Brooks Orpik

[mpp9]

It's pretty obvious he's not the player he once was. Age has caught up to him with the way he's played in his career. I think he can still be a serviceable player for a team lacking a top 4 defender. Especially in a system with more support from the forwards.

Assuming Despres gets a chance in a top 4 role and we look to add someone at the deadline. What would you do if you're Shero and you get an offer for him that gives Sid a legit upgrade on his wing?

 

[IcedCapp]

It's pretty obvious he's not the player he once was. Age has caught up to him with the way he's played in his career. I think he can still be a serviceable player for a team lacking a top 4 defender. Especially in a system with more support from the forwards.

Assuming Despres gets a chance in a top 4 role and we look to add someone at the deadline. What would you do if you're Shero and you get an offer for him that gives Sid a legit upgrade on his wing?

I'm fine moving Orpik for whatever, because Despres is ready for top-4 minutes and moving Orpik is addition by subtraction that this point, in my opinion.

HOWEVER - I do not believe that 44s skills that deteriorated beyond use. He's just making a ton of indefensible mental mistakes/decisions. He's not playing a smart, simple defensive game anymore.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Orpik's brain seems to be deteriorating more than his body is. The majority of the mistakes he's making are due to stupidity, whether it be bad positioning or making dumb passes or hanging onto the puck too long.

I'd lean toward doing something with him in the off-season, unless Shero gets his socks knocked off by an offer this season. I just wish Orpik would get reduced minutes. Him being out there for 22 minutes a night against the other team's best players makes me ill.

 

[wgknestrick]

It's pretty obvious he's not the player he once was. Age has caught up to him with the way he's played in his career. I think he can still be a serviceable player for a team lacking a top 4 defender. Especially in a system with more support from the forwards.

Assuming Despres gets a chance in a top 4 role and we look to add someone at the deadline. What would you do if you're Shero and you get an offer for him that gives Sid a legit upgrade on his wing?

His van no longer says "Free Candy", but "Free Turnovers"

 

[Whale Mingo]

I know Bylsma will not do this to a veteran player (and I respect him for it) but I think a night in the press box would do Brooks a world of good.

I agree, they are mental mistakes he's making and he honestly looks a bit lazy out there at times. A night of being healthy scratched and watching from upstairs just might do the trick.

 

[Lemieuxfan]

His value is way higher now, than it will be in a year, which is why I would rather trade him for the right deal. If that doesn't come along, keep him and try again next season. If there're no good offers, try to trade him / his rights at the draft.

edit: I would love to clear spots for our young upcomming guys, but that can wait till the off season. (And if nobody is ready, then maybe even for another year)

 

[mpp9]

I don't see him getting reduced minutes. And I don't like the idea of him playing significant minutes against top end players in the postseason.

Why I'm in the trade column. He could use a change of scenery IMO. And giving our youth more minutes would certainly benefit us.

 

[Lemieuxfan]

I don't see him getting reduced minutes. And I don't like the idea of him playing significant minutes against top end players in the postseason.

Why I'm in the trade column. He could use a change of scenery IMO. And giving our youth more minutes would certainly benefit us.

The question has to be, what's comming back? If we really could get a young and good top 6 guy, we have to do it, IMO.

 

[ColePens]

We need him to play up to his level. That's what we need.

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

trade him this year before his game falls apart more, use cap savings to resign letang.

 

[ericstrat1]

Re

We need him to play up to his level. That's what we need.

This. Time for a magic Shero Martin style conversation. Also, I, for one, don't think it's as bad as the histrionic haters here would have you believe.

 

[BrookswasHere44]

I choose "D" assuming its in a diminished roll, and contract...if those dont happen? Then i choose trade fit right deal

 

[BrookswasHere44]

trade him this year before his game falls apart more, use cap savings to resign letang.

I think there needs to be a poll about Letang...i for one am not confident as hell in backing up the Brinks Truck to his house.

 

[plaidchuck]

I think there needs to be a poll about Letang...i for one am not confident as hell in backing up the Brinks Truck to his house.

