Penguins Recall Defenseman Simon Despres from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

I am definitely excited to see Despres in action hopefully tonight!

by xaryss on Dec 1, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

The Pens only have 6 defensemen with them currently, Despres being one. You’ll definitely see him tonight. Probably only for about 10 minutes, but you’ll see him none the less.

Pensburgh

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by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Hopefully both Letang and Michalek will be back very soon but I definitely look forward to seeing what Despres can do.

by xaryss on Dec 1, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

This may be speculating, but I think this means either Letang or Michalek could be out for a little while.

by AronV on Dec 1, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Zero update on Letang or Michalek from Bylsma today.

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by ozman_fiftyone on Dec 1, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

This.

I don’t think they’d call Despres up for just one game, though I could be wrong.

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by wg1of5 on Dec 1, 2011 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

Will see some of what Despres can do in a game that counts. It’ll be a good opportunity to give him exposure to a big game, since it is likely they might need him in the playoffs.Too bad Tanger has a virus. ZM apparently had headaches.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Dec 1, 2011 10:57 AM EST reply actions

There is sentiment that Despres is taking shifts off in WBS per the people I talk to there. That clarifies the timing of this for me. If you can’t get up for every shift of Pens/Caps then you have a motivation problem.

It’s not waiver motivated because Picard was Waiver-exempt as he was recalled due to an emergency situation (only 4 Dmen). This also has nothing to do w/ a cap hit. Despres salary cap hit: $840,000. Picard cap hit: $600,000.

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by ozman_fiftyone on Dec 1, 2011 11:00 AM EST reply actions

It’s not waiver motivated because Picard was Waiver-exempt

Are you sure? The Pens recalled Picard originally on November 3rd are you sure that’s not when the clock started? Because after 30 days (or 10 games played), he would be exposed again.

That leads me to believe they could not safely send him back on December 2nd, as tomorrow would be the 30th day.

Maybe since he was recalled since then, would the clock start over? I’m not an expert on the CBA, you could very well be right. But I just find it weird they send him down 29 days after he was first recalled and would have 30 days of waiver exemption. (Especially on a game-day).

Pensburgh

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by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

Pretty sure and Shero just confirmed such to Molinari.

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by ozman_fiftyone on Dec 1, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

In this tweet?

MolinariPG Dave Molinari
Ray Shero confirms Alexandre Picard was up on emergency recall, which means he doesn’t have to clear waivers to rejoin Wilkes-Barre.

That doesn’t clear much up for me, of course Picard was on emergency recall today, but does that stretch back to Nov 3rd? If so, he would have been subjected to waivers tomorrow, since the 30 days he would be safe would be up.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

I thought the 30 days were 30 days on the ROSTER in between going through waivers. Just as it’s 10 games dressed in between going through waivers. That’s how I understood the rules, anyway. Picard has only spent a handful of days on the roster (I can’t be bothered counting the exact number), so he could easily stay longer now. But if the team wants to make use of his services in February, for example, they need to make sure he doesn’t hit the 30 days on the roster,or 10 games played, before then.

I’m not sure if the number resets except for going through waivers again, anyone know?

by Skyff on Dec 1, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

First call-up was not an emergency. Picard had to clear waivers per McKenzie on his way back down that time.

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by ozman_fiftyone on Dec 1, 2011 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

Road game...

So I’ll bet Despres winds up matched up on the Ovechkin line at some point. Talk about being thrown to the wolves…

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by docciavelli on Dec 1, 2011 12:40 PM EST reply actions

I don’t doubt one bit that his performance tonight will be less than stellar. He’s been mentioned by every pens fan in the past couple years and the timing of him making his first NHL appearance is perfect. We all have truly wanted/want to see what he can do in the NHL. Matching up against one of the best is going to be awesome given it happens. We are getting a good taste tonight of what the future holds as far as our defense. I can’t wait until tonight’s game!

by Eicher on Dec 1, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Good point doc. Plus Despres will be playing with Bortuzzo, a veteran of a whopping 21:17 NHL minutes in his life. And I don’t believe Despres and Bortuzzo have taken many shifts together in the AHL (Bort’s only played 11 games and I believe was Picard’s regular partner).

