Penguins Ink Craig Adams to Two-Year Deal

[thepolishkid88]

The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Craig Adams to a two-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Adams, 32, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The gritty Adams played a key support role in the Penguins’ drive to the Stanley Cup, chipping in three goals and two assists for five points in 24 playoff games. After being claimed on waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks on March 4, he played nine regular-season games for the Penguins and recorded one assist.

In 507 NHL games over eight seasons with Carolina, Chicago and Pittsburgh, Adams has registered 37 goals and 53 assists for 90 points with 383 penalty minutes. He also won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.

“Craig is a steady, reliable, physical player who was an important part of our mix this season,” Shero said. “He plays with a lot of grit, but he also contributed some key goals in the playoffs and was very effective as a penalty-killer. We’re glad to be able to sign him for two more years.”

A native of Seria, Brunei who grew up in Calgary, Adams played four seasons of college hockey at Harvard. He was the final draft pick of the Hartford Whalers’ franchise, going 233rd overall in 1996.

[thepolishkid88]

Good role guy. He did better then i expected here. I dont think he deserves 2 years but with the impending deal of Dupuis and maybe even Staal at some point it certainly helps keeping him around for the PK. If its anything around a million a year i may barf.

[PsuNate1977]

Great Move, as I said I have been a fan of his fo a while.. He was good in the playoffs..

Why would the Pens trade Staal? People need to get over this. He is locked up until 2013. He may have been the Pens best forward in the finals.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by PsuNate1977

Great Move, as I said I have been a fan of his fo a while.. He was good in the playoffs..

Why would the Pens trade Staal? People need to get over this. He is locked up until 2013. He may have been the Pens best forward in the finals.

Reason is because of the cap. He makes 4 million a season on the 3rd line and will never be anything more then a 3rd liner here. Not taking away from him or anything to that degree, i own the guys jersey, but he is a great trade asset and with the cap going down the next 2 years and guys like Letang, Gonchar, etc. to bring back its gonna be hard fitting them all with his 4 million dollar salary.

Your right he was great in the playoffs. Just hard to imagine all 3 centers finishing there careers here. His deal also is a great thing for teams acquiring him because he is set for the next 4 years. Id say Staal is only a 50-50 to get dealt but Dups is somewhere around 75% right now. This Adams deal may have been the nail in the coffin for him.

[Big Violence]

Yep this pretty much means Dupuis is gone. Im surpised they signed him for 2 years. I was expecting a 1 year deal if any.

[Big Violence]

Originally Posted by PsuNate1977

Great Move, as I said I have been a fan of his fo a while.. He was good in the playoffs..

Why would the Pens trade Staal? People need to get over this. He is locked up until 2013. He may have been the Pens best forward in the finals.

I agree. Staal is only going to get better as he gets older. He's a horse now, imagine him at 24 or 25. His best years are definatly still ahead of him. I think it would be foolish to trade this kid.

[thepolishkid88]

Adams to make 550,000 a season. Per TIOPS.

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by Big Violence

I agree. Staal is only going to get better as he gets older. He's a horse now, imagine him at 24 or 25. His best years are definatly still ahead of him. I think it would be foolish to trade this kid.

You can't keep everyone with the salary cap, man. At some point, a high-ticket player is going to have to be dealt, and Staal more than likely is the one who will be gone. I don't want to see it happen, but it's the reality of the situation.

As for Adams, I'm surprised that he was re-signed - I figured he'd be gone. I agree that it does spell the end for Pascal Dupuis - he and his $1.4 million salary are definitely expendable.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Adams to make 550,000 a season. Per TIOPS.

$550,000 for two years.Not bad at all.My whole thing is who is willing to take Dupuis and his salary is the question.Is there any rumours of who maybe looking at him???

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

$550,000 for two years.Not bad at all.My whole thing is who is willing to take Dupuis and his salary is the question.Is there any rumours of who maybe looking at him???

Islanders are big on him. Also Zigomanis is not returning to the Pens per the PG.

[FightingIsGood]

I just saw that. Why wouldn't they want to bring Zigomanis back? I don't get it - considering their style of play, they can use his faceoff prowess to help in their puck possession game. I realize they won the Cup without him, but that is one area that can certainly use some improvement.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

I just saw that. Why wouldn't they want to bring Zigomanis back? I don't get it - considering their style of play, they can use his faceoff prowess to help in their puck possession game. I realize they won the Cup without him, but that is one area that can certainly use some improvement.

I know that his demands were a bit high around 700,000-800,000. He played very little this year but was effective. I figured he would be back...I think you will now see Jeffrey brought up and placed in that 4th line role. He isnt anything special on faceoffs but posesses more talent then Ziggy.

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

I know that his demands were a bit high around 700,000-800,000. He played very little this year but was effective. I figured he would be back...I think you will now see Jeffrey brought up and placed in that 4th line role. He isnt anything special on faceoffs but posesses more talent then Ziggy.

I would have paid him that just for his faceoff work alone. Oh well, it is what it is. Gotta trust Shero on this one.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Islanders are big on him. Also Zigomanis is not returning to the Pens per the PG.

Just curious, where'd you hear that?

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Just curious, where'd you hear that?

TIOPS. Sometimes he is right sometimes he is wrong. I wouldnt doubt it though. Good role player for a team that needs him....we dont.