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Defense: The Penguins’ White Elephant

It’s no better on an organizational level. Despite the presence of highly touted goalies-of-the-future Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov, the Baby Pens and Nailers are spouting more leaks (and leaking more goals) than a World War I U-boat.

I submit the problem is both mindset and makeup.

To a fault, the Pens pathologically emphasize skating and puck skills when assembling a defensive corps, with qualities such as defensive acumen, toughness and size a distant afterthought if they register on the radar at all.

I get it to an extent. To a large degree, today’s NHL places a premium on speed and puck movement.