Faceoff Factor

Comments

1. Lasse

   Jun 28, 02:54 PM

   Hi, guys! Is the Strait signing official? Terms?

2. Matt Bodenschatz

   Jun 28, 10:39 PM

   @Lasse, Strait has been signed, per this article. Typically, with these lower profile signings, terms aren’t released immediately, but my guess would be the standard entry level deal, which is three years at less than $1 million.

3. mbizzle

   Jun 28, 10:51 PM

   Word is Pens are going to target Mike Knuble on July 1st or a guy like Eric Cole (Orpik’s best friend). Knuble might come cheaper and is more effective than injury prone, and at times underperforming Cole. If they sign Knuble, it looks as though Fedotenko will be out. Does that mean we’re relying on Talbot to become a sniper?

   Knuble is the Ryan Malone type player(good on PK, has some jam, great in front of the net) we missed last year. Would you take him over Feds? Because we can’t get Knuble for the 1st line: Sid Kunitz Knuble will be awful b.c there’s no sniper.

   I honestly would not mind them trading Kunitz and his $3.75 mil (Burke is interested) but I don’t think Shero plans on trading him anytime soon.

   I would like to see them deal Dupuis and get a guy like Moen from free agency. He’ll be cheap, good on pk, adds some much needed jam we lost when Ruutu left. The Flyer/Pens games just got A LOT nastier with Pronger in the lineup. We’re gonna need to respond by someone not named Eric Godard if something goes down IMO.

   What you think MB?

4. Matt Bodenschatz

   Jun 29, 12:13 AM

   @Mbizzle, I have heard the Knuble rumors, and while they come from a reliable source (Tim Pannacio), I question them. Teams aren’t permitted to discuss their intent to sign players until July 1. And, besides that, Shero isn’t one to say one thing and do another. At this point, his focus, according to what he has said, is to sign his own, thus avoiding an influx of new players.

   I think Knuble would be a great fit in Pittsburgh, but I think Fedotenko is a better fit. As is Guerin. Generally, lines should have a physical and/or defensive presence, a playmaker, and a goal-scorer, if not a sniper. That doesn’t always have to be the case though, and with the Penguins’ salary constraints, it likely won’t be. Knuble, Guerin and Fedotenko, along with Kunitz and some of the team’s youngsters have the skills to convert on passes from Sid and Geno — even though they may not be snipers. Worrying about lines right now is jumping to conclusions.

   Kunitz won’t be traded. He was acquired to be a top-line player for Crosby and has done an excellent job. His one playoff goal does not tell the whole story of his play, which included monstrous hits (which created space for Crosby and Guerin), defensive play, and plenty of assists. In other words, he’s not a Pascal Dupuis, who used nothing but speed and defensive awareness to make himself work on the first line. Shero is a patient man, and I really can’t see him trading someone he just acquired.

   Dupuis, on the other hand, may go, although I suspect the likelihood of such a move was significantly higher this weekend than it will be from this point forward.

   Lastly, I strongly agree that some size and muscle will be needed as we move forward. This is where Knuble would make sense — but, again, only if the internal free agents aren’t able to be re-signed.

5. Albert

   Jun 29, 01:10 AM

   Depends on what Knuble or Cole cost. Cole vanished in the playoffs, so can’t get too excited about him.

   The Pens are $8.31M under the cap.

   Priorities:

   1. Guerin – If they sign Guerin to a 1 year deal for ~$2.2M, that leaves them w/ $6.1M at which point the priority becomes D.

   2. Scuds – IF they can re-sign Scuds for $2.2M, they do it in a Long Island second.
   If not (likely Scuds signs elsewhere), they will bring in a veteran at about that price (or LESS) to fill that #5 D role. Could be Gill at 1.75M. Or someone else.

   3. This is where it gets tricky…they’ll have ~$4M for 2 players + in-season flexibility.

   Assuming one of the players is Zigo or Adams (prob Zigo), that leaves ~$3M for 1 player + in-season flex.

   I think that’s a winger for Malkin.

