Back when Sykora was with the Devils, he often piqued my interest as possibly coming to the Pens - but then as he bounced around the league, it seemed as if he was in a decline. Yet now the Pens signed him as a free agent from Edmonton, where he wore 71. That already being taken by the Pens (Malkin), Sykora will take 17.
Daryl Sydor is the other signing, a defenseman that won the cup with Dallas in 1999 and Tampa in 2004. Sydor has worn #5 since the dawn of time, practically, so when the Pens re-signed Robert Scuderi, the current holder of the Pens #5 jersey, it wasn’t as clear which way that would go. It was but a few days ago that the Pens website showed both as the #5 - yet it was updated yesterday to show Sydor as #5 and Scuderi as #4. Class act by Scuderi.
The drafting of Esposito (whose preferred number is #7) makes one wonder if that consideration had anything to do with the Pens letting Michel Ouellet go? Position wise, it seems Sykora for Ouellet is an upgrade, but maybe that move gives Jonathan Filewich or Ryan Stone a chance at making the roster.
Fresh Cracks...