Penguins Sign Tanev to a Six-Year Deal
Say this for Penguins GM Jim Rutherford. He didn’t take long to make a splash in free agency.
Two days after dealing Phil Kessel to Arizona, the plucky exec inked former Winnipeg left wing Brandon Tanev to an astonishing six-year deal at an average annual value of $3.5 million.
I say astonishing for a couple of different reasons…primarily the length of the contract but also the fact that Tanev really didn’t establish himself as a bona fide bottom-six NHL forward till this past season when he tallied a solid 14 goals and 29 points for a very good Winnipeg team.
Having expressed that, some of the Toronto native’s numbers were eye-popping to say the least. Namely, his 278 hits (third in the league) and 81 blocked shots (third among forwards). So, too, are his five shorthanded goals over the past two seasons.
Plus, he’s regarded as an excellent defensive forward and penalty killer. Perhaps a buzz-saw version of Carl Hagelin.
Which brings me to his core attributes. From what I’ve read, shy and retiring this kid ain’t. To the contrary, he’s a bundle of energy…fast, aggressive, ultra-feisty.
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