Free agency and the Pens

by CITY_OF_CHAMPS on Jul 4, 2009 12:59 AM EDT Comment 11 comments

The following is a couple of thoughts about the first few of days of free agency for the Pens. I don’t know if I’m just expecting too much, but I expected the Pens to do a little better. I’m not saying that the people they signed suck, but there is a loss, not a gain. I feel that there is a large void on defense, that I’m not sure they will be able to fill with the players they signed. I guess free agents are not looking to win, they just want paid, and in this economy, can you blame them?

We lost two starting defensemen that I have mixed feelings about it as follows……

Gill needed to go. He was so slow back to the corner, and he looked almost afraid to hit people or clear out the front of the net. I can’t believe the Montreal paid him 2.25 a year for two years. His size is great, but I don’t feel that he has ever been shown how to fully use it….Go back to Canada you bum!!!!

I expected to see Rob Scuderi go. I think Rob really cemented his future with his performance over the entire playoffs. I knew the Pen were not going to pay him that much a year. They would not be able to afford it. Four years, 13.6 million to go to Cali and play for the Kings sucks, but at least he will be paid decently. I am not mad at Scuds. It’s great to win, but you got to make that money before you can’t in sports. Here today, gone tomorrow. Rob might be able to help the Kings make the playoffs next year. I hope so because they got all that young talent that needs to be shown when it counts, in the playoffs.

Who the hell did they get to fill in for the two starters on defense? I don’t know who they are and don’t get the moves by Ray Shero, but he has not disappointed in the past. Yea they did it again. They signed a local product, Nate Guenin to a one-year contract. He played with Philly last season, but he only played one game in the NHL. They are going to pay him 400,000 more dollars if he plays in the NHL. What the hell does that mean? They also signed Brian Strait for three years at entry-level contract. He is 6-1, 205 lbs and has played the last three years for BU (Boston University). He collected a total of 23 points in 111 games for BU. It sounds like they got Scuderi’s replacement, but his future is unclear with the team. Why are the Stanley cup champs putting these types of players potentially in front of the Flower? Not sure if either one will play next year for the Pens in the NHL. I expect to see both of them in the minors.

Now to offense………..

I really like seeing Fedotenko come back for a reduced salary as well as Craig Adams. They want to win another one and that’s great for us. Both guys bring a lot of grit, hard work, and both seen to be clutch. They both came up big this year in big games. I now think that Fedotenko will play on the second line with Malkin and Talbot. Sound like a pretty good line.

I don’t get the Mike Rupp deal. Don’t you think the Pens have a large supply of players like Rupp. Yea he is huge and can fight, but his skills are limited, and he is injury prone. The Pens don’t have many LW’s, but this deal I don’t get.

So far I think the Pens are not doing well to fill the holes left by free agents. I hope they know something we don’t, because the roster doesn’t look to strong on paper.

CITY_OF_CHAMPS

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How do you think the Pens have done so far in free agency

They look strong for next year

61 votes

Not so good

25 votes

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So far I think the Pens are not doing well to fill the holes left by free agents. I hope they know something we don’t, because the roster doesn’t look to strong on paper.

Free agency lasts longer than three days.

The Penguins have holes to fill, but they still have Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Fleury and other good support players (Gonchar, Kunitz, Guerin, Orpik, Letang, Kennedy, Fedotenko, etc, etc).

The Pens are the class of the East have won it two years in a row with largely the same core. Roster turnover happens.

There’s no doubt with the subtractions of Scuderi and Gill the Pens are worse on paper than two weeks ago but guys like Goligoski, Lovejoy and whoever is added on in the future will have a chance to step into the gap.

Obviously with teams like Philly, Washington, Boston and Carolina adding or keeping most of their guys and getting young players better Pittsburgh isn’t going to run away with anything. But I’d still argue they’re the class of the East until someone knocks them off.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jul 4, 2009 1:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what do you mean the roster doesn’t look strong on paper? it’s almost the same roster that just won a cup. Scuds and Gill are very replaceable.

by PensFan024 on Jul 4, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. And I said the same thing when I read Wes Goldstein’s article on CBS depicting the winners and losers of free agency. Just because the Pens lost Scuds and Gill doesn’t make them losers, but he claims losing the two of them is the “price of success.”

I’d recommend reading that article, if only for the comments below it.

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by FrankD on Jul 5, 2009 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Expect a trade, a signing before the end of the summer

I assume Dupuis is a hard contract to move. in order to get another stud scorer kunitz would be the man to move.
we need a D man so that Lovejoy is the first call up, but off the books in the AHL until that time comes.

This team is built for the playoffs. Look at a guy like Sykora. he scored like 24 goals last year and Fedotenko scored 16 but everyones on Tenks Jock because he can show up in the playoffs. I think we will miss a sykora or an afinogenov type player in the regular season where there is a little more time and space to bring that skill out.

Luckily we’ll have more offense coming from the backend with Gonchar Goligoski and Letang blasts from the point.

We aren’t done yet, we’re still in great shape, and whatever is wrong, Shero will fix at the deadline.

Whats ultimately going to determine if we win the cup again is how much do Crosby Malkin and Staal improve from the last year, which is basically why we won this year, because their wingers certainly weren’t better.

Phili B

by ColeHarbour on Jul 4, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

on second thought,,,,,,,,

WE just won the cup, so i feel a little guilty complaining at all. And we werent left with a great deck considering the salary cap, BUT
Did we really need to waste almost a million of that cap on an enforcer (rupp)? at two goals last year, he isnt matt cooke. Umm, isnt this Godard two?
Love, Love Guerin. 7 years ago. But if u really thought he could keep up with SId at the end of last year, we werent watching the same game. SO, hopefully with another extended playoff run next year, at a year older , do u really want him for the top line?? With another year of wear and tear. Would have loved to seen his salary and Rupps used for Knuble, a little younger and with some jump left in his legs. Plus i am a big believer in some new blood being interjected into the franchise after a championship.

Scuderi, god bless u, u deserve to cash in. Gill is easily replaced i think and will be soon. Happy to have fedo back. Is there some hockey god that will tell Kovy he needs to return ala Field of dreams. I cant call us a loser, but lets be realistic about Rupp and guerin

by lanselot66 on Jul 6, 2009 1:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But if u really thought he could keep up with SId at the end of last year, we werent watching the same game

Guerin scored 12 points in 17 regular season games with the Penguins and 15 points in 24 playoff games. Guerin wasn’t that good against the Red Wings, but he was pretty solid for the first three rounds.

Would have loved to seen his salary and Rupps used for Knuble, a little younger and with some jump left in his legs.

Mike Knuble is 37 Guerin is turning 39 in November. So yes a little younger, but Knuble also got a 2 year commitment from the Caps.

Would have loved to seen his salary and Rupps used for Knuble, a little younger and with some jump left in his legs.

Knuble has played fewer career games than Guerin, but that doesn’t inherently mean he has more jump in his step.

Knuble only has 42 even-strength points in the past two seasons….Guerin has 60, despite spending most of sample size on weak NY Islander teams. It’s generally harder to get points at ES than on the PP, and Guerin’s been more productive.

Plus i am a big believer in some new blood being interjected into the franchise after a championship.

I’m more of a believer in keeping productive veterans acknowledged as well-liked players in the room with a sense of humor and leadership. Not to say Knuble can’t/won’t have a good year, but given what Guerin brought on and off the ice to Crosby and the Penguins, he’s known to be a great fit for the Penguins.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guerin a good sign

