Oullet

Here’s a game, pick out which of these names doesn’t fit for the subject of “second line”:

A) Jordan Staal
B) Evgeni Malkin
C) Michel Oullet

Answer, as if it wasn’t obvious, is C) Michel Oullet. Oullet needs to be removed from not only the second line, but the roster.

He scores in bunches, and it’s always either right in front of the net, or some easy goal set up by a good player. He cannot generate offense of his own or for his line mates. His skating speed, and quality, is incredibly low, and paired with the aforementioned deficiencies, he has been constantly dragging down the Penguins second line.

The only reason Oullet remains on this line, and possibly the team, is because as some fans are calling it, Michel Therrien has a man-crush on him. Oullet has constantly showed nothing in either end and yet Therrien keeps playing him. This is what I dislike the most about Therrien: he shows extra loyalty to those that played for him in Wilkes Barre Scranton.

I don’t mind some loyalty showing, but when it’s obvious you have much better candidates, i.e. Erik Christensen, there is NO reason for what Therrien is doing. This also applies to Rob Scuderi, who like Oullet provides nothing on a nightly basis.

Also, its not just the second line that is suffering because of this. Christensen is more top line material and there could me someone more suited for the 3rd line than him. Here is what my pairing would be:

Malone- Crosby- Recchi
Staal- Malkin- Christensen
Ruutu- Moore-Armstrong
Thorburn- Talbot- Petrovicky

This way Ruutu gets more time to play his physical game and annoy the other team, and you can play Thornburn who is player most willing to fight. Petro adds some good speed and grit, and is good with limited minutes. Not to mention, every player on the lower lines create more offensive chances than Oullet. Christensen’s speed and better instincts, not to mention offensive skills, will help Malkin and Staal much more.

It’s sad to see the teams well being sacrificed for favoritism. While I do not think Therrien should be fired, I do think Shero should do his best to deal Oullet at the deadline, and thus improving the roster by addition through subtraction.

-Jordan