Salary Cap: Salary Cap & Roster Building | Tell me where it hurts you and I'll tell you who to call

[DegenX]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

2017-18 salary ceiling	$75,000,000
Projected dollars committed	74,298,633​
2016-17 bonus overage	50,000​
Approximate cap space	668,239​

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PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward..................................	Pos.​	Age​	..........2017-18​	..........2018-19​	..........2019-20​
Evgeni Malkin	C​	31​	9,500,000​	9,500,000​	9,500,000​
Sidney Crosby	C​	30​	8,700,000​	8,700,000​	8,700,000​
Phil Kessel	RW​	29​	6,800,000​	6,800,000​	6,800,000​
Patric Hornqvist	RW​	30​	4,250,000​	UFA​
Carl Hagelin	LW​	29​	4,000,000​	4,000,000​	UFA​
Conor Sheary	LW​	25​	3,000,000​	3,000,000​	3,000,000​
Riley Sheahan	C​	25​	2,075,000​	RFA​
Ryan Reaves	RW​	30​	1,125,000​	UFA​
Jake Guentzel	LW​	22​	734,167​	734,167​	RFA​
Josh Archibald	RW​	24​	675,000​	675,000​	RFA​
Greg McKegg	C​	25​	650,000​	RFA​
Bryan Rust	RW​	25​	640,000​	RFA​
Scott Wilson	LW​	25​	635,000​	RFA​
Tom Kuhnhackl	LW​	25​	625,000​	RFA​
Carter Rowney	C​	28​	612,500​	UFA​
Defense	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Kris Letang	D​	30​	7,250,000​	7,250,000​	7,250,000​
Justin Schultz	D​	27​	5,500,000​	5,500,000​	5,500,000​
Brian Dumoulin	D​	26​	4,100,000​	4,100,000​	4,100,000​
Olli Maatta	D​	23​	4,083,333​	4,083,333​	4,083,333​
Matt Hunwick	D​	32​	2,250,000​	2,250,000​	2,250,000​
Ian Cole	D​	28​	2,100,000​	UFA​
Chad Ruhwedel	D​	27​	650,000​	650,000​	UFA​
Goalie	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Matt Murray	G​	23​	3,750,000​	3,750,000​	3,750,000​
Tristan Jarry	G​	22​	630,833​	RFA​

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WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward..................................	Pos.​	Age​	..........2017-18​	..........2018-19​	..........2019-20​
Zach Aston-Reese	LW​	23​	925,000​	925,000​	RFA​
Adam Johnson	C​	23​	925,000​	925,000​	RFA​
Thomas Di Pauli	C​	23​	742,500​	RFA​
Freddie Tiffels	LW​	22​	742,500​	742,500​	RFA​
Sam Miletic	LW​	20​	710,000​	710,000​	710,000​
Teddy Blueger	C​	23​	705,000​	RFA​
Daniel Sprong	RW​	20​	692,500​	RFA​
Dominik Simon	C​	23​	692,500​	RFA​
Jean-Sebastien Dea	C​	23​	650,000​	RFA​
Garrett Wilson	LW​	24​	650,000​	650,000​	UFA​
Greg McKegg	C​	25​	650,000​	RFA​
Tom Sestito	LW​	29​	650,000​	UFA​
Defense	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Andrey Pedan	D​	24​	750,000​	RFA​
Jeff Taylor	D​	23​	742,500​	742,500​	RFA​
Ethan Prow	D​	24​	730,000​	RFA​
Lukas Bengtsson	D​	24​	705,000​	RFA​
Frank Corrado	D​	24​	650,000​	RFA​
Jarred Tinordi	D​	25​	650,000​	RFA​
Zach Trotman	D​	27​	650,000​	UFA​
Kevin Czuczman	D​	26​	650,000​	UFA​
Chris Summers	D​	29​	650,000​	650,000​	UFA​
Goalie	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Sean Maguire	G​	25​	705,000​	RFA​
Casey DeSmith	G​	25​	675,000​	675,000​	UFA​

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SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player	Pos.​	Age​	Current team​	Contract​
Filip Gustavsson	G​	19​	Lulea HF (SHL)​	3 years/775,833 per​
Alex D'Orio	G​	18​	Saint John (QMJHL)​	3 years/716,667 per​
Jordy Bellerive	C​	18​	Lethbridge (WHL)​	3 years/716,667 per​

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UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player	Pos.​	Age​	Current team​
Niclas Almari	D​	19​	HPK (Liiga)
Anthony Angello	F​	21​	Cornell (ECAC)
Dane Birks	D​	21​	Michigan Tech (WCHA)
Kasper Bjorkqvist	F​	19​	Providence (HEA)
Jan Drozg	F​	18​	Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Connor Hall	D​	19​	Kitchener (OHL)
Ryan Jones	D​	21​	Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)
Sam Lafferty	F​	22​	Brown (ECAC)
Zachary Lauzon	D​	18​	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Joe Masonius	D​	20​	Connecticut (HEA)
Linus Olund	F​	20​	Brynas IF (SHL)
Antti Palojarvi	D​	18​	Lukko U20 (SML Jr.A)
Nikita Pavlychev	F​	20​	Penn State (Big Ten)
Clayton Phillips	D​	17​	Fargo (USHL)
Will Reilly	D​	19​	RPI (ECAC)
Dominik Uher	C​	24​	HC Sparta Praha (ELH)

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Click to read more...

 

[Ryder71]

And if we can't do better than Cullen at this point (or before the deadline) we're not winning anyhow. There are plenty of other more viable options and even more in coming weeks.

 

[Gurglesons]

I feel like if you can get Cullen for cheap, you do it. But, at the same time we should be getting players like Sheahan who can be here for a couple years versus one year solutions that put us in the same situation.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Eventually? He has 2g/7pts in his last 11 games - and none of them are him "leeching" off his wingers. He's doing "okay" here right now. I'm still not sold on him as a 3C, due to him needing to shoot/score more, but his overall game has been a lot better than "okay" - especially if we're talking about a 4C role.

When I say OK eventually I mean confident in him long term as a 3C. He’s playing well now but it’s a short sample size and given his history mainly with scoring I don’t have that confidence yet. I doubt JR does either. If we weren’t cup contenders it’s not a big deal.

Someone’s posted a team that if we still had Sheahan at 3C but got a LW like Kane that could still work because we can put a lot of offense on his wings (we’d want to fix the 4th line too).

He’d be a great 4C anytime.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

So Pittsburgh should give up an asset for a guy who willingly chose a different team after winning two consecutive cups because he now has buyers remorse? Honestly I don't want him back. I thought his reasoning was faulty from the get go and now that things aren't working out as planned he might want to come back here?

If you looked at the MIN roster going into the season compared to ours there was no comparison. He had to know that before he chose them. Again, I'm not buying this whole charade. It's BS.

There are consequences in life when you make decisions. Sometimes you don't get a do over. I sincerely hope he doesn't come back here.

Yes, if he can still be a strong contributor you do it. Or JR can be melodramatic and tell Cullen he missed his chance before slamming his phone down.

 

[Tom Hanks]

So Pittsburgh should give up an asset for a guy who willingly chose a different team after winning two consecutive cups because he now has buyers remorse? Honestly I don't want him back. I thought his reasoning was faulty from the get go and now that things aren't working out as planned he might want to come back here?

If you looked at the MIN roster going into the season compared to ours there was no comparison. He had to know that before he chose them. Again, I'm not buying this whole charade. It's BS.

There are consequences in life when you make decisions. Sometimes you don't get a do over. I sincerely hope he doesn't come back here.

Bit of a dramatic post. If Cullen was single he’d still be here I’m sure. If he wants to spend the last few months of his career here great. I’m sure our players and coaching staff would love it

To answer the question about giving up assets: if it makes us a better team to try and get a third cup in a row......**** yeah. Is he really going to cost a lot? Probably a 4th rounder.

 

[Ryder71]

Yes, if he can still be a strong contributor you do it. Or JR can be melodramatic and tell Cullen he missed his chance before slamming his phone down.

Or, JR can find a long term solution for our 3c needs. Which I believe he's trying to do. If Sheahan is pushed to the 4th line we're back in business.

 

[Ryder71]

Bit of a dramatic post. If Cullen was single he’d still be here I’m sure. If he wants to spend the last few months of his career here great. I’m sure our players and coaching staff would love it

To answer the question about giving up assets: if it makes us a better team to try and get a third cup in a row......**** yeah. Is he really going to cost a lot? Probably a 4th rounder.

Don't you think we should aim higher and for a long term solution at 3c? If we go that route then we wouldn't need to entertain the notion of bringing Cullen back.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Yes, if he can still be a strong contributor you do it. Or JR can be melodramatic and tell Cullen he missed his chance before slamming his phone down.

Who slams cell phones? They are expensive.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Or, JR can find a long term solution for our 3c needs. Which I believe he's trying to do. If Sheahan is pushed to the 4th line we're back in business.

Yeah.... finding a better 3C than Sheahan hasn’t been going so well and, as was briefly discussed, Cullen would still be a boost to the 4th even with a better 3C added.

Who slams cell phones? They are expensive.

