LA Kings Sign Rob Scuderi
Well, it took the Los Angeles Kings long enough but at approximately 12:45PM Pacific, the Kings signed defenseman Rob Scuderi. In typical Dean Lombardi fashion, he went with a winner who’s great in the locker room. Scuderi, a former Pittsburgh Penguin is fresh off of winning his first Stanley Cup has also been invited to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round (134th overall) in the 1998 Entry Draft, this 30 year old, 6’0″, 218 pound defenseman made an impressive show in this year’s Stanley Cup victory. He was born in Syosset, NY.
Says Kevin Allen of USA Today:
“On a 5-on-3 situation, he’s the best defender in the front of the net in the National Hockey League, and I’ve been saying that for two years,” said former Penguins player Bob Errey, now a television analyst for the team.”
Scuderi attended St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, NY and played NCAA hockey at Boston College. He became a mainstay on the Penguins blue line in the 2005-2006 season.
While it was no secret that Dean Lombardi was looking for one veteran defenseman to help solidify our line up, Los Angeles Kings fans must feel a little underwhelmed. That said, most Penguins fans on Twitter let out a collective groan when Scuderi signed with LA. And, if you watched the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals, you know why. Scuderi made a huge play in Game 6, stopping a shot by Johan Franzen at a wide open net – twice. This is the kind of guy you want on your team, sticking his neck out for the win.
In 81 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008-2009, Rob Scuderi had 1 goal and 15 assists for 16 points and was a plus-13 with 112 penalty minutes. He won’t chip in much offensively but could be a good partner for Drew Doughty or Jack Johnson (if the LA Kings finally start to make use of his offensive capabilities).
So, are you going to welcome Rob Scuderi to the Los Angeles Kings or do you think Dean Lombardi could have done better?
Resources:
Kevin Allen, USA Today
Dve Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
NHL Yahoo Sports
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If we can make the playoffs, this is a guy you want on your roster.
Good player, bad contract. Let's see if he can move one of our other d-men.
I never really thought of him as being particularly clutch until the playoff run, but his stock soared the same way Orpik's did after last year. Make a few brilliant plays, and you suddenly forget how average he performed throughout the season. That said, average is not bad, but how much was that really worth? In a world where Komisarek gets $6M, Scuderi at $3.4 sounds fair – if he plays on a top pairing. Otherwise, they should have snagged Francois Beauchemin to play with Doughty.
Time will tell, but I have to say if Scuderi received $3.4, Beauchemin has to be asking for $4.5 or more. Most Penguin fans on Twitter are saying they love Scuderi but any more than $2M is an overpayment.
Given the defensemen Lombardi has acquired via free agency previously (ie, Preissing, Dalman), we could have done a lot worse.
I'll welcome him… because he's a Kings and that what I do. To be honest, I'm even fine with his contract. I watched more than a few Pens games this season– I thought he was incredibly underrated all season; it just took the playoffs for people to notice him.
The problem I have isnt with Scuderi at all… my problem is the position he plays. At this point, its not even a Left Wing thing. I'd take any winger. Take a look at the Top 6 and tell me who is going to play with Brown, Frolov and Williams on the wing?
If you say Derek Armstrong, I quit.
i like the idea of having scuderi on the kings roster. pai him with doughty or jack, if he is still with us, and should have an effective defense. he reminds me a lot of Greener and how he effectively blocks shots and gives his whole body for the sake of his goaltender. still, this signing does not solve our problem with our team needing an effective goal scrorer either on the wing or somewhere up front. we need to make a trade since everyone who is left and do not see fitting our roster. if we can get Tanguay for a cheap price, i would be okay with that pick-up, but i think Kessel or Hartnell would be more of an effective player for us in the longterm. time will tell what other tricks Dean has up his sleeve because redemption is really needed right now.
Awesome pick up! Good signing. I like where your Kings are going. Can Quick do the job as the #1?
It certainly appears like he can. Scuderi improves a defensive core that had one of the lowest shots against in the league. This only helps the goaltender.
Quick is a very athletic goaltender with excellent lateral movement. If he picks up where he left off, we're right where we need to be. So far, seeing him at training camps, playing in Manchester and up with the big club, I see no reason to believe that he'll continue in his development.
“If you say Derek Armstrong, I quit.” – LOL!
It's time to face the sad reality that the Kings can't sign a decent free agent winger. So, we're going to have to trade for one. I've already proposed overpaying for Scott Hartnell which was shot down bigtime on Twitter.
Who do you think we should get?
Ya, I like Quick as well. Was just curious to see what the hard core LA fan thought
Things are looking good.
things are not looking good. you are only looking at the backend. our problem last season was not the goaltending position or our defense (which was a first). the problem was with the forward position. we still have not gained that missing piece. if we do not acquire anyone via trade, i hope Kopi shows up this season. I think that 7 year contract he signed last season made him soft. even Brownie had a down season, but lit it up at the world's (maybe that something to do with his linemate..sully). Patience is no longer in my vocabulary with this team. I have hearing this word since 2001 and quite frankly, i am sick of waiting for results when every other team in the western conference except for phoenix got better. the time is now in my book.
as for Deano, he is still on my shit list and by him not signing anyone this past wednesday only adds fuel to my fire. besides, i am still pissed off with his stupid trade of O'sullivan for Williams. i think things need to change and they need to chnage quickly because patience is wearing thin with many Kings fans and i am one of them.
Awesome pick up! Good signing. I like where your Kings are going. Can Quick do the job as the #1?
It certainly appears like he can. Scuderi improves a defensive core that had one of the lowest shots against in the league. This only helps the goaltender.
Quick is a very athletic goaltender with excellent lateral movement. If he picks up where he left off, we're right where we need to be. So far, seeing him at training camps, playing in Manchester and up with the big club, I see no reason to believe that he'll continue in his development.
“If you say Derek Armstrong, I quit.” – LOL!
It's time to face the sad reality that the Kings can't sign a decent free agent winger. So, we're going to have to trade for one. I've already proposed overpaying for Scott Hartnell which was shot down bigtime on Twitter.
Who do you think we should get?
Ya, I like Quick as well. Was just curious to see what the hard core LA fan thought
Things are looking good.
things are not looking good. you are only looking at the backend. our problem last season was not the goaltending position or our defense (which was a first). the problem was with the forward position. we still have not gained that missing piece. if we do not acquire anyone via trade, i hope Kopi shows up this season. I think that 7 year contract he signed last season made him soft. even Brownie had a down season, but lit it up at the world's (maybe that something to do with his linemate..sully). Patience is no longer in my vocabulary with this team. I have hearing this word since 2001 and quite frankly, i am sick of waiting for results when every other team in the western conference except for phoenix got better. the time is now in my book.
as for Deano, he is still on my shit list and by him not signing anyone this past wednesday only adds fuel to my fire. besides, i am still pissed off with his stupid trade of O'sullivan for Williams. i think things need to change and they need to chnage quickly because patience is wearing thin with many Kings fans and i am one of them.