The Pittsburgh Penguins could find no takers for Mark Recchi on the waiver wire, as he cleared waivers today at noon ET.
GM Ray Shero must now decide if he'll demote Recchi to the Penguins minor league affiliate or attempt to buy out the remainder of his contract.
Because Recchi is over-35, his salary will still count against the Penguins salary cap if he's demoted.
It's believed Recchi could report to the minors; if so, the Penguins could recall him meaning he'd then have to go on re-entry waivers, where a rival team could claim him for half his current salary.
It's believed teams were interested in trading for him but due to salary cap constrictions weren't able to do so at this time, and that might also be the reason why there were no takers for him via waivers.
**UPDATE**. The Penguins reported Thursday Recchi has been demoted to the minors. It remains to be seen how long he'll stay with their farm club. Media consensus is he could be recalled within the next two-three days, putting him on re-entry waivers. The Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets are two teams believed interested in Recchi.
I really hope this isn't the way Recchi's career ends. I have been a fan of the Recchin' Ball since his initial days in the Burgh, so to see how this has played is disappointing to say the least. I don't know why GM Ray Shero brought recchi back in the first place. When the Pens added Sykora, that was Recchi's role right there. With the mergence of Tyler Kennedy there are no more forward spots open on this roster. I hope Edmonton, Vancouver or Phoenix picks him up. He has put up HOF numbers, and to see his career end the way LeClair's ended would be a shame.
This is a really good example of how tight things are financially under the cap. In years past I am sure someone would have traded for him or at least taken him on waivers. Now the 1 mil is considered too risky for a guy who may or may not be able to provide depth-offense. Still, Spector, how do we explain teams with lots of space passing on him (Carolina, Nashville, Phoenix)? Surely he could help any one of those teams.
Also, I might add that the cap has taken away any room for a team to carry a vet who is perhaps declining, but who would, in the past, be allowed to remain at least for the season for his leadership qualities, or at least out of respect. See Andreychuk or LeClair last season.
That's very sad. I hope someone who's going to use him picks him up on re-entry...
I actually wanted to comment on your Niedermeyer stuff, though. Yes, he's going to be a hall of famer, but right now he's acting like a little child. Retire or return SN, but make up your damn mind now (or last August, really) and stop dithering...
I've respected the #### out of Scott Niedermeyer the player for a long time, but right now it seems SN the person is an indecisive selfish baby
Uh... what? MuckerandGrinder, you have to be kidding. Say what you want about Recchi's play at this stage in his career, but he played with heart and skill for years. He deserves respect for that at least.
Personally I hope a team takes a chance on him on re-entry. I think he can still contribute. Edmonton's a good suggestion as they could use a veteran presence.
How did Mark Recchi go unclaimed? There are 29 teams in the league that could have taken him and NOBODY?!?! wanted the guy? Wow. Clearly Mark Recchi isn't ready for retirement and clearly there are some teams out there that haven't much of a clue. I'm sure at least 1 team out there is saying to themselves "Hey, we could use a player like Mark Recchi", I mean, Mark Recchi has to be at least some kind of upgrade to a team. The guy had 68 points last year....68! But i guess the saying holds true...its better to burn out than to fade away.
I can only guess that yes, of course there are teams that want him, but everyone knows that he'll end up going through re-entry waivers so whoever wants him will get him for cheaper...why pay him 1.whatever million when you can get him for half that?
my first blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I'm a big ranger fan!
i think they should pick up free agent teummu Selanne, he could score a lot of goals and they need another right winger!!??
Mark Recchi deserves better from Pittsburgh. So he not scoring and his salary is "too high. Bull! Putting Recchi on waivers doesn"t help Pittsburgh get any better. Keep riding Sidney and see now far they go.
Honestly, does anyone give a darn aboout the Pens outside of Pittsburgh? Sid and Geno are it. There is no one else worth watching on this team. Fluery could've been good but he's been ruined by the #### management and system in Pitt.
Rex's going back to the burgh must have had something to do with his living there and his friendship with Mario. Whatever the reason, he's a heart and soul player and gave us a lot of great years in Philly. He deserves better...
For all you people taking shots at Pittsburgh manangement of dropping Recchi, know what you are talking about. The Penguins have won 5 of their last 6, all without Recchi on the ice. Tyler Kennedy has 3 goals to Recchi's 2, and is working well with Jordan Staal and Gary Roberts. I would say that is an improvement. It is sad, Recchi is a class act and a great player over the years, but that is the business of things. Terrian said that benching Recchi had to do with the young on team playing better, and you just can't change what is working because of one player. Recchs is a great player, and I will miss him, but results are results. Recchi wasn't producing and he is basically at the end of his rope. He looked very slow this year, in fact, he slowed down dramatically after the All Star Break last year. Nothing to be ashamed of, maybe its just his time to hang em up. He has had a great career, and Pittsburgh fans will always be grateful to the Recchin Ball.
Of course he slowed down and isn't the player he use to be. He was never the "picture of fitness"! Shame on him for not dropping 10-15lbs and keeping up with the speed of the new game! Hell, if his neck got any fatter, how would he get his jersey on???
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.
