By Brian Metzer
Over the past few weeks Ray Shero has found a way to keep Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang and even managed to undo a mistake that – by his own admission — he made back in 2009, by re-signing Rob Scuderi.
So it wasn’t a big surprise to see him ink one of his final unrestricted free agents, Craig Adams, to a deal as the opening day of free agency moved towards its close.
Adams inked a two-year – $1.4 million deal that will pay him $700,000 in each season. The deal gives Adams a modest raise over the $1.375 million dollar deal that just expired.
Adams, who is a “little general” of sorts for the team, kills penalties, is a staple on the team’s fourth line and is a leader in the room. He isn’t afraid to say what is on his mind, sometimes to a fault, and is definitely a big part of the veteran leadership of this team.
The deal leaves Matt Cooke as the only unrestricted free agent left unsigned in the group that might have been expected back in the fold.
Of course, Mark Eaton, Douglas Murray, Brenden Morrow and Jarome Iginla are still floating out there as well, but there was never really huge consideration given to keeping them on board.
