Bayda Signs, But Roster Remains Unclear
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Sep 29, 04:30 PM | Hype this story!
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero, head coach Dan Bylsma and the rest of the decision-making staff are expected to have a finalized roster sometime tomorrow, though the makeup of the team remains unclear.
According to the Post-Gazette, Shero plans on having a roster anywhere from 20-22 players in size, ruling out an unnecessary 23rd player.
“I could be convinced to carry 20, or I could be convinced to carry [up to] 22,” he said. “I don’t see [23] being a possibility. It’s not practical. Some of these players need to be playing. We don’t have a heavy schedule early. ... I don’t think there’s any reason to carry 23.”
The defense seems to be down to a two-man battle between Nate Guenin and Deryk Engelland for the seventh spot, while pre-camp favorite Ben Lovejoy fell out of favor before injuring his shoulder during a preseason game.
Then again, a seventh defenseman isn’t a guarantee, as Shero and his staff may choose to keep just one extra forward or no extra players at all.
But the picture may have been made a bit more clear late today.
According to the Penguins’ web site, forward Ryan Bayda, who was on a tryout contract for training camp, was signed to a one-year, two-way contract.
Then again, maybe the picture remains fuzzy.
Financial terms were not disclosed, and fellow forwards Chris Conner and Paul Bissonnette remain on the untrimmed roster.
As is the case with the defense, the number of extra forwards hasn’t been determined — or at least divulged. Maybe they’ll keep one or none, or maybe they’ll keep two.
Regardless of how the roster shapes up, one thing is clear: the Penguins will begin their quest to retain the Stanley Cup this Friday, and the goal is the same regardless of who makes the team.
Comments
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 11:24 AM
Bayda’s deal is for $.5M in the NHL and $105K in the A.
Matt Bodenschatz
Sep 29, 11:34 AM
Hard to argue the value in that signing, both in terms of cost and added organizational depth.
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 12:51 PM
Pretty standard two-way deal for a veteran of his experience. Bayda, Brookbank, Conner and Lee all have identical deals. Only Wyatt Smith will make more in WB/S ($135K), and he has over 600 pro games, much more than anyone else on the club.
donnie
Sep 29, 01:14 PM
what happened to zigomanis, where is he?
Matt Bodenschatz
Sep 29, 01:58 PM
@Pucks, I just like the depth he brings. Some would argue he is just blocking young players, but I disagree. He is a capable 13th forward who is beyond development and won’t be stunted to play minimal minutes or ride the pine.
As always happens, injuries will force the Penguins to dig into their depth, and Bayda only helps.
Ben Schmidt
Sep 29, 02:26 PM
It looks like Bayda won’t be the 13th forward:
“Ryan Bayda, who yesterday agreed to a two-way contract, was placed on waivers. If Bayda clears waivers, he will be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.”
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498421&navid=DL|PIT|home
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 02:44 PM
@Matt. I agree, Bayda will be a ppg guy in WB/S and a valuable role player in Pittsburgh when the injuries inevitably hit.
It also depends on which youngsters he’s blocking. I think it’s in the best interest of the Pens to ensure that guys like Caputi, Johnson, Tangradi, Veilleux, Zabotel & Jeffrey are playing against AHL competition. But prospects who are a step down like Haddad and Petersen won’t be hindered by starting in Wheeling.
WB/S has Smith, Bayda, Brookbank, Wallace, (probably) Conner, Letestu (when he’s healthy), and possibly Pushkarev in the mix. That’s a solid lineup of forwards.
Oh, and include Nate Guenin in that list of guys with identical contracts.
Chris
Sep 29, 03:21 PM
The pens sign Martin Skoula to one year deal. Complicates the defense competition now
Ben Schmidt
Sep 29, 03:49 PM
@Chris, I disagree. It simplifies the defense competition pretty dramatically. Skoula will clearly be part of the top 7, which means Guenin and Engelland will get sent down (as will Lovejoy, once he’s no longer injured).
Personally, I like this signing. It makes the top 7 defense positions solid, while giving the youngsters quality time in the AHL. Skoula could even potentially push McKee and Goligoski for the #6 spot.
Chris
Sep 29, 04:04 PM
No I didn’t say I didn’t like the signing. I do. I meant as for the AHLers vying for the spot Engelland, Guenin, and Lovejoy, it pretty much seals their fate to start the season.
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 04:45 PM
Well, Skoula will provide his share of WTF! moments this season if/when he’s on the ice. He’s pretty shaky with or without the puck. But it was clear Shero wanted more depth on the blueline.
If the Pens have, indeed, waived Biss & Conner I’d expect them to be trolling the waiver wire over the next couple days.
Schremp being picked up by the Isles was the easiest call of the preseason, by far.
Matt Bodenschatz
Sep 29, 06:01 PM
@Pucks, the news is confirmed by the Post-Gazette.
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 06:45 PM
You know the Pens are just keeping that 13th forward spot open for Zigo, baby…
c
Sep 29, 06:54 PM
I agree with you, Pucks. I saw a lot of Skoula when he was an Av, and he’s got a little offensive skill, but at least in Denver, he was an absolute disaster in the defensive zone. Maybe he learned a thing or two in Minn. I hope we don’t have to see him take anywhere near a regular shift. Don’t like this move AT ALL.
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 07:09 PM
Yep, C, I’d have gone with Guenin, myself. But Shero’s the one with that shiny new Championship ring, so what the hey.
c
Sep 29, 07:38 PM
Yeah, you’re right Pucks. RS has the jewelry and we don’t! Gotta give him the benefit of the doubt. Having a Skoula gets the young guys a regular shift in the AHL instead of sitting in the press box most games, even if his on-ice value is about equal to your screen name!
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 10:04 PM
I must confess I did not have Skoula in mind when I chose it.
bag o' pucks
Sep 29, 11:09 PM
Anyone else a bit surprised no one claimed Christoph Schubert?
Malk
Sep 30, 12:07 AM
I am surprised we didn’t. The Pens signed Skoula, I guess, because he was cheaper.
My fingers are crossed Biz-nasty gets through waivers, Conner too.
What on earth is Mike-friggin-Zigomanis doing. Did he retire?
Pens1967
Sep 30, 08:38 AM
I’m thinking Granato coached Skoula in Colo, so that familiarity might be the reason he was signed. Besides, he’s not much more than an emergency warm body d-man.
Guenin is only 26 and I thought he played well enough in the exhibitions to merit a longer look. Maybe the front office feels he’s better off playing every day so they can see what he has. He might actually be a better bridge to the younger d-men than a someone like McKee would be next year.
bag o' pucks
Sep 30, 02:04 PM
Looks like Sergei Kostitsyn’s days with the Habs are over. On one hand, the kid’s had a couple interesting situations that could call his character into question. On the other, he’s 22, and kids do stupid things. He’s definitely talented. I think he’d be a fit on Malkin’s RW. Wonder what it would take to get him out of Montreal.
bag o' pucks
Sep 30, 02:33 PM
Damn, Bissonnette was claimed by the Coyotes. I really like that kid.
Meanwhile, the Pens claimed Chris Bourque from the Caps, so they will carry 13 forwards, after all.
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