A discussion about the Pens top six depth started in the Shanahan thread and Henry Hank pointed out one can't really expect four talented scorers for Sid and Malkin, and come to think about it Satan, Sykora, Staal (I see him getting a shot at wing) and perhaps Fedetenko is not too shabby as compliment four the two big guys.
It got me thinking though about some of the UFA signings this summer.
Solid UFA signings:
Bertuzzi at 1.95
Williams at 2.2
Vrbata at 3
Näslund at 4
Tucker at 2.25
Stillman at 3.5
Demitra at 4
Bertuzzi, Williams and Näslund would've cost 8.15 mil. Satan, Fedetenko and Cooke cost 6.95 mil.
Instead of say:
Staal - Crosby - Satan
Fedetenko - Malkin - Sykora
Pesonen - Talbot - Dupuis
Cooke - Beech/Kennedy - Godard/Kennedy
Pens could for 1.2 mil more have had:
Bertuzzi - Crosby - Näslund
Williams - Malkin - Sykora
Talbot - Staal - Dupuis
Pesonen - Beech - Kennedy
Godard
(Not all players in the right position but you get the picture)
Sillly speculation, yes, as we don't know what made different guys sign where. But still, I wouldn't have mind that second lineup.
And before I hear Bertuzzi and Näslund are washed up let me remind me Bertuzzi's production last season was more impressive than Satan's, and that at almost half the price. And Näslund still got wheels and scored 25 without a real center.
Williams was a steal imo. 2.2 for a 27 year old last year scoring 30 points in 37 games. Why the hell did he sign with Atlanta?
EDIT: I got the Williams all mixed up. Ignore the part about him

This thread is both useless and frustrating. But what they hey, again, it's late August. That said I don't mind Satan and Fedetenko. Things could've looked better though.