Penguins Sing Former Teammate Deryk Engelland’s Praises

Ask around the Penguins room, and you’ll hear about how ‘Eggo’ took care of them.

Although Engelland’s off-season departure — he signed a three-year, US$8.7-million pact with the Flames on Canada Day, a contract that is widely criticized as too much loot for a bottom-pairing blueliner — didn’t alter the Penguins status as a Stanley Cup favourite, his old buddies will tell you the 32-year-old defenceman made his mark in Pittsburgh.

“He’s one of those guys you always miss having around,” said Penguins centre Brandon Sutter. “He’s just a heart-and-soul player. He works hard. He’s not the most talented guy in world. He might not be the fanciest guy to watch play. But he’s a team guy, and he plays the game the right way, and he’s tough as nails, too. He’s the first guy to stand up for a teammate, and things like that just make him a valued part of the team.”

Added Penguins defenceman Paul Martin: “He’s just a class act. He’s a guy you love playing with.”