Sunday, July 04, 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.
by Barry Noss
BEN LOVEJOY
2009-10 Stats
Salary: $500,000.00
Points: 29
Goals: 9
Assists: 20
(+/-): -1
PIM: 92
Strengths:
Puck Handling; speed, positional awareness; good at blocking the shooting lane and crisp/clean passing.
Weakness:
Shooting accuracy; could be more physical for 6’2” 215lbs.
09-10 Assessment
Ben came into the 2009-2010 season the AHL’s defending +/- leader (+42). He injured his wrist and took time off for much needed rehab. During that time, he spent a few weeks helping coach the Wilkes-Barre Jr. Pens with Coach Reirden. After his wrist had healed, he came back with 9 goals, tying for the team goal leader for blueliners. Ben was called up to Pittsburgh for 12 games where he played real well tallying 3 Assists and 3 points with only 2 PIMs.
10-11 Outlook:
We held off posting Ben's profile until after the early part of free agency was over, and for good reason. The Penguins had three of their six operative defenseman testing the open market, including Jay McKee (who we know wasn't coming back). Because of this, much of Lovejoy's future depended on who was coming back. With Gonchar heading to Ottawa, Shero moved quickly to lock up Martin and Michalek for the majority of the cap space. As such, Leopold signed with Buffalo and Eaton went to the Isles. With $2MM in cap space left, Shero is going to use it to look for a veteran winger (Maybe Guerin). This means Lovejoy will get his shot in the big leagues full time this year, barring a trade of course.
Since it looks like Lovejoy is going to spend much of the year in the bigs we're finally going to see what he really brings to the table. He's been extremely successful in Wilkes Barre, and even when he was called up last year he played quite well. This year will be Ben's chance to show the world he's more than just a solid AHL All-Star, but is a true NHL caliber player.
Since it looks like Lovejoy is going to spend much of the year in the bigs we're finally going to see what he really brings to the table. He's been extremely successful in Wilkes Barre, and even when he was called up last year he played quite well. This year will be Ben's chance to show the world he's more than just a solid AHL All-Star, but is a true NHL caliber player.
Worth his Salt?
Without a doubt. He wouldn't have been called up for 12 games and offered a 3 year contract if he wasn’t worth the salt.
With the Pens in 10-11?
Shero answered this question with a 3 year 2-way contract offer that Ben signed last month.
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