No, I am not sitting at a Steeler game with the obligatory chant I grew up with ringing in my ears. I am looking at the Penguins current and near term future defense corps, and I find myself extremely excited about them both in the near term and over the long run. First Shero replaced an aging and in my opinion currently overpriced Sergei Gonchar with the two best UFA defensemen available, Phoenix's Zbynek Michalek, and New Jerseys Paul Martin. This gives the Pens an excellent Top 5 on their blue line:
1. Brooks Orpik-One of my favorite Penguins. At 6'2" 219 lbs Orpik can be a hammer on the blueline, playing a very physical shutdown game. He is consistently among the leaugue leaders in hits. His physical prescence and defensive zone responsibility is complimented by an underrated skating game. Orpik turned down more money to stay in Pittsburgh and is signed through the 2013-14 season. "Free Candy" is Lambert on skates.
2. Kris Letang-At 6' and 202 lbs, Tanger is a much more physical player than many think. In addition, Letang is a great skater, and possesses a wicked shot from the point. His issues are accuracy with that shot, and confidence to take it more. That said, Letang is a true top 4 pairing defenseman who despite playing 3 full seasons in the NHL and making two runs to the finals, is a YOUNG player whose upside is still not tapped. Letang will be asked to contribute more in the way of goals, and I am confident that he is ready to take his game to an even higher level. This guy has elite defenseman upside and is also signed through 2013-2014.
3. Paul Martin-At 6'1 and 200 lbs Marin is another decent sized defenseman, who can play all facets of the game. He is not an overwhelmingly physical player, but he is not shy about contact either. He was probably the most coveted UFA defenseman, between his young age (29), his offensive upside and solid defensive zone play. Many in the New Jersey organization say that Martin's prescence on the ice instantly made the Devils a better team, and that the more uptempo system in Pittsburgh will allow Martin to reach his full potential. He has all star potential and he is signed though the 2014-15 season. In addition, he will help make our D and our team harder to play against.
4. Zbynek Michalek-At 6'2" and 210 lbs ZM is a good sized defenseman. He was an under the radar player that was highly coveted by many teams, and my personal pick for the Pens. He was Sheros first call on July 1, because this kid can flat out play all facets of the game, and at 27 he is in his prime. He is another player expected to play at an even better level in the Penguins system, and has been described as another Rob Scuderi in his ability to block shots, and play a shut down game, but he is more physical and can contribute offensively. He is signed through the 2014-15 season as well, and trust me you will love this kid. He will make it much tougher to play against the Pens.
5.Alex Goligoski-GoGo is 5'11" and 180 lbs, so he is a smallish player. Alex has great upside. In the 2008-09 campaign he was in the top 10% of the league in defensive scoring when he was sent down to the minors so Therrien could indugle his love of french players (Philipe Boucher) and veterans. Goligoski started off the 2009-10 season proving that Therrien was wrong, and he was wracking up points prior to getting hurt in November. He has never regained that form, as he appeared to lose his confidence. Goligoski is a very gifted offensive player, and will get a chance with Gonchar gone to step up and produce big time offense for this team. He is an intrguing player to me because he has such upside, but he is only signed through 2011-12, he is a bit small and can be exposed in his zone, and could be an interesting asset the Pens could move at this trade deadline or the following due to our depth of defensemen that I will touch upon next. If Goligoski can maintain his level of play from early in each of the past two seasons, and just improve his play in his zone, he has an excellent future, whether it will be here or not remains to be seen.
This top 5 is a very solid group of players, and the core group of 4 are signed for the long term. The following group of players makes the future on the Pens blue line even more exciting if you ask me.
6. Ben Lovejoy-At 6'2" and 215 lbs, this young defenseman can play a very physical game. He has been a mainstay on the blue line for the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins the last few years, and has shown well in limited play for the Penguins. In addition to his physical play, he is a good puck mover, responsible in his own end, and capable of chipping in some goals. The team seems to feel as if this is his year to make the move to the NHL, and they think he can play at a high level.
7. Derek Engellend-At 6'2" and 202 lbs DE is a good sized player, with nothing fancy about his game. His game is a simple, defensive and physical game. He is not afraid to punish opposing forwards, block shots, or drop the gloves. I don't think anyone sees him as a future star, but if he can be responsible in his zone, he could be a very solid #7 on most teams. The Pens have a couple of other journeymen defensemen such as Steve Wagner and Andrew Hutchinson in WBS who could also see some time, but unless there is a surprise, one or both of the two aformentioned and or an older vet will provide the depth to this years squad. After this the Pens have four potentially top level defensemen they expect to be NHL ready as early as late this coming season, but more likely for the 2011-12 season, and this group excites me the most.