The Pens will do all they can to shield the two rookies, but at some point they’re going to see Ovechkin and Semin out there.

Finally, Orpik and Martin better have great pre-game naps and hydrate up….Going to be long nights for those two again.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Gonna be long nights for all of us.

So is it Orpik-Engelland and Martin/Niskanen as the top two pairings? The fact that Bortuzzo and Despres paired so rarely in WBS concerns me.

Also, does this mean that Martin is the first-choice PP point-man (Sullivan I assume will pair him)? Or does Niskanen get the nod there?

You going to the game, Hooks? I’ll be at Irish Channel beforehand with my pops, and possibly afterwards. He doesn’t want to stay out late though—has to get to the hunting camp in PA early tomorrow. #centralPAredneck

DUE TO THE LENGTH OF NHL HOCKEY
SKATE ELECTRIC WILL NOT BE SEEN

by docciavelli on Dec 1, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

Also, does this mean that Martin is the first-choice PP point-man (Sullivan I assume will pair him)? Or does Niskanen get the nod there?

Last game is was Martin-Sullivan on the first PP and Picard-Niskanen as second. Bylsma said this morning that Despres will play 2nd unit minutes, so I assume he’s slotting into Picard’s place and the rest remains the same.

And no, I won’t be making it to this game. But have fun!

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Why? Ovi’s been terrible this season.

by SlayerGhaleon on Dec 1, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Welcome to the show kid. Best of luck.

Put on your dancin' shoes.

by PensFan024 on Dec 1, 2011 1:11 PM EST reply actions

Despres has been paired with Carl Sneep most of the season in the AHL. Wouldn’t say he takes shifts off, but has made plenty of rookie mistakes (i.e. rushing a pass or bad first touch, silly penalty etc.)

But it will be a good learning experience for him. Wouldn’t mind seeing him on the 2nd power play unit in Pittsburgh either.

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by TonyAndrock on Dec 1, 2011 2:00 PM EST reply actions

Yes, it will be a very good experience for Despres. Don’t forget, no matter what this is a regular season game. He might be facing this same line up down the line in the playoffs. It’s a hell of a lot better that Simon gets rid of his anxiety now than later.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Dec 1, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions

Strap em on kid.

Grab your balls and yell Pittsburgh.

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by AlexStitch on Dec 1, 2011 3:06 PM EST reply actions

Second that.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Dec 1, 2011 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

According to WBS coach Hynes this move is simply to get Despres a look at the NHL level.

Fanpost writer at Pensburgh :: Follow me on Twitter at @Ozman51

by ozman_fiftyone on Dec 1, 2011 3:41 PM EST reply actions

Do you take the word of the coach at every turn?

Not sure I agree that getting Despres into his first NHL game (with a partner he doesn’t play with who’s played 2 NHL games) is the best way to get a look at him.

But I guess if he can acquit himself well through this….

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Then again, maybe this is just to see what Despres can do. I’m not sure I buy that this is the time or place for it, but we’ll see I suppose.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

The Pens are not going to be shopping him. Are they?

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Dec 1, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

You seem more worried about the call up than excited. Regardless from the sound of it you will be experiencing this all in person. So I hope your doubt turns to excitement when the kid takes the ice for the first time as an NHL player.

by Eicher on Dec 1, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

No, I am excited. I was replying to the post by Hooks, about why now?

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Dec 1, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

I think he was talking about me.

I’m excited to see Despres in the NHL, but I don’t know if the time’s right. I’ll trust the judgment of those making the calls and we’ll see how it goes.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 1, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, I took it as a reply to me.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Dec 1, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

haha, were all pens fans here. No hostility taken. I can def see the nervousness in his play. He seems a little bit afraid to hold onto the puck and has mad a couple bad passes so far because of it.

by Eicher on Dec 1, 2011 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

On such a simple concept as is the case here, yes. We are all too often looking to start a conspiracy where there is none

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by ozman_fiftyone on Dec 1, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

Just heard this story on the radio!!!! Great for Despres! I am super excited as if this game didn’t have enough hype…woooooo despressss anyone know what # he will wear?

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by PensForTheWin on Dec 1, 2011 6:35 PM EST reply actions