Engelland signed to a 3-year extension
"The new contract goes into effect at the start of the 2011-12 season and will run through 2013-14. The average annual value of the deal is $566,700 over the term of the contract. "
Great move IMO.
over 1 year ago
xaryss
93 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
I’ll take almost anyone at that price. But Shero again goes off “script” by giving a 3-year extension to a role player.
For the record, I still think Lovejoy is better defensively, and I’d prefer to see him get the bulk of the playing time.
I agree, I prefer Lovejoy as well but I certainly don’t mind seeing Engelland locked up for that amount.
Devils advocate: I like Engelland better! Great signing, there will be no lack of fighting for the next 3 years!
Get in the fast lane Grandma, the bingo game's ready to roll!
by PensForTheWin on Jan 3, 2011 10:48 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t know. I think Engell has earned his spot in the lineup; Lovejoy has had many more lapses than Engell, in my opinion. Not to mention, the extra physicality that he brings (which the Pens lack besides Orpik and maybe Tanger). It actually wouldn’t surprise me to see the Pens trade Lovejoy away or not sign him in the off season.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
I was just about to clarify that.
I must have mixed him and Engell up. haha.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
Mixed up him and Engell’s contracts that is.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
Lovejoy is way better than Engo defensively. Engo gets beaten quite often, which is not the case for Ben. If they trade Ben it might be the best thing for him, but it would be a mistake for the Pens. They seem to be blinded by the occasional good fight Engo puts up while missing the many defensive lapses he has.
I think this is the other way around.
Seems like Ben is on for a goal against in every game he plays.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
Excellent news. I love having the option of Engelland or Lovejoy on that 4th pairing depending on the game. I agree that Lovejoy brings more to the game, but Engelland adds an element when he plays that others just don’t. I do wonder what this means for our other “enforcers”. It’ll be interesting to watch Shero’s moves over the next while through signing the RFA and UFAs and, possibly, acting before the trade deadline.
This is awesome news. They must have been pretty impressed with Engo for Shero to toss out a 3 year deal!
Can`t go wrong with that price, either.
Another fantastic move by GMRS.
by LastSonOfKrypton on Jan 3, 2011 10:58 AM EST reply actions
Starting to wonder...
I know Lovejoy is a great guy and solid defensively and believe me, I’m not trying to stir up any pot here, but do you think he will become a victim of numbers? Letang, locked up, Orpik, locked up, Martin, locked up, Michalek, locked up,Gogo, locked up, Engles, locked up (cheaply), plus, if Depres grows there’s a good chance he’ll be in the lineup next year…possibly (I have no clue obviously, hence the “possibly”). What do you guys think?
by LightningCoach on Jan 3, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions
great question, personally I think GoGo might be the odd man out with a trade or something. Despres is more of an offensive minded defenseman where as Lovejoy is not. Not sure how this will be handled.
Good point..
Someday, somebody is going to fall victim. Not sure if it will be this deadline or the off-season but if we can guarantee anything, it’s that Letang’s play this year has pretty much taken him far, far, far away from that sheet.
by LightningCoach on Jan 3, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
Despres doesn’t project to be an offensive minded defensemen in the NHL level. He’ll be a solid big guy who can skate, move the puck well and be good enough in his own zone to be a top 4 guy (hopefully). But Despres is not the same style as a Ryan Whitney type guy.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
plus, if Depres grows there’s a good chance he’ll be in the lineup next year…possibly (I have no clue obviously, hence the "possibly"
As of now (and barring a total dynamite training camp) Despres is ticketed for AHL next season. It’s a tough jump from juniors straight to NHL. Shero even kept Letang in WB/S longer than he needed to be — it beats the alternative of rushing him.
My guess would be Goligoski could be the odd man out, but I don’t necessarily think he needs to pack his bags right away.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Yes it sure does...
You see that happen every year where clubs try to rush guys and it doesn’t seem to work very often. Some can argue that’s what the Isle’s should have done with Tavares. With the backup the Pens have on the blueline right now, why rush him?
by LightningCoach on Jan 3, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
I’d bet money that Gogo isn’t going anywhere unless his defense doesn’t improve a bit in the next couple years. The organization likes him a lot, and he might have the most raw talent of any defenseman on our roster. He’s young and he’ll improve on the back end, just like Tanger did.
