A Farewell To Rob Scuderi
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Jul 2, 09:01 PM | Hype this story!
It wasn’t that long ago that Pittsburgh Penguins fans labeled Rob Scuderi the weak link on a poor defensive pairing with Josef Melichar affectionately known as “Scudichar.”
But in a few short years, Scuderi has gone from being a fish out of water to a big fish in a small sea.
Consequently, the soft-spoken defender has found himself in a position most players can only dream of: a free agent with teams fighting for his services.
Today, Scuderi’s dream became a reality as he signed a four year contract with the Los Angeles Kings that will pay him an average of $3.4 million per season.
“I’m happy about the deal,” Scuderi said, according to the Post-Gazette. “But kind of sad about (leaving) the team.”
Scuderi may not be known for smooth skating, offensive skills or puck-moving abilities, but what he lacked in natural talent, he made up for in hard work, determination and knowledge of the game.
Since debuting in the NHL prior to the lockout, he has elevated his defensive game to elite status and was given the assignment to shadow and shutdown the opposition’s top offensive threats in each of the four rounds leading to the Penguins’ first Stanley Cup since the early 1990s.
He also was the team’s most reliable penalty killer and arguably the league’s best 5-on-3 defender in the game — but, in the end, the Penguins just didn’t have the funds to retain his rights.
For his years of service to the Penguins, Scuderi has earned his opportunity to chase the almighty dollar, and I’m sure few will fault him for signing the more attractive contract.
Here’s to Scuderi as he moves on and looks to continue his career with another up-and-coming team.
Congratulations, Rob, you earned every penny of that contract.
Good luck!
Comments
Michelten
Jul 2, 09:07 PM
it is a good payday for a man that needs it. The Pens have boys in the system, Rob needs the payday now
bag o' pucks
Jul 2, 09:17 PM
Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.
Pens1967
Jul 2, 09:19 PM
You wonder if Scuds didn’t get his ring this year, if the decision would have been different. But he did and now it’s time to go for the gold.
Scuds has always had his head screwed on straight and I’m sure he’ll be a great addition in the Kings’ locker room.
Colin44
Jul 2, 09:34 PM
The word i would use to describe scuderi’s play is cerebral. He was almost always in the right position, knew when to get down to block shots and when bylsma became coach he almost always pinched at the right time. He also avoided taking many penalties which is huge when you are the team’s best penalty killer. Best of luck to him in LA.
Andrew Rothey
Jul 2, 09:45 PM
Lets not forget that the Kings have an enviable stable of young talent and figure to follow the footsteps of the Blackhawks in the Western Conference. It’s not like he chased the almighty dollar to a terrible team. The Kings are bigtime breakout candidates next year, particularly if Kopitar can rebound after a slightly regressive year. Scuderi had a chance to be a part of an very much up-and-coming team, live in beautiful California, and pull down a salary significantly higher than what he was being offered elsewhere (the Pens probably could have only afforded a contract about 60% of what the Kings gave him).
Farewell to the Piece.
Eric
Jul 2, 10:03 PM
I’ll certainly miss Scuderi. I’m glad he got his due and credit for how great defenseman he is. Like you mentioned Matt, and anyone who’s seen him play, he’s not offensively gifted. But he’s in the top two tiers of defensive defensemen in hockey.
Maybe the Penguins can petition and ask the league to allow them to play two goalies in net to make up the difference of loosing Scuderi. :)
He deserved the money, and oddly, something I’m glad the Penguins didn’t afford.
Good luck out West. And I’m happy that he went West and not local.
Ivan
Jul 2, 10:10 PM
Great post and great comments. This is why FF is the best in the biz.
Anyway, I will really miss Scuderi and I believe the Penguins will miss him even more, especially on the penalty kill.
Our defense just took a HUGE hit, and as Bag O’ Pucks said, this really couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Congrats and good luck to #4.
Same for Hal Gill… Good luck in Montreal. He was less appreciated by the fans but had a good year and a half in Pittsburgh. He was also very good on the PK and did such a great job shutting down that annoying hack Tomas Holmstrom in the Finals.
Both of these guys will be fondly remembered in Pittsburgh for being key, underrated pieces of the Pens’ championship puzzle. It’s gonna be tough to replace their great defensive work.
bag o' pucks
Jul 2, 10:37 PM
Absolutely, Ivan. His kick save at the end of game six is one of the best plays in Pens history, as far as I’m concerned. If Detroit scores, we’re looking at OT, and who knows what happens there. One of the smartest players in the league.
Andrew, I had typed this in the FA thread, but this is a better place for it:
LA has a pretty damn good blueline now. Add Scuds to Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Matt Greene, Tom Priessing, Peter Harold, Sean O’Donnell & Kyle Quincey. That’s a solid lineup.
ForgedMissionOrders
Jul 3, 12:43 AM
Have to agree with prevailing sentiment here. Great guy, great at what he was asked to do. He has been a great player for us, and leaves a fantastic example for our young players about how to be a pro. I’m sure the talented young guys in LA will be even better if they follow Scuderi’s lead. Its not all about the tools, but about how hard your willing to work with what you have. Scuderi will be missed in Pitt but he’s getting his just due in a good situation, so best of luck to him.
henkegbgskea
Jul 3, 03:44 AM
ok i am getting really concerned now…..
anyone else feeling the same i want my team pittsburgh penguins to copmpete next year again any chance of that?
hope so…
and i hope penguins defence man group could look like this.
Gonchar-Orpik
Letang-Boynton
Goligoski-Vaanenen/Boullion
Lovejoy
no to other guys like:
McKee,Skratsins,Klee,Semenov.
i am hoping for Boynton and Vaanenen/Bouillon
Loosing Gill Scuderi Boucher traded Eaton.
Fedotenko,Sykora,Satan,Zigomanis Traded
Godard,Dupuis.
we get upfront well i just dont know…
Loosing
steve
Jul 3, 04:45 AM
I’ve got his game-worn, rookie jersey… can’t wait to wear it at the next game. As for concerns, just wait to the trade deadline, Mr. Shero will have made the necessary tweaks. Hopefully they’ll be the right ones.
Pens STH
Jul 3, 10:52 AM
Better than most… Rob does his job.
I’m going to miss watching him frustrate other teams best players by simply blocking the shooting lanes as they come down the wing.
DaBich
Jul 3, 12:46 PM
Matt, bless you for writing this! Last year we lost Malone, my fav player. This year, we lost Scuds, one of my favs. The “Piece” will be highly missed, but I am thrilled he is got a good contract and is happy about it.
Now I have to pick another fav for us to lost next season….UGH!
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