Pens, Letang Agree to 8 Year Deal

[JustAsking]

4 years, $15M for Dupuis

Seem deal as Kunitz... I didn't quite think he would get more than 3.5... but I'm not surprised at the 4yrs...

In 3-4 yrs... assuming hockey remains popular and the cap continues to grow... if their skills decline a bit.. 3.75 won't be too much for a 3rd liner... could see both Kunitz and Dupper on the 3rd line by the end of their contract. A good signing in my opinion... just surprised it took this long after the kunitz deal... I wonder what the hold up was.

 

[pixburgher66]

I can't believe how effective he has become after watching him earlier in his career with the Wild. He was fast, had a cannon for a shot, but couldn't hit the net to save his life.

Easily one of the most likable players ever. Gives 100% on every shift. You know, I would say "that's what playing for Crosby does for you!"...and early on w/ the Pens, that was accurate. BUT, he has put up numbers without Sid too. He, along with Kunitz, are just perfect. Can't explain it. Add in his PK ability, and man.

Also, this picture was from '09 I believe:

This one came soon after:

A big thanks to Atlanta for this "throw in".

 

[forty_three]

Brandon Sutter. I loved Letestu. He didn't fit here because he was too talented to be a fourth line guy. I'm happy he's having success, but I don't regret letting him go. He didn't leave because of money, I think Shero wanted to give him an opportunity.

Twice as expensive. Twice as valuable?

All I was saying is that you leave yourself options, occasionally good ones with a little restraint. And long run, you may lose someone really important because you're saddled with an extra 1.5m in contract to a guy who needs to be a top 5 in the league kinda player to be "worth" it.

I'm not glossing over the "market dictates" thing but that's more of a problem when persuing UFAs. With RFAs you have a bit more leverage as GM.

Sutter is the 3rd line center... I liked Letestu... like him. I'll cheer for him as well as Lovejoy (just recently resigned by the ducks) and TK...but he still wouldn't fit in with the Pens center talent.... money wasn't the issue, the talent was. Sutter, however, will be a RFA next year and potentially he could make your point better, in regards to the Pens, and spending big on few players. Hopefully he enjoys his role, and follows his other centers and takes a discount... the lack of compensation for RFAs signing with other teams is concerning.

The position to watch now is the goaltending position... King Henry will soon be the highest paid player in the NHL... IMO.

That is why I am so glad Jarmo got Bob to sign for two years leaving him RFA at the end of it. Henryk is gonna get a huge payday, and if Bob is nominated for the V again...

Well, he's gonna cost us, but at least we can get him long term.

 

[pixburgher66]

Sutter will be RFA next year. He'll be staying I'm pretty certain. Of course, trying to predict the 2014-15 Penguins is like trying to predict the winning lotto numbers.