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"Brandon Wheat Kings Season Ticket Holder (7 yrs)"
Brandon, MB • Canada • 19 Years Old • Male

The Peca Factor?
Posted 7:25 PM ET | Comments 4
I don't really have a lot of time to write this blog, I just got back from my grandparents after a long weekend of putting a new roof on the barn here in beautiful Nova Scotia. It was miserable all weekend, it absolutely poored all weekend. I finally got a chance to go for a walk on the beach, although the water was pretty cold (Brrrr!). I only have another 5 days here in Nova Scotia and might as well make the best of it!

All the talk recently in regards to Michael Peca, I thought it would be only fair to give my personal, unbiased opinion on Peca. I never thought their would be as much 'hype' as too where Peca could end up. Many teams have expressed interest in Peca's services. The Rangers, Leafs, Sabres and Blue Jackets have all inquired to Peca's agents in regards to adding one of the leagues most respected defensive players. Peca, who only stands 5'11" and 190 pounds isn't much of an intimidating body when he is on the ice. He was one recognized as one of the leagues best open ice hitters. He has tremendous defensive instincts, great on the penalty kill and in face offs. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy on two occasions in 96/97 and 01/02. The question is, after last seasons devastating fractured tibia is it worth putting even a minor down-payment on such a fragile player?

Many teams have showed interest in adding Peca, the Rangers we're believed to be the front runner. The Rangers, who have already added big names in Chris Drury and Scott Gomez this off-season are looking at adding Peca to put onto the shut-down line and are still looking at Ed Jovanovski. Columbus, who are reported today to be interested in Peca could use the veteran forward. Columbus who already have a star player in Rick Nash could definitely use Peca in a shut-down role to eliminate as many goals are Columbus has given up in previous years.

His best season point production wise was in 2001/2002 season with the New York Islanders recorded 60 points (25G, 35A, +19) and winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy. With a dismal 06/07 season where he missed the remaining 49 games with a fractured tibia, would you be willing to spend around $1.2 million dollars per-season pending Peca passing a physical?
Filed Under:   Sabres   Blue Jackets   Rangers   Leafs   Peca   Michael  
August 19, 2007 8:11 PM ET | Delete
peca would be a grea addition to the lineup the only problem is the roster spot and the cap if he takes around 1.2-1.5 then trade kubina and kilger and then theres room and a spot for peca
August 19, 2007 9:35 PM ET | Delete
i think peca would be a good fit in toronto once again..Before the injury that held him out for months...Toronto;s PK was in the top...when he went down with the injury,the penalty killing went Bad..So if we are looking to be a Playoff Team this winter,,we need the services of Peca..
August 19, 2007 9:59 PM ET | Delete
I would spend up to 2 million on Peca simply because we need him for several reasons. The first reason is obvious. We need him to shut down the other team's best player, win face-offs and work the PK. Those are his main jobs this year on this team. On top of that, Peca is an experienced defensive forward who has a lot to share with the likes of Steen, Stajan and Wellwood. Steen has his own father to look up to, but I doubt his dad is in the room and on the ice so we need Peca there to make sure Steen finds his place on this team. With Sundin showing him how to score and Peca showing him how to keep the other team from scoring, we could create ourselves a very good player down the line. Wellwood is a very offensive player who has said himself he wants to improve his defensive game. With no Peca around how's that going to happen? And if it does happen, will it be as good? I don't think so. Making Wellwood a complete player is something Peca would be great at doing. And finally, Stajan. Stajan I can see being our Mike Peca of the future so that we don't have to get into this situation again. If Peca can make Stajan 3/4 of the player that Peca is, I would be very happy with that. Every winning team has a shut down man and since we're not going to win with Peca as our shutdown man, why not train one for when we're ready for it. Peca's value varies from team to team, just like every other player in the league, but I don't see him being as important to any other team than the Leafs. JFJ, get it done you dummy.
August 19, 2007 11:41 PM ET | Delete
If Peca was so valuable and looking for a contract of only 1 - 2 million, I'm pretty sure teams other than Toronto and Columbus (non-playoff teams) would be looking at him. The fact those are the main teams looking at him tells you his value. So go ahead, sign him Leafers, and be disappointed AGAIN.
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