Posted by chuckinrlp on 6/28/2010 9:57:00 PM (view original):
He was talking to him Sunday and today. Hamhuis wants assurances on how he will be used, which is why Coach B is involved in the discussions as well.

See, I hate when players want "assurances". What if he doesn't perform well in his given role? Are the Pens just supposed to sit there and take it because they promised him something?

Doesn't look like we are going to sign him anyway. Tough to give up a 3rd rounder and the guy won't even discuss a contract. I can appreciate wanting to play on the west coast which is closer to his home, but he should at least have the guts to say that.

Gonchar to the Sens. $5.5 million for 3 years. Let's hope Gogo and Letang can step it up on the pp.

and the pens signed Zbynek Michalek to a five year $20M contract.

1:12 - Zbynek Michalek signs with Pittsburgh: 5-year deal, $4 million annually.
Per Darren Dreger of TSN. Pittsburgh G.M. Ray Shero said he wanted to shore up the team defensively. This is a start. Michalek, 28, is a solid stay-at-home guy. At $4 million a year, he also provides more value than many other defensemen, whether from this year or over the last few.


Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Grinder/entry/view/70305/free-agent_central#ixzz0sS6vsUXC

Glad to see Gonchar go.  He did what he needed to do but he was only going to hold Pitt back no with his contract and age.

Pens are also reportedly pushing hard for Paul Martin for about the same money they were paying Gonch

Michalek got way too much money for my liking.

2:25 - Paul Martin signs with Pittsburgh.
ESPN's Scott Burnside confirms. Assuming Pittsburgh spend around $5 million on Martin, they'll have a bit more than $2 million dollars left in cap space. Does that matter? Not really. That team needs defensemen more than anybody they could pick from the list of free-agent forwards. If the alternative is overpaying for someone like Alex Frolov, theyre doing the right thing. Martin is a prime defenseman for anyone, and ideal for the Penguins specifically -- his ability to make the first pass is something they demand of their blue liners.


WOW! Nice overhaul of our defense. Lovejoy or another ml'er will probably make the squad as a 6th d man next year, but you gotta love our top 5!

Michalek - Martin
Letang - Orpik
Lovejoy - Goligoski



Excuse me while I rim Ray Shero!

Yeah...That's disgusting.

Anyway, good moves helping out the blueline. Defense wins championships and those two guys will help a lot.

RIP John Barbero

Ditto. What a great PA guy, and a great guy overall.

Poni signs with LA. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Hated to give up Luca for him. What a waste!

Today is the last official day that the Pens will call The Igloo their home. What great memories I've had there. I'll miss the old girl!