"Those goals just rip the heart right out of your stomach." - Edzo
Gogo is second on the team (among d-men) in pts/60, 1st in adjusted /-, 1+3+5+2+4+6+7+8+9+10+29+30+31+32+33+34#" >4th in relative Corsi, 1st in /-ON/60 , and his1+3+5+35+36+37+38+39+40+47+48+49+50+51+52+53+54+55+56#" > SA/60 are tied for last on our team at 26.8, that still puts him in the top 40% of all d-men in the league. Gogo’s defense is just fine, and we need to stop repeating the myth that he’s just an offensive player who pinches too much and gets yelled at by Orpik after the games are over.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
If you need to use “adjusted” and “relative” and “per 60” to justify Goligoski’s defense, it loses some luster, right? He’s a 3rd pairing guy who plays clearly the 5th most minutes at ES+PK time.
I’m not a Goligoski hater, but he is what he is: an offensive defenseman who’s a great skater and puck mover but still needs to get better in his own end (which hopefully will improve as he plays more games).
But to suggest he’s been one of the better Pens defensemen when it comes to defending is crazy. If he was as good as the super-advanced stats indicated, he’d be getting more time. He’s not for a reason, and that reason is Martin, Michalek, Orpik and Letang are better options.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
If you need to use "adjusted" and "relative" and "per 60" to justify Goligoski’s defense, it loses some luster, right?
I don’t think so, but if you want to jump to boxcars and not use those metrics, Gogo still looks really good. He’s second among d-men in total points (without getting the most PP time), and second in plus minus. He’s looks good by the numbers however you slice it.
And I think Gogo hasn’t gotten more minutes because the other four guys ahead of him are that much better. I don’t think it’s inconsistent to argue that Gogo is good at defense, he’s just not as good as four very talented defensemen ahead of him. However, I don’t take that to mean Gogo is deficient in his own end.
I think the best defense a defensemen can contribute is helping his team out shoot and out score the opposition while on the ice. He’s helping his team to out shoot, and he’s really helping his team to out score. I just don’t see the narrative that Gogo is struggling in his own end. If he was, his numbers wouldn’t look so good.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
he’s second among d-men in total points (without getting the most PP time),
Goligoski does get the 2nd most PP time amongst defensemen per game, and given his shot, offensive ability and role, he ought to be #2 on the team in defensive scoring.
And I think Gogo hasn’t gotten more minutes because the other four guys ahead of him are that much better. I don’t think it’s inconsistent to argue that Gogo is good at defense, he’s just not as good as four very talented defensemen ahead of him. However, I don’t take that to mean Gogo is deficient in his own end.
It’s difficult to follow your logic- in the middle you admit Goligoski isn’t as good as the top four (nice step) but don’t think he plays less than them because he’s not that much worse (first part)? Doesn’t compute.
There’s a reason Goligoski only plays about 17 minutes a night ES+PK time and the other 4 defensemen all exceed 20 minutes a night. Goligoski also has the worst QoC on the team, which makes sense, because he’s playing 3rd pairing and usually matching up against the other team’s 3rd or 4th lines.
There’s a reason Goligoski’s zone starts are overwhelmingly in the offensive zone, and by far the most of any D, it’s playing to the strengths of the team. He’s going to help the team most in the offensive zone, but for draws in your own end, it’s going to help more to have Orpik/Letang or Michalek/Martin out there.
I just don’t see the narrative that Gogo is struggling in his own end. If he was, his numbers wouldn’t look so good.
I never said he was struggling, I said he’s not getting as many tough minutes for a reason. And that reason is there are 4 better options who are steadier in their own end and better defensive players.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
in the middle you admit Goligoski isn’t as good as the top four (nice step) but don’t think he plays less than them because he’s not that much worse (first part)?
