Penguins Sign Janne Pesonen

The Penguins have signed F Janne Pesonen (h/t to Faceoff-Factor), who most recently played for Tron.

I'm serious, look at these threads:



I might have an epileptic fit.

Actually, after being drafted by Anaheim in the 9th round of the 2004 entry draft, but has only played in Europe. According to the Post-Gazette:


[Pesonen] had 34 goals and 44 assists in 56 games with Karpat in Finland's Elite League last season, placing him sixth in the league scoring race. His totals were up from 22 goals and 33 assists in the same number of games in 2006-07.


Nice numbers, and flanking a Sid or Geno-centered line could only be positive for the young Fin. According to his HockeyDB page, he's never played more than 56 games. If the Penguins are looking to make a run at the Cup, Pesonen had better train his ass off to avoid the Evgeni-Malkin-end-of-season-lull.

UPDATE**Pesonen signing update here**

Penguins Lock Up Fleury, Sign Satan and Fedotenko

Sorry, that's one of the first images that apears when you Google Image Search for Free Agents.

Big news in Penguins land. With Hossa not coming back, Ray Shero suddenly had a wad of cash in his pocket.

He used said cash wad. From the good fellows at Faceoff-Factor:

MAF. 7 years, $35 million. $5 mil a year for a stud overall number one pick? Worth it.

Miroslav Satan. 1 year, $3.5 mil.

Ruslan Fedotenko. 1 year, $2.25 mil.

The Fleury contract was a bit of a surprise, and I'm not opposed to snatching two former division rivals from the Islanders. Hell, everything worked out with former Devil Petr Sykora.

Both Fedotenko and Satan are left-handed left wingers. Seems like the Pens will have the same recurring problems with hardly any right-handed shots. Sure, we signed a right handed RW in Eric Godard, but he's a fourth-liner who is filling in the goon role.

Still, some good news after the Hossa bullshit.

Oh, and the best little nugget about Satan, both Yahoo Sports and ESPN use 666 in the url for his player profile. Cue Iron Maiden.

The Penguins and Free Agency Updates

How are the Pens doing in the early hours of free agency?

Pascal Dupuis. 3 years, $1.4 mil a season.

Mark Eaton. 2 years, $1 mil a season. Might end Orpik's tenure with the Pens.

Evgeni Malkin. Still not 100% finalized, but seems to be 5 years, $8.7 mil a season.

Reports say Ruutu's been offered a contract, and the Pens are possibly after Jaromir Jagr.

This will be updated in case anything cool happens or more players sign.

UPDATE:

Ty Conklin is now a Red Wing. If you can't [play against 'em in the finals], join 'em? 1 year, $750,000.

UPDATE 2: Tampa Bay signed Adam Hall for 3 years, $600k a year. They're murdering our UFAs.

UPDATE 3: Penguins sign RW Eric Godard for 3 years and an undisclosed amount. He played in no more than 21 games for the Flames in each of the last two seasons, so I'm guessing this isn't a massive contract.

Steelers Sign QB Zabransky, Immediately Add Hook And Ladder, Statue of Liberty To Playbook

Recently, the Steelers signed free agent QB Jared Zabransky, best known for his role in Boise State's improbable Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma.

During our Super Bowl run, the offense repeatedly kept opposing defenses off balance with trick plays, most notably, Antwaan's pass to Hines in Super Bowl XL. Pittsburgh hasn't really done many trick plays since 'Twaan left. Maybe this signing signals a turning point. Big Ben better watch his back.

But to keep Ben happy, Pittsburgh also signed former Michigan State standout WR Matt Trannon. He's 6 foot 6. Tall enough for ya, Ben?