Things you forgot: The Michalek salary dump

Let's just say it: Ray Shero's tenure in Pittsburgh has been as close to flawless as we've seen. He hasn't made a ton of big moves, but when he does, they usually pay off.

But his biggest failures to date were the Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek signings in the summer of 2010. He signed them for contracts worth a grand total of $45 million.

And then, at the Draft, he gave Michalek away for literally nothing. A five-million-dollar defenseman, gone. That isn't something that happens in the NHL a ton, especially given Michalek's talent. It's not like he is Wade Redden.

BUTTT...it's not like Michalek was the Pens' best d-man last year, and in fact it seemed he struggled with the overall system. 

The move has left the Pens with more than a few questions on defense going into the shortened season.