Martin and the Pens

[JustAsking]

No money yet.. I bet around 27 million for 6 yrs... something that works out to 4.5 cap hit.

 

[evolver115]

Ray Shero's victory music

 

[scottflyers88]

today has been exciting. i heard martin was looking for a lot of money and michalek got 4 mil although maybe martin would take less if they gave him more years.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

5 years, 25 million

That is 9 million per year for the next 5 years commited to two late 20s, stay at home shot blocking, not so physical defensemen.

Why not re-sign Eaton and Leopold for half that. I don't get it but I said before FA started that stay at home, undersized D-men were going to get heavily overpayed for way too long of contracts. The city of Pittsburgh seems happy, but I do not exactly understand why.

2 guys (27 and 29 years of age) locked in at a high price for 5 YEARS to be stay at home guys? Add in Letang's contract, and I just do not see it, but maybe I am wrong.

 

[scottflyers88]

they did spend some money. look at it this way though. pittsburgh did upgrade their defense.

 

[evolver115]

5 years, 25 million

That is 9 million per year for the next 5 years commited to two late 20s, stay at home shot blocking, not so physical defensemen.

Why not re-sign Eaton and Leopold for half that. I don't get it but I said before FA started that stay at home, undersized D-men were going to get heavily overpayed for way too long of contracts. The city of Pittsburgh seems happy, but I do not exactly understand why.

2 guys (27 and 29 years of age) locked in at a high price for 5 YEARS to be stay at home guys? Add in Letang's contract, and I just do not see it, but maybe I am wrong.

It's your opinion. I'm not going to change your mind. IMO, I look at it from the standpoint of replacing Gill and Scuderi. They already have offensive blue-liners in Letang and Goligoski. What they need is a defensive pairing to play against other opponents top line. There is no doubt they have it, now. Possibly two shutdown pairings, when you add in Orpik and whoever they sign to take over for McKee as #7. Plus Engelland and Lovejoy will be ready this season. One of those two is up on the top team in a couple months.

BTW, Eaton is 33 and on a decline, he's not worth more than 2 per. Leopold was solid, but again, he's not worth more than 2 per. They could've brought those guys back, but they'd of had the same problem as last season.... NO DEFENSE

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

they did spend some money. look at it this way though. pittsburgh did upgrade their defense.

Yeah, it is not so much the 9 million per year, but the amount of years that woudl concern me. I am kind of a cap geek and like to look a few years ahead for teams and some big contracts are coming up for the Pens, so I guess I am just concerned about the wiggle room.

This is why I am going to flip out if Washington signs either Volchenkov or Hamhuis or any second line center for more than 2 years.

 

[pixburgher66]

yeah, but it's the trend of the league to sign long term to help ease the cap. these are 2 guys in their prime. i mean, we had gonch for 5 years, and signed him when he was 30. this isn't bad at ALL. i'm thrilled.

 

[evolver115]

Yeah, it is not so much the 9 million per year, but the amount of years that woudl concern me. I am kind of a cap geek and like to look a few years ahead for teams and some big contracts are coming up for the Pens, so I guess I am just concerned about the wiggle room.

This is why I am going to flip out if Washington signs either Volchenkov or Hamhuis or any second line center for more than 2 years.

The pens had no choice but to add on the blue-line. With Gonchar's departure, that left them with four empty spots and only Orpik as a true defensive-defencemen. They had little choice but to add some talent. These UFA's want term and a healthy raise as long as they've earned it. All of these first day guys work like that.

Did they overpay? Yea, but not by huge amounts. They still have 3.4 left before the cap, and there are a lot of contracts coming up next season between the forwards.

They're in good shape. Don't you worry

 

[Darkstone42]

I don't think they overpaid by player value by more than $500K on either player, and in free agency for the top tier at a position, that's a victory. Martin is solid on the powerplay and plays good, positional defense. Michalek is just about to enter his prime, is an outstanding defensive defenseman, and probably has more offensive upside than he's given credit for. Actually, both guys might, as they both played in systems that have a downward skew on defensemen's offensive numbers. By value, these are both pretty solid signings, and I think the Penguins' defensive woes from last season will abruptly end this season as a result.

 

[scottflyers88]

martin.

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[Eddie_Shack]

Damn good signing. Martin is very underrated, he's going to rack up some major points feeding the puck to Malkin and Crosby. That guy is a great puck moving defenceman, he's a good skater, and he's smart as hell with the puck. Michalek is as steady as they come, that's going to be two really good signings for Pittsburgh.