Pittsburgh Penguins: Pascal Dupuis Will No Longer Play Hockey
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced this afternoon that Pascal Dupuis will no longer play hockey in the NHL due to medical reasons.
Beloved winger Pascal Dupuis will no longer be suiting up for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Pens announced the news in a press release this evening. Speaking on Dupuis’ situation, Pens team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas determined that “the risk of Pascal playing with his condition and the side effects of the tests to monitor him are just not in the best interest of his long-term health.”
The statement stopped short of saying the word “retire”. Dupuis will continue to receive his salary and be placed on long term injured reserve, so that means his situation is to be handled in the same manner as Chris Pronger‘s. He will be paid but not count against the salary cap until his contract expires in 2017.
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General manager Jim Rutherford acknowledged that he had “never seen a man more determined to play and more determined to help his team” when referencing Pascal’s ongoing battle with blood clots. He went on to say that “Unfortunately, we’ve reached the point where it’s not in the best interest of (Dupuis’) health to allow him to do that anymore.”
“It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game,” Dupuis said. “My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry for all of us. I want to thank my teammates and the Penguins organization for their unwavering support during this difficult time.”
It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game. My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry for all of us.” – Pascal Dupuis
In an article earlier today, Jason Zelenda suggested that it might be time for head coach Mike Johnston to sit Pascal Dupuis due to his health issues while the Penguins sought a way to jump start their offense. The news today shows Duper’s health situation was even more dire than expected.
With Dupuis no longer eligible to join the Pens lineup, it seems fairly certain that Jim Rutherford’s desire to see Daniel Sprong on the ice will come to fruition.
Pascal Dupuis has been a huge part of Pittsburgh’s success during the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin years, most notably contributing to the Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup Championship a year after joining the team via trade from the Atlanta Thrashers.
He played in 452 career games for the Pens and scored 109 goals. He finishes his career with 247 career points in a Penguins jersey.
This is definitely a very sad day for Duper as well as Penguins fans. The news is bittersweet.
The Pens will miss his tenacity and determination on the ice. On the other hand, it is better to see him walk away healthy and enjoy his family going forward than potentially have something tragic happen on the ice while attempting to gut out another season.
Next: Pascal Dupuis: Should He Retire?
In his comments, Dupuis mentioned, “I still want to help the team win a Cup, it just won’t be on the ice.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins should find a spot for Pascal Dupuis in the organization. His leadership and devotion to the team are second to none, and there are few names more deserving of that role going forward.