Free agency Signings!

[gilp11]

from http://www.blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/

"Devils needed to upgrade their puck-moving skill on the blue line and Volchenkov is not a puck-mover. Tallinder is, but he’s a downgrade in that area from Paul Martin. (Tallinder does have more size, though). I think a lot of people underestimate how good a player Paul Martin is and they’re going to see that in Pittsburgh."

From: www.inlouwetrust.com/
"I know on the surface he doesn't seem special, but he truly was the most effective defenseman on the market this summer based on the last two seasons. When Martin stepped on the ice for New Jersey, the Devils were better in numerous categories - especially shots against"

from the the pensblog and there's couple radio interview on there you can listen to there. http://www.thepensblog.com/pensblog/....html#comments

im just glad we got him and cant wait for the season to begin

[gretzky99]

Paul Martin is not worth $5M/year - no way. now, there are plenty of other d-men that make that and more that aren't worth that money either, so it's all relative. but $5M/year is reserved for a top pairing d-man and Martin is, at best, borderline.

there are at least 20 d-men that i'd rather have.

doughty
weber
lidstrom
green
keith
streit
e.johnson
boyle
pronger
bouwmeester
kaberle
markov
chara
myers
enstrom
pitkanen
rafalski
ehrhoff
edler
yandle

[Crosby 87]

good recap there i'd say with the interviews and blog recaps from other teams bloggers

[Crosby 87]

i dont think Martin even finishes out the contract. He's probably traded in the last yr or 2. Thats if the Pens D prospects fill out.

[Rookiesorbust]

How many on this list could a team have picked up on July 1st without moving a roster player or prospect?

Paul Martin is not worth $5M/year - no way. now, there are plenty of other d-men that make that and more that aren't worth that money either, so it's all relative. but $5M/year is reserved for a top pairing d-man and Martin is, at best, borderline.

there are at least 20 d-men that i'd rather have.

doughty
weber
lidstrom
green
keith
streit
e.johnson
boyle
pronger
bouwmeester
kaberle
markov
chara
myers
enstrom
pitkanen
rafalski
ehrhoff
edler
yandle

[gretzky99]

doesn't mean you should overpay for him - does it?

[edthesandwich]

It's a tough spot to be in -- clearly Pittsburgh felt compelled to replace Gonchar, but wasn't willing to pay Burke's asking price for Kaberle. So the Pens bit the bullet and overpaid for Martin. We'll see how it plays out.

Funny thing is, Martin isn't even Pittsburgh's most overpaid defenseman. Brooks Orpik (and his eight goals and -13 career rating in 449 games) has that honor, hands down. $3.75 million? Gross.

[rainman67ko]

Funny thing is, Martin isn't even Pittsburgh's most overpaid defenseman. Brooks Orpik (and his eight goals and -13 career rating in 449 games) has that honor, hands down. $3.75 million? Gross.

I think your comment on Brooks Orpik is not an entirely fair or informed assessment.

His Assists have been climbing each year, and for a guy who doesn't spend a lot of time on the first PP that's something. Last year he had 23, he had 17 in 08/09, and only 10 the previous year.

Orpik was sixth in the NHL with 255 hits in 73 games during the regular season, the second half of which he played through injury. He had 309 hits in 2008/09. He led the club in this category through 13 playoff games this year with 50.

After the Pens got knocked out an MRI revealed a "sports hernia" that required surgery. He underwent a successful surgery for this on 11 June.

Yes I am a bit biased as I watch him all year every game and I have a PC of him but my point is Brooks Orpik brings alot more to the Pittsburgh D that doesn't always show up on the stats sheet.

Looking at the going rate for salary's on D it seems he is fair market value/ performance. He's got a cup, and Olympic silver, more than some players knocking down bigger salaries.

That's my 2 cents. Thanks.

[mr ozzie]

As far as I know, Brooks Orpik isn't considered an Offensive dman. Paul Martin is. While I feel they may have overpaid for Martin and Michalek, I also feel that the Pens did good in picking up these two. Michalek is 27, so he's about to reach his peak (or at his peak) and should do well as a shut-down d. Martin is 29 who scored well in a defensive minded team. His production should increase in an offensive minded team. Another thing one should note is that the Pens back-end just got younger. Martin and Orpik are the oldest at 29.

[Brodeur_fan666]

Martin an offensive D-man ? He never had more than 6 goals and 37 pts and it was 4 years ago.


5 millions per year for a guy who is only playing good hockey in his own end.

Enough said.