Update on Former Penguins Satan, Boucher, and Pesonen
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Aug 13, 12:44 PM | Hype this story!
All has been quiet on the free agent front over the last few weeks, but three former Pittsburgh Penguins have popped up in the news of late.
According to Lyle Richardson of Spector’s Hockey, Miroslav Satan recently skated at the New York Islanders’ practice facility, fueling speculation that a signing is imminent.
While Satan admits his agent has held discussions with the Islanders, he said talks have cooled down of late.
Meanwhile, Phillipe Boucher is preparing to move on, also according to Richardson. Boucher, 36, has been looking for a contract since July 1, when he became an unrestricted free agent following the Penguins’ Stanley Cup victory.
The Penguins apparently held discussions with Boucher’s agent regarding a return to the team in a limited role, but the veteran defenseman appears to be leaning toward retirement.
Janne Pesonen, on the other hand, has made up his mind and has signed a contract for the 2009-10 season. But not in the NHL.
The Finn has signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL and has been practicing with the team for several weeks.
Comments
bag o' pucks
Aug 13, 12:56 PM
If Bouch retires, good for him, not many players get to go out on top.
About Pesonen, he didn’t have enough faith in his game that he could beat out Pascal Dupuis for a potential spot on Malkin’s wing. I’ve read that the Isles were another team that offered him a two-way deal. Pes apparently doesn’t think he could win a job on that team? That’s pretty sad. He’s better off in Europe.
Dabich
Aug 13, 12:59 PM
Amen Bags, how sad tho huh?
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 13, 01:29 PM
@Pucks, regarding Boucher, I actually wouldn’t mind him if he signs for the rumored $600,000 he was offered by the Pens. He proved to be valuable depth in the playoffs. He has been highly touted as Letang’s good friend and mentor — something that shouldn’t be overlooked. I’m not saying I love the idea of him being offered a deal, but I don’t hate it. But, like you said, going out on top has to be weighing on his mind quite heavily.
Regarding Pesonen, there’s two ways to look at his situation. The first is as you suggest: he’s not even confident in himself, so why should any team be confident in him. I disagree with this. The second is that he just spent a year in the AHL, a second-rate league, an ocean away from his home country and family, making less than glamorous money. He now has an opportunity to play in a first-rate league, probably making more than he’d make on an NHL contract — and he’ll be significantly closer to home.
On the surface, it’s easy to put down Europeans who return to Europe or those who fail to come over to the NHL. But there’s likely a lot more involved than confidence — like money, tax-free salary, proximity to home, etc.
bag o' pucks
Aug 13, 01:48 PM
@Matt. I didn’t say that clubs weren’t confident in Pesonen. He was offered several two-way deals, so there is some level of confidence in his ability. At worst for a guy like Pes, a two-way offer is a signal of cautious optimism.
But to come over for one season, have a solid year in the minors, then bolt back to Europe and (his agent’s words) blame the former coach of the club as to why you didn’t make in the NHL? That’s weak. If Pes really wanted to make it in the NHL, he’d have given it another shot with another club.
Of course there are other considerations. Some Euros don’t want to be away from their family, can make more on a guaranteed deal in Europe. But that’s part of what separates an NHLer from the other guys. Those considerations are nothing more than part of the thinning of the herd. If a guy wants to be closer to his family, see ya. If he gets a better deal to play in Tartarstan, see ya.
Point is, regardless of their reason, if they choose to not pay their dues to make it into the NHL, they won’t be missed. There are a ton of guys who want to play in the NHL and will do whatever it takes to get there. I’d rather have those guys, period.
Lastly, I disagree with your contention that the KHL is a first-rate league. It is so in no way, shape, or form.
KG
Aug 13, 02:19 PM
I read in the local Long Island papers an article about Satan practicing on Long Island etc. I was surprised that they even reported this as news…must be mid-summer!