Now, now, we all know JR has a rotary phone and considers it too modern.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Don't you think we should aim higher and for a long term solution at 3c? If we go that route then we wouldn't need to entertain the notion of bringing Cullen back.

Cullen will be on the 4th line and have little to do with the next 3C. Even Cullen on the left on the 4th is a huge upgrade to what we have now and we have the added bonus of him being a very good bottom 6 centre. That would give us some flexibility in injuries, defensive situations, PK etc

It would open up our options a little more regarding the 3C. For one they wouldn’t have to PK. Sure we need to look at longer term options but if a long term option isn’t available now we have an off season too. The quest for the Threepeat is happening now though.

 

[Ryder71]

Cullen will be on the 4th line and have little to do with the next 3C. Even Cullen on the left on the 4th is a huge upgrade to what we have now and we have the added bonus of him being a very good bottom 6 centre. That would give us some flexibility in injuries, defensive situations, PK etc

It would open up our options a little more regarding the 3C. For one they wouldn’t have to PK. Sure we need to look at longer term options but if a long term option isn’t available now we have an off season too. The quest for the Threepeat is happening now though.

I see your perspective in hopes of stacking the bottom six, but I don't think in actuality it will occur.

Yeah.... finding a better 3C than Sheahan hasn’t been going so well and, as was briefly discussed, Cullen would still be a boost to the 4th even with a better 3C added.

Well, we got what three months to remedy our 3c issues? I just believe JR will make a fairly significant move in that time.

 

[Ogrezilla]

If we can get better than Cullen, by all means do it. But he'd make us a better team right now. If he costs so much that we couldn't afford a better option a couple months from now, then by all means don't bring him back. But I can't imagine he would. He's on a cheap cap hit, and he is an upgrade over at least 3 guys in our bottom 6 even if you think Sheahan is better.

And really, we need to add more than just one guy. We need a LW just as much as a C imo. C is the more important position so maybe it's the bigger need, but I think both Sheahan and Rowney are outplaying their current LW. The fact that Cullen can play both is great. If Cullen plays like he did last year, I'd have him as the 2nd best guy in our bottom 6, just behind Rust. With a bit of regression, maybe he'd be behind Sheahan too. But he'd have to have fallen off a cliff from where he was last year to be behind the current version of Hags, Kuhn, Rowney, or Reaves.

As for him choosing to leave, why does that matter? We need to add somebody. They are going to cost assets. Him walking in the summer is irrelevant at this point.

 

[Ryder71]

If we can get better than Cullen, by all means do it. But he'd make us a better team right now. If he costs so much that we couldn't afford a better option a couple months from now, then by all means don't bring him back. But I can't imagine he would. He's on a cheap cap hit, and he is an upgrade over at least 3 guys in our bottom 6 even if you think Sheahan is better.

And really, we need to add more than just one guy. We need a LW just as much as a C imo. C is the more important position so maybe it's the bigger need, but I think both Sheahan and Rowney are outplaying their current LW. The fact that Cullen can play both is great. If Cullen plays like he did last year, I'd have him as the 2nd best guy in our bottom 6, just behind Rust. With a bit of regression, maybe he'd be behind Sheahan too. But he'd have to have fallen off a cliff from where he was last year to be behind the current version of Hags, Kuhn, Rowney, or Reaves.

As for him choosing to leave, why does that matter? We need to add somebody. They are going to cost assets. Him walking in the summer is irrelevant at this point.

I think 3c is far more important to this team than a LW. If we are forced to beef up LW, we can move Rust there and bring up Sprong. In fact that's likely the plan at some point. Well, unless a wing is traded. But to the original point 3c Is the be all end all relative to other needs.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I think 3c is far more important to this team than a LW. If we are forced to beef up LW, we can move Rust there and bring up Sprong. In fact that's likely the plan at some point. Well, unless a wing is traded. But to the original point 3c Is the be all end all relative to other needs.

Trading for Cullen doesn't do anything to hurt our chances of adding a 3C. But he does upgrade either our 4C or our LW spots. I just don't see the downside.

Also, I don't see any reason at all to expect Sprong to be coming up any time soon.

 

[Ryder71]

Trading for Cullen doesn't do anything to hurt our chances of adding a 3C. But he does upgrade either our 4C or our LW spots. I just don't see the downside.

Also, I don't see any reason at all to expect Sprong to be coming up any time soon.

I have two concerns besides what I already presented. First, if he's dealt for a pick, which is entirely possible, that eats up our remaining cap space. And thus would hurt our ability in trying to pursue a 3c.

The other concern is the team may view him as our 4c and mistakenly believe Sheahan can adequately man 3c full time in the playoffs.

