The Utility of Zigomanis

Early on in Ray Shero's tenure with the Pens when they were sucking great wind with regards to face-off wins (and game wins, for that matter), the league premier face-off specialist Yanic Perreault became a free agent. Shero passed on signing Perreault and the Pens suffered for it.

The question is why did he pass? Was Perreault too old? Did he make too much money in Shero's eyes for his role?

While we do know that Shero had experience with Yanic Perreault when he was asst GM at Nashville, we may never know the real reason he failed to sign a proven face-off specialist and 20 goal - 30 pt/season guy.

Today Perreault continues to lead the NHL with face-off win percentage at >60% (last year he lead with 64.33%!!)

Enter Mike Zigomanis.

Has Shero finally found the face-off specialist they Pens so desperately needed?
Looks like it.

And Shero got him on the cheap at $650,000/yr.!

-GGG

UPDATE: Looks like the P-G is reading my blog again. Here is a story about Zig-o's face-off prowess.