Not to dredge this back up but I just wanted to get some perspective here. I think we agree that our top 4 is: Letang, Orpik, Martin, Michalek.
Which leaves spots 5/6. When you say playing right side he is #6 and distant 7 on the left I am confused. Are you saying that you feel/think/believe that Rev/Engo are better on the left. I think Nisky is better than either of them on either side. I think he is clearly better than either when playing the left side and marginally better than either when playing on the right.
Which of course revisits the old question of what is the better solution. Playing the "better" defenseman in a position that makes him better VS playing the "better" defenseman in his off position to hypothetically make the team better via allowing the "lesser" player his natural position.
The "better" and "lesser" descriptions are my opinion only and I'm not trying to change yours. Just asking as to what you are trying to say.
Well since I made that statement, Niskanen has played a couple of really solid games as our third left defenseman, including a great performance against Calgary (his best as a Penguin, imo). I thought Lovejoy was good against Vancouver but so-so since then. Engelland is the steadiest of the three imo, and the toughest. And the one the coaching staff elevates when one of the top four is injured. That counts for something.
So, this is probably going to be a fluid situation all season, but right now I'd probably say Engelland is No. 5, Niskanen No. 6 and Lovejoy No. 7.
HOWEVER, Niskanen scores extra points because he's been the only one of the three who has played on the left side so far, and played well. Letang is the other who has played over there, and he's likely to return to right D when Orpik returns.
Jags, I wouldn't read too much into the coaching staff "elevating" Engelland when someone is injured. He is just the best fit with Letang out of the three. He has been playing really well though in that role. If Letang were injured instead though, I'd expect Lovejoy or Niskanen to be paired with Orpik.
Jags, I wouldn't read too much into the coaching staff "elevating" Engelland when someone is injured. He is just the best fit with Letang out of the three. He has been playing really well though in that role. If Letang were injured instead though, I'd expect Lovejoy or Niskanen to be paired with Orpik.
Maybe. But Morrow isn't the best fit with Letang and he spent all of training camp there.
Well since I made that statement, Niskanen has played a couple of really solid games as our third left defenseman, including a great performance against Calgary (his best as a Penguin, imo). I thought Lovejoy was good against Vancouver but so-so since then. Engelland is the steadiest of the three imo, and the toughest. And the one the coaching staff elevates when one of the top four is injured. That counts for something.
So, this is probably going to be a fluid situation all season, but right now I'd probably say Engelland is No. 5, Niskanen No. 6 and Lovejoy No. 7.
HOWEVER, Niskanen scores extra points because he's been the only one of the three who has played on the left side so far, and played well. Letang is the other who has played over there, and he's likely to return to right D when Orpik returns.
Generally agree and thanks for clearing this up. I would prolly only differ on right now I think Nisky and Egno are roughly equals. But I'm not sure I'm offsetting my "nhh 12 potential" bias strongly enough. I just still hold on to the hope that Nisky continues he reprogression (I think that's a word) in to form and makes this trade look like a great deal.
I like Niskanen a lot, I think he's a solid young defensemen yet to reach his full potential. But I'm not sure if he's the kind of guy you want in the bottom 6 of a strong team. He'd be a great 3-4 guy on a average-or-less team.
I'd feel bad for the guy if he got traded again, but it could happen for a bigger, stronger vet dman.
I wouldn't mind seeing a Lovejoy for Zanon swap if Ben is the odd man out over Engelland come deadline.
Lovejoy has had a little over a minute combined of special teams play this season. I think he's our defacto #7 at the moment. He doesn't bring what Niskanen can on the PP or what Engelland does in his own end.
I like Niskanen a lot, I think he's a solid young defensemen yet to reach his full potential. But I'm not sure if he's the kind of guy you want in the bottom 6 of a strong team. He'd be a great 3-4 guy on a average-or-less team.
I'd feel bad for the guy if he got traded again, but it could happen for a bigger, stronger vet dman.
