Pensburgh wrapup: Eric Godard
by Hooks Orpik on May 26, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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"Courageous, untroubled, mocking and violent-that is what Wisdom wants us to be. Wisdom is a woman, and loves only a warrior." -- Friedrich Nietzsche quotes
Season stats: 45gp, 1g, 2a 3p, +2, 76 PIMs
Playoff stats: none
Month-by-month Pensburgh grades:
October: D
November: C-
December: D
January: D
February: I
March: Check mark (kindergarten style)
Playoff: (none)
Contract status: Signed for 2010-11 season ($750,000 cap hit)....Unrestricted free agent after 2010-11 season.
Interesting stat: Eric Godard got in 8 fights in the 2009-10 season and according to hockeyfights.com had a record of 6 wins 1 loss and 1 draw against such heavyweight competition as Donald Brashear, Colton Orr, Jody Shelley and Brian McGrattan.
The Good: There's no such thing as a "company man" in the NHL, but if there was, Godard might just fit the bill. He dressed in just 45 of the 93 total games, and played just 188 minutes in the games (4:11 per game) of he did get into. For comparison: Sidney Crosby played almost 10 times as many minutes in the course of the regular season alone.
Godard (who was voted "Player's Player" by his teammates in 2008-09) has never complained, never makes a fuss, just buckles down and does his best when he gets the chance. Which is fight and protect his boys. Perfect example would be Godard's third to last game of the season was March 18th in Boston. The significance? It was about two weeks after Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard and Godard wasn't at 100% coming back from a high-ankle sprain, tough on any hockey player. But with retribution in the air and almost literally a lynch mob calling for Cooke or Crosby's head. Godard was there. No hijinks ensued after Cooke fought, but when you need a deterrent, what better than having one of the best enforcers in the league sitting on the bench?
The Not-so-good: The point of using a part-time player in a part-time role is of debatable worth for a roster spot and drain on the salary cap, no matter how nominal the salary. To be blunt, Godard doesn't really contribute that much in the actual aspects of a hockey player. The days of the true "enforcer", a tough guy who fights and doesn't do much else appears to be ending in the NHL, for now anyways. There are still fights, to be sure, but very few guys who will fight a legit tough guy like Godard, a big reason why he "only" had 8 fights in 45 games. There's just not that many people who're willing to engage him, too many of Godard's kind -- the bruising fist-slinging tough guy have died off NHL rosters.
Then there's the issue of taking penalties that aren't fighting majors. Godard took 13 minor penalties this season. Perhaps that doesn't sound a lot, but that's about one minor penalty for every 14:30 that he played this season. Compare that to fellow 4th liners like Craig Adams (11 total minors, or one every 82:40 minutes played) or Mike Rupp (25 minors or one for every 29:25) and it's obvious that Godard's rate of minors was far too high, especially considering his negligible offensive contributions.
Final verdict: Godard didn't contribute much, and wasn't asked to contribute too much. It wasn't for a lack of effort or good intentions, but Godard just isn't a real NHL hockey player. He's a deterrent, spending 55 minutes on the bench, skating a few shifts and engaging in what's usually a stagefight against one of his fellow enforcers in the few times he bumps into one. He's good at what he does, however what Godard does isn't really something that directly helps a team win the Stanley Cup.
Question and Discussion: What role should the enforcer have next season? Godard figures to be about the 13th forward next season, and play some games, but going forward in the "new" NHL is there a place for a hockey player in the Eric Godard/Bob Probert/Stu Grimson/Donald Brashear mold that isn't too good at playing hockey?
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NHL seems to being moving away from the typical “enforcer” and more towards like a Mike Rupp type. A guy that can play and will from time to time drop the gloves. Godard had 8 fights is 45 games, so really he was effective in 8 games. I don’t mean to hate on the guy, but I think the Pens could put that $750,000 to better use, considering how restricted they are with the salary cap. But they have 1 more year with Godard not much they can do about it, so kick some @$$ next year buddy.
I agree. The NHL is moving more toward the Rupp/bigger version of Talbot type. Although, Rupp was a 5th overall draft pick so you know that he has some skill in him. I remember when he had that beauty of a goal against Carolina this year (I think that’s when everyone started calling him Noted) and it made me look the guy up because I was so shocked at the move. Plus, Rupp can hit really really hard. Not that Godard can’t, but I think you’re more scared with Rupp skating toward you along the boards than Godard.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Just a note: According to NHL.com, Rupp was drafted 76th overall in the third round of the 2000 draft.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
He was first drafted in 1998 (9th, not 5th overall) by the NYI. He re-entered in 2000 though. Wonder what happened with that situation. The scouts must’ve seen something in him in 98 to draft him that high.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Paul Bissonette, get rid of Godard. Godard is a beast but 750k is alot for half the games and no playoffs only to fight.
