Rob Scuderi rejoined Pittsburgh way back in July 2013 on a four year deal worth $13.5m. By the end of the first season it was quite apparent that he wasn't the same player he was when he left Pittsburgh to join the Los Angeles Kings in free agency in the summer of 2009. Scuderi was a huge liability on the back end and his play continued to deteriorate, so for a team like Chicago to trade for him was a huge surprise.
Chicago did have their reasons for making the trade, they needed more cap space and Daley didn't work in their system. With extra cap space they have more room to re-sign their better players and don't risk losing them to free agency. Chicago made a saving of $1.15m through the trade whilst Pittsburgh's cap went up by the same amount.
It is surprising to think that Daley struggling Chicago but they play a much more attacking style than Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh he has been used much more as a puck moving defenceman and he has done a good job so far. Daley stated that he felt he never got given a chance in Chicago and he has proven he can back up his words after seeing an increase in ice-time in Pittsburgh into a top four role.
As much as Pittsburgh fans were glad to see the back of Scuderi it isn't something to heavily celebrate that a players career is coming to the end, especially someone like Scuderi. Without him in 2009 it is highly unlikely the Penguins win the cup. It is a shame he couldn't return and help the team win the cup again but he just wasn't good enough. With one year remaining on his contract it is likely he only has a bit part for the remainder and then quietly retires. I don't think anything would say he doesn't deserve a good retirement.
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