It's official: Penguins sign Jay McKee to one-year deal

by FrankD on Jul 10, 2009 2:43 PM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins free agents

From the official team release:

"Jay is a strong defensive defenseman who will bring additional experience to our lineup," Shero said. "He has great size and is an outstanding shot-blocker, and his veteran presence will help in the continued development of our young defensemen."

Penguins.com

Forgive the skepticism and mild standoffishness to yesterday's rumors, but until something is official Hooks and I try to avoid saying a deal's a deal. Especially when various news outlets suggest it as just being an offer, no matter how many rumors tend to favor Pitt.

But hey, enough of that. We have our "replacement piece" and his name is Jay McKee. Ray Shero and co. signed him to a one-year deal worth a reported $800,000 earlier today. This is definitely a significant pay cut from his $1.3 million buyout from St. Louis, but I suppose he's looking at it in two ways. (or at least I would)

1) He's jumping on board with a championship team and
2) Technically it's more like $2.1 mill since he was bought out.

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I’m glad we signed a d-man…it was definately needed. McKee has the tendency to get injured often, but at less than a million, I say it’s a good risk. If he lasts the season he’s gonna be great for our back-end.

Marcy

by GoPenguins on Jul 10, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

McKee hasn’t been an ironman by any means but since the lockout he’s had seasons of 75, 23, 66, 69 games played. Other than the 23, that’s not too bad.

Some of his injuries have seemed to have the bad luck that Mark Eaton was on for a while there. Hopefully his luck changes in a new venue.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jul 10, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

can’t go wrong with this signing, this will give GoGo a defensively responsible partner and for $800K he’ll be well worth it.

by AronV on Jul 10, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

I think he’ll do just fine on the third pairing and the PK. I will miss Scuds, though.

by Dan J on Jul 10, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

Anybody who managed to be +11 on the 2008-2009 Blues team is a great addition

Windy City Hockey

by The Admiral on Jul 10, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Did you see them play the second half?

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by BluesFan45 on Jul 12, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I am a little skeptical of McKee but we’ll have to wait and see. For $800k/1year it is definitely not a bad deal.

by xaryss on Jul 10, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly my thoughts. Take what you can get – a veteran player at a cheap price – and see where it brings you. For all we know he could play a 65-70 game season and stay relatively healthy. He’s looking to build up his resume again maybe for one last decent deal with a team in 2010 and Pittsburgh is a good place to do it.

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by FrankD on Jul 10, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

As laid out here, it looks like a win-win all around. I was thinking the team was getting really forward-heavy. I should know better than to doubt the Pens by now, shouldn’t I?

"Don't fear idiocy. It's the new smartness!"--Coke Zero commercial

by GreenEyedLilo on Jul 10, 2009 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Solid Acquisition

Can’t go wrong with a one-year $800K deal for a veteran defensive defenseman. On the Flyers front? Looks like Pronger’s cap hit will haunt the Flyers for the next 8 years. Some GM’s make wise, practical decisions. You make the call.

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jul 10, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

I have a good friend who’s a flyers fan, and from the end of round 1 game 6 to the pronger trade we were talking about how the pens/flyers rivalry should fuel some good playoff hockey. since the pronger deal, we’ve both agreed that the flyers made a terrible choice.

“you see what happens larry? you see what happens when you find a stranger in the alps?”

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by pascaldupweevil on Jul 14, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions