Free Agent Roundup: Craig Adams

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 24, 2009 9:14 AM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins free agents

Craig Adams

#27 / Right Wing / Pittsburgh Penguins

Height: 6-0

Weight: 197

Born: Apr 26, 1977

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Craig Adams	45	2	5	7	-3	22	1	0	0	0	47	4.3

Craig Adams is a glue guy. He's not explosive, but is very steady. He's a smart player, and being as he spent four years at Harvard University, probably a pretty sharp person too. And now Adams is a two time Stanley Cup champion (also winning with Carolina in 2006).

When Ray Shero acquired Adams off of waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks the move went under the radar. After all, with recent transactions to get Chris Kunitz, Bill Guerin and the demotion of Miroslav Satan to the minors, it's easy to see how Adams slips through the cracks.

Here's some of the measurables Adams contributed:

2:27 short-handed time played / game (2nd amongst forwards behind Jordan Staal)
Took 92 faceoffs (winning 46.7% of them) despite not really being a center...Adams usually plays wing, as his faceoff totals in past seasons were low.
3 goals -- two of which were scored into open nets. Which goes to show how much the coach trusted his defensive acumen.
Adams was the player that was sprawled to the ice, corralling the puck as time ran out on the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7.

A player like Adams brings more than just the pure stats and numbers measure. I think Pens fans would be in unanimous agreement that the Penguins ought to look to bring him back for a reasonable salary. So I'll make it a little tricky:

Poll

Would you bring Craig Adams back for a 1-2 year contract if it might prohibit a younger player (Dustin Jeffrey, Tim Wallace) from making the NHL and possibily stunt their development?

Yes, Adams is necessary and a better option than an untested young player

399 votes

No, let Adams go he's replacable by a younger, potentially better player

231 votes

630 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

although I voted No, i would like him to come back on the same deal he had last year and in the PK role. I’d much rather have him out there in those situations than someone unproven. Is he necessary, probably not, but he’s a “piece” that fits well here.

by AronV on Jun 24, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

I agree Aron, Adams is a good piece, but not invaluable. After all, there’s a reason veteran players like himself are usually on waivers like he was….While the players are important, they’re not exactly rare.

I’d hope to see Adams back, but if the Pens want to give his money to Fedotenko or Scuderi and then bring a dirt cheap replacement up like Jeffrey, I think everyone would be happy with that.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 24, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I voted to keep Adams and I hope they do. I thought he was impressive in the playoffs, esp. in the PK. Having said that, however, there are a couple guys in WB-S who could probably come up and fill his role, and if it means freeing up money for Tenk and/or Scuds, I say go that route unless there is an NHler floating around out there like Adams was.

by GeneUbriaco on Jun 24, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

I’m all for bringing him back but wouldn’t be upset if something wasn’t worked out. He was a solid player and can likely repeat that effort next season but fail to see how Adams is a priority of any sort.

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by FrankD on Jun 24, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Totally agree. I like Adams and it would be nice to have him back but Bill Thomas could probably come up and fill his role unless, like I wrote earlier, there is another NHLer out there who could come in cheap and do the job.

by GeneUbriaco on Jun 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Adams was a really solid penalty killer and provided much needed grit when rolling 4 lines. He’s not irreplaceable, but he does have his name twice on LSC. Obviously he’s not a guy you shoot the moon to keep, but he’s a nice piece to keep around.

by chicos_pants on Jun 24, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Craig Adams = Adam Hall. We got him on the waiver wire and we can get someone else just like him the same way if we need that kind of player.

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by JustinM on Jun 24, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Good comparison. Same kinda guy and both put in pretty impressive postseasons as well.

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by FrankD on Jun 24, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

see him stay

i liked his play during the playoffs and i would like to see him stay. For the right price of course. He is a proven roll player with lost of experience under his belt and bring a younger kid to fill that roll would be a hard thing to do for a younger kid. an unproven player in that roll would make more mistakes. If its for 600K i say sign him

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by lambofgad on Jun 24, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

I’m not sure why people are saying letting him go will free up money to sign Feds or Scuds….You would still have to replace him in the lineup and you won’t get a replacement for much less than 600k. Maybe you could manage to save 100k or so, but that wouldn’t do much good.

Players like Jeffery, Wallace, Bissonette, and Thomas will likely be getting a chance next year regardless of signing Adams. Injuries happen, and if there is room, they could use an option in place of Godard, because honestly, he has the most limited role of anyone on the team and in some situations it would be better just to scratch him and put someone else in.

Personally, I’d like to see either Bissonette or Thomas get a roster spot, but I voted yes because Adams was a steady and smart player.

by bbill on Jun 24, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

I'd love to keep this whole team together

but we have learned that lesson before. Our next cup team will be very different from this team. Our players will get paid for playoff production, we need to find others to fill their role, bring them into the culture.

Max Talbot is The Superstar.
Tikka da da, tikka da.

by Phantaskippy on Jun 24, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

agreeed, and i think alot of fans are missing that… or just hoping everything stays exactly the same. fact is things are going to change, and this is one i’m willing to sacrafice. not saying we absolutely need to, but, losing adams does not mean trowing away next season.

by Bleed on Jun 25, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Toss up

Adams was solid, especially on the PK. Would like to keep him as a veteran (which this team can use) role player. Not going to save much getting rid of a guy with a $600K salary. Either way though Adams could be replaced whether it be for the season or trade deadline time. Is it just me or did Adams end up making G7 a lot more exciting (Stressful) than it needed to be. He had the puck on his stick with a minute left, EN at the detroit end, instead of passing to I believe it’s Talbot who is behind the D, in the middle for a shot at the EN he tries to flip it down the ice and it gets grabbed by detroit right by their blue line. Could have gotten Max a Hat Trick and ended the drama right there. Oh well, that’s only something anyone would have debated had Detroit scored in the final minute…..

by Dutch71 on Jun 25, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions