Sullivan once again is very adept at pushing defenseman’s buttons
playoffs as the team rolled to the Cup. Genius move by Sullivan. But, at least on the surface, the move to sit Cole for Hunwick this season didn’t make any sense. Cole played well again last season when he was plus-26 and was a key piece in the team’s playoff run to a second consecutive Cup. He was playing just fine this season, routinely giving up his body to make hits and even his face to block shots. It seemed crazy to keep him and the physical presence he brings to the team out of the lineup.
But, as Rutherford said, Sullivan wanted more and Cole’s recent statistics indicate he is getting it. Cole scored a goal Tuesday night in the Penguins’ 5-4 win against Vegas and helped to spoil Marc-Andre Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh. Cole was a plus-3 in the game and also had two hits and four blocked shots. In the five games since he returned to the lineup after Hunwick’s lower-body injury, he has that goal and three assists and is a plus-6.
Another genius move by Sullivan?
“We think his game has been very good since he’s been back. That’s why he’s in the lineup [even though Hunwick is healthy],” Sullivan said.
“The numbers certainly lend to that conclusion,” Cole said. “You certainly want to play as well as you can and show people you belong out there. I don’t think that’s unique to my situation. But, at the same time, the team also is playing very well. I’m just trying to keep up with those guys.” Sullivan again: “[Cole] is a real solid player when he plays within himself, when he’s got a little edge to his game, when he keeps his decision-making with the puck simple and smart and calculated. I think he can be a very effective defenseman for us and has been for a number of years for us.”
It’s nice to think Cole will finish the season with the Penguins, although that’s hardly a guarantee. The situation with his benching this season was much different than two years ago. He is more established now. His name is on the Cup twice. He’s also in the final year of his contract.
All of that has made for unsettling season for Cole. It’s been especially unsettling for him because his name has been mentioned more than any player’s in trade speculation. Rutherford, who, along with Sullivan, is a terrific communicator, said he has talked to Cole about all possibilities and understands his angst.
“I think Ian just wants to have a chance to win again,” Rutherford said. “When you’re in your contract year and you’re [going to be an unrestricted free agent], you want to be playing as much as you can. That’s really what he wants, to play in every game.”
For now, Cole is taking it one game at time with the Penguins. That’s all he can do. He said again Tuesday night that he would prefer to stay with the Penguins but acknowledged his future “is out of my hands.” It might depend on how badly Rutherford wants to add a thirdline center before the Feb. 26 trade deadline. With Riley Sheahan playing better — he had another assist Tuesday night, his fourth in four games — Rutherford might stand pat and keep Cole.
That would be my plan. I want to keep Cole. He makes the Penguins a better team.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com and Twitter@RonCookPG. Ron Cook can be heard on the “Cook and Poni” show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.