Pensburgh wrapup: Mike Rupp

by Hooks Orpik on May 25, 2010 6:00 AM EDT

"The victories of good warriors are not noted for cleverness or bravery. Therefore their victories in battle are not flukes because they position themselves where they will surely win, prevailing over those who have already lost." - Sun Tzu

Season stats: 81gp, 13g, 6a 19p, +5, 120 PIMs
Playoff stats: 11gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, even, 8 PIMs

Month-by-month Pensburgh grades:
October: B+
November: A-
December: B
January: C
February: C-
March: B-
Playoff: C-

Interesting stat: In his previous three seasons all with the New Jersey Devils, Mike Rupp scored a total of 12 goals (212 games). His first season with the Pens, he scored 13.

The Good: When the Pens signed the rugged forward, he was expected to add size, physicality, the occasional dropping of the gloves and he did all of that, by leading the forwards in hits (198) despite playing just 9:02 a night, easily the lowest among regular forwards. Rupp's 12 fighting majors were another category that he lead the team in.

As mentioned, even though Rupp only played in small doses -only got more than 12:00+ minutes six times all season (including 0 times in the playoffs that he went over 10:00) -- Rupp made the minutes count with all those hits and the occasional goal.

The Not-so-good: It's difficult to harp to hard on a pure 4th liner that exceeds expectations, but the scoring touch went cold for Rupp, who scored just 3 goals in the 51 games he played in the 2010 portion of the 09-10 season. Also when a player only receives a handful of minutes a game, there's probably a reason that he can't effectively carry more of the load.

Final verdict: Rupp hit more than any Penguin forward, fought more than anyone and scored goals at a remarkably high rate. What's not to like? Rupp's skating and pure hands may hold him back from being anything more than an NHL 4th liner, but his willingness to be physical, forecheck, hit and fight makes him a valuable member of the club.

Question and Vote: Do you think Rupp can replicate his production for next season? What would you like to see him contribute (if any more to help the Pens get back to the Stanley Cup finals?

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Comments

I would definitely take Rupp back. Solid defensively, can chip in offensively once in a while. Tough as nails. He is a guy every team needs.

by Jeremywilhelm on May 25, 2010 6:58 AM EDT reply actions

Shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not he comes back next season – he’s signed through 2010/11. whether or not they plan to dish him at the trade deadline or not is likely the bigger concern.

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by FrankD on May 25, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I love Mike Rupp and what he brings to the Pens.

I love this picture of Mike Rupp even more though because he’s posing almost exactly like Popeye is. Perfect picture.

by obsessed478 on May 25, 2010 8:19 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I thought the same. And I laughed.

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

by FrankD on May 25, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Rupp is a keeper at the right price.

I dig the Sun Tzu quote. Makes me feel intellectual, despite the fact that I’m reading a hockey blog instead of doing actual work.

by RuthenianCowboy on May 25, 2010 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

Rupp is already signed thru next season

by genomachine-O on May 25, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I think this wrapup list is a composite of the entire team and how they faired this season, not free agents.

The addition of Rupp was a solid move. In Byslma we trust.

by Mario's Mullet on May 25, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

MM is right, recaps are coming for each player on the team, not just free agents. I’ll make contract status more clear on the next one.

Pensburgh.com

by Hooks Orpik on May 25, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with the comments above. For a 4th liner what more can you ask? I would like to see the coaching staff work with him and try to use him on the PP in front of the net. We are always talking about needing more net front presence, and I always wondered why no one worked with Rupp on that role. The guy is tough and big, stick him in tthe #2 PP unit occasionally and use him as as a screen.

I also have to let everyone remember the game where Rupp scored his hat trick. THAT WAS AWESOME! Go Danny B. putting him in the final minutes just to let the guy get an ENG.

by spookygeek on May 25, 2010 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Did Rupp get any PP time?

I remember us discussing in November that we all wanted to see him park it in front of the net on the #2 PP, but I cannot remember if this happened. (I blame old age)

BTW, I would be shocked if he breaks 10 goals next year, but you never know. I love it when a depth signing turns out really well.

The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein

by Ulf Murphy on May 25, 2010 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

I am so disappointed that Chris Borque has a higher ATOI than Rupp. YIKES.

by spookygeek on May 25, 2010 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

the man is a ny ranger killer. it’s great. we got this guy for such a deal. yay shero.

STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.

by katielynn906 on May 25, 2010 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

LOl I always get a kick when they put he and Godzilla out there with Sid. Message SENT.

by CGNC on May 25, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

Rupp was an excellent addition.

No, I doubt he’ll hit 13 goals again. Prob wont even break double digits, but that’s not why he’s here. That’s for Crosby and Malkin the guys who make the big bucks.

Rupp makes the Penguins “harder to play against.” Something Shero seemed to harp on when he 1st got here, but also seems to have gotten away from a bit more recently.

What would I like to see him improve? His skating. But that’s not really going to happen is it? Maybe his consistency. Not sure what happened for the drop-off, not just in goal-scoring but overall efficacy, as the year progressed.

by Diomedes7 on May 25, 2010 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

I, too, love Rupp.

He did good things just about every time he was out there, and I generally wanted to see him getting more ice time than he did. I’ve heard Bylsma say things about how different players need different amounts of ice time in order to make an impact … and I’ve wondered if that’s part of why he didn’t give Rupp more ice time: because he thinks Rupp’s impact is greatest with minimized ice time … or something like that.

In terms of his points total for next year: I think he can replicate it if he puts the work in and gets a few opportunities to play away from the fourth line — and if the team in general rebounds.

And, like others, I’m going to go with the ‘net front presence’ thing in the “what’s next?” category. But for this to work, the team as a whole needs to play in such a way that the net-front guys can get to the net-front and be effective. They need to work at setting up plays & getting the screen set up quickly — or something like that. And maybe he needs to work on his skating?

Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.

by PopRocks on May 25, 2010 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

i always thought his skating was his main barrier to logging minutes on the first line… Remember late in the season when we were angry that no one was crashing the net? I think we had a talk about this.

I'm 21 now... I still feel 20 and I still feel way too old.

Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.

by Alighieri on May 25, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

He will do better

He’s probably going to be working harder than ever before. He had one hell of a season in comparison to his others with the devils. He has a kid whom looks up to him and he’s going to give 110% to make him proud. Rupp will work on his hands and skating ability and I think we will see a more improved and fine tuned version of him next year.

Alex Ovechkin - I've got nothing to say....

by rehcie on May 25, 2010 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

didn’t know about the kid but I agree. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d cruise after a good season. Us fans just gotta understand that it’ll still be a stretch for him to score 13 again next year.

It’ll be nice if he did but we can’t expect it.

I'm 21 now... I still feel 20 and I still feel way too old.

Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.

by Alighieri on May 25, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions