Penguins Sign Paul Thompson

[pixburgher66]

Very nice pick up for the Pens. He's a UNH player, Hockey East player of the year, a Hobey Baker finalist, and finished the year with 52 points (28 G, 24 A). Now, I'm not clear on the college signings. Does this make him available to our farm team in their postseason? Never sure on the little things.

 

[Jared]

Very nice pick up for the Pens. He's a UNH player, Hockey East player of the year, a Hobey Baker finalist, and finished the year with 52 points (28 G, 24 A). Now, I'm not clear on the college signings. Does this make him available to our farm team in their postseason? Never sure on the little things.

YES!!!!

Wait, Paul Thompson? I thought you meant Paul Devorsky. He's a pretty good skater and having another person on our side (besides Bettman, of course) could come in handy for the playoff run.

 

[Automattic]

Yes. It's how abdelnecker got his feet wet, I believe. And I know Y'all loved that!


The Wings also signed highly touted Gustav Nyquist out of Maine about a week ago...

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yes. It's how abdelnecker got his feet wet, I believe. And I know Y'all loved that!


The Wings also signed highly touted Gustav Nyquist out of Maine about a week ago...

That was expected. The Wings drafted him.

I wonder who's going to sign Stephane Di Costa from Merrimack?? He's got great hockey sense. He sees the ice extremely well & always seems to know where the puck is going to be.

 

[Automattic]

That was expected. The Wings drafted him.

I wonder who's going to sign Stephane Di Costa from Merrimack?? He's got great hockey sense. He sees the ice extremely well & always seems to know where the puck is going to be.

My bad, I figured it was the same sitchyation. Didn't know he wasn't drafted.

 

[pixburgher66]

Di Costa is getting a lot of looks around the league. The Pens are mentioned, but apparently he'd have to want to take a lower pay check...something about bonuses and what not.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Di Costa is getting a lot of looks around the league. The Pens are mentioned, but apparently he'd have to want to take a lower pay check...something about bonuses and what not.

I've heard the Islanders are interested as well. Don't have any idea what they're offering. Garth constantly says money isn't an issue. He can make the moves he wants to make. If that's the case he better sign this kid.

I'd be willing to give him a similar deal they gave Jack Hillen. Hillen got a full years salary for 6 games. Then became an RFA after the following season. A 2 year deal that was really only a 1 year deal.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

My bad, I figured it was the same sitchyation. Didn't know he wasn't drafted.

No worries. Nyquist is a very good prospect. He's actually listed as a top 10 prospect for the Wings. It's funny the Wings seem to do better from the 2nd round on than they do in the 1st.

 

[pixburgher66]

HOLY CRAP. Di Costa is my age. That still gets me.

"According to sources, Ottawa, Florida and Minnesota are the favorites to land the Merrimack center with Philadelphia, St. Louis, Nashville, Boston, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver among potential long shots.

Da Costa's contract will follow the same structure as those in the 2010 entry draft under the NHL's CBA, meaning he'll earn a $900,000 base salary and is eligibly for up to $2.85 million in bonuses. Unless there is an NHL CBA extension by July 1, all player bonuses count on next year's salary cap, meaning his cap hit next season would be $3.75 million, if he signs a deal with the full bonus structure that is currently in place."

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

HOLY CRAP. Di Costa is my age. That still gets me.

"According to sources, Ottawa, Florida and Minnesota are the favorites to land the Merrimack center with Philadelphia, St. Louis, Nashville, Boston, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver among potential long shots.

Da Costa's contract will follow the same structure as those in the 2010 entry draft under the NHL's CBA, meaning he'll earn a $900,000 base salary and is eligibly for up to $2.85 million in bonuses. Unless there is an NHL CBA extension by July 1, all player bonuses count on next year's salary cap, meaning his cap hit next season would be $3.75 million, if he signs a deal with the full bonus structure that is currently in place."

Well SHIT. I don't blame him for not wanting to consider the Islanders but it still sucks. Why the heck are Ottawa, Minnesota & Florida the favorites? If he wants to play right away for a good team with a bright future Nashville actually makes the most sense. They don't have a 1st round pick either so he would be their pick.

 

[Automattic]

No worries. Nyquist is a very good prospect. He's actually listed as a top 10 prospect for the Wings. It's funny the Wings seem to do better from the 2nd round on than they do in the 1st.

Well, ya gotta save those first rounders for over the hill rentals!

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Well, ya gotta save those first rounders for over the hill rentals!

Considering the Wings draft between 25 & 30 every year their track record is very good. How is the development of former 1st rounder Brendan Smith going this year?

 

[Automattic]

Considering the Wings draft between 25 & 30 every year their track record is very good. How is the development of former 1st rounder Brendan Smith going this year?

He played the second half of the year stronger than he started. I hope he pans out, the search for "The chosen one" started around the time of Jiri Fischer. I'll take a Badger on my team anyday though.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

He played the second half of the year stronger than he started. I hope he pans out, the search for "The chosen one" started around the time of Jiri Fischer. I'll take a Badger on my team anyday though.

At this time last year he was winning the Hobey Baker award. The Wings can be patient with him.