The Pittsburgh Penguins sign LW Mike Rupp, 2 years $825,000 per season
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 1, 2009 5:04 PM EDT
in Pittsburgh Penguins free agents
56 comments
In a somewhat surprising depth signing, the Pittsburgh Penguins have added gritty winger Mike Rupp for two seasons at $800,000 according to many credible sources on Twitter. (UPDATE: It's on TSN's free agent tracker now)
The Penguins already have Matt Cooke, Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy, Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams and Eric Godard as bottom line forwards, as well as many promising young players, so the addition of Rupp is a curious one.
But injuries happen and Rupp, a 29 year old veteran of 335 NHL games, ought to add a little depth. Rupp has just 27 career goals and 26 assists, so don't expect him to add much more than that. Rupp has shifted into an enforcer role lately, getting into 16 fights this past season according to hockeyfights.com.
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fingers crossed
This might mean we’re close to trading Dupuis and his salary away.
P is for Latrobe.
by holiday park on Jul 1, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lets hope so. the pens with get a more physical player in Rupp.
Lifes rough, wear a helment
by lambofgad on Jul 1, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rob Rossi’s twitter says you might get your wish: “Word was Dupuis/Godard were being shopped. Rupp signing would seem to confirm that word…”
Don’t know why they’d trade Godard:
—He’s cheaper than Rupp
—He’s a much better fighter than Rupp
—Godard fit in really well with the Penguins players/coaches and was a very popular guy
Rupp, I guess brings a little more to the table in terms of actually being a hockey player, but that’s about it. And the Pens were just fine playing Godard 3-4 minutes a night, I’d rather that than have Rupp for 7-9 minutes a night.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 1, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Godard was scheduled to make 1.something next year making Rupp cheaper than Godard
by Cari on Jul 1, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could be wrong, but all the salary cap sites say Godard’s cap hit is $750k all three years and seem to indicate that’s his actual salary too.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 1, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya i just checked as well. $750k is what Godard will be making. Maybe the Pens are making a rock-em-sock-em 4th line full of goons
Lifes rough, wear a helment
by lambofgad on Jul 1, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh no need for more than one, as evidenced with the playoff run. I think this means Godard is gone
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by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must be remembering wrong… this really doesn’t make sense, unless they thought the Flames would only take Dupuis if they included Godard.
by Cari on Jul 1, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade is imminent.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I don’t like this either.
Rupp is not THAT big of an upgrade as a “hockey player” and Godard is cheaper and so much better as a fighter.
I hope this isn’t Godard, but I fear it is. And I don’t see why this would happen.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 1, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it goes through it really looks like Godard was screwed.
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by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any links to reports of a trade?
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
by wg1of5 on Jul 1, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not yet. I was just speaking hypothetically, although it more or less looks like a foregone conclusion that Godard and Dupuis will eventually ship out.
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by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There has to be more to the trade than that…which is probably the hold up. I mean no offense to Dupuis or Godard, but who would really want them at those prices?
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who needs an enforcer?
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by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. Let’s face it, Godard played in ZERO playoff games, and in the regular season averaged about 3 minutes a game of totally worthless time. The league wants to crackdown on post-faceoff fights…that’s about all Godard does well. I like the guy, but seriously…
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you on that. He didn’t play at all in the SC playoffs and there’s not a lot of reason to keep him under contract if you’re not playing him. I’m not sure what Rupp is capable of, but I’ll take what I can get to sweeten a trade to get rid of Dupuis. I like PD, but let’s face it, things haven’t worked out with him here and he’s making wayyyyyyyy to much to be a 4th liner.
by Smooth555 on Jul 1, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is there any chance at all the pens could sign havlat? any chance at all
by PensRock1 on Jul 1, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If he really, REALLY wants to play here. Like, I dunno, for free. Otherwise, no.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
by wg1of5 on Jul 1, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NO
c’mon let’s be realistic. We’re having a tough time signing Fedotenko, i double havlat would take less than what a Fedotenko would ask for. Bizzaro Jeff Finger move maybe?
by AronV on Jul 1, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Havlat’s cap hit was $6m/yr…gl with that.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, not getting Havlat.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In RayMario We Trust
The Team of Shero and Lemieux have made a lot of good calls up to this point, and they even got some good fortune when Maid Marian and his (What would have been) huge salary left town. I trust these guys have a reason for getting a guy like Rupp and it could be a trade package involving Godard. We shall see.
by Dutch71 on Jul 1, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
reports that gil has signed with montreal
by PensRock1 on Jul 1, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s not a rumor. Already been reported.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it looks like shero is going to have to decide btw feds and scuds who you guys think wld be a better move. i personally think it shld be feds
by PensRock1 on Jul 1, 2009 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Penguins have signed Brian Strait – what does this mean?
by Cari on Jul 1, 2009 5:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That they need a D-man in Wilkes-Barre.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he’s just a draft choice signing for the minors and I wouldn’t read too much into it.
by Smooth555 on Jul 1, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks — I think I’m just anxious for any drop of meaningful news!
by Cari on Jul 1, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hah well you’re certainly on top of things, that’s fo sho. Normally though if you see some sort of signing like that on the minor league level it may mean a few lateral moves are in the works. Perhaps this helps solidify the fact that Lovejoy may make the jump next year.
