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Pens’ Scuderi: ‘I didn’t feel like myself’ last season

New York Rangers  v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Seven

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 13: Rob Scuderi #4 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the New York Rangers in Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2014 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

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By just about any measure, the 2013-14 season was a rough one for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi. Considering the fact that he’s 35, many likely believe that those struggles are a harbinger of more ugly numbers to come, but the veteran blueliner provided at least some reason for optimism to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Shelly Anderson.

While former Penguins GM Ray Shero nearly described Scuderi as the one who got away considering his often-successful time with the Los Angeles Kings, there was already a debate revving up regarding his value in the summer of 2013. That criticism has only gotten louder after a season that was a disappointment by a wide array of metrics. Pensburgh probably described it in the most amusing way while reviewing his lousy campaign:

Imagine a tire fire, now think of something worse. Multiply that by two, then square it. Now multiply that by three. We’re getting close.

That doesn’t sound very promising.

The question is: what are the chances that Scuderi can actually bounce back? He only speaks vaguely about how he might improve (including being a “little bit selfish,” which seems like an odd goal for a guy who peaked at 16 points in a season), yet the organization’s front office reboot and perhaps a cleaner bill of health might just make a difference.

Scuderi is one of those defensemen who are at their best when you don’t really notice what they’re doing - as in, they’re not making mistakes - so the Penguins are probably hoping that he’s only making subtle adjustments anyway.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins