The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up two key veteran players on Friday, re-signing forwards Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi to one-year contracts.
Roberts is believed worth $2.5 million while Recchi’s is said to be incentive-laden upwards to $2 million.
There seemed little doubt that Recchi would remain with the Penguins, since he makes his home in the Pittsburgh area and at this stage of his career likely has little desire to play elsewhere.
Roberts however was a bit of a wild card as it was speculated both the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs (Roberts former team) might try to sign him if he hit the open market.
The incentive for both to remain in the Penguins is the obvious improvement the young team made last season, led by the talented kiddie corps of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury.
This Penguins team is stocked with so much talented youth that it’s been favorably compared to the Edmonton Oilers of the early-1980s, so it’s not surprising Roberts and Recchi wish to stick around another season.
Roberts and Recchi may be long in the tooth, their best years long behind them, but they've got enough left in the tank for one more good season. Their experience and leadership will be invaluable in the development of the Penguins into a Cup contender.
I agree with you on this one. I think it was no brainer for Pittsburgh to resign these two guys. They will keep the kids in line and now management can turn their attention to the real needs of the team...a top 4 defenceman. Also, they have tons of cap space to extend Crosby.
By the way Spector...I am big fan of yours. I live in South America (ex-pat Canadian)and hockey is not on the minds of people down here (soccer is the game here) so I keep updated with hockey trades and rumours with your blog. Keep up the good work and it is greatly appreciated.
Spector...a team that has not been mentioned much in the rumors is Colorado. They have a lot of cap space. Are you hearing anything about their possible moves?
I had heard that this might not happen, particularly in Roberts's case, and I'm glad for Pittsburgh boosters that it did. I think losing either of these veterans would have been a big blow. I am consistently amazed by the performance of Gary Roberts. Here's a guy who by all accounts shouldn't even be walking, let alone playing hockey. It's a pretty inspirational story, and he is Mr. Hockey Player in my view. As for Recchi, Spector you're absolutely right, and it's evident with the signing. He's from the area, he loves it there, and he plays with Sidney Freaking Crosby. Not a bad gig.
Good thing for Pittsburgh to sign them, without those 2 the only veteran leadership in the room would be Sergei Gonchar, and does anyone think Angelo Esposito will crack the lineup this season with the Pens
Spector,
Once again your comments are right on the money. These guys are veterans that know what they want and where they stand at this stage in their respective careers. This is a good move for the Pens and for Roberts and Recchi. Recchi started to lose some gas by the end of the season, but Roberts really came in like a monster and showed those whipper-snappers how it's done.
Side note, how in the world did Esposito fall to the Pens at 20? Is there another team in the league who can boast a Centering crew like the Pens? Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Esposito...are you kidding me? What are they going to do with all of these centers?
Spector, do you see the Pens moving Esposito to wing if he survives camp? (I haven't had the pleasure of seeing him play yet. Only know what I've read about him.)
To follow up on what I already posted here, I think Roberts might be a very good value even on a one-year deal. The numbers he put up as a Pen were pretty exceptional. As for Recchi, how about taking just one million dollars (barring incentives) after the kind of year he had? I think Pens fans should be giving that guy a heck of a lot of credit. Sure, it's a kick playing with this kind of talent, but the guy has won multiple Cups. I'd say that's a pretty quality gesture.
Regarding Esposito, he fell as far as he did because there's concerns about his physicality and mental toughness. There's also an opinion that he's not a guy who can perform well on his own, as he put up big numbers last year with Radulov on his line but they dropped noticeably this season without Radulov.
That being said, I think Pittsburgh is a good team for him. It's a club full of young rising superstars so he'll fit in well with them. With Crosby, Malkin and Staal leading the way up front a lot of the spotlight will be off him, allowing him to grow. And with Crosby as captain he'll learn from the best what it takes to play at a high level at a young age.
I know the Quebec media is pissed at Gainey for not taking him but if they had the pressure on Esposito would've been enormous, and I really don't think he would've been able to handle it. In Pittsburgh he'll be out of the glare of a harse spotlight which'll only prove beneficial. And yes, I think they'll likely move him to the wing.
I agree about the spotlight not shinning too brightly on Esposito with this new Pens club. A few years ago it probably would have been overwhelming for him, but with Crosby, Malkin, Roberts, etc. around, the microphones shouldn't be raining down on him every night. I like the idea of moving him to the wing. I hope that they consider this move early so that Esposito can get used to the idea quickly. Maybe they'll have him play wing in the minors next year.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
