Free Agency: Day One Thoughts Part Two

A conitinued look at the Pens moves...

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Pens Lose Adam Hall.
Adam Hall was a plugger. He was a solid role guy that was good on the PK, good on face-offs, and occaisonally chipped in the big goal. Tampa Bay signed him to a 3 yr. deal at a very slight ($75 M) increase over what he was making last year. To win Cups you need solid role players. Adam Hall was a solid role player. Some would argue that others can easily replace him. I would argue that he brings a lot to the table for little cash. I just have to wonder why the Pens didn't try harder to keep him. Was it that he wanted 3 yrs.? Or was it that he no longer wanted a two-way deal?

Little Know Fact That May Only Interest Me: Both former Penguin Dominic Moore and current Penguin Pascal Dupius have been the other party in trades involving Adam Hall.

Last year's salary: $525,000. New Contract: 3 yrs. at $600 M/yr. ($525M off the books)

Pens sign Eric Goddard.
Eric Goddard was the enforcer for Calgary last year. By signing him they effectively said "bye-bye" to big Georges Laraque. The move was entirely financially motivated. BGL made $1.3 M last year and was looking for $1.5 MM for 2-3 years. Goddard signed for a measly $750,000 per year - half of what big Georges expects to make. I put this in the "-" column because big Geroges was and is the best enforcer in the league. He played well on an energy line with Max Talbot and Jarkko Ruutu. An occaisonally chipped in a goal. But what he'll be remebered for is the fights (esp. with Philly). Who can forget his non-fight with Zdeno Chara that *embarassingly* resulted only in a 2 min roughing call! Or how about his fight with Cote where he put Cote's helmet from blue line to blue line with just one punch! Ahh how I'll miss BGL!

If you are interested in Goddard's work you can see it here and here.

Fact that may only interest me: Georges is actually a real nice guy off the ice. He was involved in several charities in Pittsburgh including Hockey In The Hood. Georges was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and given the Edward J. DeBartolo “Community Service” Award.

New Contract: 3 yrs. at $750 M/yr. ($550M soon to be off the books when BGL moves on)