I am also surprised that if the Islanders wanted Satan that this isn’t done yet. I don’t think many teams are banging down Satan’s doors here…
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 13, 03:35 PM
@Pucks, I’m with ya on that. If they can’t cut it in North America (skill-wise, money-wise, confidence-wise, etc) they won’t be missed.
@KG, I wonder if Satan possibly contacted the Islanders and they considered the notion — not the other way around. In other words, maybe the Islanders are interested, but only on their terms, and possibly terms that Satan isn’t interested in. Remember, like Pesonen, if he fails to sign in the NHL, he’ll likely have a nice contract waiting for him in the KHL.
nate
Aug 13, 04:30 PM
I think what would be really great for both leagues is the NHL Cup Champ plays the KHL Champ in a neutral site game after both seasons end. Would have a Rocky vs. Drago/ miracle on ice type atmosphere.
bag o' pucks
Aug 13, 05:24 PM
@Nate. Where you been? Or have I just missed your posts. Possible, busy summer.
I think an NHL-KHL match-up would be the Slaughter on Ice. The KHL isn’t like the old Soviet team. Honestly, if played on a North American ice surface, I think the AHL champ would give the KHL champ a run for it’s money. Alex Morozov strikes fear into no one on this side of the Atlantic.
Bobby Darin
Aug 13, 05:30 PM
I think that Satan just wants the paycheck and will work anywhere. As far as Boucher I did not know of his relationship with Letang, but it makes sense. Letang is a tortured soul and i do worry about him as a replacement to Sarge. With respect to Pesonen, that is clearly the last problem created by Therrien. He never would play a rookie, with a view for the long term. That must be the price of coaching in Montreal. The pens never gave this guy any chance. He needs to take care of his family. The Pens pretty much screwed him.
usbzoso
Aug 13, 07:23 PM
I think Phillipe Boucher will try to sign for one more year with Penguins. He’d be silly not to since Pens will be raising Stanley Cup next year as well!
DaBich
Aug 14, 05:15 AM
Bobby, what do you mean, Letang is a tortured soul?
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 14, 09:17 AM
@Nate, good to see you around again. I tend to agree with Pucks. A neutral game between the champs is nice in theory, but would be pretty lopsided. Keep in mind, though, that these leagues have a hate-hate relationship as a result of poaching players. I’m not sure they’d even consider such an idea, let alone follow through on it.
@Bobby, I’m not sure what you mean by “tortured soul.” The only thing I can think of is the angst caused by the death of his best friend Luc Bourdon during last year’s Stanley Cup Final?
But regarding Letang as a Gonchar replacement, I agree that he isn’t the best candidate. Letang’s game, at least at this point, is more of a two-way game, one that focuses on good defense, strong transition, and occasionally some offense. Gonchar’s game, first and foremost, is offense. If that part isn’t clicking, he’s not worth the money. I think Letang has the skill to be a solid offensive defenseman and a power play quarterback, I’m just not sure he and the team want him to focus on his offense in that way. I get the sense that Goligoski is the player they want to run their power play and earn a paycheck based on offense, while Letang is the guy they want to eventually anchor the defense with a strong all-around game.
To put it in simpler terms, I see Letang panning out to be a 40 point defenseman who gets first power play minutes, penalty kill minutes, and records a high plus/minus. I see Goligoski panning out as 55-60 point defenseman who quarterbacks the powerplay for the full two minutes and who gets little/no penalty kill time and hovers around the plus-5 to plus-10 mark.
As for Pesonen, “screwed him” is a strong saying with regard to the Penguins’ role in Pesonen’s game. Pesonen had several 2-way contract offers before leaving for the KHL. If the Penguins didn’t give him a fair chance, he could have earned it elsewhere this year. He chose not to. I think the fact that Dan Bylsma never called him up speaks more to the team’s opinion of Pesonen than Therrien not giving him a chance. If anyone believed Pesonen would have improved the Penguins, he would have been in the NHL. Period.
