Valtteri Puustinen being placed on waivers bugs me maybe more than it should. And no, not because I think the Penguins made a mistake but, rather, because they're right.

This was Mike Sullivan on Puustinen to our Taylor Haase this week in Cranberry: "I think he needs to make an impact and not just blend in to the hockey game. When Puusty's at his best, he's conscientious defensively, but he makes an impact on the offensive side. He makes plays when they're there. He uses his speed, his quickness, his anticipation skills to force turnovers. He has the ability to distribute the puck, and he can shoot. I think what he needs to do, just like every other player going in the lineup, is make an impact. Then he's got to use his strengths and skillsets in the role that we cast him. He's a guy who has the ability to make an impact."

All of that's accurate. Dead-on, actually.

Instead, over 10 games, he's got a goal, an assist and six whole shots.

I feel like I've gotten to know this kid and appreciate him as much as anyone. And I've become comfortable enough with him to be able to joke, as I did a week ago in Columbus, that here comes another game in which he won't shoot the puck ... after which, of course, he didn't.

Everything about his game begins with a wonderful release that's often led to fine finishing. But he's always seemed so caught up in his linemates, possibly with awe, that all he ever does is defer. To the extreme, as Sullivan cited, that he'll just blend in.

Don't understand it.