That DK article on Dumo I linked that was private access has been summarized by another poster…here you go…
“The early Brian Dumoulin analysis per Danny Shirey of DK's site is in...and as expected...it isn't good. Some highlights:
At the end of 2019, Dumoulin had surgery to repair lacerated tendons in his left ankle. He missed 15 consecutive games in 2020 with an undisclosed lower-body injury. And now, he's coming off a grade 3 MCL tear suffered in Game 1 of the Penguins' first-round playoff series against the Rangers this past May. Dumoulin, 31, might be seeing the lasting effects of his lower-body injuries combining with the natural decline that comes with age.
Before either of John Marino and Mike Matheson were traded away this past offseason, I was told the Penguins had a fair level of concern about Dumoulin's game and that Ron Hextall and co. entertained the idea of trading him. What concerned management more, though, was the lack of a viable partner on the left side of the top pairing for Letang.
Most of the Penguins' skaters stunk out loud during their 6-2 preseason loss to the Red Wings on Tuesday night. While Dumoulin wasn't terrible, his skating noticeably hampered him throughout the game. It was his first game action since suffering an MCL tear in May, so he's got the benefit of the doubt to hone in his timing over the next month or so, but some of the things I saw have me worried he'll get back to a level the Penguins ideally need him to be at.
(video clip shown, where Dumo looks about as smooth as Erik Gudbranson pivoting from forward to backskating) Anything stand out? Like how long it took Dumoulin to pivot and then transition as an attacker got around him easily? Once upon a time, Dumoulin was as smooth and fluid a skater as you could hope for from someone his size. But that clunkiness ... that is worrisome. It could become a serious problem against speedy and skilled competition that will look to attack him head-on in hopes of manipulating his feet and getting his stride out of whack.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, Pirates News, Live Coverage | DK Pittsburgh Sports
Keep an eye on Dumoulin's pivots during the games. Shirey showed a few clips where Dumo just is very slow to transition from forward to backward skating, and vice versa. He's losing speed, and forwards are able to blow right by him.”
www.dkpittsburghsports.com
