From Prospects Challenge to Top Pair
An influx of injuries means John Marino and P.O Joseph will start tonight's game as the top pair
By
Michelle Crechiolo
Penguins Team Reporter
The two young defensemen had both joined the Penguins organization by trade that summer, and Vellucci - who was head coach and general manager of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the time - could tell they both had NHL talent. He liked that both players had good size and good sticks, and that Marino was right-handed and Joseph was left-handed.
"It just worked out perfect as a pair," Vellucci said.
The two of them ended up having good chemistry, and both players sang each other's praises after the tournament. Vellucci did the same, saying he believed they would be outstanding players in this league someday. But he certainly didn't envision Joseph, a 21-year-old rookie, and Marino, a 23-year old sophomore, anchoring Pittsburgh's top pairing for tonight's game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden just a year-plus removed from that September weekend in Buffalo.
They are getting that opportunity with Kris Letang (lower-body, day-to-day) joining fellow defensemen Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson, Mike Matheson, Juuso Riikola and Zach Trotman on the injury list.
"It is unique, obviously, and I don't think any of us expected it to happen this fast," said Vellucci, now a Penguins assistant coach. "They played really well in that camp, so hopefully, we'll see the same thing here tonight."
Marino made the Penguins' opening-night roster out of training camp following that Prospects Challenge, and went on to have an outstanding rookie campaign. Now in his second NHL season, Marino's workload has grown along with the injury list.
He's averaging over three minutes more than he did last year, skating a team-high 26:03 in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win against the Blueshirts. Marino is getting more time on the power play (quarterbacking the top unit after Letang left), penalty kill and against other teams' top players. He has also been forced to play his offhand at times.
It's a lot to ask of any player, much less one as young as Marino, and the coaching staff understands that. But it's a testament to how highly the Penguins think of Marino, as they view him as a veteran despite having less than 100 games of NHL experience to his name.
"I don't think the moment is ever too much for him, no matter how big it is," Vellucci said. "Playing all the minutes and playing on his offside is not easy for a second-year guy. But anything that's thrown his way, he handles it with maturity and somebody you think has been in this league forever."
The same can be said for Joseph, as tonight will mark just his sixth career game after making his NHL debut on Jan. 22 versus the Rangers. He was terrific that night and has just continued to improve with each passing game.
"I don't think he needs any advice," Marino said with a laugh. "He's pretty poised, it seems like it's not his first time around. It might just be his first couple of games, but he plays a veteran style and he just has to go out there and play his game.
Joseph was a huge factor in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win against the Rangers, finishing with three primary assists, including the one on Sidney Crosby's overtime winner as he and Marino double-shifted in the extra period.
"He's a great skater," Vellucci said. "He's got a long reach. He has offensive instincts. He has hockey sense. He knows when to get up in the play. He knows when to make the pass early. So just all those good attributes where I knew it was just a matter of time before he got the opportunity. I knew he would make the most of it."
Heading into tonight, Sullivan said the coaching staff understands the circumstance, and that they will monitor the situation throughout the course of the game to ensure that both players are in a position to be successful. But they certainly have trust and belief that Marino and Joseph will continue to rise to the occasion.
"I think that's really what it comes down to," Vellucci said. "Obviously, they both have the talent. But the way they handle pressure and the big moments and things that are thrown at them is what's amazing to me."
