What Next? Pens Waive Thibault?

Now that Marc Andre Fleury has been recalled, what is next? In all likelihood the team is planning to do something with one of it's other goaltenders. ESPN radio in Pittsburgh is reporting that Jocelyn Thibault has been officially placed on waivers. The move could save the team $1.5 million. Is another team willing to pick up that much salary? I don't think so. A more likely scenario is probably passing him through waivers twice and having some team claim him with the Pens picking up half the tab. Thibault has shown some glimmers in the last 5 or 6 games that could cause a team to take a chance on him. I could actually see him dealt for another underachieving player who makes slightly less money.

Some whispers had the team shopping Ziggy Palffy or Sergei Gonchar. I can't see them moving Palffy at this point. He has begun to produce on a line with youngsters Sidney Crosby and Eric Christensen. Gonchar on the other hand is valuable, not for defense so much as his break out passes. If someone could afford his $5 million price tag he would be a nice addition to a team with young quick forwards. The more likely commodity to move is probably Dick Tarnstrom. He has good offensive ability and is much cheaper. He has recently returned from a knee injury and depending on his play, could be auditioning for a new team.

Unfortunately, the team has hampered itself with some players that are going to be very hard to move. The Poapsts, Odeleins and LeClairs of the world really do not have much value right now. The Penguins may have to admit their mistakes and sleep in the bed that they have made for themselves.