Last week the Penguins strengthened their roster, resigning two veterans and drafting another young offensive phenom. Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi, the Penguins two oldest players at 41 and 39 respectively, both signed one-year deals with Penguins. Both players needed to be signed before July 1 or they would have become unrestricted free agents. Recchi played in every Penguin's game last year, racking up 68 points, including his 500th career goal and 800th career assist. Roberts was a newcomer, playing in only 19 games with Pittsburgh after being acquired at the trade deadline last year, but provided a much needed physical presence on the young Penguins team. There was talk after the season of one or both veterans being traded or retiring.
On Friday, the Penguins also selected center Angelo Esposito with the 20th pick in the NHL draft. Esposito, who played the last two years with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Quebec Remparts, was ranked No. 8 among centers and defensemen by NHL Central Scouting, but was at one point ranked No. 1 among North American skaters. Esposito had an amazing rookie season in 2006, scoring 98 points and was considered one of the top picks. His productivity fell back a bit this year, although he still had 79 points in 60 games, and even though his draft status fell, he's still a steal at #20. If he plays to his potential, the Penguins will be even more potent on offense next year.
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