Shero Signs Three

Shero signed three players today : Beech, Thomas, and Stone.

My take.... while all are one year, two-way deals I can see Stone and Thomas - both are young with upside potential, but why Beech? I realize that Shero wants some depth - and a player with NHL experience - but Beech played 5 games before sustaining a season-ending broken wrist. Beech has done nothing but underachieve after being selected in the first round in 1999 (seventh overall!).

I realize Beech comes cheap, and on a two-way deal to boot - meaning the Pens can pay him a fraction of his salary if they demote him to WBS - but why not use that money to resign an Adam Hall or Georges Laraque? Okay some would argue that a.) both Hall and Laraque would be on one-way, multi-year deals; and, b.) whatever money they paid Beech would not have been enough to bridge the contract gaps to either Hall or Laraque, but I say chop a Beech here and a Godard there and resign to valuable role players in Hall and Laraque,

Whatev.

The over and under on Beech's goals and games is 5 and 25, respectively. I'll take the under.

Here is the take on Thomas from Forecaster.Info...
ASSETS: Has a good-sized frame and the ability to put the puck in the net. Shoots the puck with aplomb and knows where to go in order to light the lamp.
FLAWS: Needs to work on his play without the puck, as well as display greater consistency from game to game in order to reach the NHL permanently.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Third line right wing.

And Stone...
ASSETS: Is an industrious winger with physical toughness and two-way skills. Will also drop the gloves if the situation warrants it.
FLAWS: Will likely never meet early offensive expectations. Must start showing more game-to-game consistency in the professional ranks.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Fourth line winger.