Following the Penguins' loss in the Stanley Cup Finals last June to the Detroit Red Wings, several Penguins left Pittsburgh via unrestricted free agency. This piece is a look at how the departed Penguins have fared with their new clubs compared to how the Penguins' new additions have worked out. So here we go...
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Miroslav Satan vs. Marian Hossa
Satan- 17 GP, 8 G, 7 A, -2, 18:21 ATOI
Hossa- 16 GP, 10 G, 13 A, 8, 18:19 ATOI
After Hossa departed to the Detroit Red Wings this offseason, the Penguins signed Satan with the goal that he would fill Hossa's spot on Sidney Crosby's right wing. Satan came cheap at 3.5 million dollars, and he has not disappointed. He's been lethal in front of the net on the powerplay, and he hasn't slowed down Crosby at all.
While Satan has played well, he has not played better than Hossa. The Red Wings new winger has been playing an inspired form of hockey for his new club. Hossa is third in the NHL in scoring behind Evgeni Malkin and Alex Semin. While he likely won't stay that high for the whole year, he'll put up consistent numbers and probably finish in the top five in points.
Winner- Hossa.
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Ruslan Fedotenko vs. Ryan Malone
Fedotenko- 16, GP, 4 G, 4 A, 2, 15:20 ATOI
Malone- 3 G, 0 A, -2, 14:38 ATOI
Fedotenko, signed the same day as Satan in early July, came in with the expectation on his shoulders that he could fill the void left by Malone on Evgeni Malkin and Petr Sykora's line. While the Ukranian started slowly, he has picked it up significantly in recent weeks. He has scored game winning goals against Carolina and Detroit. Maybe most impressive is that he has been able to keep up with the two speedsters on his line. Hopefully, that chemisty has developed and the three can form an even more formidable line than they are now.
Malone may be a happy man right now, but if he is, it's because of his 4.5 million dollar salary. The Lightning are abysmal again; they've already fired their coach who they never should have signed in the first place. They have traded their third best defenseman from a team with almost no defense to begin with, and they play in front of half-empty arena's every night. Malone has been a total bust, registering a lackluster 3 points, even while getting a decent chunk of time with Vinny Lecavlier. He's also battled a few minor injuries.
Winner- Fedotenko
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Matt Cooke vs. Jarkko Ruutu
Cooke- 13 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 1, 11:51 ATOI
Ruutu- 15 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 2, 13:04 ATOI
Cooke peformed better than adequately since being signed this summer to replace Jarkko Ruutu in the "agitator" role. Cooke has been near the top of the NHL in hits all season, right behind leader and teammate Brooks Orpik, with several of those hits being absolutely brutal blows. Cooke has been a key component in forming what is likely the league's best third line along with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy. He's been a solid playmaker, and he's provided that young line with a calming veteran presence. Cooke has missed a few games due to a minor, undisclosed injury. Not to mention he only has 10 penalty minutes to Ruutu's 27.
Ruutu has done exactly what the Sens asked him to do when they brought him in on the first day of free agency. He has done his usual thing, getting opponents off their games and making people angry. He outbursted for 2 goals in one game earlier in the campaign, but otherwise has been invisible offensively while often playing with the young Cody Bass. Ruutu has already netted a suspension for a savage elbow to the head of Montreal's Maxim Lapierre. The Senators have played horrifically this year, and Ruutu has done little to help things with so many penalty minutes. He still has been reliable in some limited roles that he's been placed in.
Winner- Cooke
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Mike Zigomanis vs. Adam Hall
Zigomanis- 15 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 0, 11:21 ATOI
Hall- 16 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0, 12:33 ATOI
Zigomanis may be Ray Shero's biggest steal ever as GM of the Penguins. After being picked up for what will likely turn out to be a late roudn pick, "Ziggy" joined the Pens following their season opening set with Ottawa in Sweden. He has been the best faceoff man in the NHL consistently at over 60 percent. Also, he's shown above average offensive skills for a player of his caliber. He's an above average passer who does not make mistakes in his defensive end. He is also on the Penguins top penalty killing unit along with Jordan Staal. 63.5 percent on draws.
Hall has done little to write home about in Tampa Bay. He scored a goal in Tampa's opening set in Prague, but since then, he's been non-existent offensively. He's a solid faceoff man, and he's a decent fourth line center, but he has by no means performed to Zigomanis's level.
Winner- Zigomanis
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Eric Godard vs. Georges Laraque
Godard- 17 GP, 6 fights, 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 5:02 ATOI, -2
Laraque- 9 GP, 4 fights, 3 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws, -4, 8:00 ATOI, -4
Godard has been a very serviceable fourth liner for the Penguins, even while playing only five minutes per game. He blocks shots, and unlike Laraque before him, he can actually find guys willing to fight him. He's been an adequate protector for the Penguins' superstars, and always answered the bell when necessary. His biggest drawback has been a few dumb penalties while trying to goad opposing players into fights.
Laraque has been injured for some of the season and a healthy scratch numerous times for the Canadiens. He has only played in nine games, and his impact on Montreal has been virtually zero. He is overweight, out of shape, and untalented. Basically, the Penguins look very good right about now for getting rid of him.
Winner- Godard
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