Is There a Rationale Behind the Penguins’ New-Look Defense?

With nothing in particular to write about, I thought I’d once again focus on the Penguins’ biggest area of turnover (and potentially, biggest bone of contention). Namely, our defense.

No fewer than five defensemen who saw action on the Pens’ blueline last season have departed. That includes two of our top performers, Parker Wotherspoon (traded) and Ryan Shea (free agent).

Imported to flesh out our new-look defense are right shots Trevor van Riemsdyk and Kaedan Korczak and portsider Declan Carlile.

Were the changes necessary?

Going strictly by the numbers, perhaps. The Pens ranked 24^th out of the 32 NHL teams in most non-shootout goals allowed with 258. How much of that was directly attributable to our defense and how much could be pinned on our goaltending is a matter of conjecture. But obviously, POHO/GM Kyle Dubas and his staff felt changes needed to be made.

I’ll be the first to admit, the way they chose to go about it left me more than a bit flummoxed. Aside from Erik Karlsson, who flashed his Norris Trophy form, Shea (35 points, plus-30) and Wotherspoon (30 points, plus-17) were arguably our best and most productive defensemen. The former emerged in stunning fashion as a bona fide NHL defender under Dan Muse and the latter shone as Karlsson’s partner.

However, the fact that both enjoyed career seasons may have served to hasten their departures from the ‘Burgh in a backhanded way. That and age. Both are 29, a little long in the tooth in Dubas’ scheme of things.

As an aside, fellow PPer Caleb DiNatale has a rather interesting take on the changes. He asserts that teams that excel at blocking shots and shielding their goalies while playing with a degree of physicality generally succeed, not only during the regular season but in the playoffs as well.

Sound enough logic.

He also believes Dubas may have been looking to upgrade our defense in those areas.

I decided to put Caleb’s theory to the test by examining the hitting and shot-blocking prowess of the three newcomers compared to the five departed defensemen. The following table displays shot blocks and hits per 60 minutes.

DEPARTURES
Player	Blks/60	Hits/60
Clifton	6.01	12.95
St. Ivany	4.41	8.88
Dumba	4.38	5.93
Wotherspoon	4.16	6.02
Shea	3.61	1.51
NEWCOMERS
Player	Blks/60	Hits/60
van Riemsdyk	5.27	0.65
Korczak	4.58	4.90
Carlile	3.68	4.95

 

By far the best of the bunch at insulating goalies? Connor Clifton, who topped all defenders both incoming and outgoing in blocked shots and hits per 60. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Shea was a comparative lightweight in both categories.

The most accomplished shot-blocker behind Clifton? Newcomer van Riemsdyk, with an average of 5.27 blocked shots per 60. It should be noted that JVR’s been a high-volume shot-blocker throughout his career. However, the 35-year-old defender also has by far the fewest hits per/60 (0.65).

Next in line in terms of hitting? Now former Pens Jack St. Ivany, Wotherspoon and Matt Dumba. Carlile and Korczak, who certainly aren’t shrinking violets when it comes to using the body, fall in behind them.

To wrap up, it doesn’t appear the newcomers are going to be a huge upgrade, if any, in terms of insulating our goalies. Whether they help form a more effective defense remains to be seen.

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.