Petr Sykora and Darryl Sydor

So I leave the hockey websites to blog about the Penguins still needing a goal scoring wing and a defenseman to play with Letang, and what do I find?

The Penguins have signed Darryl Sydor and Petr Sykora.

Initial Impressions:

1.) Sydor is not the shut-down defenseman that would put the Pens' over-the-top in terms of being a Cup contender. As a 3rd pairing guy, however, he can be a veteran to play with Letang. He fills a need.

2.) Sykora isn't as consistent as I would like, and he's not what I'd call a "bull." But he has played with Malkin before, and hopefully playing with skilled players his skating and shooting will be used for good. If nothing else, he can take the spot vacated by Michel Ouellet, and in my estimation, that's a good thing.

Initial Conclusions:

Cup winning experience, baby! Get players who have won the Cup in with kids who want to win the Cup. Beautiful. The more Cup winners you can get who fill a need, will help the kids progress rather than retard their growth, and who want to come and play with the kids, the better. I'm just glad the team's getting an infusion of more Cup-winning experience.

Neither of these players catapult the Pens from a "good, young promising" team to a "legitimate contender." Basically, these signings fill obvious holes for Pittsburgh. How well these signings fill those roles, and cost/effectiveness efficiency rating, have yet to be determined.

In summary: I'm glad those obvious holes were filled by veteran players who have won, and I'm glad the contracts (haven't yet read details) appear to be short-term.