After watching notables like Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone, Gary
Roberts and Jarkko Ruutu signing elsewhere this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins
managed to retain a key unrestricted free agent.
The Penguins re-signed defenseman Brooks Orpik to a six
year, $22.5 million contract, paying him an average of $3.75 million per
season.
Orpik was often rumored on his way out of Pittsburgh amid
speculation he and head coach Michel Therrien didn’t get along. He denied those
rumors and this signing will bury them.
A physical defenseman, Orpik came into his own this season, particularly
in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he played big minutes and proved
himself a capable “shut-down” defenseman.
Had he hit the open market Orpik probably would’ve received
offers around $5 million per season but he obviously wished to remain in
Pittsburgh, accepting less than market value to do so.
Good for him. He definitely could have pocketed more on the open market. Takes less to stay with his team. Can't say the same for Hossa, Malone, Roberts, Ruutu, Hall, et al. Just goes to show you that most UFAs don't take the "hometown discount." Pittsburgh is no different from any other team when it comes to this, despite what some of their fans may have thought before free agency began.
Unbelievable he could have gone home to the Buffalo Sabres for that money shame on you Buffalo for not doing the right thing and congrats penguins you kept a good player for cheap money!
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.
