Ryan Wilson: Can Derrick Pouliot Handle a Top Four Defense Role in 2015-16? Can Derrick Pouliot Handle a Top Four Defense Role in 2015-16?

Pouliot for Heisman

nobody cares about these charts
nobody cares about anything
life is pointless, there is no hope

Lovejoy is solid. He's not going to be dynamic like Pouliot, but he isn't going to anchor anyone either. It's not his fault he was involved in a bad trade.

nobody cares about these charts
nobody cares about anything
life is pointless, there is no hope
- BulliesPhan87

Damn nihilists.

Pouliot's no Harrington...

Harrington was awful when he was called up. He was behind DP, Dumo, Cole, Lovejoy, even Scuds on the depth chart. I dont think he will be a NHL regular. Im still surprised he was one of hte pieces of the Kessel trade.

Harrington was awful when he was called up. He was behind DP, Dumo, Cole, Lovejoy, even Scuds on the depth chart. I dont think he will be a NHL regular. Im still surprised he was one of hte pieces of the Kessel trade.
- sammy87

I think the only reason he was a piece in the trade was because of his OHL roots with the Hunter brothers. The Pens weren't giving up Maatta, so the Leafs settled for Harrington.

Harrington didn't really fit into our system either. He's more of a stay at home, play it safe type of guy. I think he would have busted in our system or would have been a #6 or #7 guy.

Love that Ruth was able to get Clendening, PMD that hasn't been playing in the right systems imo.

Harrington was awful when he was called up. He was behind DP, Dumo, Cole, Lovejoy, even Scuds on the depth chart. I dont think he will be a NHL regular. Im still surprised he was one of hte pieces of the Kessel trade.
- sammy87

I haven't been impressed with Harrington or Dumoulin. I suppose either could become 2nd pairing guys, but if all they are is bottom pairing dmen, that's easily replaceable.

Pouliot's no Harrington...
- MaximusAurelius

Holy poop man... I'd rather play Scuderi than Harrington with how aweful he was when called up.

I haven't been impressed with Harrington or Dumoulin. I suppose either could become 2nd pairing guys, but if all they are is bottom pairing dmen, that's easily replaceable.
- jfkst1

Dumolin and Chourney were arguably our best pairing in the postseason... Considering most called Dumo a bottom pairing ceiling, I think hes shown a solid mid pairing level is obtainable by him.

I'd say yes eventually. I am not sure when exactly he will be ready, but it could be the second half of this season.

Holy poop man... I'd rather play Scuderi than Harrington with how aweful he was when called up.
- Guile

I'm not saying that everyone or any particular people were saying this, but: Last year, people were talking about Harrington was a top-6 defenseman for next year (this coming year) and maybe a top-4. Now that he's traded, he's nothing but a 6/7 man and probably not even that. I was never that high on him to begin with, but it's funny how the tone changes when a player's traded (not that it was a bad trade).

Edit: Pouliot will be ready for a 4/5 spot this season.

Dumolin and Chourney were arguably our best pairing in the postseason... Considering most called Dumo a bottom pairing ceiling, I think hes shown a solid mid pairing level is obtainable by him.
- Guile

They had heavily sheltered minutes. Dumoulin is also 24 in less than a month.

I'm not saying that everyone or any particular people were saying this, but: Last year, people were talking about Harrington was a top-6 defenseman for next year (this coming year) and maybe a top-4. Now that he's traded, he's nothing but a 6/7 man and probably not even that. I was never that high on him to begin with, but it's funny how the tone changes when a player's traded (not that it was a bad trade).

Edit: Pouliot will be ready for a 4/5 spot this season.
- jmatchett383

I'd rather have Harrington than Scuderi on the bottom pairing. At least there is potential, mobility, and cap savings.

I'm not saying that everyone or any particular people were saying this, but: Last year, people were talking about Harrington was a top-6 defenseman for next year (this coming year) and maybe a top-4. Now that he's traded, he's nothing but a 6/7 man and probably not even that. I was never that high on him to begin with, but it's funny how the tone changes when a player's traded (not that it was a bad trade).

Edit: Pouliot will be ready for a 4/5 spot this season.
- jmatchett383

Ummm no, we were NOT talking Harrington for this coming year in the top 4. We were quite sound in saying he was at least 1-2 year away from playing in the NHL.

Ummm no, we were NOT talking Harrington for this coming year in the top 4. We were quite sound in saying he was at least 1-2 year away from playing in the NHL.
- Guile

You weren't, probably not. But like I said, some were very high on him as a permanent top-6 role this year, especially after the Despres trade and because Lovejoy is apparently the worst defenseman in the NHL.

You weren't, probably not. But like I said, some were very high on him as a permanent top-6 role this year, especially after the Despres trade and because Lovejoy is apparently the worst defenseman in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

If Lovejoy were traded for Despres and Scuderi fans would love him. Most the Lovejoy hate is based on how he was acquired (which is obviously out of his control in this case).

If Lovejoy were traded for Despres and Scuderi fans would love him. Most the Lovejoy hate is based on how he was acquired (which is obviously out of his control in this case).
- jfkst1

I understand that. But the way some people act on here makes him out to be the worst player in the league. He's a 5/6 defenseman who was put in a position to fail last year. It probably wasn't a good trade, even if Despres stagnates, but that's not Lovejoy's fault.

He could fight in junior too.

I understand that. But the way some people act on here makes him out to be the worst player in the league. He's a 5/6 defenseman who was put in a position to fail last year. It probably wasn't a good trade, even if Despres stagnates, but that's not Lovejoy's fault.
- jmatchett383

I also think it is unfair to bring up a HERO chart to justify having Pouliot in the top four when comparing him to Lovejoy as his HERO chart looks every bit as strong and in most cases better.

And his last name doesn't help either, also out of his control.

Did someone say 'hero' chart?

I love/hate the pens defense heading into this season. I love the HUGE potential but hate the lack of experience. They could be putting to much into young guys to fast. I wouldn't mind if Pouliot spent another year developing and only have Dumoulin as a young guy without much experience at the NHL level. Some would argue Cole would fit that category as well but i think he is decently experienced. I am bias because I have always like the more big defensive type defenseman that can hit hard (orpik). Nothing wrong with a d-man helping on offense but i prefer if they focus on defense.
my preferred lines for defense would be (if scuderi isn't traded)
Maatta-Letang
Lovejoy-Cole
Dumoulin-Scuderi
Erixon
Even this seems like a gamble with how young they are. But if scuds stays he can hopefully be a strong veteran teacher for the young guys. Despres did say scuds was a great mentor. Even though Despres wasn't doing very well in my opinion.