Penguins Re-Sign Jordan Staal: 4 years -- 16 million

The Penguins have signed Jordan Staal to a new 4-year, 16-million dollar deal.

The contract kicks in next season and runs through the 2012-13 season, after which (if Staal hasn't been re-signed by then) he will be the youngest unrestricted free agent in the history of th National Hockey League at 24.

There surely will be a lot of debate about the merits and value of this deal. Staal has the potential to be a good player in this league. There's no question about that. But what there still ARE questions about is how much of that potential will Staal realize in Pittsburgh playing behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin?

Let's face it --- that's a fair inquiry. At this point in his career, and admittedly, he's only 20, Staal has shown he should be counted on for 20 goals and 40 points per season. I understand you pay for potential somewhat, but 40 points a season just isn't worth 4 million. Staal will have to produce more to justify the contract, in my opinion. Only time will tell if he can do that.

I think a more reasonable deal for Staal would have been a 3-year, 10-million dollar pact. I don't think the Penguins were against that type of offer, but Staal's agent apparently kept using the prospect of Staal getting an offer sheet this summer as a restricted free agent against the Penguins, forcing them to stick with 4 years and up the money somewhat.

Beginning next year, the Penguins have about 60% of the salary cap tied up in 6 players (Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Whitney, Orpik and Fleury). None of them play wing.

I think this contract will put at least a temporary end to a lot of the trade rumors surrounding Staal. I don't think it necessarily means he'll be a Penguin for the life of the deal, but it's hard for me to imagine Penguins GM Ray Shero trading Staal so quickly after sending a signal that you want him to be a part of the team for the next 4-years.

It's hard to say Staal's signing is a bad move. With his potential, it could end up being a good deal. And it will give the Penguins cost certainty to some extent, as the deals with the other players mentioned above have. But for now at least, it's hard not to think that the contract is a little high.

Here's hoping #11 gives the Penguins great value the next 4 years.