Steve Downie is not the Top 6 forward the Pens need to replace James Neal. He can fill in on the Top 6 in a pinch or if someone is getting particularly fresh with Sidney or Geno, but he is not a Top 6 forward. Steve Downie is a goon, he's a grinder, he is a pest and he is one of the best pickups the Penguins could have made this summer. The Pens have not had that kind of guy since they reformed Matt Cooke and let Mike Rupp and Arron Asham walk away. Downie wil fight. Downie will goon it up and you can bet Steve Downie will protect his teammates. That is why he is here and if he fails to do it, he will not be here long. That being said, Downie will fight, Downie will make a difference, count on it.
Downie's best offensive years may be behind him, but he may find a revitalization of his scoring touch coming to Pittsburgh. Granted, skating with the likes of Malkin and Crosby will do that, but that is not the main reason for his possible resurgence here. The reason is the guy behind the bench, Rick Tocchet. Steve Downie's best offensive years came in Tampa Bay from 2009-2012, where he scored 44 goals and 106 points during those three years. The coach of those Tampa Bay teams? Rick Tocchet. Tocchet believes in Downie, and Tocchet is the reason Downie is here. It should revitalize Downie; it will not take away from his fighting and goonish work, but it will make him get better and Tocchet will be a major factor in that.
It's another frugal deal that Jim Rutherford pulled off this morning. It's a deal that addressed a need that the Penguins desperately needed. If you don't think so, let me say this and make of it what you will In 2008, the Penguins reached the Stanley Cup Finals because no one would mess with Crosby and Malkin, which allowed them to thrive offensively and lead the team. Why would no one mess with them? Two names: Georges Laraque and Jarkko Ruutu; two goons who would never let you get away with a hit on Sid or Geno. In 2009 the Penguins won the Stanley Cup, again behind Malkin and Crosby having their way with the teams the faced without worry. Why? Again, two names: Matt Cooke and Eric Godard. The Pens did not have that in 2010, or 2011, or 2012, or 2013, or this year. This year it was particularly apparent, cross-checks to Crosby's head went unpunished, and Sid struggled. Steve Downie is an answer to those who take liberties against the Penguins stars, one that should ultimately lead to more success in April, May and June.