Pens Offseason Outlook Part 1: Who to Keep

The Pens head into the off season with only eleven players signed to contracts. I will review which players, broken up by free agency status, the Pens would be best to keep and let go. This will be the first part of two for the Pens off season plan, the other covering what free agents the Pens should seek out and why.



Unrestricted Free Agents

Gary Roberts- Roberts proved to be more valuable than anyone would have guessed. Even Shero was surprised. His strong work ethic fit right into the Pens mentality and he provided much needed grit and leadership, not to mention a mean streak, to the young squad. Shero has already stated they will talk extension which is good, they need Roberts. A two year deal should definitely be considered.


Mark Recchi- Recchi started off well enough but really trailed off at the end. Age is catching up and Shero has already said he would like Recchi back in a reduced role. Key words: reduced role. If they give him a one year deal at about half of what he makes now ($2.28 million) than by all means bring him back in that reduced role. But I think he has lost too much to be a top line player on a regular basis.


Nils Ekman- No one expected 30 goals from Ekman, but they expected about 20. We didn’t even get half. Despite his speed Ekman just wasn’t able to mesh with anyone and had the worst +/- rating on the team. Therrien refused to give him chances to redeem himself after his injury so I don’t see either side wanting him to return.


Ronald Petrovicky- Petro showed great chemistry with Ruutu, but sadly was not used as much as he should have been. He added speed and grit and while he couldn’t burry the puck he did create some chances. I’d like to see him back, but if not I won’t be broken hearted as his players tend to be a dime a dozen.


Joel Kwiatkowski- we know as little of him now as when he arrived two months ago. I don’t see him sticking around at all.


Josef Melichar- Get out. Just get the hell out and never come back. I feel bad a shoulder injury pretty much ruined Melichar’s game, but he proved to be the worst player on the team this year. He contributed nothing at all the whole year and will not if resigned. Again I must mention that his injury and the win streak coincided.


Rob Scuderi- you were better than Melichar, but not by much. Though to Melcihar’s credit he wasn’t scoring or directly assisting the other teams goals. Scuderi did something good every once in a while, but not enough to make him a serious part of the defense. There are others I would rather have as the seventh defenseman.


Alain Nasradeinne- Nazzy proved to be pretty solid in a limited role. He was responsible and there was no reason he shouldn’t have gotten a shot in the playoffs. I’d like him to stay on as the seventh defenseman as he can jump in and help from time to time.


Eric Cairns- He’s played less than a minute all year due to an ankle injury and post concussion syndromes. For a guy that makes his living beating people up, that’s very dangerous to have. I honestly think his career is done, and with the acquisition of Georges Laraque I don’t see the Pens keeping him.


Jocelyn Thibault- Thibault rebounded this year for some strong play when it was needed. I like Thibault, but I would not bring him back for what he’s making now. If he wants to take about half, ok, otherwise let Schaeffer take backup. I can see some teams being interested in his services this off season.




Restricted

Colby Armstrong- how could you not like the beaked, “eh” spouting grinder whose as white as the snow in his homeland? While his offense was minimal he killed penalties, made some hits and often pissed off the other team. It was a hell of a sophomore slump he had but he’s young and can improve. He should definitely be resigned.


Ryan Whitney- Whitney is quite possibly the most improved player on the team this year and will be looking for a raise over his $900k contract. I bet most don’t remember that after he finished school he signed an entry level contract with no bonuses so he could get signed in time to play in Wilkes Barre’s post season. I don’t see contract negotiations with him being a problem.


Maxim Talbot- How can you not love this guy? Fast, funny and feisty, he is everything you want in a bottom line player. He is good on the PK and chipped in some points here and there. Even his offensive skills improved as he showed signs of flare that made him a scorer in juniors. He should definitely be kept.


Michel Ouellet- the subject of Therrien’s affection who despite adding little to nothing the whole season was treated with utter favoritism. I think it would be best if the Pens sign him to a qualifying offer and deal him to another team. Someone will see 19 goals and think that he wasn’t completely reliant on other talent or remaining motionless tos core them. The sad thing is his skating was improved from the year before and still Laraque could skate circles around him. I honestly don’t think he will ever be a good enough skater to maintain a spot in the league, especially since he is so ill fit for bottom line duty.

Chris Thorbun- Thorburn played very well the first half of the year, but could not get into the line up the second half. He is only 24 years old so I think it is way too early to give up on him. Even if not played every game I think he can develop into a solid 4th line guy.