Updates

The offseason activity is heating up. First, this week the Penguins offered extensions to their assistant coaches, locking up Granato and Reirden. The same extensions were offered to their WBS coaching staff. They also signed forward Nick Johnson to a one year, two way contract for $550,000 per year. Next they signed 34 year old penalty kill specialist Craig Adams to a two year deal worth $675,000 per year. I like the move as Adams is a character guy, who is a key element to the Penguins league leading PK unit. It is a $125,000 per year raise over his past deal, but it I think it works well for the Penguins. It would appear as if their next priority, Mike Rupp is looking for a raise over his $850,000 per year contract, seeking a million dollars per year. I think that the combination of the Penguins needing the services of a large rugged forward like Rupp and his desire to be in Pittsburgh will make it easy for them to bridge that relatively small gap in the near future. I understand that there is still a siginificant gap between the desires of the Kennedy camp, and what the Penguins are willing to offer the RFA to stay in Pittsburgh. Some say that he felt disrespected coming out of training camp as the odd man out. Tyler, grow up kid. You had a disappointing 2010 regular season, and a HORRENDOUS 2010 post season. In fact, until after New Years, the 2010-11 season was not much better. You finished STRONG, but get real kid. My gut tells me that the Penguins will move on here. Not much being said on Dupuis or Asham at all, and there have been no talks with the Talbot camp at this point. The only one of three I think has a real good shot at being a Penguin is Dupuis. Finally, the Penguins officially signed Big Bad Billy G as Director of Player Development, with the responsibility of working with young prospects up and down the organization. In other news, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired the rights to negotiate with Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in return for a 3rd round pick. He would be a significant upgrade between the pipes for the Flyers as he is a legitimate franchise type goalie, but he will likely cost in the area of 6M per year, so the Flyers will need to deal one of their better forwards in order to make room for him. It would not be a surprise to see either Hartnell or Carter become available. The Rangers have bought out the ugly contract of Chris Drury, presumably to make a run at acquiring Brad Richards. They are rumored to be thinking of also buying out the contract of Wojtek Wolski to give them the room to make other upgrades. Finally, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Bruins dismantle the Canucks by a combined 12-1 the past two games. Burrows, Torres, Lapierre, and the Sedin bitches........what's to like there?