Pens get younger, look to cut back penalties - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Goffie · 10-31-2007, 05:25 AM

With the Penalty Kill playing at a measly 75% and sitting last in the league, The Pens made a move that will likely cut down on the amount of times the struggling special teams unit will have to see the ice.

The Pens sent power forward Todd Bertuzzi to the Washington Capitals in exchange for young winger Steve Bernier. The deal is a huge step down for this season, but the Pens are hoping that their top offensive players can step up and do the job.

The Pens have been struggling to find chemistry all season and the Bertuzzi-Jokinen-Spezza line was a lone bright spot early on in the year. However with 31 PIM's in 13 games the Pens felt that their struggling PK unit could use a break.

The Pens are hoping that Bernier can develop into an elite power forward within the next few seasons and find a spot in the top 6. It is rumored that Chris Higgins will be giving a chance to prove himself playing with Spezza and Jokinen.

Flickered Flame · 10-31-2007, 09:12 AM

Good deal for both teams.

RT14 · 10-31-2007, 10:05 AM

Yeah, solid all the way around. Pens can afford the loss for now and get a very good young player and the Caps get a solid top 6 forward.

looooob · 10-31-2007, 10:09 AM

yeah a good deal for both sides. I enjoyed Bertuzzi's penchant for taking dumb penalties when we faced the Pens, and hopefully this can continue in a Caps uniform as I believe we face the Caps shortly

Knut · 10-31-2007, 10:26 AM

The CAps needed another top flight forward on the roster as they were basically a one line team. Bertuzzi should hopefully spark Ladislav Nagy and Robert Lang to start producing a little more... as well as adding LW depth ... so that Jussi Jokinen can be moved down to the 3rd line to try and add another scoring line.

Top 2 lines now are looking pretty solid...

Tanguay - Drury - Roy
Nagy - LAng - Bertuzzi

flambers · 10-31-2007, 02:49 PM

Good deal for both teams!

I wanna be like Miikka · 10-31-2007, 03:14 PM

Seems to fit the need of each team so looks good for both!

But Goff, how are you gonna score goals now? You have close to zero offensive power left.

HelloHockeyFans · 10-31-2007, 05:49 PM

Bert's recurring injuries over the last few seasons should have GMs a little weary and he might end up being one of those chronically injured guys who plays about 40 games every two years. Healthy, Bernier can't touch Bertuzzi. Problem is, Bertuzzi's not healthy.

Sylvanfan · 10-31-2007, 06:49 PM

Funny that the guy with Bert choking a baby in his Avatar now has Bert on his team. Cracks me up.