This Picture Better Not Foreshadow

With the Winter Classic coming up real quick, I wanted to see who on the Penguins or Sabres has experience playing outdoor games.

A Trib article gave me the answers. Both Adam Hall of the Pens and Ryan Miller of the Sabres played for Michigan State in the Cold War of 2001 against Michigan.

Two other Penguins, Georges Laraque and Ty Conklin, played for Edmonton in the Heritage Classic in 2003 against Montreal.

So I went to the intertubes to find a picture of either Laraque or Conklin in the Heritage Classic. The above picture is the only one I could find. Its Ty Conklin. In the Heritage Classic. Getting scored on. Dany Sabourin had better play well.

I don't want to see him repeat this pose in Buffalo.

Pens Sign Veteran G Conklin

Veteran goalie Ty Conklin has agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Conklin played for both Columbus and Buffalo last season.

With Dany Sabourin expected to be MAF's primary backup, Conklin will be spending most of his time in Wilkes-Barre. However, if Sabourin or MAF struggle/are injured, it will be good to have a solid veteran there to fill the void.

Conklin has a career win percentage above .500, going 30-24-6, with a 2.65 goals against coupled with a .900 save percentage. Good Wilkes-Barre numbers.

Despite Shero's Claim, Pens Sign Several Early Free Agents

Ray Shero denied that the team was interested in signing free agents on Sunday, the opening day of the free agent market. The big names went off the board, and Shero stayed true to his claim. Briere to Philly (damn), Drury and Gomez to the Rangers (damn, again). However, Shero did add some pieces among the 2nd tier free agents that could help the team immediately. Here's a quick recap:

First and foremost, D Ryan Whitney was inked to a 6 yr./$24 mil contract. Whitney just got paid, and the signing was well worth it. Safe to say I'm thouroughly pleased that Whitney will be around for awhile.

More help on the blue line, as Shero signed defenseman Darryl Sydor. He's a 2-time All-Star who has also won 2 Stanley Cups. Shero wanted experience...Shero got experience.

And what about the winger that everyone claimed we needed to sign? Well, Ray Ray continued the experience-theme, signing veteran winger Petr Sykora. PSaMP was never a huge fan of Sykora, mainly because he played for the hated Devils. He does, though, have his name on the Cup, so signing him was a no-brainer that I can accept.

Goalie Dany Sabourin is back. In his relatively short career, Sabourin has bounced between the Flames, Pens and most recently, the Canucks. He backed up Vezina-winner Roberto Luongo last season. Will this signal the end of the Jocelyn Thibault-era?

I'm exhausted. I didn't think I'd have to update on so many free agent signings within the first 24 hours of free agency. Get to know these players, Pens fans. They'll be the guys helping the team to its first Cup since '92!