Fansided

NHL Free Agency: Grading the Penguins’ signings

By Joshua Axelrod

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Sidney Crosby #87"n talks with Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game against the Washington Capitals in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Sidney Crosby #87"n talks with Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game against the Washington Capitals in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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NASHVILLE, TN — JUNE 11: Matt Cullen #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates in the neutral zone in the first period of Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN — JUNE 11: Matt Cullen #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates in the neutral zone in the first period of Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Penguins bring Matt Cullen back to Pittsburgh

Speaking of players who played an important role in the Penguins’ two Stanley Cup runs, the Penguins opted to re-sign center Matt Cullen, who played last season with the Minnesota Wild after providing hard-nosed play and a veteran presence for two seasons in Pittsburgh.

Pensburgh reported that the team signed Cullen to a one-year deal for just $650,000, a small price to pay for a fan favorite who probably won’t see much significant ice time this season anyway. But one has to wonder: Was this the best use of the Penguins’ resources?

Leadership is an invaluable asset, and if nothing else the 41-year-old Cullen will provide that in spades. But one could argue that the Penguins already have plenty of that, given that their Big Three has a combined eight rings between them. Pittsburgh also happens to be set at the center position, with Crosby, Malkin, Brassard and Sheahan all ahead of Cullen on the depth chart.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this signing, but it seems that the Penguins are paying him more for his wisdom than his abilities at this point in his career. Could the Penguins have convinced him to retire and brought him on as a coach, thus not affecting their cap space? We’ll probably never know.

Whether that was a possibility or not, Pittsburgh basically just bought itself a player-coach, which could prove to be a worthwhile investment in the playoffs. Or they just paid a stiff who can’t provide much beyond his leadership and hockey IQ. Time will tell.

Grade: B-

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