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Thursday, 18 November 2010 10:02

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The past three seasons, the Penguins have had arguably the best third line in the NHL with some combination of Matt Cooke, Tyler Kennedy (above), Jarkko Ruutu or Jordan Staal haunting opposing top six lines.

With the multiple injuries suffered by Staal and Cooke's promotion to the second line, only Kennedy remains on that unit.

Over the past week, the team has pieced together a new third line which has produced the same results, albeit through different means, primarily speed.

Kennedy has been joined by Chris Conner and Mark Letestu to form what we imagine is one of the fastest lines in the NHL. And despite not being a very large line (Conner - 5-foot-8, 180 pounds; Kennedy - 5-foot-11, 183 pounds; Letestu - 5-foot-11, 195 pounds) in the three games they have been together, the opposition has yet to score a goal against the unit. Additionally, they have created a few quality scoring chances.

Conner, Kennedy, Letestu and Dan Bylsma all spoke yesterday about the line:

On the line:

On their speed:

"I think that's definitely a big thing for our line. Defenseman have to respect that and give us some room to make some plays. You see it with (Conner) and (Kennedy), they're working so hard. It's easy for me to play off those guys' speed and come into some open ice."

On third-line duties compared to duties on the top two lines:

"I think I try to keep it the same. Trying to help, not hurt. You get into a situation on the third line, you don't want to get scored on. You're not going to play as much as the top two lines.  Chip in offensively. And be an energy line. Get the bench and the fans going. The last couple games, I think we feel we've done that."

Is he the "slow" guy by default on this line:

"I think so. Probably the big guy too. I'm the crasher and banger." (Laughs).

On Kennedy:

"He battles like a bugger every night. That's what he does. He works hard up and down his wing. He finishes checks. He's a guy if he you get him the puck in the slot, you know what he's going to do with it. He's not going to pass it. He's a shooter. When he gets hot, he's deadly."

On Conner:

"Tons of speed. Tons of speed. He's got arguably the best speed on the team. He's someone who's going to burn (defensemen) wide. When he's going good down below the goal line he spinning and losing defensemen. And he's a real good passer so he's finding linemates for tap-in."

On the similar systems with the NHL and AHL Penguins having the same systems:

"It definitely takes a lot of the guess work out of it. You're coming up there, rather than worrying about playing hard and doing the right things out there, you're thinking about the "Oh my God, the systems are different. I got to do this. I got to do that." It's really  streamlined here. The terminology, whether its a (Pittsburgh) set forecheck or a Wilkes-Barre set forecheck, it's streamlined the whole way through. It takes a lot of the guest work out of it."

Tyler Kennedy (right)

On Letestu:

"Mark is a great player. He's one of those guys who could play anywhere. He's so positionally sound. "

 On Conner:

"Conner is unreal fast. He's got good speed. He makes good plays with the puck."

Has the similar systems taught at the NHL and AHL levels made it easy to develop chemistry:

"For sure. We don't really have to talk much. They're doing the same things we are down there. When they come up, they know exactly what to do. They know all the plays and everything."

On the lines lack of size:

"I guess it just shows you don't need to big to play in the NHL. There are other parts of the game."

Chris Conner (right)

"I think we bring a lot of energy and good speed. I think we're all on the same page of how we want to play. We know what we want to do. When you're on the same page, it's pretty easy to create some chemistry."

On their speed and size:

"I think we all have the speed and at the same time, I don't think any of us are afraid to go into the corners to try and get the puck."

On the NHL and AHL Penguins have the same systems:

"It's helped this year, same as last year. You don't have to adjust to (different) systems. Sometimes when you get called up in other places, you got to adjust and learn other things."

On Letestu:

"Really smart. He's got finish too. He's really a complete player."

On Kennedy:

"Lots of speed, energy. Great shot. "
 

On the line:

"They present a big speed factor for other teams. The (top) line is going to see the other team’s top (defensive) pairing. The other top (defensive pairing) will go against (Evgeni Malkin's) line. So we talk about (Letestu) and (Kennedy) with great speed and tenacity. They have an opportunity to create and have created in the offensive zone, with their speed. They do it on the forecheck and get to the pucks first. They’ve done it with quickness and speed in the offensive zone. They’ve created quite a bit of offensive-zone time and a little bit of a scare factor for the other team when they’re on the ice."

(Photos: Kennedy first-Getty Images; Conner-Jeff Gross/Getty Images; Kennedy second-Christian Petersen/Getty Images; Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Comments (11)

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written by espo33, November 18, 2010 - 12:38 PM

I like the line, but Conner should replace Cooke on the 2nd line. Cooke is not a 2nd liner and the teams lines and Malkin would benefit a lot more with him up there instead of Cooke.