@USB, I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back. Ultimately, I think it comes down to whether he is willing to serve as a seventh defenseman. If he is, he just might sign on. If he isn’t, he’ll likely retire, as there aren’t many teams who will give him a top-six spot. I’m starting to wonder if it’s not Pittsburgh or retire, actually.
nate
Aug 14, 09:35 AM
I’ve been here, just low key. I know it would be lop-sided but, I get tired of the whole KHL becoming a rival league to the NHL talk. In my opinion it is nothing more than a retirement league. I do think the “atmosphere” surrounding such a game would be something that most of us are not old enough to remember. I wasn’t alive to see the old Red Army team play, so this would be as close as my generation would get. Also from a worldwide marketing standpoint, millions and millions.
KG
Aug 14, 10:20 AM
If Boucher doesn’t return, then I see Shero bringing in 1 more veteran d man either on a cheap 1 year contract, or as a training camp invitee. Shero loves his defensive depth.
bag o' pucks
Aug 14, 11:06 AM
I wouldn’t object to Bouch returning if both the price and role is right. He’s a good team mate, a good locker room guy, and reportedly helped out Letang a lot. Barring and injury, Bouch’s presence would pretty much seal Lovejoy starting in WB/S, but that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Defensive depth is invaluable. Had the Pens not rostered a glut of defensemen last season, both Gogo and Lovejoy probably would have been full timers much moreso than they were.
Pes signed with AK-Bars Kazan, the defending KHL champs. That club started the season with Wade Dubliewicz in net and made their run after Columbus cut loose Fred Norreena, who joined Kazan and led them to a title. I’m not being overly critical of the KHL, but I’d take John Curry over Fred Norreena. That’s the level of competition there, right now. Again, on a NA rink, AK-Bars would have their hands full with an AHL club like Hershey or Chicago. But Nate’s correct in that there would be money to be made on an international scale. All-Star teams are a different story. Russia, Sweden, these countries boast enough talent to skate one team that is competitive with anyone. We’ll see that, yet again, early 2010. I wonder if the US club will even medal…
Matt Bodenschatz
Aug 14, 11:10 AM
@KG, he already did: Chris Lee and Nate Guenin. Shero loved defensive depth, often saying he wants nine or 10 NHL-ready defenders. Right now he has six in the NHL, and an additional three in the AHL (counting Lovejoy). Add Strait to the mix, and you have 10.
If he does bring someone in, look for it to be a veteran on a camp tryout. At this point, I’m not sure he wants to guarantee money to a player he hasn’t seen firsthand.
TheOneAndOnlySurge
Aug 14, 01:55 PM
Ok I have to kinda agree that the Pens screwed Pesonen. Now that had little to do with once Bylsma took over. At that point the team was healthy and starting to perform. Bylsma wasn’t about to rock the boat that much, considering he was still on a Interim contract. MT however, chose not to use Pesonen in a scoring role even though that is what he needed at the time. Pesonen was called up and played primarily on the lower lines and even when he got to play on a top two line it was only for fourth line minutes. Thats not giving him a fair shot at making the lineup. Now he has to chose another 2-way contract that could be making small potatos or a guaranteed salary in a league he can compete in. I don’t blame him one bit but I do think the Pens screwed him.
Bouch, I pretty much agree with everyone but I think hes not needed and won’t be signed by the Pens. Instead you will likely see a few forwards with camp invites.
Satan, who cares. Not to be mean but this guy didn’t show any kind of heart until Bylsma took over and he went to the AHL for a stint. Thats not the kind of player I want on my team and I would hope that is how all 30 NHL teams feel.
Malk
Aug 14, 09:45 PM
I thought the Pens reason for signing McKee was to have a vet 6 d-man then have Lovejoy as 7? Why would you want to bring back Boucher or another vet to be the number 7? I guess I see were Boucher is a mentor for Letang, but I think Lovejoy can handle the 7 role. Boucher should retire in my opinion.
TheOneandOnlySurge
Aug 15, 02:30 AM
@MALK, I would have to agree with you. They also have a few other D men they signed that are NHL tested. As I said I wouldn’t be upset with Bouch signing but I don’t see it happening.
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