The Pittsburgh Penguins made 2 big moves before the start of the NHL's free agency period by re-signing Bill Geurin to a one year deal and defenseman Craig Adams to a 2-year deal. Guerin joined the Pens after a trade at the deadline and he quickly helped them find their way and get to the playoffs. Playing alongside Sidney Crosby, Guerin tallied 12 points, five goals and seven assists, during the regular season which was foreshadowing what he would bring in the playoffs. During their run to the Stanley Cup he recorded 15 points in 24 games, seven goals and eight assists, and was a calming influence for the young Pens when their backs were against the wall. It will be interesting to see how Guerin produces with a full season next to the young Captain and if they will be able to repeat as champions.
Craig Adams, who was also picked up at the trade deadline, was a key contributor for Pittsburgh's penalty killing unit ranking second among defenseman in short-handed ice time. In the playoffs Adams scored 5 points, three goals and two assists, and helped the team win their third Stanley Cup. Adams, who earlier in the season was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks and then traded to the Penguins, signed a two-year deal with Pittsburgh providing them with some depth.
The Pittsburgh Penguins still have a lot of questions as to who they will resign and who will fill the void. Rob Scuderi, Ruslan Fedotenko, Hal Gill, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, and Phillpe Boucher are all free agents and will probably head elsewhere. Suderi and Gill are more than likely gone because they will be asking for too much, which will open things up for Boucher returning to the Black and Gold, I would love to see Scuderi back but they can't afford him. Fedotenko would be great to have back because he was influential during the playoff run. The Pens drafted some defenseman the other day in the NHL draft to off set them losing Scuderi and Gill, but how can they keep plugging in rookies/ young guys and expect to remain a consistent contender when those young guys don't get a chance to learn the ropes of the NHL. I can only assume Pittsburgh will piece together some low cost veterans this offseason and hope that they can stay afloat long enough next season to make another trade for another playoff push, but that would mean they will probably trade some of the young guys. I'm going to enjoy the Penguins third Stanley Cup for a while, probably until training camps start, but I also can't wait for next season, I love hockey and I think it is the most entertaining and physical display of sports.
GO PENGUINS!
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