2011 Offseason

[Pete Nice]

Now my take:

Talbot was a great Penguin, also VERY good in the community. Not a superstar, but the city treated him as one and he responded with some very key contributions and phenomenal penalty killing.

It was widely known that he wanted $2.5mill a year. But for his offensive production, guys just don't get paid that much. He thought the Pens were gonna pay him anyway b/c of everything he did and does. They were not, Shero is not stupid. He is worth a max (pun intended) of $1.5 and 5yrs is a joke. If he would have signed a one year deal, the Pens probably would have met the 1.9 though. I think the 1.9 was the best he could get anywhere, cup contending or not.

I think he got pissed b/c the Pens wanted a realistic contract with him and he felt he deserved more for all he has done, the days of paying guys for past performances has gone with the arrival of the salary cap. SO he says he wants to be with a team that has a chance to win a cup now and several in the near future (Flyer jab coming), well has he seen the Flyers track record? 1975 anyone? Are you telling me that from among Tampa, Boston, Washington, Buffalo, Vancouver, Chicago, Detroit, San Jose and Anaheim, he could find a match to what he got? I think he went to the Flyers on purpose to spurn the Pens. He will come back dragging his tail after 5 years of playoff disappointment.....

FYI, I also think Jagr might have signed with the Flyers out of spite a bit for the Pens pulling their offer. But with Jagr, it also could have all been a bunch of bullshit salary grab bidding war from the get go.