Welch Enjoys Early Success
Noah Welch knew that the time would come when he would get his chance, he would be called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He probably just didn't think that it was going to come this year. Many of his Wilkes Barre-Scranton teammates were recalled as the season moved on. Players such as Michel Ouellet, Tomas Surovy, Ryan Whitney, Marc Andre Fleury and Colby Armstrong. Most of them have enjoyed a fair amount of success in the NHL too. All the while Noah toiled on the Wilkes-Barre Scranton blue line and became one of the best AHL defensemen, he represented the team in the AHL all star game and was having a great season.
Well, his time has finally come and he has been one of the parent Penguin's best players since his recall. He has played in 2 games and has not looked out of place in the least. Welch has picked up 1 g, 2 a and has been one of the leading hitters. Welch has played along side Sergei Gonchar and has been a steady stay home type when needed, but has shown his offensive ability. Welch is being used in all situations and is succeeding. He seems to have the confidence of coach Michel Therrien and is shining.
Welch looks like he will be in Pittsburgh for the long haul. He could be the anchor of a very good core of young d-men in Pittsburgh that includes: Ryan Whitney, and Brooks Orpik. There are also a few other bright stars on the horizon such as Kris Letang and Ryan Lannon. The team could be very dangerous in scoring many goals with it's young guns up front, but the defense looks to be solid as it matures in front of Marc Andre Fleury.
Has Sidney Crosby Found His Current and Future Linemate?
Sidney Crosby has been playing with Colby Armstrong pretty consistently since Armstrong was recalled from Wilkes Barre-Scranton. Many have thought that it was for lack of a more talented winger. Well, that just isn't the case. Colby is making believers out of many in Pittsburgh. He and Sidney have definitely developed a chemistry and they seem to know where the other is going to be. Colby has posted 12g, 15a for 27 points in his 36 games. More amazing is that he is a +8 on a team that has given up an awful lot of goals this season. Colby is making a home on Sidney Crosby's wing and just may stay there for years to come.
Gonchar Improving
Sergei Gonchar has very quietly climbed into a tie for 14th among all NHL defensemen in scoring. He has posted 45 points (8g 37a) in 66 games this season. He has also notched 18 points in his past 18 games. (2g 16a) He just may start to show Pittsburgh that he was worth that very lucrative free agent contract he signed. Plus he will be invaluable in helping Evgeni Malkin adjust to North America.
Well, his time has finally come and he has been one of the parent Penguin's best players since his recall. He has played in 2 games and has not looked out of place in the least. Welch has picked up 1 g, 2 a and has been one of the leading hitters. Welch has played along side Sergei Gonchar and has been a steady stay home type when needed, but has shown his offensive ability. Welch is being used in all situations and is succeeding. He seems to have the confidence of coach Michel Therrien and is shining.
Welch looks like he will be in Pittsburgh for the long haul. He could be the anchor of a very good core of young d-men in Pittsburgh that includes: Ryan Whitney, and Brooks Orpik. There are also a few other bright stars on the horizon such as Kris Letang and Ryan Lannon. The team could be very dangerous in scoring many goals with it's young guns up front, but the defense looks to be solid as it matures in front of Marc Andre Fleury.
Has Sidney Crosby Found His Current and Future Linemate?
Sidney Crosby has been playing with Colby Armstrong pretty consistently since Armstrong was recalled from Wilkes Barre-Scranton. Many have thought that it was for lack of a more talented winger. Well, that just isn't the case. Colby is making believers out of many in Pittsburgh. He and Sidney have definitely developed a chemistry and they seem to know where the other is going to be. Colby has posted 12g, 15a for 27 points in his 36 games. More amazing is that he is a +8 on a team that has given up an awful lot of goals this season. Colby is making a home on Sidney Crosby's wing and just may stay there for years to come.
Gonchar Improving
Sergei Gonchar has very quietly climbed into a tie for 14th among all NHL defensemen in scoring. He has posted 45 points (8g 37a) in 66 games this season. He has also notched 18 points in his past 18 games. (2g 16a) He just may start to show Pittsburgh that he was worth that very lucrative free agent contract he signed. Plus he will be invaluable in helping Evgeni Malkin adjust to North America.
posted by Bmetzer66 at 2:36 PM
3 Comments:
i agree with the gonchar comments...though i was one of those screaming at my TV this year each and every time he screws up big, which is more often then it should be...he is improving his game with the team.
as for welch and colby...can't wait for them next year, two very exciting young players NOT named sidney. I love sids game, but there is something about colby that is just exciting as hell!
- Jon
Colby is a fun player to watch. He is a high energy guy and his game is definitely coming around. He could very easily stay on Sid's wing for years to come. They have really developed some chemistry!
As for Gonchar, i really like that he is shooting the puck every chance that he gets. Seems like he was a bit reluctant to do so earlier in the year. He said in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette this weekend that he only recently began to feel comfortable here. The system that Edzo was running sort of threw him off. He was afraid to take chances in the offensive zone because the style of play was unpredictable. All in all he is coming along...I think that he will be a huge addition to the team in next season and beyond.
Thanks for checking out the blog!
B
I'm not sure if my last entry went through.
New to the site and I enjoy it. I'm moving back to the 'burgh and looking forward to the Pens.
What are we to expect this year? Are we to contend for the division title? What is the real expectations this season. I would like to see a complete youth movement. I see this season as building the foundation.
I want to get a ticket package for next season. What are we to expect next season? I feel we should be in contention.
I would like to get a big picture analysis from the blogger so I can get a feel for the site.
Thank You
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