Once Healthy, How Do We Protect Sid?

This summer's tragic deaths of Derek Boogard and Rick Rypien, both noted NHL tough guys, has caused a stir of discussion about the role and appropriateness of the traditional NHL enforcer.  While I don't think either of these gentlemen were singularly skilled only as fighters in the vein of former Penguin forward Eric Godard it nonetheless has ignited debate on the topic.  

However that's not what I want to write about.  Instead I want to continue a dialogue that I started last Thursday night during a brief appearance on 93.7 The Fan (KDKD FM Pittsburgh) with Chris Mueller. 

During the final hour of Chris' show several points regarding Sidney Crosby came up and one of them was, assuming he plays during the 2011-12 season (which most people at least hope he will), how and should the Penguins afford him extra protection from opportunistic goons. After talking about it for about 10 minutes on Twitter I just jumped on the show to make the conversation more public and practical. 

Listen to the conversation with Chris on 93.7 here

The first thing that I mentioned wass that I do believe the tragedies from this summer and the evidence that some past enforcers have sustained life long brain trauma will start the trend to end the role of the enforcer-only type player.  I just think that the Eric Godard's of the NHL can see their extinction coming.  The type of player that is going to replace them?  Guys like Mike Rupp.  

I've never been big on the concept of using up a roster position for a guy who's only job is to go out there and dent in faces.  I strongly believe that non-staged fighting is a part of hockey that should never go away, but there are bottom 6 type forwards who can fill that role.  When you dress a guy like Godard, or maybe Steve MacIntyre you in essence say lets roll 3 lines with 2 subs.  I've never liked that mentality especially when there are guy like Rupp who can go out there, play a physical game, chip in 6 goals a year and be a deterrent for anyone looking to make a run at your big guns.  

The Penguins let Mike Rupp go this off season.  I felt he was the second most important player to re-sign behind Craig Adams.  However a weak free agent pool drove the price up on mid-to-low range talent and a lot of players cashed in, including number 17.  Not paying Rupp in excess of $1.7mil a year over 3 was the correct move from Penguins General Manager Ray Shero.  However now he has to go out and find another guy like that in the weeds.  

MacIntyre signed a two way deal which gives the Penguins some flexibility regarding his use on the roster, but it also signals that they do not expect him to be on the NHL roster day in and day out like Eric Godard was.  They are looking for that toughness to come from elsewhere.  Where will that be?  Deryk Engelland is the first choice of most people but I don't like the idea that one of our six defensemen will be serving five minute majors on a regular basis to protect players or send messages.  You'd have to roll with a 7th d-man normally to accomplish this and that causes the 3 lines plus 2 subs scenario again. 

Craig Adams has grit, but his role is selective as a fighter.  We signed him to a two year deal to block shots and be a force on the PK, not to defend Sidney Crosby from anyone wanting to take an advantageous run at him.  Arron Asham is another tough player still on the Penguins roster.  Given last year's injury problems is he truly durable enough to fill the vacancy left by Rupp?  He's the best choice for it right now.  I'm not sure he he is truly the answer.  

The other option that Chris brought up is that you just sit Crosby from games where you can see something like a Micheal Haley, intent to injure, call-up coming. Like I said on the show I just don't think that is something that Sidney Crosby lets you do to him.  One of the things I think we have all learned is that Sid is a big time competitor.  We are all pretty sure he knows where he sits in relation to his peers in the league tho he never truly displays it outwardly.  I just think as the Captain, he acts like it and won't be healthy scratched for fear's sake.  

I don't want Steve MacIntyre to be the answer.  I want the Penguins to have a player that can dress every night and be on the bench for 82 games and be a constant deterrent.  Godard and MacIntyre types have to be implemented selectively and figuring out which games they are needed for sometimes requires the use of a Ouija board. 

I think the departure of Rupp & Max Talbot took some shift-to-shift toughness out of this team.  Ray Shero still has a gap to fill but he won't know how to fill it or with whom until he has a much clearer picture as to the status of his franchise center.