Free Agency Analysis

I won't bore all of you loyal readers with a recap of what has happened so far in free agency as all of you probably are well aware. I will, however, add some analysis and how I feel the changes to the team are going to play out.

First and foremost I do not think the Penguins are a less explosive, talented team than they were on the day the season ended. Losing Hossa was not the outcome that many Pens fans wanted to see but in the end it was not a shock. Think about it. When Hossa was acquired at the trade deadline, all speculation pointed to the fact that he was a rental player added to the roster for a playoff push. And that is exactly what he was. And he performed admirably in that role.

The signing of Fedotenko and Satan more than makes up the goals that were lost when Hossa and Malone signed elsewhere. Both are proven team players that can provide goals when most needed. Jordan Staal is more than capable of taking Malone's spot on the power play by providing traffic in front of the net.

The Pens have been able to wrap up their core players, with the exception of Jordan Staal, with long term deals at less than market value. Is this not what was most expected by the majority of fans before the team made their spectacular playoff run? It seems as if expectations were raised by their appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

And who is to say that the current roster is going to be the same roster that takes the ice in October? It probably won't be. And it can be guaranteed that it is not the same roster that will exist the day after the trade deadline in 2009 either. That is how the current NHL works. Teams change yearly and will be doing so as long as the current CBA is in place. Besides, isn't this what we all wanted anyway??

The Pens are still an elite team in the East. With or without Hossa that is a fact. They will still contend for the Conference Title and if they come together and play as a team on a mission as they did this past spring, no one really knows the potential.

Hossa Update

Here is the text of an email I recieved today. Not sure how much of this information is true or not so take with a grain of salt:

"* Apparently Ritch Winter spent yesterday trying to find anybody in Pittsburgh market that would go with the statement that he made yesterday. My sources were told that early in the day Winter was trying to convince Dan Potash and KDKA to run with the story. They wouln't do it and Molinari wouldn't touch this story as he stays away from rumors. According to a source "The market has been set at about $7 million for his client, and he's ticked."
* Looks like we could have an A-Rod/Scott Boras situation on our hands. My sources continue to tell me that Hossa really likes the offer but Winter is in the background pressuring Hossa to enter the free agent market. I could care less what the PG reported today. There is a 7yr - 52 million offer on the table.
* As I wrote yesterday, sources indicate Ray Shero has had lengthy discussions with LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martins. There is a lot of speculation going around about the Penguins/Kings pulling off a blockbuster. All I'm going to say is the two sides are talking but thats as far as I'm going to go on that issue until I actually receive some legitimate info from sources close to the Penguins organization
* The Penguins are prepared to make a 5yr - 16 million offer to defenseman Brooks Orpik later this week.

Rob Rossi of the Tribune-Review has contacted me this morning and has told me directly that everything Ritch Winter is saying is a lie. According to Rossi, behind the scenes Winter is telling people he never spoke with Rossi. A lie according to Rossi. He's telling people he never spoke with Ray Shero about a contract. A lie according to Rossi. He's telling people no parameters have been discussed. A lie according to Rossi. Rossi has been in contact with Ritch Winter on numerous occasions and even said "this guy sent emails between he and I to very high-ranking officials."

Rumors and Speculation

It's that time of the year when the media has nothing to talk about except what they think is going to happen in the draft and upcoming free agent period. Much speculation has occurred in the past few days surrounding Penguins Ryan Malone, Marian Hossa and Evgeni Malkin.

Malone: Penguins try to trade negotiating rights to Columbus so the Blue Jackets can sign Ryan before he becomes a free agent on July 1st. Media is reporting that the Penguins offered Malone an embarrassing 3.0 million contract for an undisclosed number of years. Malone says he will not negotiate with Columbus, or any organization, until after the free agent period begins.

Too hard to tell what is really going on here. Ryan deserves his big payday after setting a career high for goals this past season as well as his outstanding performance in the post season. Would Shero offer him a paltry salary to get him at a home town discount? Possibly. My guess it that Ryan wants to see what he can get on the open market with hopes that he can negotiate a better deal with the Pens. Would he be willing to leave a Stanley Cup Finalist for a last place team. That remains to be seen...

Hossa: The Pens reported have offered a seven year $50 million contract to Hossa. Except Hossa's agent, Rich Winter, says those rumors are way off base and that both he and the Penguins have agreed not to talk about any contract offers to the media.

So what does this really confirm? That negotiations are taking place and the Pens have made a significant offer to Hossa. The cash is probably somewhere in the ballpark - just because that is what Hossa expects to make. And he will surely allow a smaller contract to play for a winner than a team like, say, the Thrashers.

Malkin: I've saved the juiciest for last. Bruce Garrioch of Sun Media is reporting that the Pens are in negotiations with the Kings to trade Malkin for their #2 pick in this weekends draft and Kings center Mike Cammalleri.

If Shero is as committed to signing Hossa as it appears, that definately leaves little cap room to sign Malkin to a long term deal. The Kings are in need of a star of their own and Malkin would surely fit that bill. Malkins performance in the Finals was below expectations. Quite possibly Shero wants to avoid this type of letdown in the future and is willing to part with one of the best players on the planet for a chance to keep Hossa and get yet another high draft pick as well as a proven young center. Not such a bad thought process...

In other news - the Penguins have filed for salary arbitration with Marc Andre Fluery. While this does not come as a major surprise it is a bit strange. Fleury was outstanding in the playoffs and will be a Penguin for many years to come. And this certainly does not mean that they will even go to arbitration as there is more than a month remaining before that will happen and a contract can be signed before such time to avoid the confrontation. But salary arbitration always brings out the worst in between a player and a team. Will this hurt Marc Andre's confidence? Quite possibly. I believe that Shero will sign him to a long term extension before the arbitration judge ever hears the arguments. This is all about posturing between both parties and allows plenty of time to get a deal done.

As this is my first post since the Finals ended I would like to extend my thanks to all of my loyal readers for continuing to visit. Please surf back throughout the summer to get all of the team news as well as my reaction. Don't forget to visit Home of the Penguins advertisers!!

Pens Sign Assistant Coaches to Contracts

Looks like the entire coaching staff that enabled the Penguins to reach the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season will return for the next two years. Assistant coaches Andre Savard and Mike Yeo (YO!) signed an extension to keep their services behind the bench through the 2008-2009 season and Gilles Meloche signed a new 2 year contact that guarantees his services coaching between the pipes for the next 2 season. Michel Therrien signed a one year extension earlier this summer. Congrats to all 4 for a job well done! Keep up the great work!

Some Strange Happenings Around Town...

I've been witness this summer to some very strange occurrances. During the normal stretch of June, July and August most eyes in this city are turned to the Steelers (this is a football city, after all). But this year it has been increasingly upbeat with news and information about the Pittsburgh Penguins.



First - the Pens have been very wise about releasing information since the free agency period began. Not sure if this was planned or not but it seemed as if, at least until football training camp started up, that the team was timing the press releases so that there was some sort of good news every few days. In the space of several weeks we witnessed the signing of several free agents, Michel Therrien's contract extension, Ryan Whitney's contract extension, Sidney Crosby's contract extension and then, to me at least, the biggest news of all that the team has stopped selling season ticket packages, and for the first time in the history of the franchise, has had to start a waiting list for additional season ticket subscribers. All of the events kept the team in the news for more than a month and a half and excited a growing fan base for the upcoming season.



Second - as mentioned above, the Penguins capped season ticket sales and started a waiting list for any additional folks that wanted to get a ticket package. This is the first time that such an event has occurred since the inception of the franchise in 1967. Even during the Cup years in the early 90's there was no problem for a fan to be able to purchase a ticket package. While this does not mean that there won't be individual game tickets available, as there will, but it does mean that the fan base is growing and is energized for the upcoming season and beyond. Another factor in this is surely the belief that a new arena is coming soon and securing season tickets now is the best way to insure that seats will be available for the first season in the new building.



Third - while the usual media blitz is alive and well with 24/7 coverage of Steeler's training camp, there has still been plenty of coverage for the Pens. I've seen recent stories about how the team is making sure to include the Hill district in it's plans for the new arena as well as a lot of coverage about brisk ticket sales when the mini plans went on sale last week. Don't get me wrong on this, I am a football fan as well as a hockey fan. I am not trying to take anything away from the Steelers at all...



Fourth and probably most important - the fan base is energized and ready for the start of the season. It has been many years since I've witnessed such a high level of confidence and eagerness of hockey fans to see their team on the ice. Last years group exceeded all expectations despite a very early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and this years roster looks to be even more experienced and skilled than the group that last took the ice in Ottawa in April.

Only 3 weeks until training camp opens! LET'S GO PENS!

Cha-Ching

Sidney Crosby put ink on a brand new 5 year contract extension this morning. The deal takes effect following the upcoming season and runs through the 2012 - 2013 season. Speculation abounds that the contract is worth about $43 million. The Penguins have made Sid a very rich man just days before his 20th birthday.

See complete story here: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_516584.html

I believe it will be worth every penny. Please vote in the poll below in the right side pane:

A Lot Has Been Happening...

...with the Penguins recently. Since I've been away on business for the past few weeks now is the time to get everything caught up:

Crosby wins the Hart Trophy - Sid was voted the NHL's MVP

Crosby wins the Pearson Trophy - Sid was voted best player by his peers...some would say this is more of an honor than the Hart Trophy (I've added a web poll for Sid below...please vote!)

Malkin wins Rookie of the Year - and deservedly so

Roberts and Recchi sign one year contracts with the Pens - ensuring the team their space on the Stanley Cup next season

At a very low #20 the Penguins select Angelo Esposito in the NHL Entry Draft - Esposito was projected as going in the top 3 or 4 in the very recent past. What a steal!

New Arena Update

The first building has been demolished to make room for the new arena. Here is a picture from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review of an unusal contruction mishap that occured while the building was being knocked down:

Crane 1, Silly Little Car 0