It's free agency time!

Now that the season has ended, everyone's minds turn to free agency. Here are my suggestions on what the Pens should do...although they probably won't listen to me.

1. Billy G- Although he started the season strong, he seemed a little worse for wear towards the end of the season. I think that after next year, he won't have anything left in the tank. Should the Pens keep him? I think so, but pay him no more than 1 million, and only sign him for one more year.

2. Fedostanko- Let him walk. He doesn't add anything to the team, and his numbers this year were awful. Some people may argue that he steps it up in the playoffs, but that was more of an argument last year. This year he had no points and was a -3 in 6 games. Absolutely not worth the 1.8 million he got this year. Dump him.

3. Matt Cooke- Re-sign him for 1 million per year for 2 years. The team needs a good agitator, and he is one of the best in the league.

4. Ponikarovsky- Get rid of him. So far, he's been one of the worst trades Ray Shero has made. I can't believe that they traded the Mob Boss (Luca Caputi) for his worthless ass. A 2.5 million dollar contract last year!? You have got to be kidding me.

5. Gonch- This one has been debated the most of all. While, like Billy G, he ran out of steam by the end of the season, there is no arguing that he brought a lot to the power play this year, and the power play needs as much help as it can get. He carries a hefty price tag though, and with his age, might tank out this season. So is he worth the risk? I say no.

6. Mark Eaton- I believe he is one of the most underrated players on the team, along with Craig Adams (one of my favorites). There are simply no statistics that will show how much of a difference his defensive play makes. Is he worth the 2 million per year that he has been getting? To be honest, I'm on the fence about the salary. I am not on the fence, however, on what he brings to the team. Re-sign him, but I'm not sure for how much.

7. Jay McKee- He brings size to the lineup, but I think the Pens would be better off bringing someone up from the minors than re-signing him.

8. Jordan Leopold- I've liked what I've seen from him this year, and I think he's a good fit for the team. Re-sign him for 1.5 million per year for 3 years.

9. Ben Lovejoy- He's an unrestricted free agent IV (as I mentioned in a previous post, I'm not quite sure what that means, and I haven't been able to find any more info on it). Please, please, please re-sign him and bring him up this year. I think he is a fantastic defenseman (which the Pens need badly), and I believe this could be his breakout season. I have high hopes for him. Give him half a million for one year, and if he does a good job (which I'm sure he will), resign him to a longer contract worth more money.

So there you have it. But I'm not a GM, so we'll have to wait and see how things pan out before July 1st.

* All salary information can be found at NHL Numbers.

Habs 1, Pens 2

The Pens looked much better this game. Flower was nothing short of amazing, and it was a strong effort by everyone on the team. Here are your key points to the game:

1. Great move by Disco for scratching Fedotenko and Poni, since they have both been pretty worthless. Having Rupp back in the lineup will provide a big body in front of the net to screen Halak. Welcome back Billy G!

2. Letang's accuracy has gotten a million times better, and he couldn't have picked a better time. He probably feels he needs to justify his new paycheck.

3. Expect to see a lot more of Letestu next season. With the way he has been playing, I don't see how he couldn't have a spot in the starting lineup.

4. I seriously almost had a heart attack at the very end of this game.

5. I forgot to note the other day that part of the reason I had a shitty day at work was because some asshole called me a fat pig. I'm the same size as Gionta (5'7", 175lbs.), just flabbier. :-)


Sharks-Wings

The Sharks have officially advanced to the next round. What amazes me is that Colorado seemed to give them a harder time than the Wings did. I think that is mostly due to the amazing play of Craig Anderson. He was a beast in that series, even if he is a little bit of a creeper.



I'm pumped up for tomorrow since it's the first game I will get to see live in a while. We can do it! Let's go Pens!

Pens 2, Habs 0

After looking like ass for the first half of the game, the Pens managed to step it up and defeat the Habs. Here are my key points to the game:

1. I was surprised to see Guerin out with an injury. I hope he comes back soon...the power play needs him.

2. Congrats to Flower on the shutout. He once again proved his ability to bounce back from a bad game. Amazing how people still question his talent. On paper his stats don't look spectacular, but he makes key saves in key games. Too bad there isn't a stat for that.

3. How quickly Canada has forgotten about the Olympics. Just as was seen in Ottawa, Habs fans booed Sid every time he touched the puck. I guess a gold medal doesn't mean shit.

4. Letestu played a pretty decent game. Someone remind me why Fedotenko still has a spot on the roster.

5. This game started to get a little snarly, but I think it was mostly out of frustration. I don't really expect it to continue.

6. Maybe the Pens read the stats on Halak's amazing record when facing 40 or more shots and decided to hold back for the first half of the game and pepper him with shots the second half. Just a theory.

7. Welcome back to the playoffs Geno!


Sharks 4, Wings 3

To be quite honest, I haven't been paying a whole lot of attention to this series. I don't like either one of these teams (the Sharks because they eliminated the Avs, and the Wings because, well, they're the Wings). I found it amusing that Holmstrom's goal had to be reviewed though. I wonder how many times that's happened in his career.


Other:
Sorry for the lack of Avs news. The Pens will always be my number one focus though. There will be some Avs info eventually, I promise.

LETS GO PENS!