Palffy: return 50-50, considers coming back to Pittsburgh

[Tomas]

Excerpts from interview with Radio VIVA:
http://www.hokej.sk/clanok43357.htm

"It's fifty-fifty. I guess I could go back on ice in September to see how it goes. I have to practice a lot, because I haven't been playing for quite some time. You always feel different when you are in civilian clothes compared to wearing hockey gear on ice. The important thing will be how I'd feel. I don't want to force it, but I'd like to resume my career."

Palffy would be eligible to return to Pittsburgh in February 2007 (apparently retired players have to wait exactly one year before coming back).

"I miss hockey, though I guess so does everybody who retires. I could return to Pittsburgh in February, but they can trade me as well."

About the shoulder:
"Right now it feels good. I take various massages. The crucial thing is how I'd feel in September."

Palffy's career stats:
Team Slovakia: Gold WC 2001, Bronze WC 2003; 64 games, 36 goals.
NHL: 708 games (incl. 24 during play-offs); 338 goals, 394 assists.

[KG]

Interesting, great find as alway Tomas. Hell, make your comeback Ziggy in February, then we can deal you to the Wild for a good player/prospect so you can get your wish and play with Demitra.

Still not sure, Ziggy is a weird dude, many of his former teammates felt that way also.

[conforto45]

id love for him to come back... put him w/ Sid and Colby.. that would be a nice line...barring his health is 100%

i know missing practically 2 years of hockey hurts, but you never really lose the hands, just your legs.. the speed of the game comes w/ the strenghening of the legs...

bring em back...

[Defence21]

If I'm Ray Shero, I'd be biting at the chops to get him back here so he can prove his trade value. Despite what many biased Penguin fans think, this guy would bring a decent, if not excellent return from a team looking for an extra scoring threat for the playoffs.

While with the Penguins, Palffy's lack effort was very apparent, because the team as a whole was not very productive. When a guy you expect to be the best is not perfoming and not going 100%, it makes the situation look 100 times worse. Put Palffy on a team that has two scoring lines and he'll produce. Heck, he was near a point per game with the Penguins.

While he did leave the team -- for reasons no one on this board is privy to -- he still is known as an good, if not elite forward. Say what you want, but if he comes back, I would be very surprised if there wasn't overwhelming interest in him. If you don't believe me, look at another elite quitter, Dominic Hasek. He has quit on his teams many times and at any sight of injury, he's done. Still, he has signed with last year's #1 team. Palffy is younger and, shoulder aside, in better shape. There almost suredly will be much interest

[HockeyDaddy]

If I am MT...there is no way I let this guy into my locker room. If I am Shero, I don't want him in my organization in any way. I say let the bum sit at home and watch until his contract runs out. I hope the Penguins never give him one more penny. I don't even want to trade him.

[zamboniman]

He bailed on us, I've bailed on him...

[netwolf]

As with Recchi, I don't have any interest. If Shero and MT sign off on it, I could live with it though. MT has more insight into what really went down and I suspect that if Palffy quit as rumored, that MT would have no interest in seeing him back unless it was just as a 1 month audition improve his trade value at the deadline.

We'd be real heavy on RW though with him, Recchi, and Armstrong.

[jmh470]

He'll get traded at the deadline, so it's a good situation for the Pens. I just hope he plays well so his trade value will increase.

[Three Stars]

It's Petr Nedved all over again. I just hope the trade works out as well.

[Jim]

He bailed on us, I've bailed on him...

So you felt this way about Lemieux each time he bailed due to injury or illness?

[Jim]

It's Petr Nedved all over again. I just hope the trade works out as well.

What trade?

[netwolf]

It's Petr Nedved all over again. I just hope the trade works out as well.

What trade?

Nedved went to the Rangers in the deal that brought Kovalev here.

[Jim]

"works out AS well" I get it... reading comprehension moron!!!! Yes... rippin on myself.

[ivand87]

"I miss hockey, though I guess so does everybody who retires. I could return to Pittsburgh in February, but they can trade me as well."

I don't want a quitter either, but I *KNEW* this day would come. It would only take a few months for him to realize that there is nothing better for him to do than to play hockey. Pro sports careers are short enough as it is, so quitting early is rarely an option that makes sense for anyone.

His retirement was an unbelievably retarded decision. If he does come back, the Pens should shop him immediately.

[netwolf]

A question: when he retired, Patrick said his contract was off the books. Doesn't that mean Shero would have to negotiate a new deal prior to him coming back?

If that's the case, Shero would have an interesting decision to make. On one hand, signing him to a one year deal would involve the least risk, but it would also provide the least trade value.

[NJ5934]

The only thing I need to know is what Shero can get for him.

No way does he fit into the 'high energy hard work' mold that Shero is putting together. I have no use for him.

[NIN]

you know what upsets me most about being a Pens fan? There just isn;t anything interesting to discuss!

Just kidding, cue the trumbone.


If he returns Malone would definately be looked at to play center. Palffy would probably be moved to the Crosby's LW. Right now we need all the help we can get and he has great skills and speed despite the frailty.

