While #Jagrwatch had most of us Pens' fans focused on the return of Jaromir Jagr, the Pens actually made other moves yesterday. The Penguins came to terms with grinder Arron Asham. The deal is a one-year deal worth $775,000.
Asham is a true grinder/tough guy who does have some skill. Asham had a hard time staying healthy last year for the Pens, playing in just 44 games out of the 82 game season. However, when in the lineup Asham was productive. He was tied with Maxime Talbot for the team in lead in points in the playoffs and lead the team with three goals.
This signing of Asham most likely means that Mike Rupp will not be resigned. Especially if the Penguins can sign Jagr. Rupp will probably be able to get more money elsewhere. Then again Rupp may take a pay cut to stay here. Most Pens' fans and hockey fans in general say that the Pens need a tough guy. I don't but hey that's me. Asham gives you a guy that can play four to eight minutes a game, irritate the opponent and drop the gloves if needed.
(side note) Rupp actually turned down a two-year deal by the Penguins yesterday. So there was an offer for him.
Maxime Talbot is also gone. Yesterday there were reports that the Penguins had traded Talbot's rights to the Toronto Maple Leafts. The Penguins offered Talbot a three-year deal and Talbot had turned it down. Some team some where is going to overpay big time for Talbot mostly because of his two goals in game 7 of the 09 finals.
Talbot was a decent role player but because of those two goals and his personality hyped him up to be much more than that. Talbot shouldn't be making anything more than $1 million a year. I hear he might get more than $1.5. That's insanity. Unless Talbot signs with a contender we might never hear of him again. If he signs with a team like Toronto for example, we might never hear from him again. Thanks for the memories Max.
Tyler Kennedy is also probably gone. Kennedy had a career year last year and is still really young. Kennedy knows the Pens' system and wants to re-sign with the team.That's probably not going to happen. Earlier this week Rob Rossi wrote that the Pens wanted to land both Jagr and Kennedy. Now they might not get either.
After the signing of Asham, the Pens now have about $5.4 million left in cap space. $2mil of that is supposed to go to Jagr. Kennedy could end up getting almost $3 mil a year in free-agency. I can't wait to see what happens.
Follow me on Twitter
While someone might overpay for Talbot... it certainly wouldn't be for his 2 Game 7 goals... they'd have to be mental... or named Brian Burke.
ReplyDeleteAlso... if we don't land Jagr... someone needs to tell Brad Richards that he needs to start practicing playing wing pronto!
I hope they don't sign Jagr. I would rather have them resign TK and Rupp.
ReplyDelete