Three Cheers & A Few Checks For Pittsburgh's Very Own Vincent

Ask The Maven, Lavvy or even Jim Dolan; and we'll all say that they can't have Vincent because this Trocheck guy does more than just check.

Even with Sidney Crosby, Gino Malkin, and the most overpaid player in the league -- Erik Karlsson -- the Penguins are hellbent on missing the playoffs.

Well, guess what? Had the Pitt general staff bothered to look around their burgh a couple of decades ago, they might have discovered a hometown hero-to-be, New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck.

At age 13, young Vincent was a star right under the Penguins' noses for the Pittsburgh Hornets. But the Pens bird dogs must have been star-gazing.

No matter. Trocheck is a star, and the Rangers got him.

Yeah, the Breadman has the goals, assists, and points, but when it comes to the (non-analytic) area of consistency, The Maven will take the Pittsburgher any time.

And if you're wondering who happens to be the engine-driving linemates Panarin and Big Al Lafreniere, it's that man who delivers the checks, Trocheck.

After all, how many Rangers can claim to do all of the following:

1. Contribute to the power play.

2. Hustle every single night.

3. Play a 200-foot game.

4. Forecheck like a ferret.

5. And hit more than your average forward.

6. Plus, lead the league in face-off wins.

Imagine if he played for his hometown Penguins; they might even make the playoffs for a change.

But ask The Maven, Lavvy, or even Jim Dolan, and we'll all say that they can't have him because this Trocheck guy does more than just check.

Lots more! And that's why the Rangers are in first place.