Even better - he's only got a 1 year deal. Ship out. Let go. Same effect. I'd like to think Tocchet convinced the powers-that-be that he can keep the POS in line. Downie had a career year offensively under HC Rick Tocchet....but 208 PIM, too. I'm not buying into the move but it's only 1 year and only $1,000,000.
Bottom line??? BWAHAHAHAHA! (You walked into that one.) Notice the Pens fans never used that comeback (Yeah - but Crosby is still the best player - na na na na na). Sorry my friend but it's payback time.
Me thinks you want it to take away from G. Worst case scenario...Downie is awful, spends half the season as a healthy scratch and goes away after one year. Best case...he stays out of trouble, sparks the 3rd line, maybe scores a few goals and is a nice part of a team that makes a deep Cup run...and goes away after one year. Giroux will be an arse grabber - forever. It's not like this is some photobomb he got caught up in. He was arrested for it (not as in serious crime arrested but ROTFLMFAO arrested). Even spent the night in the slammer. For repeatedly grabbing a man's arse. I expect the Crosby/Bettman/Regis love fest to die down now if not go away altogether - because the Pens fans have ammo that kicks that nonsense in the butt (pun intended).
7 years. He'll "only" be 34 at the end of the deal but still. Sounds like he traded length for a lower annual salary. Doesn't make it a better deal though. Time will tell.
I'm guessing this is directed at all your naysayers on this topic? I can't remember that thread title for that one in the Flyers section but it was fun to follow.