Keep him
yes, the “old time” brutal hockey days are over,however, I think the game still needs enforcers like Godard. I think if he hadn’t been on the ice for the Bruins game,that Cooke and Crosby would’ve had that target on their backs hit. He may not be the best player but when he’s on the ice he can go in front of the net to block. He’s an all around good guy…I think they should play him more
Gamma_Connie
I agree. Without him it would be fair game on our guys. Keeping them safe is worth the $750,000.00. Think of it as an insurance policy.
I can see that… But with our cap as tight as it is, I’d rather Noted be our tough guy. Godard’s a good guy and will really stand up for the Pens. Really respect that but in the modern game, if you’re devoting cap space and a roster spot on a guy who’s paid to only fight…
Considering that we meet Philly so often, I’m reluctant to get rid of Godard. But we need more guys like Rupp. A genuine tough guy who can at least keep up skill wise.
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.
True. But he does what he is asked. Is he capable of a little more maybe? And the thing about an insurance policy is you miss it when you need it and don’t have it. We definitely need more trunk monkeys. Philly has been something to watch.
Agreed. He might be overpaid for what he actually contributes and we are tight against the cap, but it’s good to have him around as the 13th forward and play him against the goons in Philly and Toronto.
by Mario's Mullet on May 27, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I think injuries really impacted Godard’s play this year. If I remember correctly, there was more than one injury, and one was closer to the beginning of the season. Considering that it’s difficult for a guy who plays 15-20 minutes a night to ‘get back into it’ after injury, imagine what it’s like for a guy like Godard. I also thought Godard was much better during the 08/09 season than this season. In other words, I’d like to reserve judgment until I see how he plays in the early part of next season.
That said, I think the simple fact that we’re in a division with Philadelphia means there’s a role for an enforcer on our team. Although we’ll have to see whether the Laviolette-era Flyers continue to be bullies. League-wide, it’s hard to say. It’s sort of a ‘disarming’ issue: if I get rid of my enforcer, but you still have yours, then what do I do? The answer is probably some combination of guys like Mike Rupp, and players who just generally refuse to engage.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
A couple thoughts on Eric Godard...
1. If we were to not have a player like Eric Godard on our team, would it be asking too much to ask Mike Rupp to fill in when enforcer responsibilities were needed? Eric had 8 fights last season, but he has a whopping 21 fights in the 2008-2009 regular season. I’d rather keep Mike Rupp and Eric Godard and have them do exactly what they’ve been doing.
2. Penalty minutes: I noticed that when you were comparing players Matt Cooke didn’t make it on the list. Obviously there’s a big difference between a pest and an enforcer, but sometimes I wonder if a couple of those penalties were given to Eric Godard for being Eric Godard.
3. There was a point in the season where Eric was being rewarded with ice time, getting sometimes up to ten + minutes in a game. I don’t think that would have happened if he wasn’t a “real hockey player” I think he at least has the capacity to be a “real fourth liner.”
Lori,
Matt Cooke, for his target took 32 minor penalties this year, or one for every 36:30 that he played. Even that is a lot better, per minute, than what Godard’s rate was.
I’ll have the breakdown soon, but I believe most of Godard’s penalties were of the hook/hold variety and not aggression penalties like roughing. And this is due to him simply not being good enough to keep up with NHL level players and he’s forced to slow them down illegally. That’s just what sticks out in my head anyways, I’ll have data for you soon.
There was a point in the season where Eric was being rewarded with ice time, getting sometimes up to ten + minutes in a game
Maybe you’re remembering a different season: Godard’s season high in ice-time for 2009-10 was 9:45 in a game against Montreal way back in November.
Only in 7 of his 45 games did he even play more than 7:00. 26 times Godard dressed and played less than 2 shifts a period (meaning 6 or less shifts in the game). This all adds up to Godard not being a regular on even the 4th line, he didn’t skate a regular shift.
Compare that to Mike Rupp, a mainly 4th line player that doesn’t kill penalties (unlike Adams or Talbot). Rupp was a regular on the 4th line and played 6+ shifts a game in EVERY single game and only played less than seven minutes a game a handful of times.
Godard is a valuable deterrent. The Bruins game after the Cooke-on-Savard hit is but one example. When you have two $8.7M franchise players, 3/4 of a mill is bargain price to pay to keep them secure. That’s barely 1% of the cap.
His teammates voted him the “Player’s Player.” That tells you all you need to know.
keep #28
Definitely keep him. Like Diomedes7 said, his price per year is a bargain when you’re talking about protecting our stars. Mike Rupp is a good, rugged winger, but are there that many scrappers in the NHL that would be afraid to drop the gloves with him? I think you’d see guys like Carcillo and Asham get a whole lot more nasty against us if the biggest threat to their shenanigans would be Rupp going after them.
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