The coaches have identified the other four defensemen in front of Gogo as better suited to some of the team’s needs. They probably are better in the defensive zone than Gogo is right now. But this whole thread was kick started when someone (I forget who) suggested Gogo needs to get better in his own end. I just don’t buy that. I think other than Engelland, all of our defensemen are fine in their own end. Some are better than others, but that doesn’t mean the 4th and 5th guy on the totem pole are bad. In other words, the 12th best defensemen in the league today isn’t bad because there are eleven guys ahead of him.
The dispositive point for me is this: if Gogo were bad in his own end, his numbers would look a hell of a lot worse. The fact that his numbers are so good is indicative of the fact that he plays just fine in the defensive zone. One thing that would make him look a lot better on the ice would be better teammates: right now, Gogo is sporting the lowest QTEAM on the team.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Im sure you guys already know how I feel about these mind boggling statistic measurements, lol, but I do know what I see out there. And what I see is that Gogo CANNOT handle himself along the boards and is consistenly outmuscled in his own end….
His stickwork is decent, but he definitely needs better positioning and more strength. Im a Goligoski supporter actually, and feels that his pros outweigh his cons by a good margin, and he is a steal at his salary right now. IMO, Letang had almost identical problems early on in his career, so I am just waiting for Gogo to make the transition like Tanger has.
by LastSonOfKrypton on Jan 4, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
I could see them trading Lovejoy with Despres coming soon as he’s got some upside and we might actually be able to get a few pieces for him (minor league or draft picks or actual players).
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
The full team release..
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Deryk Engelland to a three-year contract extension, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
The new contract goes into effect at the start of the 2011-12 season and will run through 2013-14. The average annual value of the deal is $566,700 over the term of the contract.
With the signing, the Penguins have locked up all seven defensemen on their current roster to contracts beyond this season: Alex Goligoski (2011-12); Ben Lovejoy (2012-13); Brooks Orpik (2013-14); Kris Letang (2013-14); Engelland (2013-14); Paul Martin (2014-15); and Zbynek Michalek (2014-15).
Engelland, 28, is in his first full season with Pittsburgh. He has posted five points (2G-3A) and a team-leading 76 penalty minutes in 32 games. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound blueliner made his NHL debut last year with Pittsburgh, playing in nine games and recording two assists and 17 penalty minutes.
Engelland, who originally signed with the Penguins organization as a free agent in the summer of 2007, played the previous three seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. In 231 career games with WBS, he posted 42 points (10G-32A), a plus-11 rating and 402 penalty minutes. Engelland appeared in 39 playoff games with WBS and helped the team earn a berth in the Calder Cup Final in 2008.
The Edmonton, Alberta native was originally drafted by New Jersey in the sixth round (194th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He has played with WBS, Lowell and Hershey of the AHL, and Las Vegas, South Carolina and Reading of the ECHL during his career.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I was just wondering about the status of Lovejoy’s contract. I’m glad that he is locked up for the time being. Because I just bought a Lovejoy shirt last week.
"I mean, please." --Sidney Crosby
Somewhere....
…Colton Orr is crying.
by LastSonOfKrypton on Jan 3, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
I like it.
I think it’s a great signing at the price. I like DE’s physical play.
Of course it could all be part of some elaborate scheme by RS to have Engel locked at a low price to make it easier in the trade department or something. I hope not.
That’s what I was thinking. Not sure what kinds of trades Shero has up his sleeve, but I bet that it includes one or two defensive prospects given that we have some really solid ones, and defense is always in high demand. I’d be shocked if TK is still in a Pens uniform by the playoffs as well. Beyond that, who knows. I like Duper, so I hope he doesn’t have to go, but… anyone except 87, 71, 11, 58, 29 is fair game.
"Those goals just rip the heart right out of your stomach." - Edzo
Engelland’s shown he can play at the NHL level this season. Though he’s old, he’s only played 41 career NHL games, and his play should improves as he continues to gain NHL experience.
And with the prospect pool deep on D (Bortuzzo, Strait, Despres, etc), the Pens don’t need Engelland to be more than a 6/7 guy.
Basically Engelland’s the replacement for Eric Godard (who’s in the last year of his contract) and he’s about $200k cheaper than Godard, while being just as effective of a fighter.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Hooks – What is your thought on Depres? When do you think he will get into the lineup for the big club? If so, who is the odd man out?
