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Thursday, 24 February 2011 14:11

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

Just another day in paradise for the Penguins on the injury front.

Three days after trading Alex Goligoski to the Stars, it was announced that one of their most dependable defensemen, Brooks Orpik, will be sidelined approximately four weeks due to a broken finger on his right hand.

Orpik suffered the injury when he blocked a shot by Sharks forward Patrick Marleau late in the first period of Wednesday's game.

In 56 games this season, Orpik has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists), a plus-nine rating and 60 penalty minutes. One of the team's top penalty killers, he has averaged 20:52 of playing tiem this season and his 88 blocked shots are third-most on the team.

EN Says: Amazing how the timing of this Goligoski trade is just awful timing when you factor in the "upper-body" injury which has sidelined Paul Martin for the past two games.

We're not slamming the trade. We like it a lot. We're just pointing out the irony in the Penguins now all of a sudden having health issues on the blue line after being relatively fine in that position.

This certainly eliminates any sort of "easing in" process they may have planned for new defenseman Matt Niskanen. He had a solid debut last night in the face of less than ideal circumstances. He's now one of the team's top four defensemen by default.

Kris Letang, who has stepped up big time already in the face of other injuries, needs to provide even more. Ditto Zbynek Michalek and Martin when ever he returns.

(Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Comments (10)

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written by Disgruntled Goat, February 24, 2011 - 02:10 PM

I don't think throwing Niskanen to the wolves is necessarily a bad thing. We will see a lot of Ben Lovejoy for a while, which is not necessarily a good thing.

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written by andrew, February 24, 2011 - 02:28 PM

Goat,

For me, Lovejoy is Melichar 2.0

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written by eman41, February 24, 2011 - 02:43 PM

In that picture of Brooksy, none of the people in the front row are looking at the play. Not even the baby!

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written by Uli, February 24, 2011 - 04:22 PM

Is there some sort of curse on this team?

Was the entire Penguins team on the cover of NHL 11 or what?

I´ve only heard about the Madden curse so far...

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written by Bones, February 24, 2011 - 04:23 PM

Always thought we would be set at D, but now GMRS almost has to make a deal to get some blueline depth. I've heard Adam Foote's name mentioned as being available, but like Kovy there are a lot of miles on that body...

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written by jameshutton, February 24, 2011 - 04:28 PM

Well, if I'm Letang or Michalek, I might be afraid to step on the ice. It's just a question of what injury you're going to get and how long you'll be out.

From what I've seen, Lovejoy has been OK, except for what appeaered to be miscommunication on SJ's second goal. He is what he is: a 6 defenseman (+/-) who's played something like 40 NHL games or so, and will probably get better. He gets beat on the outside less than Engelland (and WAY less than Gologoski) and has a little more offensive ability, but way less "toughness". I didn't think Niskanen was all that great last night, even setting aside the giveaway that Fleury saved. Dallas didn't basically give him away for nothing without a reason.

In any event, hopefully Martin comes back soon.

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written by Sooska, February 24, 2011 - 04:28 PM

This injury is ALL Mark MAdden's fault. Last Friday the first words out of his mouth to Brooks Orpik were "You never get hurt. You're healthy all the time." GAH.

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written by Bones, February 24, 2011 - 04:36 PM

I like Lovejoy, but I don't like him being in the lineup every night, especially in a seven game playoff series against a Boston, Washington, or Philly.

Hard to grade Niskanen when you consider the circumstances. Only one practice, brutal travel schedule to get to Pittsburgh, and then being asked to help chew up Orpik's minutes in his first game. Not making excuses for the guy, but we need to see more before we know what Shero got there. No matter what, it's a good thing he was part of the deal. I don't like the idea of Strait AND Lovejoy in the lineup for any amount of time...

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written by bastage42, February 24, 2011 - 04:52 PM

This is just brutal news. Get well soon Brooks.

IMO Niskanen is a 3-4 pair talent with a late 80's mindset. Our crew should be able to get him going with the work away from the rink ethic, but it's not gonna happen right away, especially with Sid (the driver) being out.

Someone should see if there's a witch doctor on the Flyers' or Capitals' payroll.

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written by espo33, February 24, 2011 - 05:31 PM

One good thing is I think Michalek has been playing much better hockey the last month then pretty much any time prior. He is starting to do the smart plays, and making good decisions.

It will be real curious what the D pairings will be.

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