Salary Cap: 2014-15 Roster-building Thread XXVI: El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jim Rutherford

[billybudd]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries. The projected cap numbers below, however, haven't been updated recently because of the demise of Capgeek.

2014-2015 salary ceiling: ....69,000,000
Projected cap spending: ......68,733,167
Projected cap space: ...............175,000
Projected deadline space: ......1,547,198


PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Evgeni Malkin|

C​

|

27​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

Sidney Crosby|

C​

|

26​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

Patric Hornqvist|

RW​

|

27​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

Chris Kunitz|

LW​

|

34​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

David Perron|

LW​

|

26​

|

3,812,500​

|

3,812,500​

|

UFA​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

25​

|

3,300,000​

|

3,300,000​

|

UFA​

Nick Spaling|

LW​

|

25​

|

2,200,000​

|

2,200,000​

|

UFA​

Maxim Lapierre|

C​

|

29​

|

1,100,000​

|

UFA​

Steve Downie|

RW​

|

27​

|

1,000,000​

|

UFA​

Beau Bennett|

LW​

|

22​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Blake Comeau|

LW​

|

28​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

Craig Adams|

RW​

|

37​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

Zach Sill|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Kris Letang|

D​

|

27​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

Paul Martin|

D​

|

33​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Christian Ehrhoff|

D​

|

32​

|

4,000,000​

|

UFA​

Rob Scuderi|

D​

|

35​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

Simon Despres|

D​

|

22​

|

900,000​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

20​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

Robert Bortuzzo|

D​

|

25​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

Goalie...................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

29​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

Thomas Greiss|

G​

|

28​

|

1,000,000​

|

UFA​

Injured reserve......​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

35​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

24​

|

874,125​

|

RFA​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

21​

|

659,167​

|

659,167​

|

659,167​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

22​

|

655,000​

|

655,000​

|

RFA​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

22​

|

652,500​

|

652,500​

|

RFA​

Adam Payerl|

RW​

|

23​

|

626,667​

|

RFA​

Anton Zlobin|

LW​

|

21​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Matia Marcantuoni|

C​

|

20​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

21​

|

601,667​

|

RFA​

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

22​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

20​

|

598,333​

|

598,333​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

31​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

27​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond|

RW​

|

29​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.............................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

22​

|

831,667​

|

RFA​

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

23​

|

625,000​

|

RFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

21​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

RFA​

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

22​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Taylor Chorney|

D​

|

27​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Goalie................................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

20​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

27​

|

600,000​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

WHEELING NAILERS

Defense........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

21​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Goalie...........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Kasperi Kapanen|

RW​

|

18​

|

KalPa (Liiga)​

|

3 years/925,000 per​

Oskar Sundqvist|

C​

|

20​

|

SkellefteÃ¥ (SHL)​

|

3 years/708,333 per​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

19​

|

Edmonton (WHL)​

|

3 years/650,833 per​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

Anthony Angello|

F​

|

18​

|Omaha (USHL)

Dane Birks|

D​

|

18​

|Michigan Tech (WCHA)

Teddy Blueger|

F​

|

19​

|Minnesota State (WCHA)

Blaine Byron|

F​

|

19​

|Maine (HEA)

Jake Guentzel|

F​

|

19​

|Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)

Troy Josephs|

F​

|

20​

|Clarkson (ECAC)

Sam Lafferty|

F​

|

19​

|Brown (ECAC)

Jaden Lindo|

F​

|

18​

|Owen Sound (OHL)

Sean Maguire|

G​

|

21​

|Boston University (HEA)

Alexander Pechurskiy|

G​

|

24​

|Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Ryan Segalla|

D​

|

19​

|Connecticut (HEA)

Jeff Taylor|

D​

|

20​

|Union (ECAC)

I used 5v5 stats from 2010-11 through 2014-15 looking at forwards in the top 50% of goals per game (0.09 GPG), top 25% of hits per game (1.56 HpG) and top 50% in hits differential per game (0.14). Recognizing that hits are a biased stat and that hits don't include all physicality, I thought it would be sufficient considering the timeframe and application.

78 total active players fit those parameters with 9 rookies (<20 games played) and 5 AHL players (3 rookie players are also AHL players).

