Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Damian Romano
Throughout the off-season, we here at Pens Universe are going to provide you with player profiles that will summarize our opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of each player as well as highlighting their performance this past season, and we'll also include an outlook for the 2010-2011.
Mike Rupp
2009-10 Stats
Salary: $825,000
Points: 19
Goals: 13
Assists: 6
(+/-) 5
Penalty Mins: 120
Strengths: Size, Strength, and Physical Presence.
Weaknesses: Lack of consistent scoring ability, puck handling, speed.
2009-2010 Assessment:
Rupp has been an absolutely tremendous addition to the Penguins roster. He added size, edge, and surprisingly even a scoring touch to the fourth line. Prior to the 09-10 season Ruppers has never had more than 6 goals in a single season. While in the city Pittsburgh he was to able to surpass his career best in as early as 3 months of play with not only a single goal, but rather his first career hat trick. He played all but one regular season game before riding the bench through the most of the playoffs. Despite that, his play throughout the year did not go unnoticed amongst Penguin fans. Shero had once again proved his genius.
Awards:
None
2010-2011 Outlook:
With Feds and Poni both likely on their way out, we expect to see Dupuis moved up a couple lines leaving room for Rupp on a more permanent basis. Such a large improvement in his stats since joining the Pens is likely to leave a mark in the minds of the coaching staff. In our opinion, the fourth line has a new permanent face. Now are there area's in Rupp's game that could improve? Sure, but none of them are necessary. He does everything he needs to do and then some.
Worth his salt?
At $850K this coming season, you bet he is.
Staying with the Pens in 2010-2011:
Under contract through 2010-2011. Mike doesn’t appear to be the subject of trade bait this summer, that much is true. Though you never know what Shero's off season plans will include.
Posted in: Mike Rupp