Simon Despres-At nineteen years old this kid is already 6'4" and 218 lbs. He can skate like crazy, and has a nasty edge. He was the 2009 1st round selection of the Pens, and many regarded him as a top 12 pick. The upside for Despres is supposed to be unlimited and the coaches have been impressed thus far. Enough so, that he could do a Jordan Staal and make this club out of camp, but most think he could be a late season call up, or at worst a lock going into next year.
Robert Bortuzzo-The 2007 3rd round pick of the Penguins, most have him as the second most valuable prospect on our blue line. At 6'4" and 212 lbs Bortuzzo is a very physical blue liner who was plus 13 last year in WBS. He is another strong skater which is a common need in today s NHL and in particular in the system the Pens play. Like Despres, many think he could be NHL ready at some point this year, but should be a shoo in to start the next season.
Robert Strait-This 2006 3rd round pick of the Penguins is 6'1" and 201 lbs. He has been described as playing the exact same game as Rob Scuderi, which is the biggest thing the Pens were missing from last years team. He is a great penalty killer, shot blocker and skater. He was plus 22 last year in WBS, and is expected to be NHL ready by next season or late this season.
Carl Sneep-He was the 2006 2nd round pick, and stands 6'4" tall and 202 lbs. He is known as a very tough, physical player, with strong skating skills. He was of great interest to many teams at the trade deadline this year, and expected to be NHL ready by next season.
There are some other defensemen in the system that the Penguins like, such as Ulf Samuelson's son Philip, but these are the four that are expected to be in the bigs in the next year or so.
The Penguins have 4 extremely capable, young defensemen on the big club signed through at least 2013-14. This group is as good as ANY in the league. They have Goligoski signed for two years who will either show his value as a PP specialist and offensive defenseman OR be traded to create room for some of the young guns this season or next, and should bring in a decent return if they have to go that route. In addition, you have Lovejoy and Engellend stepping up from the system this season, and Lovejoy in particular has real upside. After this season, you have 4 big time prospects who will be NHL ready, and one (Despres) who could be a star. In addition, you have SIZE, and skating ability up and down this corps of defensemen. Having this much young depth could allow the Pens the cap relief and the assets they need to possibly make a trade for a young winger that can score goals as well. If the scouts are right, the next few seasons should see the Penguins put one of the elite defensive corps in the league on the ice to compliment the best group of centers!
1. Brooks Orpik-One of my favorite Penguins. At 6'2" 219 lbs Orpik can be a hammer on the blueline, playing a very physical shutdown game. He is consistently among the leaugue leaders in hits. His physical prescence and defensive zone responsibility is complimented by an underrated skating game. Orpik turned down more money to stay in Pittsburgh and is signed through the 2013-14 season. "Free Candy" is Lambert on skates.
2. Kris Letang-At 6' and 202 lbs, Tanger is a much more physical player than many think. In addition, Letang is a great skater, and possesses a wicked shot from the point. His issues are accuracy with that shot, and confidence to take it more. That said, Letang is a true top 4 pairing defenseman who despite playing 3 full seasons in the NHL and making two runs to the finals, is a YOUNG player whose upside is still not tapped. Letang will be asked to contribute more in the way of goals, and I am confident that he is ready to take his game to an even higher level. This guy has elite defenseman upside and is also signed through 2013-2014.
3. Paul Martin-At 6'1 and 200 lbs Marin is another decent sized defenseman, who can play all facets of the game. He is not an overwhelmingly physical player, but he is not shy about contact either. He was probably the most coveted UFA defenseman, between his young age (29), his offensive upside and solid defensive zone play. Many in the New Jersey organization say that Martin's prescence on the ice instantly made the Devils a better team, and that the more uptempo system in Pittsburgh will allow Martin to reach his full potential. He has all star potential and he is signed though the 2014-15 season. In addition, he will help make our D and our team harder to play against.
4. Zbynek Michalek-At 6'2" and 210 lbs ZM is a good sized defenseman. He was an under the radar player that was highly coveted by many teams, and my personal pick for the Pens. He was Sheros first call on July 1, because this kid can flat out play all facets of the game, and at 27 he is in his prime. He is another player expected to play at an even better level in the Penguins system, and has been described as another Rob Scuderi in his ability to block shots, and play a shut down game, but he is more physical and can contribute offensively. He is signed through the 2014-15 season as well, and trust me you will love this kid. He will make it much tougher to play against the Pens.
