Since this somewhat underrated movie has been on HBO like 13 times already this week, we've naturally decided to take a look at the right wing on the Penguins' second line.
Maxime Talbot's going to miss the first two month at least due to his bum shoulder. And considering all the partying he's been doing this summer turning up at seemingly everyone's individual Stanley Cup celebration, Talbot could be out of commission for upwards of 11 years. We think.
So that leaves a temporary hole on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Ruslan Fedotenko. Who replaces Talbot?
Here are our candidates (in alphabetical order) with their 2008-09 numbers:
Luca Caputi
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| NHL |
5 |
1-0-1 |
| AHL |
66 |
18-27-49 |
| ECHL |
3 |
2-1-3 |
Why Him: Caputi looked like he belonged during his cup of coffee last season in the NHL. He didn't looked overwhelmed by being in an NHL environment. As a player with a power forward type of game he could help replace some of the grit Talbot brings.
Why Not Him: Caputi is still a development in progress, physically and mentally. He's still a bit small to be a true NHL power forward (6-foot-2, 184 pounds). And discipline appears to be an issue with him off and on the ice at least when it comes to defense. Handing too much responsibility to a player still developing could have a negative impact on his long-term development. Additionally, Caputi is a left winger which is Fedotenko's position.
Matt Cooke
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| NHL |
76 |
12-18-31 |
Why Him: Cooke brings the same tough, aggressive high energy approach as Talbot and will do the dirty work that could create space for Malkin and Fedotenko operate offensively. He Will go to the net and get beat up.
Why Not Him: Would breaking up the third line of Cooke, Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Staal be a wise move? Additionally, Cooke's more of a left winger which is Fedotenko's position. And Cooke has limited offensive touch and he's prone to penalties.
Pascal Dupuis
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| NHL |
71 |
12-16-28 |
Why Him: Dupuis was good enough to be on Sidney Crosby's line for essentially one season, why couldn't he fill in on the right wing, his natural position, for two months with Malkin? Also, he has speed and certainly not afraid to shoot the puck.
Why Not Him: Dupuis' offense is extremely limited. He likes to shoot, but his shot doesn't strike fear into too many goaltenders. And while he does bring some energy when he steps on the ice, he's not particularly physical. As far as ice time is concerned, Dupuis has always seemed more effective when he plays fourth-line type of minutes.
Dustin Jeffrey
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| NHL |
14 |
1-2-3 |
| AHL |
63 |
11-26-37 |
Why Him: Jeffrey (above, No. 42) was more than capable in a brief call up last season and even earned some occasional ice time on the Penguins' top lines. He probably has the closest type of game in regards to Talbot. He brings energy, a physical edge, is more than willing to shoot the puck and like Talbot, he's a natural center. While his faceoff numbers last season weren't great, he can step in to take a draw.
Why Not Him: Jeffrey is probably close to hitting his ceiling as far as what he can offer at the NHL level. Outside of gaining a little experience, we're probably can't really improve in too many areas. Additionally, he hasn't really been a particularly prolific scorer at any level.
Tyler Kennedy
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| NHL |
67 |
15-20-35 |
Why Him: Kennedy's game has gradually developed the past few campaigns and were it not for a knee injury last season, he could've hit the 20-goal mark. He flourished in the playoffs scoring three game-winning goals. Additionally, he brings several similar attributes as Talbot such as energy, physical play and he will drop the gloves on occasion.
Why Not Him: Again, do you want to break up what is a pretty successful line of Cooke, Kennedy and Staal? And Kennedy got a tryout on Crosby's wing for several games last season and failed to produce consistently.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| WHL |
72 |
36-79-115 |
Why Him: Pierro-Zabotel is an intriging prospect as he's been described as a Tomas Holmstrom type of player who has more finishing ability. He was the the WHL's leading scorer last season and set a single-season scoring record with the Vancouver Giants.
Why Not Him: Pierro-Zabotel is very raw and has yet to even play at the AHL level. The Penguins would need have several other players leave the lineup for various reasons and/or have Pierro-Zabotel make some miraculous debut in training camp for him to even be on the NHL roster let along on Evgeni Malkin's wing.
Jordan Staal
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| NHL |
82 |
22-27-49 |
Why Him: Staal's most prolific goal-scoring season came three seasons ago on Malkin's wing when he scored 29 goals. As a center, he could step in and take faceoffs for Malkin.
Why Not Him: It's hard to see the Penguins move Staal, who is anchored as the third line's center to the right wing on the second line for two months. Additionally, for what ever reason, Staal and Malkin just were not able to re-create the rythym they had as rookies in the few times they were teamed up on the same line last season. And Staal still gets bodied off the puck far too often. Some sort of physical presence along the wall would be needed on a line with Fedotenko and Malkin.
Eric Tangradi
| League |
Games Played |
Goals-
Assists-
Points |
| OHL |
55 |
38-50-88 |
Why Him: At 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, Tangradi is a big body who is still growing. He will go to the net, get physical and will drop the gloves. And he knows how to score. Tangradi is a prototypical power forward prospect.
Why Not Him: His biggest obstacle is the hand injury he suffered in last season's OHL playoffs. Tangradi lacerated a tendon and you never like to hear that about a guy who has some natural ability to score goals. Assuming his health is not an issue, Tangradi still has to contend with a lack of maturity on the ice and simple inexperience.
So what do you think? Did we name the top eight candidates? Did we ignore someone? Does an established player like Craig Adams deserve some consideration? What about a prospect like Keven Veilleaux? Should the Penguins find a way to fit someone like Miroslav Satan or Petr Sykora under the salary cap?
Personally, we'd like to see Jeffrey get first crack at the job since he has a similar game to Talbot and we'd hate to see someone like Caputi or Tangradi rushed into something too soon.
That said, we'll be the first to acknowledge that this debate could be much ado about nothing since Dan Bylsma has shown a willingness to change lines at a rate that would make Michel Therrien jealous. We won't be shocked to see Malkin and Crosby teamed up within the first month of play.
(Photo: The Replacements-Photobucket; Caputi, Pierro-Zabotel and Tangradi-Matt Freed/Post-Gazette; Cooke, Jeffrey and Kennedy-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images; Dupuis-Jamie Sabau/Getty Images; Staal-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Posted
Aug 14 2009, 05:18 AM
by
Seth Rorabaugh