However, If say we remedied 3c first then added Cullen, I'd feel more comfortable. But that'd be the only way I'd feel ok about such moves.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I have two concerns besides what I already presented. First, if he's dealt for a pick, which is entirely possible, that eats up our remaining cap space. And thus would hurt our ability in trying to pursue a 3c.

The other concern is the team may view him as our 4c and mistakenly believe Sheahan can adequately man 3c full time in the playoffs.

However, If say we remedied 3c first then added Cullen, I'd feel more comfortable. But that'd be the only way I'd feel ok about such moves.

I think we have a huge divide in how we see Cullen. If he's close to where he was last year, he'd be my 3C over Sheahan.

 

[Ryder71]

I think we have a huge divide in how we see Cullen. If he's close to where he was last year, he'd be my 3C over Sheahan.

Oh my, yeah, no, that won't be good enough to win the cup.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Oh my, yeah, no, that won't be good enough to win the cup.

He was 3C for the finals last year. And I think he was every bit as good as Bones last year.

Either way, I'd still be looking to add another center. He's a better LW than Hags or Kuhn too.

 

[Ryder71]

He was 3C for the finals last year. And I think he was every bit as good as Bones last year.

I have not mentioned Bonino in my time here and let me say the 2016 version would have been great, 2017? Meh. TBH I think we need better. We really need a high end or at minimum above average third line pivot. I don't view any of the players Sheahan,Cullen or Bonino from last year as such players. Sheahan or Cullen as 4c? Yeah, but neither can be our full time 3c if we're to have a serious playoff run.

There's a reason JR went for Duchene. He sees just how important this position is. A good quality 3c can make all the difference if the top two lines get stymied. I can't see Cullen or Sheahan doing that for an entire playoff run. I wouldn't want to risk it anyhow.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I have not mentioned Bonino in my time here and let me say the 2016 version would have been great, 2017? Meh. TBH I think we need better. We really need a high end or at minimum above average third line pivot. I don't view any of the players Sheahan,Cullen or Bonino from last year as such players. Sheahan or Cullen as 4c? Yeah, but neither can be our full time 3c if we're to have a serious playoff run.

There's a reason JR went for Duchene. He sees just how important this position is. A good quality 3c can make all the difference if the top two lines get stymied. I can't see Cullen or Sheahan doing that for an entire playoff run. I wouldn't want to risk it anyhow.

If you think we need better than Bonino, I would expect to be disappointed. It's not impossible, but it's also not a realistic expectation. And it's obviously not necessary to win, as we've just shown back to back.

 

[Ryder71]

If you think we need better than Bonino, I would expect to be disappointed. It's not impossible, but it's also not a realistic expectation. And it's obviously not necessary to win, as we've just shown back to back.

I think that's a naive approach. Bonino last year in the playoffs only produced seven points and we largely were a two line team. Conversely in 2016 he had 18 points, Kessel flanked him and as you know we had three lines that were hard to shut down. That third line in particular. The 2016 formula IMO is far more favorable. We need to have three consistent scoring lines. Particularly with how Teams like Tampa and Columbus are constructed, as both have deep, speedy and talented rosters.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I think that's a naive approach. Bonino last year in the playoffs only produced seven points and we largely were a two line team. Conversely in 2016 he had 18 points, Kessel flanked him and as you know we had three lines that were hard to shut down. That third line in particular. The 2016 formula IMO is far more favorable. We need to have three consistent scoring lines. Particularly with how Teams like Tampa and Columbus are constructed, as both have deep, speedy and talented rosters.

that would be great, yeah. That doesn't make it realistic. Who do you suggest we add as our 3C? What are we giving up to get this guy? It's probably going to start with Sprong+ to get somebody that is better than Bones, unless you want to move someone like Maatta.

 

[Ryder71]

that would be great, yeah. That doesn't make it realistic. Who do you suggest we add as our 3C? What are we giving up to get this guy?

I've talked about this extensively actually, and throughout lots of names. Bozak, Bjugstad, Reinhart, Eakin, Haula, Lindberg. And while some are easier to get and while some will cost more, I think most of those players could be had. Haula currently least likely. And I'd like to do better than either Eakin or Lindberg but they certainly would help IMO. Assets I'd part with in the right deal, Sheary, TK, draft picks, Cole.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I've talked about this extensively actually, throughout lots of names. Bozak, Bjugstad, Reinhart, Eakin, Haula, Lindberg. And while some are easier to get and while some will cost more, I think most of those players could be had. Haula currently least likely. And I'd like to do better than either Eakin or Lindberg but they certainly would help IMO.

You know Bonino is as good or better than half of that list, right? I don't get how you'd be happy with Lindberg but not Cullen.