5.Alex Goligoski-GoGo is 5'11" and 180 lbs, so he is a smallish player. Alex has great upside. In the 2008-09 campaign he was in the top 10% of the league in defensive scoring when he was sent down to the minors so Therrien could indugle his love of french players (Philipe Boucher) and veterans. Goligoski started off the 2009-10 season proving that Therrien was wrong, and he was wracking up points prior to getting hurt in November. He has never regained that form, as he appeared to lose his confidence. Goligoski is a very gifted offensive player, and will get a chance with Gonchar gone to step up and produce big time offense for this team. He is an intrguing player to me because he has such upside, but he is only signed through 2011-12, he is a bit small and can be exposed in his zone, and could be an interesting asset the Pens could move at this trade deadline or the following due to our depth of defensemen that I will touch upon next. If Goligoski can maintain his level of play from early in each of the past two seasons, and just improve his play in his zone, he has an excellent future, whether it will be here or not remains to be seen.
This top 5 is a very solid group of players, and the core group of 4 are signed for the long term. The following group of players makes the future on the Pens blue line even more exciting if you ask me.
6. Ben Lovejoy-At 6'2" and 215 lbs, this young defenseman can play a very physical game. He has been a mainstay on the blue line for the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins the last few years, and has shown well in limited play for the Penguins. In addition to his physical play, he is a good puck mover, responsible in his own end, and capable of chipping in some goals. The team seems to feel as if this is his year to make the move to the NHL, and they think he can play at a high level.
7. Derek Engellend-At 6'2" and 202 lbs DE is a good sized player, with nothing fancy about his game. His game is a simple, defensive and physical game. He is not afraid to punish opposing forwards, block shots, or drop the gloves. I don't think anyone sees him as a future star, but if he can be responsible in his zone, he could be a very solid #7 on most teams. The Pens have a couple of other journeymen defensemen such as Steve Wagner and Andrew Hutchinson in WBS who could also see some time, but unless there is a surprise, one or both of the two aformentioned and or an older vet will provide the depth to this years squad. After this the Pens have four potentially top level defensemen they expect to be NHL ready as early as late this coming season, but more likely for the 2011-12 season, and this group excites me the most.
Simon Despres-At nineteen years old this kid is already 6'4" and 218 lbs. He can skate like crazy, and has a nasty edge. He was the 2009 1st round selection of the Pens, and many regarded him as a top 12 pick. The upside for Despres is supposed to be unlimited and the coaches have been impressed thus far. Enough so, that he could do a Jordan Staal and make this club out of camp, but most think he could be a late season call up, or at worst a lock going into next year.
Robert Bortuzzo-The 2007 3rd round pick of the Penguins, most have him as the second most valuable prospect on our blue line. At 6'4" and 212 lbs Bortuzzo is a very physical blue liner who was plus 13 last year in WBS. He is another strong skater which is a common need in today s NHL and in particular in the system the Pens play. Like Despres, many think he could be NHL ready at some point this year, but should be a shoo in to start the next season.
Robert Strait-This 2006 3rd round pick of the Penguins is 6'1" and 201 lbs. He has been described as playing the exact same game as Rob Scuderi, which is the biggest thing the Pens were missing from last years team. He is a great penalty killer, shot blocker and skater. He was plus 22 last year in WBS, and is expected to be NHL ready by next season or late this season.
Carl Sneep-He was the 2006 2nd round pick, and stands 6'4" tall and 202 lbs. He is known as a very tough, physical player, with strong skating skills. He was of great interest to many teams at the trade deadline this year, and expected to be NHL ready by next season.
There are some other defensemen in the system that the Penguins like, such as Ulf Samuelson's son Philip, but these are the four that are expected to be in the bigs in the next year or so.
The Penguins have 4 extremely capable, young defensemen on the big club signed through at least 2013-14. This group is as good as ANY in the league. They have Goligoski signed for two years who will either show his value as a PP specialist and offensive defenseman OR be traded to create room for some of the young guns this season or next, and should bring in a decent return if they have to go that route. In addition, you have Lovejoy and Engellend stepping up from the system this season, and Lovejoy in particular has real upside. After this season, you have 4 big time prospects who will be NHL ready, and one (Despres) who could be a star. In addition, you have SIZE, and skating ability up and down this corps of defensemen. Having this much young depth could allow the Pens the cap relief and the assets they need to possibly make a trade for a young winger that can score goals as well. If the scouts are right, the next few seasons should see the Penguins put one of the elite defensive corps in the league on the ice to compliment the best group of centers!
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