I wrote about it above, probably as you were putting this up.
Defensive depth is the name of the game, and I don’t think anyone is necessarily out because of this.
If guys like Bortuzzo and Despres are NHL worthy in the next 12-18 months, some decisions would have to be made. My pure guess would be Lovejoy and Goligoski would be the most expendable, but I don’t believe neither needs to pack their bags at this moment in time.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
shero thinking like the STEELERS
engelland fills 2 roles, which the steelers love when a player can fill 2 roles with 1 roster spot….. which makes GODARD easily expendable, we have enough rock em sock guys grinders, tough guys, RUPP, COOKE< ASHAM< Engelland, Max, so
I agree, this deal probably makes Godard irrelevant. It’s a good move for the team, as Engo is as effective (and willing) a fighter, and cheaper.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
And Engelland is more effective all around.
Actually, the way Godard’s gotten trashed in fights a couple times this season makes me think he’s not really even useful in that regard anymore.
Godard’s 2-2 this year, according to hockeyfights votes (losses coming to Orr and Carkner). Engelland’s 8-2 by the same standard, but he’s fought a lot of lesser competition.
I think Godard’s still effective, but Engelland’s obviously proven he’s up to the task.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I think Godard is pretty useless now that we have Asham, Rupp, and Engelland.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Godard does have a very, very small amount of defensive capability, but when you’re also the worst offensive player on the team other than Craig Adams, who has far more defensive capability, your days should be few.
Godard is the most scratched player on the team, and also sees the lowest amount of ice time when he does play. I think it’s time we let him go at the end of this season.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
One could argue, with Engelland locked up for years to come, and tough guys like Rupp and Asham who can/will fight about anyone in the league, it’s time to trade Godard for an asset.
Staal’s return means the team has 14 healthy forwards (and Comrie). Even if two players get hurt, Jeffrey likely to be called up. When will Godard see action again?
Some NHL teams still like to pay big bucks to enforcers (Shelley to PHI, Boogaard to NYR, Orr to TOR and so on), and Godard is still well-regarded for what he does.
Granted, the Pens could probably only get a mid round pick for him (4th, 5th, 6th, I’m thinking), but hey, that’s something. They’ve dug up guys like Caputi and Jeffrey late in the draft and for a team that usually trades away draft picks, adding one is always a good idea.
Godard’s redundant at this point, and even though he’s good at what he does, it’s not valuable to a Pens team that has other guys who can do that, and provide more in other areas. And for cheaper.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jan 3, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Trading him even for a 5th round pick or the like is at least getting something in return. Yes, that is the direction they should take much like the direction Phoenix took when they traded Laraque to us back when. If we could manage to wring a 3rd and someone like Carcillo out of someone, even better.
Well at least this will be our last season with Godard.
It’s tough to be critical when the price is league minimum, but Engel has easily made himself to be the penguins worst defensemen this year. But I guess he’ll be an adequate 6th guy as long as Bylsma continues to keep him sheltered.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
It’s tough to be critical when the price is league minimum, but Engel has easily made himself to be the penguins worst defensemen this year
If Engelland (who’s played 9 career NHL games before this season) was having a better year than any of the top 5 guys, it would be big problems. IMO, top to bottom he’s been better than Lovejoy. Which is enough to stay in the lineup.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
32 games played to 18. The brain trust has made Engelland the defacto #6, and I think he’s plugged the hole about as well as Lovejoy defensively with the added benefit of being able to enforce.
Engelland’s hits give him an edge in my eyes, he’s significantly more physical, but despite that he’s only taken 13 minors in 32 games (.40 per game). Lovejoy’s taken 6 minors in 18 games (.33), not much difference for a lot more physicality.
Consistency wise, Engelland’s improved his +/- every month: -4 in October to +1 in November to +3 in December. Lovejoy’s been a little more scattered with +4, -5, +2 in the three months. We all know plus/minus isn’t always the best indicator, but I think it’s indicative here to show Engo’s steady improvement, with Lovejoy running a little more hot and cold.
