Overall

Well, we lost Hossa (sorta), Malone, Roberts, Hall, Laraque, Ruutu, and Conklin. We gained Satan, Fedotenko, Cooke, Pesonen, and Godard. Overall, we have improved from last regular season, potentially the playoff picture could be better as well. Lets look at recent statistics:

Lost:

Name H W Age GA G A Pts +/- PIM
Hossa: 73" 210 29 72 29 37 66 -14 36
Malone: 76" 224 28 77 27 24 51 +14 103
Roberts: 74" 215 43 38 3 12 15 -3 40
Hall: 75" 206 27 46 2 4 6 -2 24
Laraque: 75" 243 31 71 4 9 13 0 141
Ruutu: 73" 200 31 71 6 10 16 +3 138
Name H W Age GA GAA SA% W L OTL
Conklin: 72" 184 32 33 2.51 .923 18 8 5

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Gained:

Name H W Age GA G A Pts +/- PIM
Satan: 75" 192 34 80 16 25 41 -11 39
Fedotenko: 74" 195 29 16 17 33 33 -9 40
Cooke: 71" 205 29 78 10 13 23 +1 91
Pesonen: 71" 180 26 NA NA NA NA NA NA
Godard: 76" 218 28 74 1 1 2 -8 171

There are upsides and downsides to everything. I think money was a great upside this year. We saved 7 when Hossa signed with Detroit. We also received two bargains in Satan and Fedotenko. I will take Cooke over Ruutu anyday. I like Godard more than Laraque because he doesn't ask to fight, he just does it, same with Cooke. Satan is a great finisher for Sid and Fedotenko is sorta like a Malone for Geno, so that works out. This also provides room for some of our great WBS Penguins to come up and earn a roster spot. I like the potential in Pesonen. He looked pretty good in Sweden. We will see. He could be another bargain. Also, another point to take into consideration is that Hossa was only here at the end of the season. We were also able to resign Orpik, Malkin, and Fleury, this gives us a nucleus for the next few years. I like the fact that we have a Crosby and Malkin at the same level finally. Hopefully they keep healthy. I also hope that Fleury can keep at the same level he returned to when he came back after his injury. I can easily see us atop the East this season if we stay healthy. I can't think we wouldn't be cup contenders as well.