PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – If you could script what fans want to hear a Pens new bottom six forward, it would be what Noel Acciari said in his first meeting with Pittsburgh reporters on Tuesday.
"Defense first, you win games keeping pucks out of your net," the 5'10", 209-pound Acciari said Tuesday. "I want to be good defensively first and the offense will come from that."
Acciari has shown spots of offense in the past. Three times scoring double-digit goals in the NHL including 14 between the Blues and Toronto last year. A couple of years ago, the righty shot had 20 goals with the Panthers. Those numbers are not why he's a Penguin, it's the other stats, most notably the career-high 244 hits last season. He also had 81 blocks and won 53.8% of the faceoffs with 33 takeaways to 13 giveaways
New Pens President Kyle Dubas wants Acciari to be an example on the third and fourth lines. The Rhode Island native had a relationship with him in Toronto but really bought into Dubas' vision of the Pens needing more of a shutdown bottom six that can chip in at times offensively. Acciari played against Pittsburgh and he knows how difficult they can be, but he also understood what their weakness was and felt he wanted to be a part of the solution. A three-year, $6 million contract also factored into his decision.
"We want to get back in that playoff mentality and get there again," Acciari said. "The guys that have been here awhile know what it takes to win. They weren't happy with last year, basically just want to get this season started so we can get back there soon as possible."
College teammates with former Penguin Brandon Tanev at Providence, Acciari brings a similar game, but is cheaper. Tanev was trying to persuade him to go to Seattle, but after he signed with the Pens the former Friars talked again. Acciari said Tanev told him he would be a good fit in Pittsburgh and believes the fans will love him here.
If he can provide the type of numbers he brought last year, no doubt that will happen.
