Bortuzzo hoping for Playoff Chance

[murphydump55]

A local news website did a small writeup on hometown boy Bortuzzo.

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/sports/332611/Playoff-bound?

As much as many may give him flack, the guy gives it his all every night. He battles hard, willing to fight anytime, and is turning into a bit of a thorn in many opponents side.....something we've lacked for a while on the backend.

[DelPen]

Him, Engellend and Despres have outplayed Scuderi ever since he came back from his injury. I liked how Bortuzzo and Maatta played as a 3rd pair early in the season.

[murphydump55]

Him, Engellend and Despres have outplayed Scuderi ever since he came back from his injury. I liked how Bortuzzo and Maatta played as a 3rd pair early in the season.

I agree, I was actually going to say that I feel more confident with Bortuzzo out there than i do with Scuderi.

[Dickie Dunn]

Rick Berry would be an improvement over Scuderi at this point.

[murphydump55]

Rick Berry would be an improvement over Scuderi at this point.

Chuck Berry would be an improvement.

[dodint]

Could be that new sound we've been looking for.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Rick Berry would be an improvement over Scuderi at this point.

Chuck Berry would be an improvement.

[murphydump55]

Rick Berry would be an improvement over Scuderi at this point.

Chuck Berry would be an improvement.

He does look faster than Scuderi!

[Factorial]

Just don't go in his bathroom.

[TwoSheds]

It's your cousin...Marvin Berry!

[Kharlamov]

Look man we don't want to mess with reefer addicts

[dodint]

This PR thread has made the most sense of any this month.

[Penspal]

Borts will find games in the right series or come injury. He has proven that he can come in and play decently after sitting a while, which is a huge plus come playoff time. As the playoffs are called/reffed differently, I think his playstyle will be slightly more effective, however he has been burned on more than a few occasions with respect to guys getting in behind him. He's gotten much better on "falling down" syndrome that seemed to occur last year.

[thehockeyguru]

I wish we had Scuderi 5 years ago.

[sil]

I wish we had Scuderi 5 years ago.

He's actually pretty much the same player now that he was then. People just have rather short memories, or only very selective memories and remember only his toe save.

Yeah, when the D is pinned he doesn't look too great, but in a tight checking 5-on-5 game (i.e. the playoffs), I'd still rather have Scuds out there over Bortuzzo. Bortuzzo has some ability. He's a rather underrated puck mover, especially for a guy with his size and skating, but the guy can be very prone to huge mental lapses in his own zone and gets caught out of position very easily. Don't get me wrong...I don't dislike Bortuzzo, but I really think some people see only his height and weight and couple that with the few giant hits he's had...and they think he's some stalwart defensive d-man...and he really isn't that at all.

[thehockeyguru]

I was making a Major League reference.

[sil]

I was making a Major League reference.

Oh. Ha!

[thehockeyguru]

If Letang comes back, and that is a big if I dont see any way that bortuzzo, engellend, or despres hit the ice. That is unless Engellend plays on the 4th line.

I'm fine with a backline of Martin/Orpik, Letang/Scuderi, Niskanen/Matta. Again if Letang can play I think we will be fine.

[Mad City Mike]

If Letang comes back, and that is a big if I dont see any way that bortuzzo, engellend, or despres hit the ice. That is unless Engellend plays on the 4th line.

I'm fine with a backline of Martin/Orpik, Letang/Scuderi, Niskanen/Matta. Again if Letang can play I think we will be fine.

Exactly. What should happen and what will happen are two separate universes.

What should happen is:

Martin/Orpik, Letang/Bortuzzo, Niskanen/Matta

In HCDB's universe, what will happen is exactly what you said. Their play this season doesn't matter. Dan won a Cup with Scuderi. Shero paid big money to bring him here. No way will he ever sit in favor of a young guy. It goes right back to HCDB;s dictionary not containing the word "accountability" when it comes to veterans.

[thehockeyguru]

I think a case for both Scuderi and Bortuzzo can be made. I am surprised that nothing has been made of Letang being cleared but choosing to hold himself out

[MRandall25]

Why would something be made out of it? No one knows what Letang is going through right now other than Letang. It would be unfair to Letang to speculate otherwise.

If he doesn't feel ready, then he's not ready.

[thehockeyguru]

Given he is cleared to play I would just expect more transparency.

[Mad City Mike]

I honestly think he's lying when he says he wants to come back this year. BTW, I don't blame him in the least if he doesn't come back this year, or ever. It has to be incredibly scary for him. But there is a major disconnect between the doctor clearing him and him saying he still has days where he doesn't feel well. Something just doesn't add up. If he's still not feeling well at least some of the time, how on earth is he cleared to play? Oh wait, these are the same hack doctors that cleared Orpik to play, and he says he came back too soon too. And we won't even bring up Sid's travails.

[Pitts]

Given he is cleared to play I would just expect more transparency.

The transparency is, when Letang feels he's brave enough to attempt to play a high-tempo, full contact game again, he will let the coaches know. There's nothing to speculate about.

[Jesse]

I honestly think he's lying when he says he wants to come back this year. BTW, I don't blame him in the least if he doesn't come back this year, or ever. It has to be incredibly scary for him. But there is a major disconnect between the doctor clearing him and him saying he still has days where he doesn't feel well. Something just doesn't add up. If he's still not feeling well at least some of the time, how on earth is he cleared to play? Oh wait, these are the same hack doctors that cleared Orpik to play, and he says he came back too soon too. And we won't even bring up Sid's travails.

Dr. Chip Burke is no longer with the team. So what happened to Crosby is essentially a non-issue at this juncture.