Online Extra: Powerplay with Nick and Jay

July 1 marked the opening of free agency in the NHL, and the Pittsburgh Penguins might be the… July 1 marked the opening of free agency in the NHL, and the Pittsburgh Penguins might be the franchise hit hardest in the first week.

Star winger Marian Hossa turned down lucrative contract offers from both the Penguins and the Edmonton Oilers to sign a one-year deal with the defending champion Detroit Red Wings.

Even before Hossa’s departure, general manager Ray Shero traded the contract rights of Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and both signed. Adam Hall joined his former teammates in Tampa.

The exodus continued when backup goalie Ty Conklin signed with Detroit, while bruising winger Jarkko Ruutu latched on with the Ottawa Senators.

The Penguins bounced back with acquisitions of their own, signing former New York Islanders Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko, Finnish forward Janne Pesonen and tough wingers Matt Cooke and Eric Godard.

Amid the flurry of moves, our Penguins experts weigh in on the key questions.

– How does the loss of Hossa hurt the Penguins? And what was he thinking?

Jay Huerbin: A loss of any player of his caliber is sure to hurt a team, but you have to keep in mind that he truly was nothing more than a rental player. Shero knew this. Sure, it would have been nice to have locked up a scoring winger like him long-term, but that’s the business of hockey.

Speaking of business, that’s what Hossa was thinking. While many of my fellow Penguins fans might have found a new hatred for the guy, he just felt that winning the Cup next year was in the Red Wings’ favor. And that is what he wants.

Nick LaMantia: The loss of Hossa isn’t as devastating as most think. He played only a handful of regular season games for the Penguins last year, and the only scoring void is caused by Malone’s departure, which Satan and Pesonen should help fill.

As for Hossa, he did what he felt was best for him. It obviously wasn’t about the money, but he wanted to win a championship, and with Detroit keeping its roster nearly intact, it was the most logical destination for him. Granted, his comments about the Penguins were unnecessary, but that’s the nature of the business.

– Are Shero’s new acquisitions sufficient replacements for those who left?

JH: Easily. Shero signed the perfect replacements at a great price. Fedotenko is a 20-goal scorer who can take the spot of Malone. The loss of a fan favorite hurts, but things happen and time moves on – people weren’t calling for Colby Armstrong in the Stanley Cup finals. Ruutu can be replaced by Cooke. Georges Laraque was brought in to fight, something he rarely did in a Penguins uniform. Godard can take his roster position. No worries.

NL: You can’t really say they are replacements, because different players fill different needs. Will the team be as good next year? Yes, because of the development of its young players and the supporting cast Shero has given them to work with.

– Who else should the Penguins target in free agency?

JH: For the most part, free agency is over. Right now, the Penguins should work on locking up yet another one of their stars, Jordan Staal, to a long-term, team-discount price. Should a steal come around, though, there is no reason why Shero wouldn’t make an offer. But looking at the team, the Pens have minor league affiliates, and players are available from within. Homegrown talent is something that every good team needs.

NL: As of right now, I see the Pens going after a few third- and fourth-line wingers and possibly a swingman center-winger, much like Hall last season. Also, the team should look to add a veteran goaltender to spell Marc-Andre Fleury, because Dany Sabourin isn’t a NHL goalie. He is a superb AHL goalie and nothing more.

– Should the team have made a harder push for Jaromir Jagr?

JH: I feel like I’m one of the only people in Pittsburgh who wanted No. 68 back in the black and [Vegas] gold. I would almost guarantee that if Jagr had made a return back to Pittsburgh, his number would have been raised to the rafters when he retired. But like all of free agency, sometimes the players just don’t want to go somewhere. Jagr is at the tail-end of his career and playing in Russia will allow him to be closer to his family. And isn’t family what it’s all about? So, Mr. Jagr, here is that special hand-kissing, two-finger salute for what you did for the Penguins. Take care.

NL: No. Jagr wanted a three-year deal to remain in the NHL at a premium salary. Frankly, at his age, he doesn’t deserve it. The Penguins have more pressing needs than to pay for an overpriced prima donna. The money that they saved by not signing him will go a long way in keeping this team competitive for years to come.