There seems to be a lot a buzz surrounding the Penguins off-season, isn’t
there? Just a couple of weeks ago, Ray Shero was focusing on bending the
cap and resigning most of his free agents. Now that the cap was grown and
a certain Czech, future Hall-of-Famer cited Pittsburgh as a top runner for
his return to the NHL, Shero's job became a lot more fun. After inking
Pascal Dupuis to a two year contract worth $3 million, the Pens have
roughly six million to work with. Many fans are urging Shero to resign
Tyler Kennedy (. . . Kennedy) & bring Jaromir Jagr back.
For as long as Sidney Crosby has been wearing a black and Vegas gold
jersey, he has needed a winger. That might get pricey. I am of the thought
that Jagr is going to ask for more than we can afford & will be a Detroit
Red Wing. TK might take his surprising season (21 goals & 45 points) &
cash out to another team that will overpay him a la Ryan Malone. Besides,
I don't think Tyler is going to be able to play with Sid. TK is a good
second, third line guy who shouldn't overtax himself to play with the
greatest player in the world (see Colby Armstrong). If, and I mean if,
neither of these guys come to the 'Burgh, then who should we sign?
Erik Cole: The 32 year old American has been a stable for Carolina since
2001 (there was that half year spent in Edmonton. . .) & has extensive
playoff experience. A injury took most of his 2009-2010 season, but he came
roaring back last year with 26 goals & 52 points. He is also an awesome
two-way player.
Nikolay Zherdev: The Russian winger has a bit of an attitude problem, but
that is nothing a little winning can fix. He is a natural scorer and steal
at $2 million a year. After the recent trades (giveaways) the Flyers have
done, he will be looking for a better scene.
Ville Leino: The best kept scoring secret in the NHL. The Finnish winger
is only 26 years old and has a nose for playoff hockey. He netted 19 goals
last year and is tough on the boards. Leino provides the Pens with the
best opportunity to sign someone long term; he made only $800,000 last
year.
Scottie Upshall: Journeyman who scored 22 goals last year split between
Phoenix & Columbus. Maybe finding a steady home will help the man settle
into a 30 goal scorer. He has the tools, but maybe need to come down on
his price tag a bit.
Jussi Jokinen: Another Finnish scorer. He has an impressive 54% success
rate on shootout attempts and is a great passer. An upper body injury held
him to 19 goals last year, but he netted 30 the year before. At $1.7
million a year, he could easily be a good fit here.
The Penguins have the money & Ray Shero has the knack for making big
moves. Friday could be very interesting. . .
Written by, Andrew Brown
there? Just a couple of weeks ago, Ray Shero was focusing on bending the
cap and resigning most of his free agents. Now that the cap was grown and
a certain Czech, future Hall-of-Famer cited Pittsburgh as a top runner for
his return to the NHL, Shero's job became a lot more fun. After inking
Pascal Dupuis to a two year contract worth $3 million, the Pens have
roughly six million to work with. Many fans are urging Shero to resign
Tyler Kennedy (. . . Kennedy) & bring Jaromir Jagr back.
For as long as Sidney Crosby has been wearing a black and Vegas gold
jersey, he has needed a winger. That might get pricey. I am of the thought
that Jagr is going to ask for more than we can afford & will be a Detroit
Red Wing. TK might take his surprising season (21 goals & 45 points) &
cash out to another team that will overpay him a la Ryan Malone. Besides,
I don't think Tyler is going to be able to play with Sid. TK is a good
second, third line guy who shouldn't overtax himself to play with the
greatest player in the world (see Colby Armstrong). If, and I mean if,
neither of these guys come to the 'Burgh, then who should we sign?
Erik Cole: The 32 year old American has been a stable for Carolina since
2001 (there was that half year spent in Edmonton. . .) & has extensive
playoff experience. A injury took most of his 2009-2010 season, but he came
roaring back last year with 26 goals & 52 points. He is also an awesome
two-way player.
Nikolay Zherdev: The Russian winger has a bit of an attitude problem, but
that is nothing a little winning can fix. He is a natural scorer and steal
at $2 million a year. After the recent trades (giveaways) the Flyers have
done, he will be looking for a better scene.
Ville Leino: The best kept scoring secret in the NHL. The Finnish winger
is only 26 years old and has a nose for playoff hockey. He netted 19 goals
last year and is tough on the boards. Leino provides the Pens with the
best opportunity to sign someone long term; he made only $800,000 last
year.
Scottie Upshall: Journeyman who scored 22 goals last year split between
Phoenix & Columbus. Maybe finding a steady home will help the man settle
into a 30 goal scorer. He has the tools, but maybe need to come down on
his price tag a bit.
Jussi Jokinen: Another Finnish scorer. He has an impressive 54% success
rate on shootout attempts and is a great passer. An upper body injury held
him to 19 goals last year, but he netted 30 the year before. At $1.7
million a year, he could easily be a good fit here.
The Penguins have the money & Ray Shero has the knack for making big
moves. Friday could be very interesting. . .
Written by, Andrew Brown
Of all the guys you named Zherdev is the only one I would not like to see in a Pens jersey. Dude is a selfish punk who plays no defense. I would love to see Jokinen or Upshall (leaning towards Upshall) signed.
ReplyDeleteI always hated Scottie Upshall when he played for Philly. Maybe signing him would be a good thing.
ReplyDelete