Who ya got: Making the roster edition (forwards)

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 11:36 AM EDT in News

So, by all accounts we've got three guys fighting for one spot. Who ya got?

The Contestants:

Pros: Has the most NHL experience (179 reg season games), is decent at PK'ing, decent all-around player who could add a little bit of everything.
Cons: While decent all-around, he doesn't really excel at any one aspect, which makes it kind of easy to move on without him, if the Pens so chose.

Paul Bissonnette

Pros: Fights. Fights very well. Isn't afraid of fighting.
Cons: Eric Godard and Mike Rupp are going to be on the roster, which begs the question: just how many players does a hockey team need that aren't very good at, well, playing hockey?

Chris Conner

Pros: Fast and can add some offensive ability to the team, has a decent amount of experience (79 NHL games)
Cons: Very small at 5'8", 180 pounds. Only scored 7 goals in those 79 games, may not be able to be consistent at the NHL levels against the biggest and toughest competition around.

So....who ya got to be the 13th forward?

It seems like a wide-open race: the Penguins gave Conner a chance last night on the 3rd line, Bayda's played well in the pre-season games and before you count Biz Nasty out, remember he made the NHL roster out of camp last year when the odds were stacked against him. Any convincing cases that still need to be made for these guys?

Poll

Assuming there's only one spot available, who would you like to see stay in Pittsburgh and make the NHL roster out of training camp?

Ryan Bayda

196 votes

Paul Bissonnette

61 votes

Chris Conner

166 votes

423 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I voted Conner..His speed is exciting, he may get knocked off the puck a lot and not be able to convert opportunities, but I see him adding the most to the team that they don’t already have.

The Pens have guys like Dupuis and Adams, no need I see for Bayda.
And with Godard and Rupp, no need for another enforcer, as smitten as I am with Bissonnette.
Conner’s got speed and you can never have too much of that.

But all have played well and done what they’re supposed to do, I won’t be too upset with any choice that gets made.

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by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

I voted Conner

but it’s got nothing to do with playing abilities.

Rather, a) You just gave him the best action pic above (since there’s no visual evidence Bayda actually scored on that shot, it’s more of a Carey Price promo pic).

and b) Gotta give it up for the little guys, since I’m 5’6" myself. Always had a soft spot for the likes of Spud Webb and Earl Boykins (NBA) back in the day.

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by ahtrap on Sep 25, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

I’m 5’2", grew up around NASCAR (where it helps to be short, just like with jockeys), and have always preferred short guys in general. But that’s not why I voted for Conner, I swear!

Having to choose from these three is a very good kind of problem to have, definitely.

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by GreenEyedLilo on Sep 25, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I voted Bissonette but that’s just because I have a soft spot for energy guys. In all likelihood Pittsburgh doesn’t need another fighter right now, so if I had to vote again I’d go with Conner for his speed and ability to stay on top of the play. That seems to be the big asset around the Pens right now. As long as he’s not fast with Dupuis hands.

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by FrankD on Sep 25, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

I think Conner’s problem is going to be guys knocking him off the puck, rather than having bad hands. I think he’s got decent hands, but he’s small so it’s not hard for a 6’3/6’4 215+ pound NHL defensemen to knock him down in front of the net.

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by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

true, but if he plays with Rupp and Godard, it’d be nice to have a guy with speed and some skill. His speed could also lead to chances of playing with Sid (hopefully not too often) whereas Bayda & Bissonnette won’t be able to keep up.

by AronV on Sep 25, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Goodards Contract is up this year, I don’t know when Rupps is up (I’ve been slacking on my self appointed contract and CBA duties around here) but I have a feeling Biz Nasty comes up for good next year as the Pens enforcer.

by PensFan024 on Sep 25, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Godard

by PensFan024 on Sep 25, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Pensfan — This season is only year two of a three year contract Godard signed with the Pens. Rupp signed for two years, so they’re both set to be free agents summer 2011.

It might be easier to trade Godard next summer though to a team that needs an enforcer. He’ll only have 1 year remaining on his contract and ought to have some reasonable trade value then.

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by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Told you I haven’t been keeping up. How did Godard swindle Shero into a 3 year deal.

by PensFan024 on Sep 25, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s what I’d like to know. But hey, Parros did it in Anaheim.

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by FrankD on Sep 25, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Bayda

I like guys that can do everything you can never have too many guys that can play D as well as score goals I Like guys that can do that for his team. So thats why I voted for him

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by WVPiratesfan on Sep 25, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

I might have not said enough positive about Bayda…Guys who do the little things right are very important, I think you’re right you can’t have too much of that.

I think I’d feel better about Bayda if he was versatile enough to be good at faceoffs and maybe be an option for 4th line C if necessary.

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*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention he has some experience to work with too. If it’s coming down to Bayda and two guys with little to no NHL experience I think he gets the nod.

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by FrankD on Sep 25, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Connor

Speed kills in hockey, so I said Connor. But, I actually think they should jettison Dupuis at the first hint of a decent offer and bring Bayda back into the mix.

Bissonnette needs to add something more to stick with the big club for any amount of time. He will never be like Laraque (unquestioned top HW) so he needs more all-around game to stay in the majors. Rupp and even Goddard bring more to the table, besides being true heavyweights, than Bissonnette.

by Ulf Murphy on Sep 25, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

Canes Country put the word out for their readers to vote Bayda, which is why he skyrocketed up.

Conner was the overwhelming choice of Pens fans before the Carolina invasion of the poll (not mad, just sayin).

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*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

And as the perpetrator over here from Canes Country, know that we’re voting from him because we all think highly of him and regret there wasn’t room for him in Raleigh. We’re not trying to sink the Pens – we want good things for Ryan and his family. That’s the kind of kind that you want in your locker room.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

**tryin’ that again - That’s the kind of guy that you want in your locker room.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Either way you say it, that kind of loyalty is tough to earn. I might have to change my vote. Thanks for the praise of Bayda!

by Ulf Murphy on Sep 25, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

For now, I’m going to go with Conner.

If GMRS could find a way to dump Godard, then I would vote for Biz-nasty. Since it doesn’t look like Godard is going anywhere, I will stick with Conner.

by Link_Gaetz on Sep 25, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Faceoff Ability

I voted Connor due to his speed. Sure he’s small but sometimes a guy with more speed than anyone else can be a big difference maker. The Penguins really need a faceoff guy who wins on that score?

by Dutch71 on Sep 26, 2009 1:22 AM EDT reply actions

I voted Conner, but only if they put him on a line with Cooke and Staal. His speed combined with Staal’s defensive play and Cookes grit will make that line incredible. Dupuis should move back down to the fourth line with Adams, Rupp/Godard.

I think Bissonette contributes more than Godard, but unless they move Godard, Bissonette won’t be starting in Pittsburgh.

I like Bayda too, but with guys like Adams and Dupuis he doesn’t have a spot.

by bbill on Sep 26, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions