Case studies are particularly useful in depicting a holistic portrayal of a experiences and results regarding a program.

For example, to evaluate the effectiveness of a program's processes, including its strengths and weaknesses, evaluators might develop cases studies on the program's successes and failures.

Case studies are used to organize a wide range of information about a case and then analyze the contents by seeking patterns and themes in the data, and by further analysis through cross comparison with other cases. A case can be individuals, programs, or any unit, depending on what the program evaluators want to examine through in-depth analysis and comparison.

In a season of scapegoats, one name has prevailed above all others.

His perceived lack of anything but watching his money transfer into his National City bank account every two weeks probably eats away at a lot of people.

After it is all said and done, Satan might go down as having one of the more disappointing seasons in Pens history.

Is that fair?

Before this post, we would have said yeah.

But after some quick research, we realized Satan was probably the best Shero could have done after a bunch of Pens jumped ship after the run to the Finals.

And numbers never lie, unless you count the times your girlfriend has cheated on you...

at least the times you know about.

We gathered free agents that were available from July 1, 2008, and onward.

The list is made up of 16 players that signed at or around the same money that Satan received.

The better bargains are red.

The stats are current as of last Wednesday, so if we are a little off, blow us.

RADIM VRBATA

$3 MILLION

3 goals, 3 assists

CORY STILLMAN

$3.53 MILLION

10 goals, 12 assists

DARCY TUCKER

$2.25 MILLION

5 goals, 6 assists

BRIAN ROLSTON

$5.062 MILLION

8 goals, 6 assists

*He was hurt a good part of the season.

KRISTIAN HUSELIUS

$4.75 MILLION

13 goals, 19 assists

MARKUS NASLUND

$4 MILLION

15 goals, 15 assists

OWEN NOLAN

$2.75 MILLION

11 goals, 8 assists

BRENDAN MORRISON

$2.75 MILLION

8 goals, 10 assists

SERGEI FEDOROV

$4 MILLION

5 goals, 10 assists

PAVOL DEMITRA

$4 MILLION

13 goals, 12 assists

MIROSLAV SATAN

$3.5 MILLION

13 goals, 17 assists

[Pens 7-3-1 in games Satan scores]

We'd take Michael Ryder any day of the week.

We wouldn't touch Todd Bertuzzi with Howard Baldwin's balls.

Mark Recchi is ageless.

We were told the Pens were really interested in Jason Williams.

The fact they couldn't sign him for under $2.5 million means they weren't interested.

And Teemu Selanne is whatev.

Try prying him from California in the twilight of his career.

Hell, we even forgot Fedotenko.

But this list shows you that the Penguins did the most with what was available.

Only three free agents have scored more than Satan.

This isn't a post sticking up for Satan, but merely point out that there is a lack of production in all 08' free agent signees.

We firmly believe the Penguins had interest in Hossa, and Jagr.

Once Hossa was lost, Jagr was on the radar.

After Jagr most likely turned the Pens down, Shero had to act.

As every Pens fan has experienced this season, once the team starts struggling, the finger-pointing and in-fighting commence.  Miro Satan has been the casualty: a first-year guy who no one has any affection to.

Shero stuck gold with Sykora last year.

And honestly, replace Satan with Sykora and you could deal with it.

But the Pens don't need another Sykora.

They need a big time winger.

Satan isn't that winger, but the 30 points have to be respected.

This is a post we will be making a lot in years to come.

The search of the winger will be one that Shero embarks on each off season.

It did not pan this this time. But for one year, 3.5 million we can live with the mistake.

Lets just hope we don't see too many more mistakes.

Go Pens.