Guerin was brought back more for his leadership and experience than anything else. That he added 15 points in the Playoffs was a nice bonus. I will be surprised if Dupuis and Godard aren’t dealt soon. Losing Scuderi was bi g, but like any team in today’s Cap era, the Pens just didn’t have the wiggle room LA did. For RS’s sake he needed to go for the big payday. As for Hal Gill, He did a good job on the PK and paired well with Scuderi, but his lack of speed was a big issue. There were numerous times in the playoffs that was exposed. In any case, that pairing was solid, I do expect Shero to make some moves and get a seasoned Defenseman signed soon. The good news and what many Penguin detractors ignored after last season, the Core Players should get even better! Malkin certainly did in the Playoffs!!!

by Dutch71 on Jul 6, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I heard the Talbot injury might be a reason Dupuis is still around….Even though he doesn’t produce many points, Dupuis can play as a top 6 winger (oxymoronic?) and might be needed there if Talbot isn’t ready to start the season.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well thought out sentiments hooks

I appreciate the well informed stats and sentiment given out on the argument of knuble vs guerin. Actually, since we all want to see another Cup raised i hope i am wrong. My point is i would rather have a equally reliable, productive, locker room presence ( cant attest to eithers sense of humor) DIDNT win last year+ two year younger Knuble over Guerin. I can envision a recchi scenario happening all over again with guerin, and him playing down on the third line by the end of next year, and for about the same money i would have chosen a younger Knuble over Guerin/Rupp. and the hated Caps wouldnt have him. Moreover, why are we spending any money on Rupp when we have an Adams and Cooke? Umm, what is his role?
THe bigger picture is how long we can afford to keep three highly paid centers and piecemeal the wingers together every year? We have a team of second line wingers!!!!!!!

by lanselot66 on Jul 7, 2009 1:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My point is i would rather have a equally reliable, productive, locker room presence ( cant attest to eithers sense of humor) DIDNT win last year+ two year younger Knuble over Guerin

Guerin’s been with the team for like 4 months, not his whole career. I don’t see him getting stale at all, if that’s what you’re getting at.

I’d rather have the continuity of having a winner and a guy who knows everyone over the alternative of starting from scratch.

I can envision a recchi scenario happening all over again with guerin, and him playing down on the third line by the end of next year,

Could happen, but then again Mark Recchi scored 61 points last season so maybe he had a little more left in the tank than he showed, huh?

Guerin will be better than Recchi because he’s a bigger body and more physical. The Rechin Ball does throw his body around but Billy G goes to the front of the net, digs pucks out of corners and wins battles, why I think he’s a better option.

and for about the same money i would have chosen a younger Knuble over Guerin/Rupp

I agree with you, I don’t know what the Rupp signing is about — but you don’t “choose” unrestricted free agents, they choose you. Washington is closer to Philly and in a good situation for Knuble to join.

Plus Washington gave Knuble a 2 year contract, that has to be taken into consideration too if you’re worried about older guys breaking down. Signing Knuble would have put the Pens in the situation you didn’t want for Guerin in one year’s time.

All in all, I say take the guy you win with that’s proven he meshes well with Crosby on and off the ice

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

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by Hooks Orpik on Jul 7, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The biggest question mark I have with the Pens roster next year is who takes time on the PK? Everybody knocks on Gill but he was a strong penalty killer and will be missed in that area. His long reach was a BIG help to Fluery because he could get to the puck and clear before a second or third chance rebound came out. It didn’t matter if he was slow, his arms were so long he didn’t have to move. They are pretty solid for penatly killing forwards (Dupuis, Talbot, Adams, Staal, etc.) but they lost their two biggest PK defensemen. I imagine Orpik and Eaton will see time on the PK, but Eaton is injury prone and Orpik’s intensity draws penalties, so the pens need another strong (and experienced) defensive defensemen.

As for Guerin, not only does he play well with Crosby, he has taught Crosby a ton in the little time he has been with the pens. Sure he’s lost a little bit of a step compared to ten years ago, but I have noticed a huge change in Crosby’s intensity and attitude (although that might have to do with the coaching change too) and another year with a mentor might be the best thing for his career, which will help the pens out too in the long run. Crosby’s skill + Guerin’s knowledge = ouch.

by bbill on Jul 9, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs