Former Penguin Sykora Set To Be A UFA
Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League
Jan 27, 01:06 PM | Hype this story!
When Petr Sykora signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins two and one half years ago, the winger found himself in an ideal situation: flanking one of the world’s top two centers.
The deal worked out in the short term, but the second year of his contract saw him struggle mightily and eventually earn a ride on the pine.
Now, in the midst of a contract with the Minnesota Wild, Sykora is proving the decline in his play last season wasn’t temporary.
In 14 games this season, Sykora has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) and a minus-seven rating.
And, while he has battled injuries throughout the year, the Wild apparently have seen enough.
Last week, Sykora was placed on waivers and eventually cleared.
Now, the veteran winger has been assigned to the AHL, where he will be expected to play for the Houston Aeros
But Michael Russo of The Star Tribune is confident Sykora won’t report, giving the team an opportunity to terminate his contract, thus granting him rare mid-season unrestricted free agent status.
The Wild, meanwhile, will be free of the roughly $600,000 left on his contract.
According to Russo, the Wild were close to trading Sykora last week, but the deal fell through.
It remains to be seen which team, if any, will have an interest in signing Sykora for the balance of the season.
Comments
DaBich
Jan 27, 01:10 PM
It’s a shame. Syko was great with Malkin and Malone in his first year here.
Moq
Jan 27, 01:20 PM
From a lock to re-sign with the Penguins to this is a dramatic downturn. Sykora is certainly facing an uphill battle to get back in a NHL scoring role. If true, a contract termination gives him the best chance to return, but Europe might be the best solution.
pensfan025
Jan 27, 01:20 PM
Would anyone be opposed to signing him for $600000 just to see if being back in Pittsburgh might spark his play? He may sign for almost nothing if he has the desire to come here show that he hasn’t lost his game. And yes, I am fully aware of what happened at the end of last year. He did seem like a good team player with everyone here and it seems like everyone really liked him in the locker room. Just a thought…
Matt Bodenschatz
Jan 27, 01:40 PM
I’m not sure Sykora would want to return to Pittsburgh — or that the Penguins would want him back.
But, hypothetically, if he signed for league minimum (roughly $500,000), why not? His cap hit would be for the balance of his contract, which would be roughly half that (or $250,000). If he regains form, the Pens have a second line winger. If he flops, they’re out $250,000 in cap space.
My only concern is that he and his agent have turned into somewhat of a collective headcase, blaming Sykora’s benchings on the teams as opposed to Sykora’s play. I also remember hearing word that he sulked quite a bit last year when he was benched, essentially putting himself above the team. I’m not sure he is the type of player the Penguins need.
Jonathan Farzalo
Jan 27, 01:50 PM
Matt, I too read he was sulking and being “not a team player”...BUT I recall him being the first player to tell MAF that the blow out in the Finals was nothing to worry about and next game was next game.
bag o' pucks
Jan 27, 02:05 PM
Syks was always streaky. When he was cold, fans complained that he was still skating with Geno instead of sitting in the press box, but then wanted to give him a 3-yr, $10M extension when he was hot. I’ll be surprised if the Pens have any interest in him. He may find a job down the stretch with a team on the playoff bubble desperate for scoring. Or he may go back to Europe. Either way I wish him well.
Pens1967
Jan 27, 02:49 PM
FWIW, Madden basically confirmed the rumor that Sykora and Bylsma don’t care for each other so I doubt Sykie would be back with the Pens.
pensfan025
Jan 27, 05:34 PM
I would really prefer Shero not making too many moves before the deadline, unless they are extremely low risk. I don’t think we should be too quick to get rid of guys like talbot and goligoski or anyone who has been injured this year. I blame the injuries for our underperforming players. Hopefully the olympic break with help some of these guys to heal up. If we trade someone who is an ufa at the end of year for an upgrade then fine (as long as its not letang or gonchar). I just don’t think we should trade picks or prospects. We’ll see what happens… In Ray we trust…
Matt Bodenschatz
Jan 27, 05:47 PM
@Pensfan, I agree to an extent. I don’t want to see important players traded, but, then again, Cup contendors generally don’t subtract from their roster, but rather add.
I’m of the belief that the Penguins need an upgrade on defense — one that will add some much needed muscle that was lost when Hal Gill left via free agency. I also would not mind seeing Shero add a scoring winger. Ideally, Talbot is a third/fourth line player who can fill in nicely on a scoring line for short term solutions.
As we saw last year, depth is essential in the playoffs, and adding another scoring winger would bump Dupuis and Talbot into more suitable roles on checking lines and also would bump one of Talbot, Dupuis, Rupp and Adams to the bench. On the surface, that sounds bad, but realistically, this creates competition for these guys to play. And competition brings out the best in players.
ppirilla
Jan 27, 06:04 PM
If the price is right, I’d welcome Sykora back in black n gold.
If I’m Sykora, I go to the high bidder in Europe.
Moq
Jan 28, 09:35 AM
Regardless of price is see no reason to want Sykora back in Pittsburgh. I don’t think he fits in Bylsma’s scheme, and given the importance of remaining games, there’s little leeway for experimentation on the top lines. Especially giving a streaky sniper like Sykora quality ice time to get his form and confidence back. It looks like a bad experiment to me.
Matt Bodenschatz
Jan 28, 09:59 AM
While I wouldn’t be flat out against a Sykora return (especially at league minimum salary, as noted above), I primarily agree with Moq, here. Sykora is not fleet of foot and really has shown that he can’t keep up with an aggressive, speedy team.
Not only does he not fit Bylsma’s system, he also doesn’t fit the typical Ray Shero mold — although, I realize Shero was the GM who originally signed up. The further into Shero’s tenure we get, the more big bodied, physical players we see. His most recent signings/acquisitions include Rupp, McKee, Guerin, Adams, and Kunitz at the NHL level, and Tangradi Vitale, Johnson, and Strait at the AHL level. These guys may not all play an overly physical game, but they sure can take it and give it when necessary.
DTanna
Jan 30, 04:22 AM
Satan was playing better than Sykie most of last year..not to mention Feds.. and certainly so far this year. If that’s the kind of guy they would want to bring in….Satan would have been here from day 1.
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