Big Lead Sports Bar

7/01/2010

Penguins Sign D Paul Martin



Ray Shero was telling the truth when he wanted to make defense a priority, because the Penguins just dumped a five-year, $25 million commitment on former Devils D Paul Martin. For the day, their tally now stands at $45 million combined on Martin and Zbynek Michalek, who is in the fold for four years.

Martin, 29, is a superb all-around defenseman who goes 6'1", 190 pounds. He played in just 22 games last season due to injury, and notched two goals and nine assists for New Jersey. He was a member of two national championship teams at the University of Minnesota and has been named to two US Olympic hockey teams, in 2006 and 2010, although he did not see any action in '06 and missed the games in '10 with a broken arm. 

His presence, along with that of Michalek, instantly gives the Pens one of the league's top defenses, but does nothing to solve the problem at winger and leaves a question mark on the power play. Welcome to life in the Salary Cap Era. But nonetheless, I still love the moves. It's nice to see a team in town make some bold moves to build a championship team and not constantly sell us on the future.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

"It's nice to see a team in town make some bold moves to build a championship team and not constantly sell us on the future."

AGREED!!!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christian said...

Both Martin and Michalek signed five year deals...5x5 and 5x4 respectively.

okel dokel said...

Devils signed Volchenkov and Tallender...pretty good pick ups and makes them a lot stingier on the blue line.

Seems like Ray had a good pulse on the market and it he would to have given 9 years and $46 million for Gonchar and Hamhuis combined. He settled for 10 years and 45 million for Martin and Michalek. Saved a million, got an extra year and does not have to rick Gonchar not making it to the third year of an expensive contract.

Steve said...

I like this! They adressed the defensive concerns with two solid signings at long term contracts as well. This combined with the young defensemen already on the team and in the system, should keep them as worry free for the near future as they are at center.

Shero can now concentrate fully on making whatever deals need done to address the issues at wing. That said, because of their cap space limits, I do see a possible trade on the way for a better than scrap parts winger. no way they can sign 2 forwards worth anything for $3 mil.