Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Hook 'em Brooks....Orpik stays!

A steep price to pay for the Penguins to retain Brooks Orpik at $22 million for six years, but worse would have been losing the team's only legitimate physical defenseman (excuses to the USS Hal Gill).

We're happy. This move couple with the Mark Eaton re-signing gives the Penguins significant defensive depth. There may be rumors about a trading of Gill or Ryan Whitney, but we wouldn't put too much stock in them. Whitney is young and has room for improvement if he can stay consistent. Gill is under a managable salary and set to be a UFA after next season. Trade him and if Orpik was hurt and the Pens would be under the same situation.

Sadly Jarkko Ruutu went to Ottawa and we all know Georges Laraque is a goner so Ray Shero's focus is now upon replacing the two top-6 forwards he lost (Hossa and Malone) and then getting Marc-Andre Fleury under a long-term contract before his arbitration.

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