It's official: Sidney signs on the dotted line
Penguins team president Ken Sawyer walked to the podium at Mellon Arena's Igloo Club on Friday afternoon carrying a critical part of the team's future in his hands.
"We have a piece of paper here that I need Sidney to sign for us," he said with a smile, handing over the document that officially would make Sidney Crosby a member of the Penguins.
And as cameras clicked and video rolled, 18-year-old Sidney Crosby signed his first NHL contract flanked by general manager Craig Patrick and Mario Lemieux in front of an assembly of reporters.
The same fanfare wasn't even afforded Lemieux, who, although it was a technicality, signed his own contract later in the afternoon. Patrick would say only that it was a one-year deal.
"I'm very excited," Crosby said. "It's been a long month and a lot of anticipation, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting on the ice every day."
Although Crosby could still potentially earn up to $4 million if he hits all his bonuses this year, his salary is capped at $850,000 and his "Schedule A" individual bonuses, for benchmarks such as goals and assists, also are capped at $850,000 by the league's new collective bargaining agreement.
There are also "Schedule B" bonuses for league excellence, including ranking in the top 10 in scoring, goals or assists, or finishing in the top five in voting for any of the major league awards.
Agent Pat Brisson said the maximum amount the Penguins would be responsible for is $3.7 million. Bonus money does count toward a team's salary cap figure.
"It was real simple," said Patrick, clutching the signed contract in his hand. "I surrendered right away. It's great to have his name on a contract, and now, we can move forward."
Besides Lemieux's contract or possible bonus money, the Penguins have spent roughly $25 million toward the cap of $39 million (less in actual payout based on how some multi-year contracts are set up) on 18 players likely to make the team.
Earlier in the day, Crosby took the ice with Lemieux and several other of his new teammates, including defensemen Ric Jackman and Brooks Orpik and goaltender Andy Chiodo.
"It was fun," Crosby said. "I just got back from junior camp, so to go from there to skating today was a big jump. But I found myself getting better after just an hour and a half."
Crosby, Lemieux and the others practiced for about 45 minutes and then played 4-on-4 using the full sheet of ice. Crosby said he noticed the difference in size and speed in that short time.
"But I felt pretty good," he said. "It was definitely a jump, but it's nothing where I think I can't play with these guys. I'm going to push myself to get better through camp and just adapt as soon as I can. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. But at the same time, I have to compete to play at that level. I have to be confident, too, in what I can do. I can't be out there watching. I have to go out there and play the way I know how."
Training camp opens Tuesday with medical exams, and the first official practice is Wednesday morning. Crosby said he was looking forward to being surrounded by talented veterans such as Mark Recchi, John LeClair, Ziggy Palffy, and, of course, Lemieux, about whom he said there's no better person to learn from.
A little later, Lemieux returned the compliment.
"I'm very excited for him for what he's going to be facing the next few years of his career and have a chance to be there and witness that," Lemieux said. "That's exciting for me as well. He's got a lot of talent, and his mind is pretty strong. He's got all the tools to be one of the greatest to play the game."
Additional Information:
The Crosby Contract
Salary: $850,000
Signing bonus: $85,000
'Schedule A' individual bonus categories: goals, assists, points, points per game, ice time, plus/minus rating, NHL All-Rookie Team appointment, NHL All-Star game appointment, NHL All-Star game MVP Award. Each is worth $212,500, but the maximum he can earn is capped at $850,000.
'Schedule B' league excellence bonus categories: Top 10 in points, top 10 in assists, top 10 in goals, top 10 in points per game, Conn Smythe Award for playoff MVP or top five in voting for any of the major league trophies. Aggregate capped at $2 million.
According to agent Pat Brisson, the maximum amount that the Penguins will be responsible for is $3.7 million, but Crosby could earn up to $4 million including bonus money paid by the league for trophies.
