And it appears to have been a one-game thing. Can't find any info other than on fantasy-type sites.
- hardnosed

I did very limited research lol

I did very limited research lol
- Isles_since_6

Should ask directly on the Ducks board to know how Was Lovejoy's game this year.

Seems like Shero and Bylsma were brought back in for 1 more move. I dont get the Despres deal at all. Why did we basically trade a #1 pick for a 5th round pick? We shipped Lovejoy away for a 5th and then got him back for what once was a #1 of ours. I dont get it at all. Crazy.

Id like to think improved puck posession will carry the day, but given the state of the NHL refs, Im not so sure

Hopefully Lovejoy improved a lot and Plays well for us..the truth is I won't get over This trade easily. Despres is no longer a Penguin

Seems like Shero and Bylsma were brought back in for 1 more move. I dont get the Despres deal at all. Why did we basically trade a #1 pick for a 5th round pick? We shipped Lovejoy away for a 5th and then got him back for what once was a #1 of ours. I dont get it at all. Crazy.

Id like to think improved puck posession will carry the day, but given the state of the NHL refs, Im not so sure
- Amanion

the last month the reffing has been just terrible all over.

Should ask directly on the Ducks board to know how Was Lovejoy's game this year.
- Barnaby36

I can do that for you

*edit, nevermind, I see you're already on it

I did very limited research lol
- Isles_since_6

Yah, I didn't see anything that would suggest his play warranted being scratched, however, injuries and illness come into play. I know its weird but if you have the flu you could be a healthy scratch for a game.
The good news is that he is producing at even strength and playing 18:30 a game, 1:45 pk.

Yah, I didn't see anything that would suggest his play warranted being scratched, however, injuries and illness come into play. I know its weird but if you have the flu you could be a healthy scratch for a game.
The good news is that he is producing at even strength and playing 18:30 a game, 1:45 pk.
- usethe1-2-2

calvin dehaan was a healthy scratch for us, but that's because our coach is an idiot.

From Seth R
@emptynetters: Two things which stood to me from Rutherford:
1.) Asst/Assoc. GMs pushed for Lovejoy.
2.) Management thought Despres' play had tailed off.

Hopefully Lovejoy improved a lot and Plays well for us..the truth is I won't get over This trade easily. Despres is no longer a Penguin
- Barnaby36

Will you get over it if the Pens win the Cup?

Hopefully Lovejoy improved a lot and Plays well for us..the truth is I won't get over This trade easily. Despres is no longer a Penguin
- Barnaby36

Im not holy with it either, but it is what it is and I'm excited about the future. Maatta, Pouliot, Letang, Harrington and Dumo are going to be good for years to come. I have a lot of hope for Cole too

calvin dehaan was a healthy scratch for us, but that's because our coach is an idiot.
- Isles_since_6

People forget that angle as well

From Seth R
@emptynetters: Two things which stood to me from Rutherford:
1.) Asst/Assoc. GMs pushed for Lovejoy.
2.) Management thought Despres' play had tailed off.
- Doogs

The 25 or so they have in the organization?

The 25 or so they have in the organization?
- acdc1206

Yep

Rutherford's shopping list for defensemen was pretty narrow.

They had to fit the system (they both do).

They preferably would have another year of control beyond this one to bridge the gap between Martin and Ehrhoff leaving and the young kids taking on minute-heavy roles. (They both do.)

Most importantly, they had to have really low cap hits in order to fit, while having enough NHL experience for the coaching staff to be comfortable and confident in them. (They both do.)

Sometimes "value" isn't about simply comparing players' statistics, gauging a player's potential, or valuing their initial draft position. Sometimes it's about finding a way to make your team better, which GMJR did today.

Rutherford's shopping list for defensemen was pretty narrow.

They had to fit the system (they both do).

They preferably would have another year of control beyond this one to bridge the gap between Martin and Ehrhoff leaving and the young kids taking on minute-heavy roles. (They both do.)

Most importantly, they had to have really low cap hits in order to fit, while having enough NHL experience for the coaching staff to be comfortable and confident in them. (They both do.)

Sometimes "value" isn't about simply comparing players' statistics, gauging a player's potential, or valuing their initial draft position. Sometimes it's about finding a way to make your team better, which GMJR did today.
- hardnosed

I agree with you

But he has done a masterful job of cleaning up the tightly coiled pile shero left on the front porch of Consol. This team is a lot better off today than at this time last year.

Seems like Shero and Bylsma were brought back in for 1 more move. I dont get the Despres deal at all. Why did we basically trade a #1 pick for a 5th round pick? We shipped Lovejoy away for a 5th and then got him back for what once was a #1 of ours. I dont get it at all. Crazy.

