There are a lot of things I will remember when I think of Brooks Orpik. One of those very things you can view above. "The Shift." This 15 seconds will go down in Penguin history. The 15 seconds of Game 3 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals when he flattens not one, not two, not even three, but four Detroit Red Wings will forever cement his legacy in Pittsburgh.
He took less money than he would have gotten on the open market in 2008 to stay here and he was handsomely rewarded with a Stanley Cup. He was an Olympian in 2010 for Team USA; helping lead that team to the gold medal game before falling against Penguin teammate and Canadian hero Sidney Crosby. Brooks is the all-time leader in games played by defenseman in Penguin history, a number he increased to over 700 this season. He scored a series ending goal against the Islanders last spring in overtime that was eerily reminiscent of Darius Kasparaitis' in 2001. This year he again represented Team USA at the Olympic games and scored a goal that may have sparked the Pens to win their series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
I think what I will miss the most are the bone crushing hits he has become known for. "The Shift" was just one of a few great incidents of "Free Candy!". Remember the hit on Eric Cole that changed the momentum in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. Remember the hit on Daniel Paille that sent him airborne at the Garden in 2011. Remember the bone crushing hit on Jonathan Toews this year. I will miss tweeting #FreeCandy after every one of those bone crushing hits.
Brooks is an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. He sustained a serious knee injury during the playoffs that may keep him out into next season. It is unlikely that he will return next year.
The Pens will miss the rugged defenseman. He was has been one of the best defensive defenseman, and one of the best defenseman period in Penguins history. He developed into one of the best penalty killers. He became a leader in that locker room, an aspect that I think will the Pens will miss dearly moving forward. He was a calming presence on the blue line, someone you could alway rely on.
Maybe I am just being sentimental, but I think Brooks deservers to go out as a Pittsburgh Penguin. I hope to see him back in black and gold come September, but I understand that that will most likely not happen. I just don't want the last memory of him to be him limping down the runway after the Zuccarello hit. He deserves better than that and so do we. So if Brooks Orpik does not return, remember him for "The Stare." Remember him for "The Shift." Remember him for lifting the Stanley Cup over his head in Detroit in 2009. Remember the bone crunching hits and the series winning goal against the Islanders. Remember Brooks Orpik as a leader, and one of the best defensemen in Pittsburgh Penguin history.