Greatest Games Interrupted: Penguins Sign Thomas, Beech and Stone

Stepping back from the continued discussion of the Penguins greatest games, the Boys of Winter announced yesterday that they signed former Phoenix Coyote and Pittsburgh native RW Bill Thomas, and re-signed forwards Kris Beech and Ryan Stone. All received one-year, two-way contracts.

The Thomas signing is the most interesting, not just because he's from the area, but because he is a player with some potential. He mostly played in the AHL last season, but has put up nearly a half a point per game in 40 career NHL games over the last few years (17 total points, including 9 goals, with 14 of those points in 26 games in 2006/2007.

Thomas, 25, has been a bit of a late bloomer. He averaged over a point per game during his two years at the University of Nebraska, Omaha in the 2004 and 2005 seasons before getting his first crack at NHL action. He's got size and some skill and it will be interesting to see what he can do in Pittsburgh. I'm still not sure why Phoenix did not re-sign him. By most reports, they viewed him as a decent prospect.

In Re-signing Beech and Stone, the Penguins added to their depth up-front -- something they needed to maintain -- following the losses of half of their forwards this offseason. Although the Penguins aren't ready to write Stone off, I'm beginning to wonder if he's ever going to be a meaningful contributor at the NHL level. Stone was a 2nd round draft pick and, although I don't think anyone expected him to be able to play on the top 2 lines, I haven't seen enough from him so far to suggest he's ready for regular 4th line duty either. This is his 4th year with the organization. If he's going to stick, he has to do it now.

Beech is the better depth player of the two, and still flashes the ability to contribute from time to time. He popped 6 goals in 25 games last year in stints with Columbus and Washington, and that actually averages out to just under 20 a season. I'm not sure he'll make the club in camp but, if not, will probably be one of the most useful guys the Penguins have in the organization to step in if someone is injured. He could be this year's Jeff Taffe -- a guy who stepped into various forward positions when needed and even exceeded expectations a little.

Taffe, by the way, has an outstanding one-year, two-way offer from the Penguins to return, but hasn't signed it yet. He's reportedly talking with some other teams as well.

I'll continue the Penguins greatest games installment with my next post, barring any other news.