 games, including a hat trick. Eternal prospect Sam Poulin, four goals and 13 points in 20 games.
Marquee off-season acquisition Rutger McGroarty? Three goals and 10 points in 23 games.
The pickins’ are a little slim among our kid defensemen, but Isaac Belliveau has shown well in limited action (five points, plus-8 in 15 games). Jack St. Ivany’s been shelved with an injury.
Between the pipes, Joel Blomqvist has posted a 3.15 goals against average and .903 save percentage. Kiddie counterpart Sergei Murashov has a sterling 2.27 GAA and .927 SV% split between the Baby Pens and Wheeling Nailers.
