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Penguins Add More Grit With Asham Signing

 

The Pittsburgh Penguins added more bite to their bottom six on Friday by signing physical right wing role player Arron Asham to a one-year deal worth $700K.  The move signals the redefinition of what the Penguins’ 3rd/4th  lines will bring to the mix this coming season with Jordan Staal’s anticipated move to the top 6.  Specifically….grit, tenacity, energy, passion, and versatility.  Asham completes a bottom six pool that already includes Michael Rupp, Matt Cooke, Craig Adams, Max Talbot, Tyler Kennedy, and Eric Godard…..an already tenacious combination of role players that serve as the supporting cast to the Penguins’ existing top six.  Over the past couple of seasons the Penguins’ 3rd line has served as an extension of the first two, with the Cooke-Staal-Kennedy combination providing energy and responsible two-way play to establish a relentless third wave scoring threat.  With Staal’s anticipated move to the second line and the addition of Asham to the mix, that complexion changes.  The new look will concentrate the Penguins’ most potent offensive talent in the top two lines, making them a scary opponent to defend against.  This will be complemented by a high energy, versatile, grinding presence in the 3rd/4th lines fully equipped to wear down the opposition.  When coupled with the revamped defensive lineup that added Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek, The Penguins should be a very tough and competitive team to play against. 

Drafted in the 3rd round in 1996 (71st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens, the 32-year old Asham has played a total of 648 regular season and 52-post season games in the NHL.  After spending 4 seasons in Montreal, he was traded to the New York Islanders where he played another 4 seasons before playing a year in New Jersey and then two seasons in Philadelphia.  Known for his work ethic and ability to play strong along the boards, Asham can also crash the net and create scoring chances.  His most productive season was in 2002/03 while playing for the Islanders, when he scored a career high 34 points (15G, 19A) in 78-games.  He typically produces about 8-10 goals and 20-25 points a season.  His career post-season best occurred this past year with the Flyers when he scored 4-goals and 7-points in 23 games.  As a role player, he can be a very solid contributor to the team and comes at an affordable price. 

The interesting side story on the Asham signing will be how he fits in on a team that was his cross-state rival just a few months ago.  “My time in Philly was great but it’s in the past now,” Asham said Friday. “It is a great rivalry and fun to be a part of. I’m just switching sides. I’m still going out there and playing my hardest. I’m doing what it takes to win and playing good hockey. All friendships are put on hold until the game is over. It’s a great rivalry and I’m looking forward to it.”  Perhaps more intriguing is the relationship he will have with new teammate (and potential linemate) Matt Cooke, a player that Asham openly stated he had no respect for and called “gutless” just a few months ago.  Hockey smack talk, or genuine sentiment?  Likely a little of both.  Hopefully these two can bury the hatchet and find some common ground to rally upon together.  Like Cooke, Asham has high potential for becoming a player that is loved in Pittsburgh, and despised everywhere else.   

Asham’s $700K signing leaves about $1.5M in cap space for the Penguins, who stated that they will make a decision on veteran Bill Guerin in the coming week.  This assumes Tangradi and Lovejoy are on the roster come October, which is not yet a given.

Pens Beat Habs in Game 1, but Lose Staal to Lacerated Tendon

The Pittsburgh Penguins showed no fear of Montreal’s red hot goaltender Jaroslav Halak, as they put 5-goals past him in a 6-3 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.  The Penguins’ success in Game 1 was due to their explosive power play that went a perfect four-for-four on goals by Sergei Gonchar, Jordan Staal, Kris Letang, and Alex Goligoski.  Indeed, the Penguins’ offensive defensemen were on display as they found ways to move the puck around quickly on the man advantage and get quality shots in on Halak.  After a short-turn study of the Canadiens’ tendancies in round 1, the Penguins’ coaching staff were able to do what the Capitals’ Bruce Boudreau couldn’t; namely, solve the Canadiens penalty kill. 

The Penguins gave up the first goal to the Canadiens P.J. Subban, but then responded with two powerplay goals in the 1st by Gonchar and Staal and one on the powerplay early in the 2nd period by Letang to put them up 3-1.  The Canadiens got a goal late in the 2nd by Cammalleri to make it a 1-goal game, but the Penguins responded in short order with a goal by Adams before the end of the period to restore the 2-goal lead heading into the 3rd.  The Penguins finished up their powerplay dominance early in the 3rd on a goal by Goligoski after he took a beautiful cross ice pass by Sidney Crosby to make it 5-2.  The Canadiens got a powerplay goal of their own midway through the 3rd by Brian Gionta, but they were never able to close the gap as the Penguins finished up the scoring with an empty netter by Bill Geurin.  In all, 13 Pens’ players picked up at least a point, with Sidney Crosby, Bill Geurin, Kris Letang, and Alex Goligoski all picking up 2-points.  

Friday night’s win came at a potentially heavy price, however, as the Penguins lost their third line Center and Selke Finalist, Jordan Staal.  Staal got caught up with the Canadiens’ P.J. Subban near the blueline in a seemingly innocent collision. On the replay, it became evident that Staal had likely been cut by Subban’s skate as it inadvertently raked across the top of his foot.  Post game reporting indicated that Staal’s laces were cut as he returned to the bench, and he was later seen leaving Mellon Arena on crutches and taken to the hospital for repair of a lacerated tendon on top of his foot.  On Saturday, initial reports by TSN stated that Staal’s post-season was over, however, subsequent reporting and a statement by Coach Dan Bylsma suggest that his condition is “day-to-day”, and that he could be back in the next round if the Penguins advance past the Semi-Finals. It would seem that his return is tenuous at best, as these types of injuries usually require significant recovery time.  It is unknown whether the tendon was completely severed, which would be the worst case in terms of recovery timeline. 

The Pens return to the ice on Sunday at 2PM to try and take a 2-0 lead over the Canadiens.  It looks like Mark Letestu will get the call to augment the roster in light of Jordan Staal’s injury.  He was on the ice with for the Penguins’ practice today, along with defensemen Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engelland.  Jordan Leopold and Tyler Kennedy were also at practice today, but their status for tomorrow will be a game time decision. 

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