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by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It makes perfect sense to me. GoGo and LJ are moving up, ranks need to be filled below, but Strait was a draft-pick by the Pens, so he needed an entry level contract anyway. The fact that it’s a 2W deal means that they see enough potential in him that he could possibly suit up for the big club at some point. We’ll see.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. All I have to say is that it’s nice to see a GM and front office work well. So much to a point where it’s almost like they’re writing a book on it. Not a single Pens fan within the past two years has really asked – “WHY?!” Next to the Malone signing in Tampa of course, but that was later backed after seeing how bad he did in TB.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a bad pick-up for the Pens, I suppose. Rupp is very big, physical fourth-line winger who doesn’t hesitate to take the body or drop the gloves when the situation calls for it. The Penguins place a lot of emphasis on speed and skill when building their teams. Rupp will give them some of the toughness that formula tends to lack. Also a smart move by Lou to let Rupp walk. With Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond ready to ply his trade as an enforcer at the NHL level after a few years down in Lowell, there was no longer any reason to keep Rupp around.
by kellyn on Jul 1, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I feel sorry for the jersey maker that has to make that name fit…and for announcers.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, right? Luckily for the Devils’ tailor, they only put the shorter of his two last names on the jersey.
by kellyn on Jul 1, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Teams are much better off with energy guys who can legitimately roll on a 4th line and also happen to fight than heavyweights who do nothing but fight. I mean . . . I’d certainly get my ass kicked in a straight up fight with Goddard, but I’ve got a 50-50 shot of beating him off the puck and I don’t even skate.
by chicos_pants on Jul 1, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
With Zanon making $1.8 (1.6?) a year for three years, does this lower the market price for Scuds?
by Hansmoleman on Jul 1, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nah…Zanon isn’t as good as Scuds, although his price-range would have been better for the Pens. Apparently Shero is committed to the idea of getting Gonch an extension, along with Letang(of course). What this really means is, unless cap space is cleared, and probably soon, the Rangers or Tampa or whoever will sign Scuds and the Pens will look elsewhere.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mark my words, in 2-3 years Zanon is going to be one seen as one of the best signings of the summers. He blocks shots like no one’s business, he hits, he defends really well.
I wish the Penguins would have signed him ~$1.66mm and let Scuderi go —Scuds is great but Zanon will be the much better value.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 1, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well allegedly Chuck Fletcher was in talks with Scuderi earlier today. If he couldn’t work something out, which it seems like he couldn’t, it makes perfect sense that he went for Zanon. They both come from the same school of thought. So really, Fletch got his Scuderi even though he didn’t land Scuderi.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, Montreal is really racking up some names. Camalleri 5 years, $30 mil @ $6 per.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Habs have been MAJOR players today. Which is ironic, because at the trade deadline they did absolutely nothing.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buying frenzy
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surprise signing of the day for me(besides the ludicrous 12 year offer to Hossa), was Brashear at 1.4m/yr for 2 years with the Rangers…really? Tough opening day at training camp. Oh, and Brashear is old, and slow, and dirty.
Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
by Malsby on Jul 1, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I was a bit taken back by that too. I guess they had the money to work with but i really think Brashear is a bad choice as far as enforcers go.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Jul 1, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better to have the orbital bone breaker than the orbital bone breakee on your team, me thinks.
"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange
by gorgalor on Jul 1, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the rangers always make ridiculous contract offers like that, it really doesn’t surprise me one bit.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are your Stanley Cup Champions!!
by jetpen89 on Jul 1, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rupps to the Pens?
Weird signing! I doubt Goddard is gone, even though the above speculation speaks to that. There’d be no reason to downgrade from Goddard to Rupp. Maybe this is Shero’s way of countering the Pronger trade by adding another fist to the roster? Imagine a 4th line combo of Godard/Adams/Rupp. Carcillo could throw down with Rupp while Goddard takes on Emery. Either way, it looks like Shero see’s Talbot as a top-6 guy. No more 4th line time for mad max!
"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange
by gorgalor on Jul 1, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it. There is really no reason to have both Rupp AND Godard. Like everybody has been saying, expect to see a trade with Godard and possibly Dupius within the next day or so.
by bbill on Jul 1, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe see Paul Bissonette up to replace Goddard?
"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange
by gorgalor on Jul 1, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was my thought when I saw the rumor of the Dupuis/Goddard package trade.
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jul 2, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still not likely considering Rupp’s role as an enforcer. Bissonette won’t be needed, which is a shame, because I liked his energy.
by bbill on Jul 2, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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