[Draftnik]

The guy is a useless heartless floater. When he was moved off Crosby's line last year he was totally ineffective. Armstrong and Hilbert produced just as much if not more when paired with Crosby. A cigar store Indian could siphon assists playing with Crosby.

Players that retire from an injury get paid the balance of their contract or get some kind of buyout. This loser didn't get any $$$ for his alleged shoulder problem because it doesn't exist. This guy quit because he is soft.

His lack of character and work ethic are 180 degrees from the culture Shero is trying to build. Why would Shero even consider unleashing this poison in the room with so many impressionable young players on the roster?

[HomerPenguin]

The guy is a useless heartless floater. When he was moved off Crosby's line last year he was totally ineffective. Armstrong and Hilbert produced just as much if not more when paired with Crosby. A cigar store Indian could siphon assists playing with Crosby.

Players that retire from an injury get paid the balance of their contract or get some kind of buyout. This loser didn't get any $$$ for his alleged shoulder problem because it doesn't exist. This guy quit because he is soft.

His lack of character and work ethic are 180 degrees from the culture Shero is trying to build. Why would Shero even consider unleashing this poison in the room with so many impressionable young players on the roster?

Trade value, that's the only reason. Even if he's a Penguin again in February, if he's gone by the trading deadline that's fine by me.

[zamboniman]

He bailed on us, I've bailed on him...

So you felt this way about Lemieux each time he bailed due to injury or illness?

Do you really think Palffy retired because of an injury? If not, there is no comparing the situations. I don't care how good he is, even though his performance on the ice last year could tell me otherwise. I simply do not respect the guy for quitting partly through the season.

[KG]

The whole retirement issue doesn't really bother me. I think it was a mistake that I am sure Palffy regrets. We have to realize too that Palffy is a strange bird, he marches to his own drummer. If he wants to come back and RS and MT have done there due dilligence that he's 100% committed to playing and producing on the team. How can you not want him back?

The whole, he quit on his team argument is more directed toward his teammates from last year. Crosby already spoke to Palffy this summer and there was no hard feelings, at least reported. If Sid, RS and MT are on board, sign him up.

It's a business, whatever makes the Penguins put a better product on the ice and the players and managment all agree, then it's a no brainer.

I mean, look at other sports. You can do steroids, commit felonies and your teammates welcome you back with open arms. I think the same can/will be said for Palffy.

[td_ice]

Wow, tough call.

I guess it would depened on how his teammates viewed it. Whether Palffy quit, or was legitmately hurt.

I actually believed he was hurt. Watching his play, before the announcement, I thought there was something wrong with him. And when I heard about the recurring shoulder problems, to me that made sense.

As far as him playing with Sid?

Crosby was asked at one point during the year, who he liked playing with the most. After giving the obligatory, "I like everyone I have played with", Sid named Palffy has the player he enjoyed playing with the most.

Now that was pre-Colby, so maybe his answer would have been different at season's end.

I say let him come back. As long as he didn't "quit", and had legit reasons.

I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt not knowing all the facts of the story.

[Draftnik]

Trade value, that's the only reason. Even if he's a Penguin again in February, if he's gone by the trading deadline that's fine by me.

I don't pretend to know the CBA rules (if they exist) about a guy retiring then unretiring, but is seems logical that if the Pens control his rights they would do so under the terms of his previous contract. After all, if he is restricted to playing for the Pens he has to be contractually bound under his previous terms. If not, how would his compensation be determined?

I see no upside in adding a guy that was grossly overpaid to the payroll. He would be making $4M to $5M prorated for the balance of the 06/07 season and just as much if not more for the 07/08 season. I see no reason any GM with a sliver of brain would trade for him and the Pens would be stuck with another albatross.

[Draftnik]

I guess it would depened on how his teammates viewed it. Whether Palffy quit, or was legitmately hurt.

I actually believed he was hurt. Watching his play, before the announcement, I thought there was something wrong with him. And when I heard about the recurring shoulder problems, to me that made sense.

NHL contracts are guaranteed against injury. Injured players were paid their full NHL salaries during the lockout. Guys that weren't paid (Owen Nolan) sued their teams for back pay. Palffy didn't retire because of an injury and continue to be paid or receive a lump sum injury settlement. He simply quit.

The stats don't lie. Armstrong and Hilbert scored more goals per game with Crosby than Palffy. That is a fact, not my opinion. Crosby lifted Armstrong past his AHL output and Hilbert much above his previous NHL output. Palffy was pathetic by comparison. He is a soft floater that does not have production worthy of a $4M-$5M salary.

[td_ice]

The stats don't lie. Armstrong and Hilbert scored more goals per game with Crosby than Palffy. That is a fact, not my opinion. Crosby lifted Armstrong past his AHL output and Hilbert much above his previous NHL output. Palffy was pathetic by comparison. He is a soft floater that does not have production worthy of a $4M-$5M salary.

Wow, I never said Palffy had better stats playing with Sid than anyone else.

In fact the only thing I said about Sid, was what Crosby himself said.

Wow, if you have a problem with that, take it up with Sid.