Comments on: Column: This, at long last, is the real Despres

By: mdjbarron

mdjbarron — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:01:27 +0000

Well, the positive part is they’ll all be restricted free agents with little experience to use as leverage. Besides signing Maatta to an 8 year contract for 50M (please), Despres, Harrington, and Dumoulin can all be resigned at 1-2M each with maybe one of the 3 earning a bit more

By: chateau margaux 66

chateau margaux 66 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:12:17 +0000

I was there, and IMO, there was a bit of an extended applause at the intro. Maatta also got the 3rd star and there was a pretty nice applause from the remaining crowd at that point.

By: A. Lane

A. Lane — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:16:38 +0000

Zone starts, quality of competition, and ice time are a reflection of what the staff thinks of Despres’s ability and should be consider when looking at how he played. He is not being asked like, Martin and Ehrhoff to start in the D-Zone against the opponents’ best lines.

By: A. Lane

A. Lane — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:14:26 +0000

Again he is playing fine, I’m glad he is around for another season plus a RFA in 2016-17, I just think this column and most of comments are a bit premature.

By: Zico

Zico — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:57:00 +0000

Considering the previous management and coaching staff never gave Despres a consistent or long-term chance. It is not a compliment or insult to Despres’ ability, but instead a compliment to Maatta’s, that a 2012 1st round pick beat him to the roster.

By: Zico

Zico — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:54:51 +0000

You realize Despres doesn’t get to pick when he is put on the ice or for how long? He is currently paired with Scuderi as the bottom pairing. The Top 4 reference alludes to his inevitable promotion upon Maatta’s surgery.

By: A. Lane

A. Lane — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:44:49 +0000

I see a D-man who would rather line up a guy then get the puck which is 3 feet away from the player. The issue is the amount of penalties not the type. Top 4 D-man don’t play 13 minutes/night with favorable zone starts against weak competition.

By: A. Lane

A. Lane — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:37:37 +0000

Despres issues have always been, consistency and decision making, need more than a good game or two to think this is resolved. I think he would have played more if he wasn’t beat out a 2012 1st round pick, and Scuderi wasn’t signed, not sure that is on the coaching staff.

By: Zico

Zico — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:37:11 +0000

Is a top 4 D-Man for the Pens. His ability to move the puck, play the body, and skate are all positives.

By: Zico

Zico — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:36:25 +0000

Once again, not all penalties are bad penalties. If you want to value a D-Man strictly by positives (G, A, +/-) and negatives (penalties), then so be it. But you’re really ignoring everything else a defenseman does. I’m not sure what Despres you’re watching, but the one I see…