When it comes to getting the puck to the net, Engelland’s numbers are better:
Engelland: 22 shots on goal, 13 shots missed, 2 goals
Lovejoy: 16 shots on goal, 22 shots missed, 1 goal
On top of that, based off the eye test, I think Engelland’s better at playing within his skill set and deferring more to Goligoski, whereas Lovejoy tries to force things more himself, usually resulting in turnovers.
Both of these guys are only asked to play 13 minutes a night, I’m not too concerned about relative Corsi or quality of competition differences, since they have basically the same role in any given game, that doesn’t carry to much weight.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jan 3, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
This. This. This.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
If I spoke good, this is what I would have said
by docs11 on Jan 3, 2011 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Thanks dude.
Also, Engelland has been on ice for 13 goals against the Penguins in the 32 games he’s played.
Lovejoy’s been on the ice for 11 goals going in his net and he’s only played 18 games.
Surely they aren’t all the Reverend’s fault, but the #6 guy can’t be out there when pucks are going in.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
He’s definitely an adequate sixth defenseman, but I’ve read some reports (Seth @ EmptyNetters) that seemed to indicate Engelland was actually doing well this season. Every stat we have (other than his wins in fights) indicates he’s not doing well.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I think people who believe Engelland is performing well are working under the expectations we had before the season, in that he was basically a #7 and couldn’t hope to be anything else, and that he surprised us with genuinely decent play in the first part of the season when much of the rest of the defense was coming apart at the seams, which seemed all that much better precisely because we expected nothing but filler minutes from him.
Recently, though, I think he’s fallen back to where we thought he’d be, and Lovejoy has played okay, but not without mistakes.
I think that’s a good summary. Ultimately, neither Engel nor Lovejoy are very good defensemen, and the best we can hope for is that DB continues to keep them sheltered, and that they don’t try to do too much on the ice. I don’t mind the Engel signing at all, but it’s just annoying when some people start saying “oh Engel has been pretty good this season.”
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Let’s look at this for a second. Michalek has a better adjusted plus minus, has a much better Corsi ON, sees a much worse zone start than Engel, and is doing this against better competition than Engel.
Plus minus is a decent stat, but every stat needs context. One you look at it with context, I think it’s a no brainer Michalek is wayyyyy better than Engelland.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
but it’s just annoying when some people start saying "oh Engel has been pretty good this season."
How is that annoying? Engelland’s been a career minor leaguer that’s been able to carry a limited 6th defenseman shift and provide a valuable tool with his fists. I’d say that’s pretty good.
No one is (or should be) rallying to get him more ice time or anything, that would be annoying. But relative to his talent and past, I’d say it’s no stretch to say Engelland’s delivered this year. That Bylsma plays him more than Lovejoy, and that Shero gave him a 3 year contract just two days after he was allowed to negotiate, shows that management believes Engelland’s had a pretty good year too.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jan 3, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I know he’s a feel good story, and he’s not been atrocious this season, but my point has been to not lose sight of the fact that he’s struggled against some pretty easy competition this year. He’s adequate, but I still think he can be better. He’s just got a ways to go.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
but my point has been to not lose sight of the fact that he’s struggled against some pretty easy competition this year.
I’m sorry, but disregarding all the advanced stats, the Pens wouldn’t of given him a three year deal if that was the case.
They must be seeing something that you’re not.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
I think the Pens realize that a team’s sixth defensemen is not going to be that good. Here’s a guy who can fight and at least not get demolished by the opposition. He also plays on a good enough team so the other guys around him can make him look better. Once again, the Engel signing isn’t a bad one: for that price, almost anyone is alright. But he has struggled versus easy competition, and I think the Pens made this move for consistency’s sake, and because he’ll allow them to let go of Godard.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
He’s adequate, but I still think he can be better. He’s just got a ways to go.
Sure, but he’s played 41 career NHL games, 32 of them coming this year. Engelland’s no spring chicken, but with more experience he ought to be able to improve in his play.
His goals against is good, his fighting is great and it’s near league minimum. That’s a good signing for a guy about to be a UFA.
That Shero signing him almost immediately when he could from the Jan 1 start-date, says that yes, Engelland is having a good season and does have something to offer.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
His goals against is good, his fighting is great and it’s near league minimum. That’s a good signing for a guy about to be a UFA.
