Free agency can be wicked in professional sports.
Ties are made with teams.
Bonds are made with fans.
Championships bring everyone together.
Then, money enters the picture.
Players change teams.
Sometimes they want to.
And sometimes they don't want to, but have no choice but to get their first (and/or maybe last) big contract.
When Defenseman Rob Scuderi left the Penguins this summer to sign a 5-year, 15+ million dollar free agent contract with the Los Angeles Kings -- who the Penguins continue their road trip against tonight in L.A. at the Staples Center (10:30 PM EST) -- it was one of the more unique situations I've seen in NHL free agency.
Scuderi wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. The fans wanted him to stay. Pens' GM Ray Shero wanted him to stay.
But all three knew that there just wasn't going to be enough money to do that in the salary cap era. They knew that Scuderi's play had hit a peak level in his career, and that he would be in great demand throughout the league after the spotlight shone so brightly on his stellar defensive work during Pittsburgh's run to the Stanley Cup.
Basically, everyone was resigned to the fact that Scuderi was likely to leave.
And when he got the big payday, there were almost tears about it.
Not just tears of sadness.
Sure, it was tough to lose a player of Scuds' caliber.
But also tears of happiness.
Scuderi's teammates were happy to see him get what he deserved.
Even Pens' GM Ray Shero was genuinely excited to see #4 get a big payday, even if it regretfully could not have been in Pittsburgh.
And so, Scuderi and the Kings will bring a strong 9-4-2 record into their game against the Pens' tonight, in what surely will be a tough contest for Pittsburgh.
Their general lack of success on the west coast notwithstanding, the Penguins can actually look back to their last win in LA without having to walk into the last century.
After a near decade of ineptitude there, Pittsburgh beat the Kings on the road a few years ago early in the season on an OT goal by Evegni Malkin.
The Kings have gone through growing pains the last several years under coach Terry Murray, but they are developing into a formidable young group -- a lot like the Pens' were 3 years ago when they broke through with a strong regular season and playoff appearance, even if they bowed out early in round 1 to the Ottawa Senators.
Los Angeles is led by the NHL's leading scorer. That's right. It's not Alexander Ovechkin who leads the league. It's 24-year old slovakian Anze Kopitar, a big skilled centerman who has 11 goals and 13 assists so far this season. Kopitar brings everything to the ice and the Penguins will have their hands full with him tonight.
But he's not the only one they have to be concerned with.
Veteran Ryan Smyth is having a great year thusfar, as well. He has 19 points in 15 games and sure doesn't look his age.
Add in Kings' Captain Dustin Brown, skilled but inconsistent LW Alexander Frolov, and young blueline star Drew Doughty, and Los Angeles again has people to watch on the ice.
Jonathan Quick, 9-3 this year, is likely to get the nod in goal for the Kings.
Watch out for the rough stuff tonight, too. The Kings have some guys that aren't afraid to mix it up, including Raitis Ivanans and Wayne Simmons. Eric Goddard and secret weapon Mike Rupp may have to answer the bell.
Either way, it will be important for Pittsburgh to get to their game tonight, and do so quickly. They have a good habit of doing that, and of course, are poised to set an NHL record for most consecutive road victories to start a season (8) if they are victorious tonight.
The odds are good, I would say. Head Coach Dan Bylsma has only lost 6 -- that's right, SIX -- games out of 40 regulation contests since he stepped behind the bench to lead the Boys of Winter.
I'll see if I can get a recap up tomorrow and keep in tune to the big Pens'/Sharks matchup Saturday night, but I'll be traveling for the next 3 days beginning tomorrow with sketchy availability. I'll do my best.
Regardless, you know the word.
Let's Go Pens!
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