Coffey Break wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 8:43 amWouldn't mind this being a full-time move to be honest. Ludvig looks like a gamer and I really love his game. Graves reminds me of a big ogre who just takes up space on the ice, all the while, getting in the way of his own teammates.Sigwolf wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 7:59 amHe played a number of shifts with Letang. Not sure if it was a reward for his play as much as just a result of Graves being in the doghouse and bumped down with Shea.Pens4Life wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:33 am
Did Ludvig played with someone else later on D pair, Shea played half of his minutes almost?
Regardless of how they play the defensemen and in which pairings, the defense has been very solid and Graves is 28, Ludwig 23, Shea 26, Petts 27. What we cannot happen is for Ruhwedel to come back and sit Ludwig. I know I am old school, but if you look at +/-, shots blocked and hits then these players rate out as follows:
Petts +13 2.55 hits + blocks per game
Graves +9 2.59 hits + blocks per game
Ludwig -1 2.5 hits + blocks per game
Shea -2 1.1 hits + blocks per game
Ruhwedel -3 2.13 hits + blocks per game
The old guys
Letang +8. 3.04 hits + blocks per game
Karlsson. +10 1.59 hits + blocks per game
If Ruhwedel comes back and makes anyone sit it should be Shea not Ludwig. Shea and Ruhwedel should be 6 and 7. I think Ludwig at such a young age that he becomes the most important one we need to develop because 58 and 65 are not gonna be here forever. As I see it, this is the year that if you are all in you find a rental finisher at the deadline if you have a shot at making a run. Not saying that will happen, but I would not trade a first for that rental, but maybe package POJ with a draft pick that is not a 1.
The defense seems to have a much better forward thinking path with youth infusion. Perhaps the Pens should try some of their talent from below to find a surprise that doesn’t cost assets at the forward position. There has to be a Scott Wilson type in the ranks somewhere.