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written by Stillson14, November 18, 2010 - 01:18 PM

@espo

I can see where you're coming from, but I don't necessarily think that Conner would be a good fit on Malkin's line. Unlike Crosby, I think Malkin really needs a skilled winger. I don't think it's coincidental that Malkin's production has declined a bit since Petr Sykora left. Sykora had an ability to get to soft spots in the D and get to open areas. IMO, Malkin expects his linemates to be able to get to those areas. So a blind pass that becomes a turnover with Cooke/Asham would be received by Sykora or a player with similar skill. Geno sees the play and open spaces on the ice better than any linemate (outside of Crosby) he's had in the past two years. Give Malkin a winger with some skill, and I think his production would skyrocket. Crosby is going to get his points no matter who he's playing with.

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written by Stillson14, November 18, 2010 - 01:19 PM

Oh and to your point, I don't think Conner would bring any more skill than Cooke does. He's faster, but he's still a straight line player.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, November 18, 2010 - 02:24 PM

Of course the Penguins have a good third line. By my count they have nine guys who are best suited to playing there. And the one guy who has the talent to be a top line winger? He's scratched.

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written by andrew, November 18, 2010 - 02:31 PM

Ha, good one Goat. I completely agree with that. In your opinion though, how do they fix the logjam of third line wingers and get an actual scoring threat on the wing? What current asset do you think that they should give up?

It'd be entertaining for Seth to have a post dedicated to this point, just asking opinions on how the team can procure a fix to the glaring weakness. I'd be curious to read all of the responses. Thoughts anyone?

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written by Disgruntled Goat, November 18, 2010 - 02:52 PM

Wow, Andrew, that's quite the can of worms to open on a cloudy Thursday afternoon, but since I'm at work I'll gladly spend some time on it.
Short term you can only hope that when Staal comes back, he and Malkin rediscover their long lost chemistry from season one. Then, hopefully Shero will pull off a trade at the deadline to fill another spot without giving up much more than a 3rd round choice. Preferrably with a guy like Guerin rather than Ponikarovsky.
Longer term, you hope that a couple of young defencemen (Depres, Strait, Bortuzzo, Grant, Sneep, etc.) develop into NHL caliber players. Then you can move one of the NHL defencemen to clear up some cap space and bring in a top quality winger. Then, trade excess (third line) wingers in exchange for draft choices.
The real key is Malkin. He is taking up 8.7M in cap space and his production the last year just hasn't justified that. If he plays like he did two years ago, it really isn't that important who else is on the wing, they will have enough offense. If he continues on his current pace, it will be difficult for the Penguins to be Cup contenders and nearly impossible to move him in exchange for equal value.
What is amazing to me is that Shero has managed the cap to the point where every year they can bring in help at the deadline, despite the contracts of Sid and Geno, while teams like Calgary and New Jersey are desparately seeking cap relief.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, November 18, 2010 - 03:12 PM

Oh, and if you think speed is so great, then I have two words for you: Rico Fata. And two more: Konstantin Koltsov.

Getting from point A to point B quickly is important, but not nearly as important as what you do when you get there.

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written by andrew, November 18, 2010 - 04:17 PM

Ha, definitely a can of worms. But I agree with most of your response.

I've been saying for the last year or so that I REALLY hope some of those offensive-minded, young defencemen bloom into above average or high-caliber players. It seems like Letang is going to have a break out year (knock on wood) so that evens furthers that cause.

Geno is an enigma. Every part of me says that the Pens should retain him. But everytime he makes one of the lazy, behind the back, no look passes, I have my doubts. And just think of the return...

Shero has certainly been an extremely welcome change over the last few seasons. This was literally an organization in shambles. Most people will say that he landed a cushy job by inheriting all of those picks, but it's how he's been able to utilize and retain those picks that has made him great.

And I'm right there with you with Rico Fata. But in their defense, I will say that the speed of the guys mentioned above is more of an asset in HCDB's system.

In the meantime, lets hope that Tyler "everyone hates me" Kennedy can find some hidden scoring touch. Or that Hilary Duff finds a way to motivate Mr. Duff.

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written by chestergunnn, November 18, 2010 - 04:27 PM

written by espo33, November 18, 2010 - 12:38 PM
I like the line, but Conner should replace Cooke on the 2nd line. Cooke is not a 2nd liner and the teams lines and Malkin would benefit a lot more with him up there instead of Cooke.

I see Cooke as more of Dave Semenko type line-mate for Geno than a great skill line mate. I have noticed Malkin was taking a ton of abuse last week against the Bruins and on the road trip. Having Cooke out there should keep the opposition weary about taking liberties.

(this site has one of the worst "security image" around, cannot tell if that is a "0" or an "o" or an "O", and what are they worried about anyway?

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written by Disgruntled Goat, November 18, 2010 - 04:46 PM

Speedy Chris Conner has a grand total of 9 goals in 5 NHL seasons. Mike Comrie has 167. I would find a way to get him going, starting with actually letting him play. But then, maybe that is why DB is HC and why I'm, well, here.

Anybody who can't get motivated by Hilary Duff has spent too much time with their stick on the ice.

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written by Bones, November 18, 2010 - 04:58 PM

Ugh. Why did you have to bring up Koltsov? The first time I got to see the Pens play in person #71 was a top-line winger. Says everything you need to know about the shallow talent pool of those dark, dark days...

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