Monday Igloo Update

Yinzers,

Jukebox Shero is at it again. Since the previous time we spoke, Ol' Ray's been doin' work, son. Here are some of the acquisitions that the Juke has made since last monday:

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek
Michalek played the last five years with the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes have been developing some great talent, and seem to be taking a page out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' book and trimming some generally fruitful branches. Michalek is 27 years old, 6'0", 210 lbs and hales from Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic. Michalek adorned the 'A' for the Coyotes and helped that squad have the NHL's 3rd best goals against average at 2.34. Michalek's contract with the Pens is for 3 years.

Defenseman Paul Martin
We have converted one from the dark side. Martin joins the team, converting from the New Jersey dark side. Jukebox Shero went ahead and took one of the other obstacles out of Sidney Crosby's way by signing former defensive adversary Paul Martin to a 5 year contract. Martin missed 59 games this year with a broken forearm, but I don't see that being a problem in the future. This 6"1', 200 lbs defenseman will make 6 Penguins' defensemen under the age of 30: Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang, Alex Goligoski, Ben "Reverend" Lovejoy, Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin. The future is bright.

Forward Ryan Craig
Juke also dipped into the "Pittsburgh South" pool and signed winger Ryan Craig from Tampa Bay. The deal is a one year, two way contract that will pay $500,000 at the NHL level. The 6'2", 220 lbs bruiser played most of last year in the AHL, but amassed 45 points in 73 AHL games. Bringing some more beef to the fourth line?

Forward Brett Sterling
Ray Shero picked up this pocket rocket from the Atlanta Thrashers. The kid is only 26 years old and stands at 5'7" and 175 lbs. Although he has only played in 19 NHL games, think along the lines of Tyler Kennedy and Martin St. Louis. The kid is good, he was in the top 3 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award when he attended Colorado College, and Hobey Baker went down in a plane crash (Steigy).

The Losses:
Mark Eaton - New York Islanders
Sergei Gonchar - Ottawa Senators
Jordan Leopold - Buffalo Sabres

Yet to re-sign: Billy Guerin

Let's go Pens,
B Brog