Pens claim Chris Bourque off waivers, lose Paul Bissonnette to Phoenix

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 12:58 PM EDT in News Comment 51 comments

Couldn't fit the upper half of Mike Weber's body in this picture. Bourque is generously listed at 5'8, officially.

Chris Bourque is a 'tweener -- very good at the AHL level but hasn't established himself as NHL'er. It appears he'll get the chance in Pittsburgh. The writing was on the wall yesterday when the Penguins waived all of their bubble players. And it makes sense: Bourque is years younger than Chris Conner or Ryan Bayda and could potentially be a contributor at the NHL level.

Over at Japers Rink there will be a lot bitterness they'll show at losing Bourque for nothing....And losing him to Pittsburgh on top of that! Whether the Pens have picked the Capitals pocket for a significant piece to the puzzle remains to be seen, but Bourque could be effective for the Pens. Aggravating a rival is nice, but "CBo" is a legitimate guy to play for the Pens this season -- his cap hit of $578,000 is nice and he's young.

If you've never seen Bourque play, he's almost a mix of a Max Talbot/Tyler Kennedy smallish player that works very hard and is a very fast skater. He'll hit, he'll run around a lot out there and he'll do what he can to help the team. Obviously Bourque has some limitations in size and skill, but given the choice he's a better player and has a lot more potential than a Bayda or Conner.

But the waiver wire give-th and the waiver wire take-th as Phoenix has reportedly claimed Paul Bissonnette. Bissonnette had a wild ride in the Penguins organization -- few remember but he was actually one of the last cuts in 2003 as a defenseman. Then a couple years in junior and some middling years between the ECHL and AHL that saw him switch to forward and pickup a role as a fighter with the "Biz Nasty" moniker. After some outlandish behavior (like wearing a professional wrestling championship belt during pre-game warmups) Bissonnette fell out of favor with management and was actually sent hom from camp and wait for a trade. The trade never came because no one wanted him and somehow he got over that impasse and became a model player for Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh.

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Potential gain; no big loss.

I am really curious to see how Bourque does at the NHL level.

by c0nquistad0rian on Sep 30, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Me too. I’ve seen him a little bit when he’s practiced with the Caps and he’s been good. Obviously small but great motor.

It’ll definitely be interesting to see what he can do.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PensFan024 got his wish. haha

So now we have Ulf’s son, Andy Bathgate’s grandson and Ray Bourque’s son in the system.

Did I miss any?

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Sep 30, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess Shero was once again reading Pensburgh.

by PensFan024 on Sep 30, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just wrote on Japers that I think Bourque could push Dooper for 3rd line duty if he starts the season on a good note in WBS, especially since Dooper hasn’t caught a pass cleanly since last October.

Why not take a chance on him? He is small, but he works hard, is a solid skater, has a solid shot, and has as much upside as you will ever see on waivers.

For the sake of the Caps/Pens rivalry, I hope he gets good…and quickly.

by Link_Gaetz on Sep 30, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No one has any faith in Dupuis and i guess it’s warranted. The guy skates like he has so much potential and then shoots like his hands are made of bricks. The way I see it is, any threat to a mainstay in the lineup right now is a good thing. It’ll keep them honest, working hard and thinking straight. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a scare tactic or anything, but more like the way of the business.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Sep 30, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not that I don’t like Dupuis. He performs admirably and without complaint in any role the Penguins place him in. It’s just frustrating when someone sends him a clean pass and he biffs it. Or when he skates by three people then lets the puck bounce off his stick.

I guess he is just fun to pick on.

by Link_Gaetz on Sep 30, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dupuis is not an offensive player. He’s a 3rd/4th liner that uses his speed and forechecking to pick up points in bunches and kill off penalties.

I don’t understand why people dislike him. He is what he is, you know?

by RCheli on Sep 30, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seriously think Bourque should get a shot with Malkin. He’s fast, has decent skill, and you never have problems with effort.
Who are the 2LW and 2RW right now for you all?

by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruslan Fedotenko on one wing for sure. Probably Tyler Kennedy on the other. Kennedy’s a lot like Bourque but a lot more proven and I think TK has better dangles.

I’d love to see Bourque get a fair shot, but let’s break him into the NHL before we throw him on the reigning Art Ross winner’s line.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like throwing him on Malkin’s line is the easy way to break him in if he can skate the minutes. He’ll have more time and space to adjust to the speed of the game so long as everyone’s eyes are on Malkin.

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tyler Kennedy has earned the chance. He knows the system and he scored 15 goals at even strength last year in the NHL. Bourque hasn’t even played 15 NHL games.

The Penguins can use the depth of a winger like Bourque, but they won the Cup. It’s not like they need to push a new guy to a top line.

Bourque’s gonna have to earn his place by proving himself on a 3rd/4th line before he just gets handed an important slot on Malkin’s line.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can appreciate that completely. I wasn’t necessarily saying that’s what the Pens should do, just that I think playing with Malkin or Sid would help anyone transition.

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe eventually he should get a shot with Malkin. Let’s see how he starts the season though first.

Let’s not make him the new Pesonen. “Just give him a chance on the first line!”

by Link_Gaetz on Sep 30, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bourque looks real good on paper; hope that translates to ice.

I’m gonna miss Bissonnette, but he wasn’t essential to the team. He just might give the few, the proud, the Phoenix fans something fun to watch.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

by GreenEyedLilo on Sep 30, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Farewell, Biz-Nasty. You’ve given me several memorable incidents to write about. I shall sort of, but not really miss you.

It weighs 35 pounds - unless you're hoisting it above your head.

by JDunman on Sep 30, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I love reading the comments over on Japers

Those poor schmucks think this is the end of the world. It must suck to have an inferiority complex about the Pens.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Here is a sample of the comments posted over there...

It’s a slimy move on Pittsburgh’s part.

it’s just a lame thing for them to do.

Wow, the Penguins sure have us caps fans rattled according to the comments on this board.

Is there anything they(Pittsburgh) can do that doesn’t suck?

Because it’s Pittsburgh, and because I had a soft spot in my hockey heart for the kid from Boston…. ugh.

It really feels like a dick move by Pittsburgh, no matter what the real reasoning was. As long as he doesn’t score any gamewinners against the Caps, I wish him well.

And my personal favorite:

I can see it now…Caps vs. Pens. Conference finals. Game 7. OT. Bourque scores the winner. Karma gets us again.

Cruise on over and check it out for yourself. Japersrink.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is another tasty nugget

The organization exists to win Stanley Cups.

Please, the Red Sox and Yankees do it all the time. I don’t think either of those organization’s drive to win Championships is below Pittsburgh. Let’s not get full of ourselves because you’ve won one Cup in the last 18 years.

Just a little bitter over game 7 still now aren’t they?

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hah, yeah.

Let’s not get full of ourselves because you’ve won one Cup in the last 18 years.

2009 minus 18 = 1991. Pens won Cups in ’91, ’92 and ’09, not seeing that.

Could be just a math error. It’s a lot easier for Pens fans to remember when the last tme Washington won it though.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zero what a beautiful number.

Thanks to the 5th century Indians who invented the number. Couldn’t make it in Washington without you!

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Caps fans’ whining is like beautiful music.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

by GreenEyedLilo on Sep 30, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That is why I decieded to cruise over and post a few shots for you.

Plus I got banned from there last year for “swearing” I said damn and hell in one post…go over there and read all the f bombs.

I guess they are a lot like Saddam they cant deal with opposition without blowing it off the face of their existence.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The funniest thing was when one newcomer started by posting that Green is a bad skater.

Hooks (down) is correct. Bourque is very likeable. He plays hard despite his size, had decent skill, and of course excellent pedigree. It didn’t hurt that if we can’t beat the Pens in the NHL regular season, Bourque and his Bears beat up the Baby Pens for us, an albeit small consolation prize. 2004 was turning out to be a good draft year, with Ovechkin, Schultz, Green, Fleischmann,…Bourque was next. Too bad.

by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You got banned for being a total douche bag. It had nothing to do with the language. We are adults over there and we can stand some off-color language but when you are just being an instigator without adding anything meaningful then why shouldn’t they ban you?

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You are cherry picking, and it’s weak. The people that care can go on over there and read it for themselves, don’t pretend like that is representative of Japers’ Rink. I’ve noticed you’ve been quiet over there lately, why is that?

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think they have reason to be upset. This is a guy they drafted 6 years ago, spent 4+ years with them. Bourque’s notable for his father’s name and also an easy guy to cheer for in being a little guy who tries hard.

Losing him, for nothing, would suck given how people track prospects these days. Losing him to the team that’s the hammer to your nail is just another kick in the yambag.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree if this was the other way around I would be mad too

But then again if it was the other way around I would be a miserable ass.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

then don’t put him on waivers if he means so much to them.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are your Stanley Cup Champions!!

by jetpen89 on Sep 30, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YAMBAG!?!?! Priceless. LMAO

by Ulf Murphy on Oct 1, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poor schmucks? We’ve watched him develop in the system for 5 years, there are some fans that feel a connection to him, it’s natural. If you want to be fair to the arguments then acknowledge that there is a serious split and a lot of people don’t think it’s a big deal at all. Stay classy carolinaeasy.

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am entilted to my opinion

I feel like you guys have an inferiority complex when it comes to the pens…sorry my opinion is it correct? Who knows does it have to be? No. These post were for the readers here. I didn’t go over there and link to this board. You trolled in here and started getttng offended. This is a Pens board and what I posted was meant for Pens fans. I am sorry if you don’t like it, but then again if you don’t like you don’t have to post.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn’t trolling. I wanted to come over and see the Pens fans reactions. I wasn’t antagonizing or saying anything provocative about the Pens or their players. You started ripping on Japers’ Rink and the people that comment there. I’m a regular there and I’m going to defend the place. You picked a dozen comments out of about a thousand and you’re trying to paint us as “poor schmucks.” You bring that weak sauce and I’m damn sure going to call you out for it.

