Who ya got: Making the roster edition (defensemen)

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 1:30 PM EDT in News

Who ya got: Making the roster edition (defense)

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

The Contestants:

Pros: Tough player that'll hit and fight, right-handed shot, good depth guy and teammate
Cons: Hasn't excelled in pre-season play, has been a career minor leaguer that hasn't shown he can play at the NHL level

Nate Guenin

Pros: Has played 12 NHL games, is a right-handed shot, from Pittsburgh, seems to have had the strongest camp out of those in question
Cons: Has never stuck in the NHL, went to Ohio State, played three years in the Flyers organization

Ben Lovejoy

Pros: Well-rounded player, right-handed shot, has been groomed for this job, posted an AHL best +/- of +42 last season
Cons: Suffered a shoulder injury could be out for weeks, so technically can't be the 7th defenseman right out the gates.

By way of Lovejoy's injury this one is looking more and more like it's going to be Guenin winning the race. But does Engelland's toughness give him an edge in your eyes? And when Lovejoy's healthy where should he start? A lot of questions to answer here.

Poll

Assuming there's only one spot open, who would you wanting stick with the Penguins out of training camp?

Deryk Engelland

18 votes

Nate Guenin

115 votes

Engelland/Guenin for now but Ben Lovejoy when he's healthy

165 votes

298 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I think Guenin’s been the best…Take him now, see how things stand when Lovejoy can return, is how I’d call it.

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by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, I’m the only one who chose Engelland.

Maybe he just had a good game against Montreal, but I was happy with his hitting, shotblocking and aggression down low. He also isn’t afraid to drop the mitts and did play a very strong game.

Can’t say much on Guenin because I haven’t really seen him play. But he did pick up a goal last night, which obviously only helps his case.

As for Lovejoy, I am not impressed. He looked pretty sloppy against the Habs and Gionta was turning him inside out with dekes and moves in the Pens’ zone. Giving him the nod seems too risky in my book.

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by FrankD on Sep 25, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Even with Lovejoy coming back – I think they’d be wise to send him to the A for awhile to make sure he has confidence in the use of his shoulder.

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by Derek Zona on Sep 25, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed, at bare minimum Lovejoy’s going to get a conditioning assignment in the AHL.

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by Hooks Orpik on Sep 25, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Geunin the best. Lovejoy is second, and I can see him playing NHL minutes this season, but he seems to be a half-step behind and doesn’t always make the best decision. Geunin is also bigger and tougher.

Engelland is an AHL defenseman.

by RCheli on Sep 25, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

Engelland on the technicality that Lovejoy's hurt

I agree, Guenin is out, if only for being an Ohio State bastid…

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by ahtrap on Sep 26, 2009 1:21 AM EDT reply actions

Guenin. Lovejoy has been sloppy at times in the preseason. Plus, with Mckee and Eaton’s pension for injury, it would be good to have another shotblocking defenseman ready.

Lovejoy gets another year in WB, but makes the big team next year.

by bbill on Sep 26, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions