Penguins need another top 4 defenseman

[Tender Rip]

As someone who is not scared of losing a playoff spot despite major reservations about our coach, starting goalie etc. I honestly don't think Niskanen's injury is without its benefits.

It will mean significant minutes for Despres and that should either make it possible for him to acclimate to the extent that he can be a third pairing player in the playoffs, or it will increase his value for an eventual trade.
If Lovejoy got injured tonight, we get to see Bortuzzo which is fine for the same reasons.

Ultimately, never mind if the kids do well or not, I hope to see a top4 UFA rental signed at the deadline, because the OP is right that we have loads of talent to populate the third pairing with interesting players plus Engelland, but our top pairings are not very complementary at all... even if Niskanen could by now qualify as a top4 D-man on many teams.

 

[Sjb141]

As someone who is not scared of losing a playoff spot despite major reservations about our coach, starting goalie etc. I honestly don't think Niskanen's injury is without its benefits.

It will mean significant minutes for Despres and that should either make it possible for him to acclimate to the extent that he can be a third pairing player in the playoffs, or it will increase his value for an eventual trade.
If Lovejoy got injured tonight, we get to see Bortuzzo which is fine for the same reasons.

Ultimately, never mind if the kids do well or not, I hope to see a top4 UFA rental signed at the deadline, because the OP is right that we have loads of talent to populate the third pairing with interesting players plus Engelland, but our top pairings are not very complementary at all... even if Niskanen could by now qualify as a top4 D-man on many teams.

Yea I agree 100%.

I think we need a defenseman just as badly as a top pairing winger. Our 3rd pairing has been brutal.

Part of me also has a feeling we're really trying to market some of our guys like lovejoy and tangradi.

 

[KHstrike]

Is Scuderi available?

I personally believe we need a top defensive defenseman over a winger. A guy that can work the front of the net and stop the passes from going right through the net front area. None of our guys can currently do that well. Would that take giving up some big assets? Sure, but it is such a pressing need.

 

[Jacob]

We don't need *another* top 4 d-man, however, I'd be interested in swapping one of our smallish puck movers (Martin or Niskanen) for a big, gritty stay at home type (like a Volchenkov or Regehr).

And if Eaton looks like even a fraction of his former self, I'd bring him in and waive Lovejoy.

 

[Fire Shero*]

Yea I agree 100%.

I think we need a defenseman just as badly as a top pairing winger. Our 3rd pairing has been brutal.

Part of me also has a feeling we're really trying to market some of our guys like lovejoy and tangradi.

I don't know about the pens marketing Tangradi. He was a healthy scratch last game, he isn't really bring showcased. If he's not scratched he plays on the fourth line. They aren't showcasing him, they are just stuck with a pathetic group of wingers.

 

[Tender Rip]

We don't need *another* top 4 d-man, however, I'd be interested in swapping one of our smallish puck movers (Martin or Niskanen) for a big, gritty stay at home type (like a Volchenkov or Regehr).

Agreed. I'd trade Niskanen because he is playing well, still youngish and on a good contract, hence will likely have more trade value than Martin. Moreover he is never going to be the right fit on a top 4 that already has Letang ahead of him. Nothing against Nisky, but that fact remains.

Orpik Letang
Martin Regehr
Despres Engelland

Of course it doesn't really matter who is on D if the system we play is an abomination.

And if Eaton looks like even a fraction of his former self, I'd bring him in and waive Lovejoy.

No. We have to integrate our young D-men little by little. Otherwise we are just burning those assets and as they are pretty much the only ones we have that would be a disaster. Despres is ready, at least for regular season play, and if he isn't getting the regular season action he won't even be an option for the playoffs.

 

[theicebox]

Is Scuderi available?

Yeah, unfortunately, his name was Strait.

 

[Riptide]

Yea I agree 100%.

I think we need a defenseman just as badly as a top pairing winger. Our 3rd pairing has been brutal.

Part of me also has a feeling we're really trying to market some of our guys like lovejoy and tangradi.

That's because unless Lovejoy/Engelland play a great game, and the forwards support them, they don't have the ability to make up for their mistakes.

We have other defensemen in the system who we need to play. Especially before we use assets to acquire another D.

Yeah, unfortunately, his name was Strait.

Yeah, pretty much.

 

[Captain Hook]

We don't need *another* top 4 d-man, however, I'd be interested in swapping one of our smallish puck movers (Martin or Niskanen) for a big, gritty stay at home type (like a Volchenkov or Regehr).

And if Eaton looks like even a fraction of his former self, I'd bring him in and waive Lovejoy.

Yeah, Regehr seems like an ideal rental for us if Buffalo falls out of it. He's a big mean lefty to put with Letang

Regehr Letang
Orpik Martin
Niskanen/Despres Engelland
Bortuzzo

I can definitely see where Niskanen becomes expendable in that lineup unless Despres either doesn't progress or is moved as a piece in a trade to get Sid a winger.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

We need secondary scoring more.

Bingo!

 

[Malkinstheman]

Can anybody tell me the type of game bortuzzo plays? He has size but is he strong and mean like reghr or even volchenkov?