The Island of Misfit Defensemen

[nossagog]

Back in the 15-16 season, the Pens traded Robort Bortozzo for Ian Cole.  Many in the Pens world were very against that trade as Bort was the last remnant of a physical defenseman on the team.   Ian Coal was not working out in St. Louis as the Blues had a pretty stacked blue line and Cole was not seeing much Ice time. 

 

Around this time last season, the Pens moved Rob Scuderi to Chicago for Trevor Daly   I'm sorry, I still can't believe that ANYONE took Rob Scuderi off our hands.  For us this was an immediate upgrade by most people from Chicago were kind of glad to see Daly moved out of town as he was not working out in Chitown.

 

Come trade deadline last season the Pens picked up Justin Shultz for a third round pick.   At the time most here were pretty positive about his uptime, but elsewhere this was looked at as the Pens getting fleeced for a offensive defenseman who could play defense, and who's offensive skills were not showing in Edmonton. 

 

Now these misfits from other teams have seemed to redefine themselves on the Penguins.   Ian Cole has become a solid defensive defenseman who is relied upon to control the pace of games.

 

Trevor Daly has become a solid puck moving defenseman who also works the Pens power play also.

 

And Justin Shultz has become a solid offensive defenseman whose confidence is growing every day.  He's parlayed a very low one year salary into whats becoming a career year.

 

Three misfits who've become key members of the Pens defense.  Hopefully they can find a way to keep them around after this year. 

 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

The ol "change of scenery".

 

Not the first time this works out well for a team (as in Pittsburgh), won't be the last time.

 

Of the three defensemen you mentioned, to me, the BIGGEST surprise is Trevor Daly.

Justin Schultz, IMO, suffered from being in a situation where there were TOO many young guys, not enough mentors, and some crazy stuff going on in the front office and behind the bench in Edmonton.

The talent was always there.

 

Ian Cole, like you said, was just a victim of the numbers game in St. Louis.

A good enough defenseman...but just couldn't crack the blue line in St. Louis and simply needed a team that would give him proper ice time for him to show what he can do.

 

Trevor Daley, however, wasn't all that in both Chicago and Dallas.

He more often resembled a pieced of swiss cheese who could occasionally make a good play, jump into the offense, but more often than not, left his team (his goalie in particular) high and dry.

 

Whatever was done to reverse the trend in Pittsburgh, or whomever sat with the guy and clearly explained his role and expectations of him, did a hell of a job, because Daley right now, looks every part the NHL defensemen....including the responsible play that goes with it.

 

Its a funny thing.

Sometimes people, fans especially, are so quick to give up on certain players....then are all too surprised to see them do better elsewhere.

 

Obviously, some guys are just plain ol 'busts', but more often than not, its just a matter of getting the right people to get the most out of a particular player.

Pittsburgh seems pretty damned good at doing that.

[nossagog]

With one more game in December, Justin Shultz has 17 points so far in December. Nice!

[notfondajane]

10 hours ago, nossagog said:

With one more game in December, Justin Shultz has 17 points so far in December. Nice!

I believe that ties a record?

[notfondajane]

10 hours ago, nossagog said:

With one more game in December, Justin Shultz has 17 points so far in December. Nice!

I believe that ties a record?