While it’s the likes of Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin, and Matt Murray who have garnered the bulk of the praise as the Pittsburgh Penguins have marched to within one win of the Stanley Cup, it’s their depth that has truly made the difference this post-season.
One of the players who’s stepped up as an unlikely contributor is veteran Matt Cullen. Don Cherry and Ron MacLean took a minute to highlight some of the 39-year-old’s play during Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada Thursday night.
After showing Patric Hornqvist drop to block a shot and take the puck off his helmet, Cherry praised Cullen’s approach to blocking shots.
“Watch Cullen. Blocks, turns…39 years old. If you’re gonna do it, do it that way. Never face it…you could get an injury,” Cherry said.
Cullen spent the last two seasons with the Nashville Predators.
The Penguins signed Cullen to a one-year, $800,000 contract last August. It’s proven to be a good piece of business by general manager Jim Rutherford. Cullen’s totalled four goals and six points this post-season and scored two game-winning markers.
“Nashville gave him away,” Cherry said. “Boy he’s playing great for them…what a pick up. Rutherford got this guy for nothing, just a pick up free agent.”
Rutherford is certainly familiar with Cullen. The 17-year veteran spent two stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, including a run with the 2006 Stanley Cup champion squad, when Rutherford was president and general manager of the club.
“When he was in Carolina Jimmy Rutherford got guys like Doug Weight, Mark Recchi…smart players,” said MacLean. “It’s incredible the guys he brings in.”
