The Penguins may have improved even more this off-season, making a big splash in the free-agent market. Zbynek Michalek was a very steady-defenseman for the Phoenix Coyotes last season, while Paul Martin was skating the puck down his opponents' throats in New Jersey all season.
Michalek, 27, had just 17 points for the Coyotes last season, but really knows how to play in his end of the rink. His big 6'2” frame saw opposing top-line forwards all season, and his plus/minus rating of five shows how good he was, when factoring in that he was on a low-scoring Phoenix squad.
Paul Martin was one of the most-sought after free-agents that no one knew about... if that makes sense. He had an injury-riddled season in 2009-10, but the season prior he amassed 33 points on a very defensive New Jersey roster. His plus-55 career-rating is something to marvel in the 29-year old defenseman.
Losing Gonchar meant that the Penguins had to step up and get somebody on the open market. Not only did they find a steady defenseman in Michalek, they got someone who can move the puck almost as well as Gonchar. If these two are paired together in Pittsburgh, it could spell an end to other teams thinking that all they have to do is outscore the Penguins.
Keywords: nhl, paul martin, pittsburgh penguins, sergei gonchar, zbynek michalek