And no, you’re not the only one that thinks Caps fans have an inferiority complex. You saw people saying that in that very thread that you so grossly mischaracterized. In fact, anyone who wants to can scroll quickly through all those hundreds of comments and look at the first post that is highlighted green. It says “I think this is Caps paranoia” in response to the Pens Conspiracy theory. At least 11 people have rec’d that comment to indicate they agree. That’s pretty high and I suspect it represents almost all the regulars at Japers’ Rink. If you want to talk about actual hockey let’s get down, but if you’re going to slander Japers’ Rink then check your weak shit at the door.

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa

Did I just witness someone get served?

It’s far less glorious than I had hoped.

by Yotum on Sep 30, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check my shit at the door?

Didn’t you come to a pens blog as a caps fan? Sorry I am not going to back down. I think the folks over at Japs can be a bit over the top, I tried to present that here. IF you READ HOOKS POST he clearly says that folks over at Japers Rink are going to be bitter. Guess what? I was building on that fact. Also please don’t get into a pissing contest on “hockey” talk. There are plenty of slanders over at Japers about the city of Pittsburgh in general so don’t take that high and mighty road here buddy.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No need to go around in circles. We welcome fans here no matter what team you cheer for. But if you call people schmucks you have to answer for it. No harm no foul but please everyone keep it constructive.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hooks is right. We have a 5 million dollar liability that can do enough circling for both these communities.

Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com

by winterion on Oct 1, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that you would know, but I always call people out when they trash on Pittsburgh as a city. When people get ad hominem at Japers’ they get called out.

If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.

by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 30, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the latin lesson

I always enjoy a nice brush up…attack the man, right?

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Sep 30, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, it’s all in jest. We may say Crosby sucks, but we all know he’s top-3 in the world. He sucks because he plays for the team that always beats the Caps in the playoffs. It’s all in jest.

by red army line on Oct 1, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey this was worth it if only to get rid of Bissonnette and to make Caps fans pissed. Man I do love getting Caps fans pissed. Ahhhhhh…

by ipenguin67 on Sep 30, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey this was worth it if only to get rid of Bissonnette

Treacherous language, duders! (just kidding)

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On this team, where did he fit? He doesn’t fight as well as Goddard, he isn’t as skilled as Rupp (not that Rupp’s skilled, but Bissonnette has worse hands than Dupuis), and is a liability if he plays more than 5 minutes a game.

I understand that he’s a heart-and-soul guy; but this team is full of great character already.

by RCheli on Sep 30, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He should give the fans in Phoenix something to cheer about. They could use a guy like him to get them through the crap that city’s had to deal with all summer long.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Sep 30, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He didn’t fit, Cheli, just like him personally. All your points are valid. I may add you can never add enough toughness and character, but the loss of Bissonnette is a small sidenote at the end of the day.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 30, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m still wondering if we’ll see Biz-Nasty vs. Godard on October 7 against Phoenix.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Sep 30, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember the music thread? That one definitely needs Kid Rock’s “Fist of Rage” and/or Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff.”

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

by GreenEyedLilo on Sep 30, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or better yet, when the two of them drop mitts the lights should go out in the arena, either one of those songs swells up, a spotlight and introduction for each combatant and then and only then can the fight commence.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Sep 30, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

...

good stuff

by AngelaMc on Sep 30, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what in the hell happened to this thread?

oh yeah… season starts tomorrow!!!!

" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Sep 30, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

For the first time since Ron Francis, I feel compelled to cheer for a Penguin.

Huge Chris Bourque fan – his 2004 drafting by the Washington Capitals was the reason I became a Caps fan. To see him go is definitely rough, especially in the manner it happened. Reactions here are mixed amongst the hockey-savvy crowd, but the Bourque Lobby is definitely devastated.

The guy’s got a winning track record.. the Beanpot, the Calder, progressively improving statistical output year-to-year, and the only significant liability – his size – is well mitigated by the rabid mongoose play style. While I think it’s a crime we lost him in Washington, especially to a rival, I’m thrilled that he’s going to get well-deserved time at the NHL level. He’s worked too hard, and it’s been too-long-coming for the second rounder.

If I was drawing up lines for the Pens right now, it’s something like this:

Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin
Fedotenko – Malkin – Bourque
Cooke – Staal – Kennedy
Rupp – Dupuis – Godard

When Talbot gets healthy, he takes Bourque’s spot, Bourque goes back to native left and skates with Staal and Kennedy, and Cooke lends at least modest credibility to the fourth line, taking one of the three spots and letting the other two be scrapped for meritocracy style.

Granted, rose-colored glasses, and at least some of this is dependent on what the defensive lines are going to look like, but I have to feel like the Penguins are going to be pleasantly surprised at what they’ve acquired off waivers.. and the Caps are going to be that much bitter-er-er at Nylander and his contract.

Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com

by winterion on Oct 1, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs