Pens Sign Cooke

[evolver115]

He might not be in the exact same mold as Ian, but he's pretty darn close. Plus, as justasking pointed out... Cookie has been a part of the first PK unit over the past two seasons, and the Pens penalty killing has been excellent over the past two years, at #'s 8 and 9 over the past couple years. Matt Cooke is a big reason why it's so good.

And, yea... Fleury is very streaky. His play in the 08-09 post-season was his best moment of his young career. 09-10 was not his best moment. I think he has the ability to bounce back, because he's done it in the past. But, IMHO, he's not worth $5 million dollars.

 

[awaz]

He might not be in the exact same mold as Ian, but he's pretty darn close. Plus, as justasking pointed out... Cookie has been a part of the first PK unit over the past two seasons, and the Pens penalty killing has been excellent over the past two years, at #'s 8 and 9 over the past couple years. Matt Cooke is a big reason why it's so good.

And, yea... Fleury is very streaky. His play in the 08-09 post-season was his best moment of his young career. 09-10 was not his best moment. I think he has the ability to bounce back, because he's done it in the past. But, IMHO, he's not worth $5 million dollars.

i dont really think him and lappy are much a like at all, 40% more blocks is pretty significant.. but they do both pk so i'll give you some of it.. we'll agree to disagree on that one for the most part tho

i'm not as good as i have been on the pens cap situation, i think it gets some relief if gonchar doesnt get resigned (but that's a big loss).. do the pens have to money to round out the team without using guys that should be in the AHL?

 

[evolver115]

i dont really think him and lappy are much a like at all, 40% more blocks is pretty significant.. but they do both pk so i'll give you some of it.. we'll agree to disagree on that one for the most part tho

i'm not as good as i have been on the pens cap situation, i think it gets some relief if gonchar doesnt get resigned (but that's a big loss).. do the pens have to money to round out the team without using guys that should be in the AHL?

Cooke cracks the top 30 of all NHL forwards in blocked shots, plus he pots 15 goals a season. His value, compared to Lappy is two-fold. He uses his body to block pucks and he can put them in the back of the net... plus he kills penalties for the first unit on a very good PK. He's not a defensive liability, and he's certainly not holding back the offensive output of the third line. He actually adds to it. I've got no problem with this new contract. IMO, he'd have probably been offered more in free agency, because there are a lot of stupid GM's out there who'd have offered him $2.0 million.

Lovejoy, a blue-liner in the AHL was just extended for three years. He's likely got a legit shot of making the NHL roster next season. Along with Sarge's 5.0 hit, Eaton and McKee bring the grand total to about $8.0 million dollars that would be freed up if those three aren't brought back. If Gonchar isn't signed, which I'd be all right with, I think it will give Shero the necessary money to find quality blue-liners in FA. A guy like Paul Martin I think, would be a good fit in Pittsburgh.

 

[pixburgher66]

this is not a debilitating number at all. it's actually quite nice, especially since reports just last week were that the two sides were wayyyy off. cooke has a role on the team that he plays perfectly. honestly, the pens cap situation is pretty decent. nothing tight about it, especially if gonch walks (which i kinda want...). the D will most definitely consist of an AHLer this season. I'm pretty certain that lovejoy, if not he AND engylland, will be full timers at the NHL level. both played solid up with the big club. there will be a few AHLers up i think (Tangradi and Johnson?) so, we have cap space to sign a bigger name.

 

[awaz]

Cooke cracks the top 30 of all NHL forwards in blocked shots, plus he pots 15 goals a season. His value, compared to Lappy is two-fold. He uses his body to block pucks and he can put them in the back of the net... plus he kills penalties for the first unit on a very good PK. He's not a defensive liability, and he's certainly not holding back the offensive output of the third line. He actually adds to it. I've got no problem with this new contract. IMO, he'd have probably been offered more in free agency, because there are a lot of stupid GM's out there who'd have offered him $2.0 million.

Lovejoy, a blue-liner in the AHL was just extended for three years. He's likely got a legit shot of making the NHL roster next season. Along with Sarge's 5.0 hit, Eaton and McKee bring the grand total to about $8.0 million dollars that would be freed up if those three aren't brought back. If Gonchar isn't signed, which I'd be all right with, I think it will give Shero the necessary money to find quality blue-liners in FA. A guy like Paul Martin I think, would be a good fit in Pittsburgh.

dont get me wrong man i'm not trying to say lappy adds more to a team than cooke does.. i agree cooke is more valuable than lappy and therefore should make more, which he is going to.. i'm just saying i think there are significant differences in their games

seems like no fear at all in getting rid of gonch huh? if i remember correctly the pens, most notably the PP, has struggled when he's not playing

 

[elocomotive]

there are a lot of stupid GM's out there who'd have offered him $2.0 million.

There are? Then why wouldn't he wait another week to find out. If I were a Pens' fan, this would be my reaction to this...


I think they overpaid, but the $2 million guys aren't that ones that kill your cap, it's the $4-5 million guys that don't produce that do.

 

[elocomotive]

Also the guy's on THIS site must be Pens' fans. Cooke's deal is already updated, but according to them, the Caps have yet to re-sign Backstrom.

 

[sbb122]

seems like no fear at all in getting rid of gonch huh? if i remember correctly the pens, most notably the PP, has struggled when he's not playing

If i was GM gonch walks and i kill 2 birds with one stone. Sign Matt Cullen as a UFA. Granted he is a center but can play wing as well. So you get your top six forward, AND he can run the point on the PP which he has done elsewhere. Makes sense to me but i'm not GM.......

 

[pixburgher66]

the PP has really only been minimally better with gonch. i think that letang is capable of doing what gonch does. gonch is just not worth 5 million. his age/durability is in too much question.

 

[evolver115]

There are? Then why wouldn't he wait another week to find out. If I were a Pens' fan, this would be my reaction to this...

I think they overpaid, but the $2 million guys aren't that ones that kill your cap, it's the $4-5 million guys that don't produce that do.

Who knows? If i'd venture a guess, it's probably because he saw a 50% raise, plus he's staying with a club that will be a cup contender in the three years he'll be in place. Not to mention, he's already won a cup here, and he's made himself at home on the third line. Someone would have paid him more. If Avery can get $4 million per doing less, Cooke could have had 2mill.

As for the Price is right horn...meh.... if it makes you happy. This contract won't hurt this hockey club. It's a pittance sum, big deal, six-hundred grand. They wasted $2 million on Fedo for an entire season last year.

 

[elocomotive]

the PP has really only been minimally better with gonch. i think that letang is capable of doing what gonch does. gonch is just not worth 5 million. his age/durability is in too much question.

True, Disagree, Mostly agree, Definitely agree

 

[pixburgher66]

it's funny though...during a small portion of the season i wanted gonch to retire a guin...but after that postseason performance...i just can't condone it. he takes up too much money. the thought of him somewhere else is scary though. he can go to...i dunno...the thrashers or something.

 

[awaz]

haha alright.. so the problem is his contract.. anyone think he comes down a bit though.. i could see him making less because he's getting older and isn't as good as he used to be.. plus a little more off for staying in the burgh?

what if he cost like 3.5?

 

[pixburgher66]

haha alright.. so the problem is his contract.. anyone think he comes down a bit though.. i could see him making less because he's getting older and isn't as good as he used to be.. plus a little more off for staying in the burgh?

what if he cost like 3.5?

i'd be fine with that. it's just that he wants not only around 5, but 2 or 3 years. that's ridiculous.

 

[elocomotive]

it's funny though...during a small portion of the season i wanted gonch to retire a guin...but after that postseason performance...i just can't condone it. he takes up too much money. the thought of him somewhere else is scary though. he can go to...i dunno...the thrashers or something.

Maybe he can come back to the Caps where he rightfully belongs. Besides, we LOVE offensive defensemen who choke in the playoffs. ; )

Obviously, the pre-lockout "fire sale" of the Caps was a successful strategy, but I was really sad they let Gonch and Bondra go. I would have liked them to retire as Washington Capitals.

 

[awaz]

i'd be fine with that. it's just that he wants not only around 5, but 2 or 3 years. that's ridiculous.

holy crap.. didnt know he was still asking for that.. i'd be in the same boat

but he'll probably get it from somone

 

[evolver115]

haha alright.. so the problem is his contract.. anyone think he comes down a bit though.. i could see him making less because he's getting older and isn't as good as he used to be.. plus a little more off for staying in the burgh?

what if he cost like 3.5?

If Gonchar would sign at 3.5 to 4.0, I'd be all right with that. In his mind, he is worth 4.0 to 5.0, and would probably get it as a UFA. Problem is, the Pens have Mckee, Eaton and Leopold's spots to fill, yet... barring they re-sign any of them. Even still, they have to make it work within the cap. McKee was here at the NHL minimum for a vet last year, because St. Louis was already paying him what remained on his old contract. They won't be so lucky this time around.

 

[pixburgher66]

If Gonchar would sign at 3.5 to 4.0, I'd be all right with that. In his mind, he is worth 4.0 to 5.0, and would probably get it as a UFA. Problem is, the Pens have Mckee, Eaton and Leopold's spots to fill, yet... barring they re-sign any of them. Even still, they have to make it work within the cap. McKee was here at the NHL minimum for a vet last year, because St. Louis was already paying him what remained on his old contract. They won't be so lucky this time around.

yeah, but i see 2 AHLers taking those spots. i think one of lovejoy or eng will fill a top 6 role and the other could take the 7th Dman position from mckee. i think one of eaton or leo should be resigned. JMO. i think it's just time for new blood on the back line. someone like martin or volchenkov if possible. martin seems to be flying under the radar, even though he's probably top-2 dman available.

 

[ELYEAH82]

Let me chime in, I am stoked about the signing. As for why he would sign "if" he could get 2 mill on the FA market, my guess is he is getting 3 years and he probably wouldnt get that on the open market. As for the PP without Gonch, I think the loss of Mike Yeo will help the PP out. He was terrible and most seem happy he is out. 5 mill for an offensive only D man who hasnt played even close to a full season in forever is WAY to much.

 

[scottflyers88]

why are we comparing cooke to lappy? cooke is a coward and a scumbag. laperierre is one of the most respected 4th liners in the league. carcillo and laperierre are both 4th liners.

i would not even compare carcillo to cooke. both get pretty annoying and everything although for his size, carcillo is one of the better fighters in the league.