Id like to think improved puck posession will carry the day, but given the state of the NHL refs, Im not so sure
- Amanion

It doesn't matter where a player was drafted afte he's made it to the nhl... They are both nhll players. That is the only thing that matters. When you make the nhl and play regular minutes, where you get drafted is null and void.

Rutherford's shopping list for defensemen was pretty narrow.

They had to fit the system (they both do).

They preferably would have another year of control beyond this one to bridge the gap between Martin and Ehrhoff leaving and the young kids taking on minute-heavy roles. (They both do.)

Most importantly, they had to have really low cap hits in order to fit, while having enough NHL experience for the coaching staff to be comfortable and confident in them. (They both do.)

Sometimes "value" isn't about simply comparing players' statistics, gauging a player's potential, or valuing their initial draft position. Sometimes it's about finding a way to make your team better, which GMJR did today.
- hardnosed

After hearing about trading Despres I was pretty pissed off, but you and a couple others have made some very pointed posts that have cooled me down a bunch.

I though Despres value was higher, but I guess it was just the Pens coloured glasses I like to wear. I think the deal has the possibilty to come back and haunt us, Despres does have the tools to be a very impactful dman, I do wonder though if he has the smarts, sometimes I get the feeling that he just doesnt understand what he is being coached to do.

But I have been preaching that we are in a win now, maybe Lovejoy's veteran calm will help us to that. In my opinion all the move JR has made since he got here has made us a better team. I gotta trust the old man on this one and see how it looks on Wednesday.

Rutherford's shopping list for defensemen was pretty narrow.

They had to fit the system (they both do).

They preferably would have another year of control beyond this one to bridge the gap between Martin and Ehrhoff leaving and the young kids taking on minute-heavy roles. (They both do.)

Most importantly, they had to have really low cap hits in order to fit, while having enough NHL experience for the coaching staff to be comfortable and confident in them. (They both do.)

Sometimes "value" isn't about simply comparing players' statistics, gauging a player's potential, or valuing their initial draft position. Sometimes it's about finding a way to make your team better, which GMJR did today.
- hardnosed

I have no problem with either move. Lovejoy gives us another righty in the top 4 and Cole gives us a shutdown type. Both cap friendly to give us some more flexibility for the offseason. Liked Borts and Despres but I think we improved today.

After hearing about trading Despres I was pretty pissed off, but you and a couple others have made some very pointed posts that have cooled me down a bunch.

I though Despres value was higher, but I guess it was just the Pens coloured glasses I like to wear. I think the deal has the possibilty to come back and haunt us, Despres does have the tools to be a very impactful dman, I do wonder though if he has the smarts, sometimes I get the feeling that he just doesnt understand what he is being coached to do.

But I have been preaching that we are in a win now, maybe Lovejoy's veteran calm will help us to that. In my opinion all the move JR has made since he got here has made us a better team. I gotta trust the old man on this one and see how it looks on Wednesday.
- stackthepads

I agree with you about Despres hockey IQ. It was a question mark when he was drafted as well....and for being a big strong guy he seemed to fall down a awful lot

Another think Id like to say is that our defence has looked really loose at least a few times every game. I would imagine that was something that has been looked at and maybe the coaching staff believed they needed more stable players back there.

How do the d line up now?

Letang Martin
Ehrhoff Lovejoy
Cole Scuderi
Pouliot

?

BTW the Pens have become an elite team in terms of shot suppression, five on five play, and goals against.
Balanced lineup and mobile defense have done wonders, but Mike Johnston's system is really starting to take hold. A healthy march could lead to one hell of a playoff run.

Despres does have the tools to be a very impactful dman, I do wonder though if he has the smarts, sometimes I get the feeling that he just doesnt understand what he is being coached to do.

- stackthepads

I've refrained from harping on him this year. He's played much better. But I just don't know if he's got the hockey IQ or instincts for Johnston's system.

On page one someone argued against the idea that coaches and GMs know best, stating that they're not infallible.

While I agree that they're not infallible, it's an incontrovertible fact that the coaches and GMs have more information than we do.

I've always argued that just watching Despres play does not tell all of the story, and that the other half of the story is something that coaches and GMs are aware of.

gives us another righty in the top 4
- willi

An overlooked aspect for sure.

Another think Id like to say is that our defence has looked really loose at least a few times every game. I would imagine that was something that has been looked at and maybe the coaching staff believed they needed more stable players back there.

How do the d line up now?

Letang Martin
Ehrhoff Lovejoy
Cole Scuderi
Pouliot

?
- stackthepads

Not popular, but I sit Scuds for a few games and see what Pouliot has with one of the new guys. DP has played really well and it would be nice to see him rewarded for it.