Penguins Sign Deryk Engelland to Two-Year Extension

[Thrillhouse]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Deryk Engelland to a two-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season, it was announced Monday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Engelland, 25, has played all 49 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season recording eight points (one goal, seven assists) and a plus-five rating. The 48 games played and seven assists are both career highs for him in the AHL. He ranks second on the club with 101 penalty minutes. Engelland has played 155 career AHL games over parts of four seasons registering 22 points (five goals, 17 assists). He was also a member of the 2006 Hershey Bears that won the AHL Calder Cup championship.

Engelland was originally signed by the Penguins as a free agent on July 16th, 2007. He was a sixth-round draft choice (194th overall) of the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Draft.

[Rugged]

Ray Shero has been a godsend to that franchise. Sure, having Crosby is great, but Shero has made some great moves since taking over.

[jayc948]

Even though he's lacking in terms of size, Engelland was really an average fighter up until this year. With Bonvie constantly hurt this season, he's really stepped it up and beaten some sound guys in Wilkes Barre. I'm sure he'll get a good shot at making the big squad in training camp next year.

[Podollan]

Engelland is a great #2 fighter.. hopefully he will be recalled soon -

[Big Violence]

everyone is always talking about how the Pens need a tough D-man. Where has he been all year? lets get him up here.

[Podollan]

Anyway Engeland is not really that aggressive, he should fight a bit more as he can really fight. But on the other hand its good as he doesn't take too many silly pm's.

[Corpse]

Great news for Deryk. He is a very mild mannered person which must make it difficult to play the role he does. I think if he works on that he has a good chance at getting some games in hopefully.

[Brash_Fan]

He has been solid all year in WBS, improved his overall game and has become to valuable to fight every game.
With a true HW and Engelland they will have a good duo.

[oleboy95]

I think I may have rolled the dice on Carkner again this year if I was the Pens... What upside does Deryk bring to the table that Carkner didn't, other than maybe being a little younger?? As for toughness and dropping the gloves, both are very willing, but I would have to give the edge to Carkner in that department...

Brian

[knucklesamwitch]

Good now I'll just have to hope 3 or 4 D-men get hurt because thats the only way he will get a callup. I mean we cant have a slow guy who turns the puck over...wait.

[Wadubbin]

For some reason Therrien loves Scuderi and Nasreddine.They're both curtainjerkers.

[DevsFan30]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

For some reason Therrien loves Scuderi and Nasreddine.They're both curtainjerkers.

What ever happened to Nasreddine? He used to fight all the time when he was younger.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by DevsFan30

What ever happened to Nasreddine? He used to fight all the time when he was younger.

Nasreddine is like 62.I don't know.For some reason Therrien loves to have veteren D-men waiting in the wings in case of injury.Hence his insistance on Letang going down to the minors right out of training camp.Obviously not too smart of a move.I'd love to see the Pens get another D-man who hits like Orpik,but hopefully not turn the puck over every other shift.Good in front of his net.And not be an offensive liability.But doesn't have to be Paul Coffey.Wishful thinking

[Podollan]

Too bad Tollefson had not come (yet).

[roy36cairns]

Originally Posted by oleboy95

I think I may have rolled the dice on Carkner again this year if I was the Pens... What upside does Deryk bring to the table that Carkner didn't, other than maybe being a little younger?? As for toughness and dropping the gloves, both are very willing, but I would have to give the edge to Carkner in that department...

Brian

Although its supposedly Engelland skating that has prevented him from reaching the NHL so far, he is still more mobile than Carkner. He is also a more willing fighter IMO. Carkner seems like spot picker sometimes and is less active. Engelland will fight the other team's HW every night if he has to. Before the Pens brought up Bissonnette, Engelland was fighting the opponent's top HW just about every game (Bonvie has a had a broken finger and back problems).

Deryk Engelland could be a Bob Boughner at the NHL level. The Pens D could obviously use a Bob Boughner. Hopefully, Engelland will be ready to step up next season.