The Pittsburgh Penguins waited patiently and have found a bargain on the free agent market, agreeing to terms with Derek Grant on a one-year $650K contract. Grant was arguably the top forward left in free agency other than Rick Nash, who hasn’t made a decision on whether or not he’ll play next season.
The 28-year old center was given his first real opportunity to play substantial NHL minutes last season when the Anaheim Ducks were dealing with injuries to both Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf, and impressed with a stretch of 11 points in 15 games early in the season. Though his total would only reach 24 on the season in 66 games, he obviously did enough to earn himself another NHL deal. That will come in Pittsburgh where the Penguins have continued to collect center depth for the better part of a year, and who will now likely have to play several pivots on the wing.
Riley Sheahan re-signed with the team, Derick Brassard is expected to be healthy and Matt Cullen returned from his one-year stint with the Minnesota Wild, leaving the Penguins with more center options than they need going into the year. While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will obviously remain in their positions as one of the league’s top 1-2 punches, GM Jim Rutherford is obviously not willing to be left scrambling for backup options this time around. It’s also not clear where Grant will fit in exactly, given that the team was expected to provide Daniel Sprong, Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon with full-time roles this season. That’s obviously not a given anymore, as the Penguins have as many as 16 forwards competing for 13 or 14 NHL jobs.
I wouldn’t necessarily call a guy with 31 points in 152 games a bargain, but the minimum for a bottom six guy is a solid signing. Goes to show that you can fill out the bottom of your roster with minimum or just above the minimum salaries instead of signing two fourth liners to $12m deals (I’m looking at you Vancouver).
This seems like a precursor to a Brassard trade, unless they think Grant will clear waivers.
Not sure why everyone thinks the Pens are going trade Brassard. The amount of work it took to bring him to Pittsburgh in the first place is enough reason to keep him. Let alone the fact that Brassard is a heck of a player.
I don’t think this is a precursor to a trade at all. I think this is a sign they are serious about using Brassard at 2nd line wing, with Riley at 3rdlc and Cullen/Grant at 4thlc
I also think it’s great that they aren’t handing out roster spots to Sprong,Reese, and Simon, they are going to make them earn it.
Hornqvist-Crosby-Geuntzel
Brassard-Malkin-Sprong/Hagelin/Rust
Sprong/Hagelin/Rust-Sheahan-Kessell
Cullen-Grant-most likely Hagelin
That leaves Reese, Simon and Hayes as extra. Simon needs waivers so he will most likely be 13th. Hayes was a long shot to make roster anyway. They may want Reese to play everyday instead of sitting and just wait for an injury or someone not producing.
As a Ducks fan, I wasn’t very enthused with Grant’s game at the beginning of the season last year. He improved throughout the season and was our makeshift 1C at times. He played much better than his salary insisted and ended up winning me over at the end of the season. I am bummed he left, but even more frustrated by the fact that the Ducks replaced him with Rowney for twice the salary (and for 3 freaking years).
Pens fans shouldn’t expect too much, but he wins draws and can play PK too. He’s a good value for a depth center.