WBS Pens' weekly report - 1/23

[eastonpensfan]

The Pens just got done with a stretch where they played 4 games in 5 days, 3 of them against top-notch teams (Norfolk and Hershey). They won both games at home (Syracuse, Norfolk) and lost the 2 away games (Norfolk, Hershey). Here's the observations:

GOOD:

C Kyle Brodziak - He was probably the most consistent scorer of the week. Brodziak has been centering Filewich for most of the past month and has really been progressing. After scoring 3 goals and an assist, he has taken over the team scoring lead from Filewich

C Tyler Kennedy - Kennedy was probably the player who put forth the most effort over the past week. He is very much a Max Talbot-type of player in that he's always flying out there and, for a small guy, he plays well in corners. The difference is that he is scoring more than Talbot ever did in the AHL. He has to be on Pittsburgh's radar for next year after now tying for 2nd in team scoring (with Filewich) since he went 0+3 this weekend.

UNDECIDED:

C Stephen Dixon - Dixon, along with James, created a great chance short-handed against Syracuse and that turned out to be the game-winner. He also won a key faceoff back to Filewich, who scored the winning goal with only 33 seconds left in the comeback Norfolk win. The reason he didn't make it to the "Good" section is he was kind of non-existent in the other 2 games (but, then again, so was the entire team).

F Alexei Mikhnov - Mikhnov had a pretty decent weekend, going 1+1 and having a few good chances, but he has decided to go back to Russia, where he has played since he was drafted in 2000. The Oilers retain his rights, but they have said that they doubt he will be back before this summer.

BAD:

LW Daniel Carcillo, C Rob Schremp - Both were scratched for the last 2 games of the weekend. Schremp was also scratched on Friday and Carcillo was benched during the 2nd. Carcillo's was a punishment for taking a dumb misconduct penalty for spearing someone on the bench during a stoppage. Schremp was due to poor play. Coach Richards has said that he holds them to a higher standard since they should be legitimate NHL prospects, although neither is playing that way right now. Carcillo is really regressing with his anger management and Schremp's turnovers are killing him. Carcillo leads the team in PIMs, which he should never do on a team that includes Dennis Bonvie. He was told before the year by Shero that he needs to work on that and he had been doing well for the first half of the year. Schremp, when he plays, is getting very limited ice time, which means he is trying to force the plays when he gets chances and that is leading to still more turnovers. Hopefully, sitting them both down will help in the long run.

This weekend should include 3 wins. The schedule has a home game against the Manitoba Moose, then road games against the Phantoms and Bridgeport. Then the all-star break is the 28th and 29th. Word is that Welch will be up with Pittsburgh Thursday. Hopefully, he is returned in time for the ASG, but at least we know that Filewich will be there.

[Ron`]

Thanks for the report Easton, on a long stretch of nights and won't catch a game for like a month yet.

[K2]

Easton

I was at the Hershey game. I totally agree on Kennedy. The kid hustles and I'd love to see him get a good look in training camp next year. Is Brookbank always that defensively inept? He was horrendous when I saw him!

[eastonpensfan]

Easton

I was at the Hershey game. I totally agree on Kennedy. The kid hustles and I'd love to see him get a good look in training camp next year. Is Brookbank always that defensively inept? He was horrendous when I saw him!

Yes, he is. Early in his career, he played at the NHL level with Nashville and Vancouver. But, he really doesn't have NHL-caliber skills. He has been in the AHL since. Actually, when WBS has 8 d-men, which has happened quite a bit lately, Brookbank plays 4th line RW. In my opinion, that's a role that's better suited for him because he can do his hitting/fighting without being a liability on the blue line.