Of those 78:

• Pens Players (3): Megna*, Comeau, Kunitz, Arcobello
• Franchise players / captains (7): Landeskog, Getzlaf, Jamie Benn, D Brown, Ovechkin, Doan, Backes
• New Contracts (9): Kreider, Bjugstad, N Foligno, Kulemin, Dubinsky, Callahan, Komarov, Wingels, Garbutt
• Young players (Tier 1) (6): Trocheck, Jenner, Girgensons, Zibanejad, Niederreiter, E Kane
• Young players (Tier 2) (5): Paquette, Jaskin, Lowry, Colborne, Marcus Foligno
• Rookies (8): B Ritchie, Schaller, Pakarinen, Rendulic, Dano, Aliu*, Dziurzynski*, McMillan*
• Unlikely to be Available (9): Stoll, Simmonds, Clutterbuck, B Schenn*, Lucic, A Lee*, Zack Kassian*, J Persson*(R), J Staal
• Don't want (10): C Neil, B Morrow, Fisher, Clarkson, Setoguchi, T Ruutu, Greening, Jamie McGinn (I), Slater, Clowe (I)
• AHL Players (4): Colin McDonald, Chad Larose, Raffi Torres, Ryan Malone
• UFA (5): Beleskey (ANA), J Hayes (FLA), E Cole (DAL), Eaves (DAL), Klinkhammer (EDM)
• Controversial contracts (2): Bickell, Hartnell
• Otherwise not listed (9): Skille (CBJ), Helm (DET), Z Smith (OTT), Hanzal (ARI), Abdelkader (DET), Cooke (MIN), Boyle (FLA), Nystrom (NSH), Brouwer (WSH)

Now that there's no Capgeek, here's a list of the pending UFA forwards that might potentially be interested in.

Fleischmann, Tlusty, Ryder, Glenncross, Williams, Jagr, Vermette, Soderberg, Frolik, Slater, Ward, Fehr, Matthias, Santillori, Booth, Winnik, Morrow, Lindstrom, TK, Beleskey, Erat, Stafford, Stewart, Richards, Briere, Letestu, Horcroff, Cole, Cleary, Roy, Upshall, Bergenheim, Kopecky, Stoll, Fisher, Cullen, O.Jokinen, Havlet, MSL, Zuccarello Condra

Click to read more...

 

[penguins2946*]

I don't understand why someone would say they have 0 interest in trading for Sharp in the offseason. Defensively strong wingers capable of putting up 30 goals and 70 points aren't common, and it's even more rare for one to become available. We don't need our entire team to be under 30, there's nothing wrong with players in their low to mid 30s.

 

[Jacob]

I don't understand why someone would say they have 0 interest in trading for Sharp in the offseason. Defensively strong wingers capable of putting up 30 goals and 70 points aren't common, and it's even more rare for one to become available. We don't need our entire team to be under 30, there's nothing wrong with players in their low to mid 30s.

I think we have too many guys over 30 as is. But if some of them are moved out I'd be okay with it.

 

[penguins2946*]

I think we have too many guys over 30 as is. But if some of them are moved out I'd be okay with it.

The guys we have over 30 are Dupuis, Kunitz, Scuderi, Adams, Ehrhoff and Martin. I'm guessing at least 1 of Martin and Ehrhoff won't be re-signed (maybe both if we get another top-4 D in free agency). Dupuis will probably never play again, and if he does, it will be in a limited role in the bottom-6. If Kunitz doesn't continue playing like he did last night every night, I can't see him sticking around (plus the rumors about him being unhappy here). Adams won't be retained and will probably retire.

I'd like to say the Pens would try to move Scuderi, but I don't think it would be entirely necessary as long as we have the cap space to fix the F group. I don't think Scuderi on the bottom pair hurts us, and his playoff experience would probably be nice for the young D. I don't think bringing in Sharp would be a problem at all, he doesn't play a style that would wear on his body with age and he's a hell of a lot more talented than the other old players that we have had.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I don't understand why someone would say they have 0 interest in trading for Sharp in the offseason. Defensively strong wingers capable of putting up 30 goals and 70 points aren't common, and it's even more rare for one to become available. We don't need our entire team to be under 30, there's nothing wrong with players in their low to mid 30s.

Age, contract and price to acquire. I'd rather add, if necessary, to get someone younger. It wouldn't be the worst thing ever, though, as long as other old players are moved out. coughkunitzandscudericough

 

[penguins2946*]

Age, contract and price to acquire. I'd rather add, if necessary, to get someone younger. It wouldn't be the worst thing ever, though, as long as other old players are moved out. coughkunitzandscudericough

His contract isn't bad, he costs $5.9 million for the next 2 seasons. It wouldn't be difficult to move him after next year if for some reason it becomes necessary. He shouldn't be expensive to acquire, the Hawks have to clear cap space to fit the new contracts for Toews and Kane. It should probably cost something like Dumoulin, another prospect and a decently high 2016 pick. We're not going to get a better winger for that price. Age isn't an issue as long as we only have 1 or 2 of Kunitz, Dupuis, Scuderi, Ehrhoff, Martin and Adams.

Move Kunitz to someone like Nashville for 2 2nds, don't re-sign any of Martin, Ehrhoff or Adams, make a move for one of the younger D in free agency (either Sekera, Petry, or Methot mainly) and trade Dumoulin plus the picks from Kunitz for Sharp.

 

[cheesedanish87]

I don't care how soft of a def JR gets as long as he can play in the pens top 4.

The game has changed you don't need physical def anymore, you need PMD.

 

[Terrapin]

I don't care how soft of a def JR gets as long as he can play in the pens top 4.

The game has changed you don't need physical def anymore, you need PMD.

No, the game 'theoretically' changed. But as we've seen, the reality of the league is quite different, especially in the playoffs.

 

[drpepper]

I don't understand why someone would say they have 0 interest in trading for Sharp in the offseason. Defensively strong wingers capable of putting up 30 goals and 70 points aren't common, and it's even more rare for one to become available. We don't need our entire team to be under 30, there's nothing wrong with players in their low to mid 30s.

He's got a high cost in terms of contract and cost to acquire in a trade (waiver-exempt prospects which is not Dumoulin and picks).

He's 33. His production last year seems to be an outlier, and he doesn't look to be as good this year.

He benefits from Chicago's depth and structure in terms of his defensive prowess.

I'd rather the Pens look at younger, less expensive (contract and trade assets) wingers even if they produce less than 70 pts.

With the in-house options and other cheaper options available either by trade or UFA, I'd rather the Pens didn't get Sharp.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Ask someone to make a thread title and you're gonna get Big'd.

As for Sharp...he's going to be expensive and has started to decline. He's not going to sign a one or two year deal, so he's not an ideal target for a team like the Penguins.

 

[penguins2946*]

He's got a high cost in terms of contract and cost to acquire in a trade (waiver-exempt prospects which is not Dumoulin and picks).

And you know that Dumoulin wouldn't work how? They will likely have to be cutting costs on D for next year, which means Oduya and Rozsival won't be retained. That leaves them with 3 top-4 D (Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson) and 3 young guys (TVR, Rundblad and Erixon). I should also include that TVR missed most of this season due to knee surgery. So yes, they definitely could use a young NHL ready D.

He's 33. His production last year seems to be an outlier, and he doesn't look to be as good this year.

He hit 78 points in 82 games last year. He had a pace of 79 points in 10-11 and a pace of 76 in 11-12. He has had a 65 point pace in 5 of his last 6 seasons, and the only one he didn't was the lockout season. He has had a 32 goal and 70 point pace since the 07-08 season. He's still on a 22 goal and 67 point pace this season, and he "doesn't look to be as good this year".

He benefits from Chicago's depth and structure in terms of his defensive prowess.

Do you have any evidence for this?

I'd rather the Pens look at younger, less expensive (contract and trade assets) wingers even if they produce less than 70 pts.

If you're expecting us to bring in a younger cost controlled top-6 winger and give up less than we would for Sharp, I have a bridge to sell you.

With the in-house options and other cheaper options available either by trade or UFA, I'd rather the Pens didn't get Sharp.

Yes, because we have so many 2-way strong 70 point wingers in our system.

As for Sharp...he's going to be expensive and has started to decline. He's not going to sign a one or two year deal, so he's not an ideal target for a team like the Penguins.

Why would he be expensive? They have to get rid of him. He'd be cheaper than basically any other legit top-6 forward we could trade for.

 

[Winger for Hire]

I wish there was a way to pry Jonathan Huberdeau away from the Panthers.

 

[drpepper]

And you know that Dumoulin wouldn't work how? They will likely have to be cutting costs on D for next year, which means Oduya and Rozsival won't be retained. That leaves them with 3 top-4 D (Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson) and 3 young guys (TVR, Rundblad and Erixon). I should also include that TVR missed most of this season due to knee surgery. So yes, they definitely could use a young NHL ready D.



He hit 78 points in 82 games last year. He had a pace of 79 points in 10-11 and a pace of 76 in 11-12. He has had a 65 point pace in 5 of his last 6 seasons, and the only one he didn't was the lockout season. He has had a 32 goal and 70 point pace since the 07-08 season. He's still on a 22 goal and 67 point pace this season, and he "doesn't look to be as good this year".



Do you have any evidence for this?



If you're expecting us to bring in a younger cost controlled top-6 winger and give up less than we would for Sharp, I have a bridge to sell you.



Yes, because we have so many 2-way strong 70 point wingers in our system.



Why would he be expensive? They have to get rid of him. He'd be cheaper than basically any other legit top-6 forward we could trade for.

Everything out of Chicago suggests that they want waiver-exempt prospects. Dumoulin won't be waiver-exempt and has next to none NHL experience so his value to them is low.

In addition, Sharp will be expensive to trade for because he's an in-demand veteranwith playoff experience and solid production. I can easily see several teams - FLA, NYI, MTL, WPG, BOS, ANA, NSH - that will easily pay well for Sharp and most of those teams have deeper prospect pools than the Pens.

His production has declined. Last year was an outlier. 2010-2011 is 5 years ago next season and has no bearing on how an aging winger plays. Have you watched him recently or this season at all?

I don't think that a younger winger will be cheaper to acquire than Sharp, but I would prefer that Pens spent assets on younger wingers than Sharp (if they spent them at all).

As to Sharp benefitting from Chicago's system, all of their team benefits from their system and depth. That's how they won their cups.

It's a cost-benefits analysis. I think the costs of acquiring Sharp outweigh the benefits of having Sharp on the team. Pens don't need a 70 pt two-way winger. A 40-50 pt two-way winger would be easier to obtain, cheaper and be sufficient.

Why do you think Sharp will be traded so cheaply?

Chicago does have several options to explore besides trading Sharp, and Sharp will be in demand in the off-season by several teams.

 

[penguins2946*]

Everything out of Chicago suggests that they want waiver-exempt prospects. Dumoulin won't be waiver-exempt and has next to none NHL experience so his value to them is low.

Care to provide a source that says Chicago wants waiver exempt prospects for Sharp? Because what I posted makes a lot more sense than you just repeating that.

In addition, Sharp will be expensive to trade for because he's an in-demand veteranwith playoff experience and solid production. I can easily see several teams - FLA, NYI, MTL, WPG, BOS, ANA, NSH - that will easily pay well for Sharp and most of those teams have deeper prospect pools than the Pens.

And that is exactly why we should be heavily considering trading for him. Wow, how amazing.

His production has declined. Last year was an outlier. 2010-2011 is 5 years ago next season and has no bearing on how an aging winger plays. Have you watched him recently or this season at all?

Did you just ignore all the stats I posted?

It's a cost-benefits analysis. I think the costs of acquiring Sharp outweigh the benefits of having Sharp on the team. Pens don't need a 70 pt two-way winger. A 40-50 pt two-way winger would be easier to obtain, cheaper and be sufficient.

Ray Shero, is that you? If we only need a 40-50 point winger, why did we struggle so much with Dupuis in our top-6?

Why do you think Sharp will be traded so cheaply?

I'm saying he'd cost something like Dumoulin, Archibald and a high 2016 pick. I'm not saying he's going to be traded for peanuts.

Chicago does have several options to explore besides trading Sharp, and Sharp will be in demand in the off-season by several teams.

No, they really don't. They can trade Bickell. That's basically it, and it wouldn't be enough.

 

[drpepper]

Care to provide a source that says Chicago wants waiver exempt prospects for Sharp? Because what I posted makes a lot more sense than you just repeating that.

If I was a GM, I wouldn't accept Dumoulin, Archibald and a high 2016 pick (which should be a 2016 1st for this package to have any hope) for Sharp. Would you? Especially when about 10 other teams will offer better packages. I think you are mistaken to assume that Sharp isn't going to bring either an A prospect or a 2016 1st as the starting point.

Chicago needs cheap players with NHL experience or waiver exempt prospects that they can bury in the AHL. Dumoulin doesn't fit into either of those categories. Does that make sense to you? I don't have the sources available immediately; there were a couple after Leddy was traded to the Isles.

Look at Kunitz's stats. What does that tell you about how's he played? Also outside of 2013-14, Sharp's production is declining since 2010 as it should.

The comparisons to the old GM are getting old as a way of dismissing a valid opinion. If Crosby has Perron and a random 40-50 pt two-way winger than I would be fine with that (Dupuis-like). As to why, the Pens struggled with Dupuis in the top 6, it had just as much to do with the other winger being Kunitz and not Perron (and Bylsma coaching).

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I'd love Sharp. He's one of the few 30+ guys I'd support bringing in. Great all-around player with 2 Cups experience and looks to have a fair bit more in the tank than Kunitz - enough to be a very effective winger through the end of his contract in '16-'17.

I do think he'd bring in a pretty good package of futures, but I'd be willing to pay it.

 

[td_ice]

I'd love Sharp. He's one of the few 30+ guys I'd support bringing in. Great all-around player with 2 Cups experience and looks to have a fair bit more in the tank than Kunitz - enough to be a very effective winger through the end of his contract in '16-'17.

I do think he'd bring in a pretty good package of futures, but I'd be willing to pay it.

I agree.

His body doesn't have the mileage and wear that a more physical player would have at the same age. Not that he is a perimeter player, but he is a skill guy that still looks to have a lot left in the tank. Still have the smarts and vision that make him such a good player.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I agree.

His body doesn't have the mileage and wear that a more physical player would have at the same age. Not that he is a perimeter player, but he is a skill guy that still looks to have a lot left in the tank. Still have the smarts and vision that make him such a good player.

Good point. I think Kunitz' precipitous drop-off has spooked people on any 30+ guys, but like you say, different type of player.

 

[steelcity24]

I wish there was a way to pry Jonathan Huberdeau away from the Panthers.

Ya that will never happen. Jimmy Hayes is someone realistic I'd wish we could acquire from them tho. BIG young right handed winger with potential.

 

[MeinerEiner]

Martinec took a heavy hit in the Kings - Bolts game and is out for the game. He crushed in the boards with his head and it didn't look good.
Maybe the market opened again for the Pens to trade Martin/Ehrhoff to the Kings and get a winger back?

[NHL]2014020774-112-h[/NHL]

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Martinec took a heavy hit in the Kings - Bolts game and is out for the game. He crushed in the boards with his head and it didn't look good.
Maybe the market opened again for the Pens to trade Martin/Ehrhoff to the Kings and get a winger back?

[NHL]2014020774-112-h[/NHL]

Oh, yet another forward that Tampa drafted made it to the NHL?

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Trading Martin went off the table when Määttä had his surgery and Ehrhoff has a full NMC (which is to be expected when you sign a one-year sweetheart deal).

 

[JTG]

We need all of our defensemen now that Maatta is gone for the season.

 

[chethejet]

Once Oli went down my hope of trading Martin went out the window. Now I trust JR not to sing him to an extension. The Pens gave to give the young D PT. No more expensive D men who are slow have no shot and won't hit anyone. Pens need a RH D an who has some size and grit. I also like would prefer a true LW with some size and grit as well.

 

[Coastal Kev]

I don't care how soft of a def JR gets as long as he can play in the pens top 4.

The game has changed you don't need physical def anymore, you need PMD.

Wrong, wrong and wrong. Everything in this post is nothing but wrong.