NHL Free agent "frenzy" has died down to barely a whisper. The past week or so we have seen some sporadic activity but really nothing of note.
Now that the "dust" has settled it's a good time to look at the Pittsburgh Penguins "Balance Sheet" if you will to see their "gains" and "losses"
Gains:
Acquired Ryan Reaves from the St. Louis Blues:
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/reaves-has-adapted-style/c-290138254
Signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a three-year contract:
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-hunwick/c-290251394
Signed goaltender Antti Niemi to a one-year contract:
Re-signed Justin Schultz to a three year contract:
Signed defensemen Chris Summers, Jarred Tinordi and Zach Trotman, and forward Greg McKegg:
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-free-agents/c-290264338
Re-Signed Tom Sestito and Frank Corrado; Sign Casey DeSmith
Name Mark Recchi Assistant Coach:
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/recchi-behind-the-bench-will-be-seamless-fit/c-290367256
Re-Sign Forward Josh Archibald and Defenseman Derrick Pouliot:
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-archibald-pouliot/c-290380950
Losses:
Marc-Andre Fleury to the Vegas Golden Knights
Nick Bonnino to the Nashville Predators
Trevor Daley to the Detroit Red Wings
Ron Hainsey to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Chris Kunitz to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Mike Bales (goal tending coach) to the Carolina Hurricanes
Rick Tocchet to head coach of the Arizona Coyotes.
The one thing the Penguins have not done is sign a third line center. GM Jim Rutherford is looking for the right fit - not only for the team - but salary cap wise. Lot's of names have been brought up including Jordan Staal, Tyler Bozack, and Matt Duchene.
This week the rumor has been circulating that Phil Kessel was on the trading block but Jim Rutherford stated this in a interview on 93.7 The Fan:
"“He's an important part. I don't want to sit here and say that a certain player's not going to get traded at some point in his career. I mean, Phil already did. But that's not something that I foresee happening right now.”
http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/12505594-74/penguins-jim-rutherford-doesnt-foresee-trading-phil-kessel
Bottom Line:
I like the moves the Penguins have made so far. Reaves will provide a smart physical presence, something the Penguins have been lacking for a long time. Nemi is solid backup to Matt Murray (I am hope that Murray stays healthy). Hunwick looks like a solid, dependable blue liner. Re-signing Schultz was excellent. The youth movement was bolstered by signing Archibald and Pouliot (hoping Pouliot finally shows us that he is ready to play in the NHL). Adding Recchi and Gonchar as coaches were excellent moves - Recchi should really help the forwards and Gonchar with the defense.
The greatest loss was Marc-Andre Fleury to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. He will indeed be missed. Enough cannot be said of him waving his no trade clause which in turn helped the Penguins win their fifth Stanley Cup. He is an incredible net minder but a even better person.
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