   So…I think they sign 4 FA’s MAXIMUM, w/ 3 at contracts of roughly $2.2M a piece (Guerin + Scuds/Gill/Veteran D + and Winger/Tenk/Sykora) + Zigo (or Adams) and have about $1M in cap space.

   Or…they sign 3 FA’s: Guerin + Zigo + either a defenceman OR a forward, but not both—and keep more flexibility for in-season moves.

   Either way, I don’t think we’ll see a lot of signings…3-4 max and 2 of them are probably Guerin and Zigo.

6. Albert

   Jun 29, 01:16 AM

   Oh, and the 3rd is clearly a D: Scuds OR Gill OR a Veteran d-man.

   Anything more than that will be tough…and is limited to ONE player, max. Prob with a ceiling of $2M salary, and VERY likely less.

7. bag o' pucks

   Jun 29, 01:28 AM

   I’d guess $.85M/yr cap hit for Strait, with a slightly lower guaranteed salary total + incentives. Despite having as many as nine rookies starting in WB/S this season, I would’ve liked to see Sneep sign, as well.

   I’m counting Scuds as a goner, and not by preference. He’s doing as much as any GM would hope for, by giving Shero the final shot after offers come in. But, I just can’t see him returning for a number the Pens can afford. Lovejoy and another inexpensive veteran can handle 6/7 duty, in such a case.

   I’m hopeful that Guerin, Zigo and Adams are re-signed by July 1. Not necessarily a great chance of that happening, but a chance, nonetheless. It looks like Tenk is going to July 1, as well. I don’t see him giving Shero the same courtesy as Scuds. Tenk just doesn’t have the same ties to the club.

   So far, things are going about as business as usual. Some conversations with agents, ballparking, and waiting.

8. Moq

   Jun 29, 08:07 AM

   Despite a surprisingly generous salary cap we cannot afford to sign all of Guerin, Fedotenko and Scuderi. Even if we were to get rid of Dupuis and find the cheapest possible replacement. I don’t see that as a bad thing, fresh blood in the locker room is a good thing. One or two without a Cup and things to prove. It provides a dynamic environment.

   At least one of three mentioned above has to go. Whether the criteria is most expensive or easiest to replace is anyone’s guess. In my opinion, Scuderi leads both categories and shouldn’t be considered at all. My concern is that Shero will use too much time getting as close to status quo as possible, whereby any alternatives will be long gone. Somewhat similar to last year. Then again, Shero has established a record of finding good solutions.

   I can barely wait for free agency to start. There’s a lot of interesting possibilities, not just for Pittsburgh.

9. Matt Bodenschatz

   Jun 29, 09:14 AM

   Two quick things.

   One, from what I am hearing, Adams, not Zigomanis, is the one Shero wants to retain on the fourth line. That’s interesting, considering what Zigomanis brings to the table: faceoff skills and a right-handed shot. If this is the case, one or both of two things seems likely. Either Talbot is shifting back to center, Dustin Jeffrey is a shoe-in to be promoted to fourth line center, or both (which would indicate Staal is moving to the second line).

   Two, Guerin apparently was offered a one-year deal yesterday and the team should have an idea of what is going on today. They also plan to officially make an offer to Fedotenko today. Scuderi won’t be offered a contract initially, but he has told Shero any offer he receives will come back to Shero to see how far off Shero is. In other words, there is room for a “hometown discount,” though I would presume it won’t be too drastic.

10. Albert

    Jun 29, 09:36 AM

    i heard the same thing w/r/t to Adams > Zigo, but i also heard that Adams wants a multi-year deal, and Zigo is more likely to sign a 1-yr deal.

    not sure how accurate that is…

11. Dabich

    Jun 29, 09:58 AM

    It would be kinda cool if Shero can pull a rabbit out of his hat and retain all three…I know I’m dreaming, but still…
    I can’t wait till it’s all settled, the waiting is driving me nuts!

12. Moq

    Jun 29, 10:23 AM

    Adams over Zigomanis wouldn’t be a major concern to me. I like the idea of promoting Jeffrey on a permanent basis, because a few youngsters need to get more than just coffee this season. Some sort of biscuit should be served as well.

    It’s a nice statement by Scuderi. But I think that the discrepancy could be as much as $1.5M between offers from other teams and what Shero can afford. Scuderi never made a lot of money and would be foolish to give that kind of discount.

13. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jun 29, 11:07 AM

    @Albert, I’ve heard the same.

    @Dabich, wouldn’t that be awesome?

    @Moq, I tend to agree. Zigomanis provides a service this team needs, faceoff wins, but otherwise, he is a dime a dozen player. Adams, on the other hand, brings speed, grit, and experience to the table, qualities that will be paramount in teaching Jeffrey the NHL game. And, as you said, it’s time to add a rookie or two into the equation to keep a steady flow of promotions. As for Scuderi, I’m not sure what the open market will bring to him, but I do think you are right in the possibility for a $1.5 million gap between sides. He’s an excellent player — the Penguins’ most responsible player, as evidenced by his role to shut down each team’s top offensive player through all four rounds of the playoffs — but he is relatively one dimensional. While others may not bring the same defensive abilities, they may make up for them in other areas, such as puck control, skating, passing, etc.

14. Moq

    Jun 29, 11:50 AM

    Matt, there’s also the timing issue. Do you try and sign someone like Vaananen – or another free agent defenceman – before they’re signed elsewhere, or wait patiently for Scuderi to gather offers and get back to you?

    When Scuderi calls there might be nothing but scraps left. I don’t like it. It reminds me of last year.

15. bag o' pucks

    Jun 29, 11:50 AM

    I must’ve read the same thing that Shero is more interested in Adams than Zigo, but that was a direct contradiction to something I’d read a week earlier so, who knows.

    I don’t see a need to take one over the other as we’re talking cheap 4th liners here. But, if I had to pick one, I’d prefer Zigo. Had he logged enough faceoffs, he would have finished the season as the best faceoff man in the league. That’s a really nice asset to have. When he was in the lineup last season it seems he won so frequently it was very refreshing for the Pens not to have to chase down faceoff loss after loss, losing possession so frequently.

    Not to mention it would have been nice to have him taking the f/o against Zetterberg in the final seconds of game seven. Then maybe those chances against, and Lidstrom’s last second shot, never happen.

16. SprJudd

    Jun 29, 02:02 PM

    Don’t take this the wrong way, I am a fan of Scuderi, but I don’t think he’s a necessary guy to bring back. First off, he’s a guy who can be replaced for cheaper rather easily. And while he plays a solid defensive game, many of the same people who are saying the Pens need to sign him were saying the Pens needed to jettison him as recently as a season ago. Additionally, while he provides sound positional defense, he gives zero offense and no snarl. One thing the Penguins lack is snarl on the blueline. After Orpik, there’s nobody (aside from a smallish Kris Letang) who throws their weight around. The Penguins need to get meaner back there which is why I’d like to see a guy like Joey Mormina get a shot in training camp, or bring in another cheaper guy with grit (in the mold of Brendan Witt – only not a cheap-shot artist).

    Also as far as forwards go, call me crazy, but I’d like to see the Pens go after a guy in the mold of Chris Neil or Travis Moen – a guy with some grit, muscle, and can finish the occasional scoring chance (though not be counted on to score too regularly). Basically somebody who can help share the load with Eric Godard but play more than 3-4 minutes per game. Plus, with a guy like Moen or Neil around, Chris Pronger and Zdeno Chara won’t be as likely to throw the cheap shots they love to throw. I am sure Pronger and Chara will continue with the cheap shots, but with knowing there are some players other than Godard to answer to, it’ll help the cause.

17. Moq

    Jun 29, 02:51 PM

    One favourite forward scenario of mine for the Penguins could be the signing of Guerin, Pyatt, Moen and Adams.

18. SprJudd

    Jun 29, 03:09 PM

    @MOQ – the only problem I have with Pyatt is that he’s the smallest 6’4”, 230lb forward in the NHL. He plays very small for his size, and the Pens need more jam up front. I do agree with trying to get Travis Moen though.

    And while I won’t be heartbroken if the Pens resign Craig Adams instead of Mike Zigomanis, I’d prefer bringing back Mike Zigomanis. Both Adams and Zigomanis have a right-handed shot, but Zigomanis is a better faceoff guy. Adams does offer more versatility though by being able to play all 3 forward positions. I just think the Penguins need the faceoff ability more than the versatility at forward.

19. bag o' pucks

    Jun 29, 04:52 PM

    @Sprjudd. Pronger will likely be more apt to throw cheap shots than at any time before because, in Philly, he’s so insulated from actually having to back it up. The Flyers have a number of players who will step after a cheap shot and gladly go to the penalty box either for or with Pronger. Cote, Carcillo, Asham, they actually have more guys than ever who can and will take liberties and they when one of them’s in the box they really don’t lose that much sandpaper because they have it in such abundance.

    The only guy on the Pen’s roster who can regularly throw with any effectiveness is Godard. He’s going to have his hands full and then some when the Pens play Philly. And there are some people around here dumb enough that they actually want to jetison him.

20. albert

    Jun 29, 04:59 PM

    Slept on this. Seeing it a little differently…Hopefuly more clearly.

    The Pens need 2 scoring wingers—one for Crosby and for Malkin (no young guys ready for that role). And they need at least 1 solid d-man for the 5 hole.

    My wish list:
    Guerin: 1 yr @ $2.2M
    Tenk*: 2 yrs @ 2.2M/year
    Defenceman**: 3 yrs @ 2.4M/year

    * Tenk OR comparable FA **either Scuderi OR Beauchemin OR solid defensive D veteran

    That’s $6.8M, which leaves $1.5M under the cap.

    And I think Shero would prefer approx. $1M in flex space.

    Zigo on a 1-yr deal at $700K is fine—or not. I also prefer Adams, but don’t see how they fit him in. Either one is a luxury/non-priority.

    Agree w/ the Jeffrey comments. If not him, then one of the other young guys. They WILL be up for coffee AND biscuits AND maybe more.

    Shero needs THREE key players, and he doesn’t have much cap room. They have to be the priority.

    4th liners and a 6/7 D can come from within the system.

21. Moq

    Jun 29, 05:20 PM

    Adams just signed a 2-year contract according to the Penguins website. No monetary details yet.

22. albert

    Jun 29, 05:22 PM

    Shows you what I know. Pens just signed Adams to a 2-yr deal.

    I think that means the Pens just sign 1 scoring winger (Guerin?). They might give the young guys a chance on the 3rd line and move up TK. That makes sense too.

    @Pucks. I’m with you on Godard. He’s signed, he’s staying, and he’s perfect.

23. Pens1967

    Jun 29, 05:36 PM

    I’m kind of surprised Adams was signed vice Ziggy. Then again, I recall Shero saying when they put in a waiver claim for Adams he didn’t think would go unclaimed by other teams. Adams certainly did nothing to hurt his cause with his play after the Pens got him and he had two rings now. Maybe Adams is kind of a poor man’s Bryan Trottier.

    FWIW, Madden also said on his show that Guerin and the Pens probably won’t get together on a contract.

24. bag o' pucks

    Jun 29, 05:59 PM

    I’m not sure the boat has sailed for Zigo because of this signing. At any rate, I’m glad to have Adams back. He’s versatile and smart, kinda like Talbot but without that much offensive ability. Or should I say Talbot is a bit like Adams but with a bit more offensive ability, haha.

25. SprJudd

    Jun 29, 06:01 PM

    @Bag – I have seen people saying that Godard needs to go and that dumbfounds me. Yes, Godard isn’t a guy you dress for the playoffs. But you sure as heck dress him for the regular season. And I do know Philly has plenty of guys willing to take dumb penalties (and lose in the first round – WOOOOOO!), but there needs to be a couple players on Pittsburgh’s roster other than Godard who will tear into Pronger. Bissonnette is a cheap alternative who has shown he can throw the jacks in the NHL, but I don’t know how he is recovering from that skate to the wrist. Also, Bissonnette is another 4-5 minutes per game NHL player. The Pens need one or two tough guys who can play some minutes.

26. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jun 29, 06:17 PM

    @Moq, timing is important, though I suspect few of the players Shero will be targeting (second or third tier free agents) will be snatched up immediately. Shero will have a day or two to wait for Scuderi before he changes his gameplan.

    @Bag, it would appear we have our answer.

    @Sprjudd, something to remember about Scuderi is that he has been consistently good for several years now. But, at one point, he was a borderline NHL’er. Heck, when Shero arrived on the scene, he couldn’t believe Scuderi had a one-way, multi-year contract. A lot has changed, which makes people’s opinions from a year ago and longer a bit difficult to reference. He is the player he is now, not the player he was then — and he is a solid defender.

    I think a common misconception is that he will be easy to replace. He won’t. There are few defenders in the league as positionally sound as Scuderi is. His assignment to shut down Carter, Ovechkin, Staal, and Zetterberg is proof of the trust he earned from the coaching staff of the Stanley Cup champs. Scuderi wasn’t playing against third and fourth liners. He constantly drew the opposition’s top forwards. That won’t just be replaced by a Mormina or Lovejoy.

    With that being said, there are players who can fill the void in different ways. Scuderi was flawed — his skating is suspect and he lacks an outlet pass or any puck skills. So, while a replacement may not have Scuderi’s positioning or stick skills, he may have better speed and may be better at transitioning — kind of like Eaton. The results may be similar (few goals against) but the roles will be different. I know it’s semantics, but it’s a similar argument to the one that says a best defense is a good offense.

    As for adding a Neil or Moen, I’d be all for it — if the price is right. But Neil is seeking a multi-year deal at roughly $2 million. Considering he’s no better than a third liner, he’s not worth it — especially to the Penguins, who need top-two line help, not role player help.

    @Albert, very nice breakdown. Shero has his hands full, but this is not an impossible task, and certainly not one that will require the mass promotion of youth — aside from a few players, such as Goligoski, Lovejoy, Jeffrey, Curry, and maybe one of Caputi or Tangradi (if they earn it).

    @Moq and Albert, thanks for the heads-up on the signing.

    @Pens, I tend to think Adams has more value due to his experiences on Cup teams and his overall game play: physical, defensive, speedy, smart, and occasionally clutch. To me, he’s the perfect mentor for Jeffrey. As for Madden’s comments on Guerin, the “FWIW” precursor you included sure seems appropriate.

27. Jane

    Jun 30, 12:49 PM

    It is being reported on TIOPS that Kris Letang is looking for $3.25 per year in his extension. Is this reasonable given the salary cap for next year? I thought he would be looking for somewhere around $2 – $2.5 in order for the Penguins to be able to keep him long term. Of course, this is only what is being reported, not fact. I want to believe that he is a big part of the future Penguins and part of the young core, so I hope he doesn’t outprice himself. He doesn’t seem to be the type of player/person that would only go for the money. It does seem that the Penguins organization values him enough to want to extend his contract long term.

28. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jun 30, 01:19 PM

    @Jane, be careful what you read. Many places are known for throwing things out there prematurely or without any basis.

    I would say Letang will settle for a little less money if given more years. This is pure conjecture on my part, but five years, $13.75 million sounds about right. That’s a $2.75 cap hit. I could even see it going to $3 million. Anything above that and I’d be shocked.

    I’m very confident Letang will be a staple on the blueline for years to come…

29. Jane

    Jun 30, 03:09 PM

    Matt, Thanks so much for clearing that up. I’m not sure if you know this or not, but where does TIOPS get their information? I guess you do need to be careful what you read. I do hope Letang will be with the Pens for years to come – he just seems to be the perfect fit and Bylsma seems to be the perfect coach for his development. I am also very glad Billy Guerin is signed on for another year. He is a good balance with all of the younger guys. The next few days will be interesting.

30. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jun 30, 03:44 PM

    @Jane, I’m not going to discuss blogs individually, but what I can say is that if you read something and there is no attribution to where the info came from, be careful.

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