{"id":131926,"date":"2022-09-05T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T13:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=131926"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:33:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:33:26","slug":"pittsburgh-penguins-best-worst-free-agent-signings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/09\/05\/pittsburgh-penguins-best-worst-free-agent-signings\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Penguins Best and Worst Free Agent Signings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Welcome to Last Word on Hockey\u2019s 2022 summer series, exploring the best and worst free agent signings for each NHL team of the post-lockout, salary cap era. With this past offseason seeing some big splashes (and potential gambles) like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gaudrjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Gaudreau<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/giroucl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Claude Giroux<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/klingjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Klingberg<\/a>, and others, it\u2019s time to take a look at how teams have boosted and stunted their progress in recent history. Today, we take a look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/08\/31\/pittsburgh-penguins-sign-head-coach-mike-sullivan-to-extension\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>\u00a0free agent signings history.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agent Hits and Misses<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Best Signing: Sergei Gonchar<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In August 2005, just after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crosbsi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sidney Crosby<\/a> was drafted and the lockout had ended, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gonchse01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Gonchar<\/a> signed his first cap-era contract. Lasting five years and carrying a $5 million AAV, plus a full no-trade clause. It would prove to be a deal worth every cent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Russian immediately became a hit in Pittsburgh, racking up a huge 259 points in 322 games as a defenceman. Although he never won the Norris Trophy as the best in his position, he finished fourth in 2007-08. He would also help lead the Penguins to the 2009 Stanley Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In the locker room, he provided invaluable leadership. He paved the way for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/letankr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kris Letang<\/a> to become the elite defenceman he is today and even took a young <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/malkiev01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evgeni Malkin<\/a> into his home to help him settle in the USA. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">It is fair to say that he was an essential part of the Penguins starting their cap-era dominance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"RS-KRydySjZ4fMWG5zb0Uw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/490457162\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RS-KRydySjZ4fMWG5zb0Uw',sig:'awkBELvPbmbWIBntD1u8cP8RZfeC9EG5TVm_6g3gRyw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'490457162',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Honourable Mention: Conor Sheary<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">After a strong collegiate career at UMass-Amherst, the undrafted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/shearco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Conor Sheary<\/a> found himself signed by Pittsburgh as a college free agent. Initially, he was assigned to Wilkes Barre-Scranton in the AHL and had an excellent rookie professional year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Massachusetts native made the jump to the NHL during the 2015-16 season. He split his time between the Baby Pens and the big team, quietly providing good NHL depth and earning a Stanley Cup ring for his efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">However, the following season Sheary gave fans and Pittsburgh\u2019s front office an unexpected surprise. The forward managed a career-high 53 points in 61 games. This time he was a key part of the team&#8217;s run to a repeat Stanley Cup win, truly cementing his cult hero status.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Sheary isn\u2019t an obvious candidate, especially as his production fell off during his final season. However, the diminutive winger will always be a fan favourite in the \u2018burgh and his low-budget contracts made him wonderful value for money. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Worst Signing: Jack Johnson<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In free agency of 2018, the Penguins agreed to a deal with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnsja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Johnson<\/a>. The contract was surprisingly huge for a player of Johnson\u2019s standing; five years long and carried a $3.25 million AAV.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">To maybe only then-general manager Jim Rutherford\u2019s surprise, that contract aged like milk. Throughout his first season, he suited up for each game but scored just 13 points and his play was difficult to watch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">He was a healthy scratch in the first game of the Penguins&#8217; first-round playoff exit that year and his poor form continued into the 2019-20 season. Only 11 points in 67 games was an improvement in scoring but was still unacceptable considering his cap hit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In the end, the writing was on the wall for both sides. Rutherford acquired the younger and more productive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mathemi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Matheson<\/a>, meaning Johnson now had to make way. However, with that contract, a buyout of the three remaining years was required. Overall, an experience the Penguins do not want to go through again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"2vkMYADsRZFctF0hxahwLA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/669807864\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'2vkMYADsRZFctF0hxahwLA',sig:'HEkp28V5yyTyc6VKhaGagKyVmQN1tNTzcEqQV456DW8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'669807864',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Honourable Mention: Zigmund &#8220;Ziggy&#8221; Palffy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/palffzi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ziggy Palffy<\/a> came to Pittsburgh under lofty expectations. A prolific goalscorer, he had split 10 seasons in the NHL with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/islanders\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Islanders<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a>, half of which saw him score 80 points or more. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When free agency called the Penguins opted to award Palffy a three-year deal, worth $13.5 million. Initially, the Slovak delivered but after just 42 games &#8211; in which he had already notched 42 points &#8211; he suddenly retired. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Palffy claimed a shoulder injury was the reason for his decision. However, he promptly returned to the Slovakian league the following season and showed he had not lost his scoring ability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the Penguins, this is definitely a \u2018what could have been&#8217; signing and is a cause of huge frustration. Had he stayed the full term of the deal, the forward\u2019s high-scoring touch could have potentially resulted in a Stanley Cup win in 2008. Instead, fans were left with a heartbreaking loss to Detroit and wondering \u2018what if?\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"24RHr44bTqxzX-38D-RmPA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1209560503\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'24RHr44bTqxzX-38D-RmPA',sig:'d6b-yaFlH4ftGLXcs6WX4SBjabYtVz9OlZaRmfHFfQc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1209560503',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Last Word on Hockey\u2019s 2022 summer series, exploring the best and worst free agent signings for each NHL team of the post-lockout, salary cap era. With this past offseason seeing some big splashes (and potential gambles) like\u00a0Johnny Gaudreau,\u00a0Claude Giroux,\u00a0John Klingberg, and others, it\u2019s time to take a look at how teams have boosted [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4182,"featured_media":131935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4547,8245,4548,12],"tags":[1060,3534,545,662,6226,2326,4929],"class_list":["post-131926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hockey","category-history","category-nhl","category-penguins","tag-conor-sheary","tag-hockey-history","tag-jack-johnson","tag-nhl-free-agency","tag-pittsburgh-penguins-analysis","tag-sergei-gonchar","tag-ziggy-palffy"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4182"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131926"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131926\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":479296,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131926\/revisions\/479296"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}