Not worrying about that much.. Shero will offer what fits into the teams plans and if not he'll make a move like he did with Staal

 

[BrookswasHere44]

Not worrying about that much.. Shero will offer what fits into the teams plans and if not he'll make a move like he did with Staal

I hope a lot that you were correct...if he gets anything more than "fair" ill be unhappy...but what do i matter

 

[Jacob]

It's pretty obvious he's not the player he once was. Age has caught up to him with the way he's played in his career.

I couldn't disagree more. Just because a defenseman is struggling doesn't mean they're breaking down physically. That wasn't the case with Martin over the past two seasons, obviously. Plenty of players that play a similar style to Orpik maintain a high level of play well into their mid-to-late 30s. Willie Mitchell and Hal Gill, as quick examples.

Orpik by all accounts is 100% healthy. He's still hitting, he's still an incredible skater. He's been poor at times this season, but I don't think it has anything to do with age. Therefore, like Martin, it should be correctable.

 

[Mordax]

Shero should give him the ole' talkin' to like he did with Martin. Seemed to work in that case

 

[Honour Over Glory]

It's pretty obvious he's not the player he once was. Age has caught up to him with the way he's played in his career. I think he can still be a serviceable player for a team lacking a top 4 defender. Especially in a system with more support from the forwards.

Assuming Despres gets a chance in a top 4 role and we look to add someone at the deadline. What would you do if you're Shero and you get an offer for him that gives Sid a legit upgrade on his wing?

Just read from Yohe that the Pens are going to be playing Despres more and with Letang more, something about him being 12-4 when the Pens play him, that makes them what, 3-4 when they don't? So if they move Brooks Orpik, the defense would then be as follows:

Despres, Letang
Niskanen, Martin
Eaton, Engelland

That's if Ray doesn't add a veteran, which I hope is someone like Regehr and keep Eaton & Bortuzzo as 7 and 8.

Despres, Letang
Niskanen, Martin
Regehr, Engelland/Bortuzzo/Eaton

 

[plaidchuck]

Just read from Yohe that the Pens are going to be playing Despres more and with Letang more, something about him being 12-4 when the Pens play him, that makes them what, 3-4 when they don't? So if they move Brooks Orpik, the defense would then be as follows:

Despres, Letang
Niskanen, Martin
Eaton, Engelland

That's if Ray doesn't add a veteran, which I hope is someone like Regehr and keep Eaton & Bortuzzo as 7 and 8.

Despres, Letang
Niskanen, Martin
Regehr, Engelland/Bortuzzo/Eaton

And Orpik?

 

[specialized]

Wow i heard all this crap about martin last year,and look how good he is playing this season,I'm sure glad you guys aren't the gm we would have no players every time someone slumps. What a bunch of hipocrites.

 

[IcedCapp]

Wow i heard all this crap about martin last year,and look how good he is playing this season,I'm sure glad you guys aren't the gm we would have no players every time someone slumps. What a bunch of hipocrites.

, M well . hypocrites


I like to be insulted with proper grammar.

 

[Chili Goal]

Wow i heard all this crap about martin last year,and look how good he is playing this season,I'm sure glad you guys aren't the gm we would have no players every time someone slumps. What a bunch of hipocrites.

not sure why I'm taking the bait here, but Orpik isn't in a 'slump'. his play has been steadily deteriorating for multiple seasons now. he only occasionally flashes top-4 ability at this point, and would be much better served in a bottom pairing situation - something DB wouldn't even consider at this stage, imo.

poll results notwithstanding, I think there is less than a 1% chance Orpik gets moved in the next 12 months. if TFK can't play himself out of the lineup, Orpik ain't going anywhere, no way no how.

 

[Sutter16]

I'm keeping Orpik for now. He has 65 blocked shots, good for second in the league. He's a leader too. But he has really been out of position lately. No doubt he needs to play better.

 

[wgknestrick]

The question has to be, what's comming back? If we really could get a young and good top 6 guy, we have to do it, IMO.

Scuderi.. Done

 

[plaidchuck]

Yeah as bad as he's been I wouldn't get rid of him unless a perfect deal came along