I don’t have a problem with the signing. I would like to see Engel eventually get to a point where he can at least remain even in terms of goals and shots with relatively weak opposition.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Remember that part of 24/7 where one of the Capitals (forget his name) was talking about how he could never seem to stay in the NHL — he would always get sent back to the minors — until he started fighting, and then finally he was able to stay in the NHL. And it was sort of sad, because he was saying that he couldn’t have a career as an NHL hockey player until he started punching people. I feel like that might be what is going on with Engo. Not that he is necessarily unhappy about his enforcer role — he might love fighting for all I know — but he figured out that he had to become a good fighter to stick around.
"I mean, please." --Sidney Crosby
I’ve been pretty outspoken about making penalties for fighting fairly harsh in the NHL much the way it is in (most) European leagues, and this is one reason why, just to save these guys from themselves.
NO.
Leave fighting alone….this is hockey and fighting is part of the game…it`s not for sissies!
These guys get paid millions of dollars to drop the gloves…I`d say they are making out OK, lol.
by LastSonOfKrypton on Jan 3, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
Great move
I see some people prefer Lovejoy but for me I like Engelland more. This has to make Go-go an attractive commodity with his low cap hit. Maybe not this year but this off-season. He would obviously have more value than Lovejoy but either one can be had for the right deal its looking like.
This makes me pretty happy
Although, I’ll admit I’m pretty fond of anyone that can drop them like Engo.
I like Lovejoy, but think if Engo gets just a little bit more trustworthy, he has the better upside. He puts the puck on net pretty well and can be the big guy we need back there to go with all of these little dmen.
This is great news. I think it’s pretty obvious this guy has earned the majority of the starts as the #6 guy. Three years…I think that says the Pens are very, very happy with him.
For me personally, this is an awesome feel-good story about a journey man guy making the most of his opportunities.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
Hell yeah!
Great news… Engo is rocking the house this season and is getting rewarded for it… respect! He might still be mistake-prone defensively, but the organization showing trust by signing him to a long-term contract should do him some good.
You have to see it for yourself...
i'm w/ Hooks on pretty much every point above
as far as new thoughts:
1. why is anyone questioning Ray Shero? Great signing!
2. none of the current D is now the “odd man out” — the D corps is the same — and likely to stay the same (this year)
3. if anyone gets moved b/c of this signing, its Godard.
(he’s great at what he does — i’d hope the Pens would get more than a 5th — but saving his cap space is huge on its own)
4. the D corps is now set up PERFECTLY for next year (again, bravo! Ray Shero)
- the Top 4 are all signed for a few more years
- Goose is signed thru the end of next year — the #5
- there will competition for the #6 — could be Engo or Lovejoy (like this year) or one of the prospects in the system. If Godard is moved, you could see Engo get played the way Godard does now: versus Philthadelphia and/or other physical teams even if someone is the more commonly played #6 (ie, Engo could, and prob will, be the #7). Lovejoy is insurance if none of the prospects are ready next year. If he surprises to the upside, great. But either way, he’s likely gone after the end of next season.
5. Any odd man out on the D corps is likely to be moved NEXT year, prob at the deadline.
Goose the most likely. Esp. if Despres (or one of the other guys is ready) 14 months from now.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on PensBurgh
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- NHL Playoff Beard Watch: Blood, Sweat and Beards of unsung unshaven heroes
- Devils guarantee they’ll downplay 1994 conference finals for Game 6 vs. Rangers
- Dodger Stadium Winter Classic; 10 worst NHL fans; ‘While The Men Watch’ debate (Puck Headlines)
- Lightning GM Yzerman suggests he won’t be trading for Luongo, strengthens position for Luongo trade
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Ron Hextall, Luke Richardson and Rangers/Devils
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Despite loss, Phoenix Coyotes build solid foundation in the desert with run to West finals
- Worth every penny: LA Kings D Drew Doughty comes through with stellar playoff performances
- Coyotes finish off best season ever
- Doughty enjoying breakthrough playoff for LA Kings
- Maple Leafs sign defensive prospect Petter Granberg to entry level deal
