Penguins Update: Where Have You Gone Gary Roberts?

When I arrived at Wright’s Gym yesterday to relieve The Other Rick (he works there, too) we began discussing the Penguins as we often do. While I’m not sure how we got on the subject, the Pens’ physicality (or lack of) came up.

“Wish we could find another Battleship Kelly,” Other Rick opined.

“Or Gary Roberts,” I added. Hence, my title.

For those who never saw him play, Bob “Battleship” Kelly was a fearsome left wing who skated for the Penguins back in the mid-1970s. In addition to enjoying a near mythical reputation with his fists, Kelly possessed a wicked slap shot. Over a two-season span he netted 52 goals while riding shotgun for phenom Pierre Larouche during the heyday of goon-squad…