Penguins sign defenseman Nate Guenin

by FrankD on Jul 3, 2009 1:45 PM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins free agents Comment 6 comments

Stick tap to Malsby for the heads up...

With regards to the history of signing Ryan Malone and Bill Thomas, the Pittsburgh Penguins once again added a local guy to the roster today with the signing of former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nate Guenin. Actually, he was more like a Flyers system guy more than a Flyers one, seeing as how he only played in a single game last year. However in the time spent manning the Philadelphia Phantoms' blue line, he managed to pull in four goals and 13 assists.

It's hard to say if Pitt plans on bringing this guy up to the Penguins' blue line or if he will step in for Wilkes-Barre as the lower part of a few lateral movements in the system. It's a fairly affordable deal either way, as Dave Molinari notes on the Post-Gazette's web site:

The deal will pay him $500,000 if he plays in the NHL, $105,000 if he plays in the American Hockey League.

Molinari also notes that the Pens may still have their eyes on Jay McKee, a defenseman from the St. Louis Blues. Ray Shero had a presser set for 1:30 today, so I'm sure we'll hear of Pitt's intentions soon enough.

0 recs | Comment 6 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I doubt Nate G will get any time wearing a Pittsburgh jersey unless some serious injuries happen. Still, it costs them potentially nothing from a cap perspective and the guy being born in Sewickly gives the fans a nice ‘awwwww’.

I kind of hope they don’t get Jay McKee. His value tumbled ever since he went to St. Louis.

Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.

by Malsby on Jul 3, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this

It adds some depth to our blue line but I agree with Malsby, it’s unlikely that he’ll see lots of playing time.

Maybe it’s me living in the past but I kinda like Jay McKee… I remember watching him when he was still in Buffalo. Great shot-blocker & experience for a cut price.

by Alighieri on Jul 3, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

—> points at the FanShots —>

Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!

by JustinM on Jul 4, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You win, I fail. Well done sir.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jul 4, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please, I’m just poking fun. That post was way better than a straight copy/paste from the Pens’ website, anyway.

To be on topic here, I expect this to be an AHL depth move, but at the same time, the Pens have 5 NHL defensemen signed, so who knows, really.

Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!

by JustinM on Jul 4, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know, I know. I kid right back.

I agree with this being a depth sorta thing. Maybe the Pittsburgh coaches can work with him a bit more to have him as an on-call guy in case anything goes wrong with the big club. But i think that his salary is only something like $500K if he cracks the lineup, so it could stand as a pretty affordable 6th/7th dman option if all else fails.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jul 4, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs