Salary Cap: 2014-15 Roster Thread VI | ALL TRADE & FA SPECULATION HERE

[Riptide]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries, and are taken directly from www.capgeek.com.

2014-2015 salary ceiling: ....69,000,000
Projected cap spending: ......69,719,167
LTIR exception: .......................894,167
Projected cap space: ...............175,000



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​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

35​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

25​

|

3,300,000​

|

3,300,000​

|

UFA​

Nick Spaling|

LW​

|

25​

|

2,200,000​

|

2,200,000​

|

UFA​

Marcel Goc|

C​

|

30​

|

1,200,000​

|

UFA​

Steve Downie|

RW​

|

27​

|

1,000,000​

|

UFA​

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

24​

|

874,125​

|

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​

Robert Bortuzzo|

D​

|

25​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

21​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

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​

Beau Bennett|

LW​

|

22​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

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​

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

31​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

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​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

20​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

22​

|

831,667​

|

RFA​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

21​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

23​

|

625,000​

|

RFA​

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

22​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Philip Samuelsson|

D​

|

22​

|

550,000​

|

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

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)

Click to read more...

 

[Hottubber]

Re VM comments about Martin to Edmonton

I think they could almost give him a blank cheque if he was traded there. They need a all situations minute eating d man. I definitely am on board with your Perron and Petry for Martin & Sutter

 

[Riptide]

You don't sound to optimistic about Sutter resigning here.

I'd be very surprised if he re-signs here. That's part of why I'd be happy with trading him. I like him as a player, but he is relatively expendable with Goc and Spaling here, he'd clear some salary, he has value, and I see him leaving after next season. I don't think we have to trade him, but after Martin he's our best combination of value, cap, and expandability.

I just don't see it. I really didn't expect him to take a 2 year deal this summer with us. I see him as someone who looks at what Bolland just signed for, and thinks he could get something similar himself when he becomes a FA. And he has to know he won't get that from us or anyone else that is truly a contender.

Which is why a team like Edmonton or Calgary or anyone of those other bubble teams makes sense for someone like him. He'll get the chance at playing time he wouldn't here. And as we see with many players, with that playing time, frequently comes the big contract.

It also doesn't really make sense for Pittsburgh to pay him much more than he's making now. If he were to sign a 5-6 yr deal, I could probably handle 4-4.5m, just due to the length, and how the cap should keep going up over that term. But even then I'm not sure he'd be willing to play behind 2 of the best centers in the game for 5+ years.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I just don't see it. I really didn't expect him to take a 2 year deal this summer with us. I see him as someone who looks at what Bolland just signed for, and thinks he could get something similar himself when he becomes a FA. And he has to know he won't get that from us or anyone else that is truly a contender.

Which is why a team like Edmonton or Calgary or anyone of those other bubble teams makes sense for someone like him. He'll get the chance at playing time he wouldn't here. And as we see with many players, with that playing time, frequently comes the big contract.

It also doesn't really make sense for Pittsburgh to pay him much more than he's making now. If he were to sign a 5-6 yr deal, I could probably handle 4-4.5m, just due to the length, and how the cap should keep going up over that term. But even then I'm not sure he'd be willing to play behind 2 of the best centers in the game for 5+ years.

I'm not confident he will be our 3rd best center for long once Sundqvist is here. Certainly not by enough to merit 4.5M. He's only marginally better than our other 3C options as is.

 

[Riptide]

Re VM comments about Martin to Edmonton

I think they could almost give him a blank cheque if he was traded there. They need a all situations minute eating d man. I definitely am on board with your Perron and Petry for Martin & Sutter

I think Edmonton would need to be doing a LOT better than they are now before Martin would consent to waiving his NTC to go there. And while I don't know how many teams he can block... I think it's safe to say that Edmonton is likely one that's on that list. Which sucks, as I like that team... but I think that's reality.

 

[Riptide]

I'm not confident he will be our 3rd best center for long once Sundqvist is here. Certainly not by enough to merit 4.5M. He's only marginally better than our other 3C options as is.

Which is fine... you can always trade someone who's doing well, isn't overpaid and has term left.

 

[Gurglesons]

Re VM comments about Martin to Edmonton

I think they could almost give him a blank cheque if he was traded there. They need a all situations minute eating d man. I definitely am on board with your Perron and Petry for Martin & Sutter

I doubt Martin goes to Edmonton. Unlike most of the vets on our team, he has never won a cup or even played in a cup final. He isn't going to go to a fringe playoff team like Edmonton. He is going to a team like Detroit, Minnesota, or Tampa. A team where he can sign for two years, for good money, but still play with a defined core in a worthwhile franchise.

 

[penguins2946*]

I doubt Martin goes to Edmonton. Unlike most of the vets on our team, he has never won a cup or even played in a cup final. He isn't going to go to a fringe playoff team like Edmonton. He is going to a team like Detroit, Minnesota, or Tampa. A team where he can sign for two years, for good money, but still play with a defined core in a worthwhile franchise.

No, he wants a long term deal like Orpik and to get paid. That can happen in Edmonton.

I think Edmonton would need to be doing a LOT better than they are now before Martin would consent to waiving his NTC to go there. And while I don't know how many teams he can block... I think it's safe to say that Edmonton is likely one that's on that list. Which sucks, as I like that team... but I think that's reality.

On the topic of his NTC, it's only a limited NTC. Shero's limited NTC tended to be a list of 8 teams he wouldn't waive to. While it's entirely possible that Edmonton is on that list, it's not impossible that they wouldn't. They are an up and coming team. I feel like that if they are like 14-11-5 or so at the 30 game mark, I feel like Martin would highly consider waiving to go there. They have the money to pay him, and he would be a huge part of their D moving forward.

Re VM comments about Martin to Edmonton

I think they could almost give him a blank cheque if he was traded there. They need a all situations minute eating d man. I definitely am on board with your Perron and Petry for Martin & Sutter

The good thing about bringing in Petry is that he's a RHD, which we are really dry on in our system. If we bring him in, we have the option of going with the cheaper and younger guy in Petry instead of Ehrhoff for the future.

 

[Riptide]

Kesler is a legit 2C; Sutter isn't. That comparison is laughable.

So for a moderate upgrade at center, EDM is trading one of their more dependable and consistent wingers on offense and defense? And you are still expecting that team to make the play-offs with Sutter instead of Perron?

I wouldn't be buying if I was EDM. Sutter in and Perron out doesn't make them a better team.

I don't see any reason why EDM wants Sutter. Sutter is not a good enough playmaker or center to be what they need as a 2C. They have two bottom 6 centers - Arcobello and Gordon - who can do the things that Sutter does well.

In addition, mistake as it may be, it sound like the Oilers have decided to keep Draisaitl as a 2C further reducing the need for Sutter.

EDM may be interested in Sutter + Despres for Perron as an upgrade for Arcobello and to get a young, cost-controlled big dman. But is that a deal that actually benefits the Pens? And is it a deal that EDM does this year instead of waiting until next year when Yak's development should make Perron redundant?

I'm not sure I agree with that. That team needs center depth. Gordon is not a #2/3C. He's a #3/4C. Arcobello or Draisaitl isn't the answer yet either. We saw last year that Sutter with better players and better icetime brought out a better player. And while Sutter is more of a #3 than a #2, he's young, and has shown flashes.

And while Perron is the better player... they have many wingers to fill his top 6 slot. Pouliot, Yakupov or Purcell are all there who could step in immediately. They don't have anyone behind RNH who could step up.

There's honestly not a lot of teams who would be willing to deal center depth. Boston might with Kelly, however he has a limited NTC (iirc). So if Edmonton wants to get that center depth that they so desperately need... they're going to have to give up someone they don't really want to. And that's going to end up being Perron or Yakupov. And considering Perron's future FA status... I see him being the guy they're shipping out.

 

[Artie Party]

What do you think are the odds the defense looking like this next season:

Maatta-Letang
Harrington-Despres
Pouliot-Bortuzzo
Dumoulin/Samuelsson

 

[drpepper]

I'm not sure I agree with that. That team needs center depth. Gordon is not a #2/3C. He's a #3/4C. Arcobello or Draisaitl isn't the answer yet either. We saw last year that Sutter with better players and better icetime brought out a better player. And while Sutter is more of a #3 than a #2, he's young, and has shown flashes.

And while Perron is the better player... they have many wingers to fill his top 6 slot. Pouliot, Yakupov or Purcell are all there who could step in immediately. They don't have anyone behind RNH who could step up.

There's honestly not a lot of teams who would be willing to deal center depth. Boston might with Kelly, however he has a limited NTC (iirc). So if Edmonton wants to get that center depth that they so desperately need... they're going to have to give up someone they don't really want to. And that's going to end up being Perron or Yakupov. And considering Perron's future FA status... I see him being the guy they're shipping out.

Sutter is 25; I doubt he's magically going to become a better or different player than he is.

Perron is the better player. EDM still have a chance to re-sign him, and they don't have to move him this year.

Also if Perron goes, who exactly is Sutter playing with? Purcell? Pouliout? I doubt Hall-RNH-Eberle gets split up. Yakupov is on a short leash and getting limited minutes. Purcell-Sutter-Pouliot isn't exactly a great 2nd line.

Sutter is not enough of an upgrade over Gordon/Arcobello/Draisaitl to lose their fourth best offensive player. It would need to be Sutter+ and that + would have to be more substantial.

Sutter won't re-sign in EDM because it is EDM and they already have RNH/Gordon/Arcobello/Draisaitl.

Also Martin waiving to EDM is crazy talk. That team goes on a four game winning streak and all of a sudden they are in play-off contention? Why does Martin sign in EDM? If he wants to get paid, I am sure other better run teams in better areas that would be interested.

I know that talking about trades and the prospect of the Pens making a trade is exciting, but some of this stuff is really out there.

 

[penguins2946*]

What do you think are the odds the defense looking like this next season:

Maatta-Letang
Harrington-Despres
Pouliot-Bortuzzo
Dumoulin/Samuelsson

Extremely unlikely. We're not going to go with 5 inexperienced guys in our top-6. If I had to guess, I would say that we will run with:

Maatta-Letang
Despres-Ehrhoff
Harrington-Bortuzzo/Pouliot
Pouliot/Bortuzzo

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I wonder if Morin would be available from Chicago.

 

[Riptide]

Sutter is 25; I doubt he's magically going to become a better or different player than he is.

Perron is the better player. EDM still have a chance to re-sign him, and they don't have to move him this year.

Yes because at 25 every player has defined themselves. Look, do I think Sutter is a 45/55 point #2 center? No. The odds of that happening are slim. However, as Edmonton is aptly proving, you can't win in this league without some decent center depth, and after RNH they have nothing. Sutter would provide them with a pivot that's not completely inept in the offensive zone, while being sound defensively, good on draws and brings some size to the table. He'd also clearly be their #2C, or a very good #3C - of which they have neither. In short he'd bring stability and depth to a position that's a major weakness to the team.

As to who he'd play with, Purcell is a play making 2nd line winger. Put either Yakupov or Pouliot on the other wing. Or move one of Eberle/Hall down to provide some balance. Not ideal, but much better than misplaying Gordon, Arcobello or Driasiatl.

Except that Perron has to want to stay there. Why would he re-sign with a team that's doing poorly, when he could get the same/similar money from better teams? He'll be 26? and a FA. Lots of options. This isn't quite like the Ryan situation where the team hasn't done great, but not poorly either, and the Sens haven't pissed off the entire city either. Edmonton has been a mess from start to finish for a while, and there's nothing on the horizon that it'll change much over the next 2 seasons (14/15 & 15/16). Sure they have decent young players... but much like I don't see Sutter extending with us, I also don't see Perron staying in Edmonton (unless they make major strides this season - aka become a bubble team).

Perron holds more value between now and the TD then he does from the TD/June and when his contract expires. Edmonton also needs to make some changes if they ever want to get better. Now maybe it's not Perron they dangle (and hope they can re-sign), but Yakupov. But I don't see them selling that low on him - and if they move him this soon for anyone other than a comparable player (young, yet to hit their very high potential) they would be selling low on him. That fan base would be pissed for selling low on him. And if he was traded, and hit his potential elsewhere, they'd also be livid. I just don't see a MacT taking that risk.

 

[Riptide]

I wonder if Morin would be available from Chicago.

Unlikely. I mean what would we be sending them? He's in a similar position as Dumoulin, where he hasn't proven enough to be worth anything. And I believe they can still send him to the minors.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Yes because at 25 every player has defined themselves. Look, do I think Sutter is a 45/55 point #2 center? No. The odds of that happening are slim. However, as Edmonton is aptly proving, you can't win in this league without some decent center depth, and after RNH they have nothing. Sutter would provide them with a pivot that's not completely inept in the offensive zone, while being sound defensively, good on draws and brings some size to the table. He'd also clearly be their #2C, or a very good #3C - of which they have neither. In short he'd bring stability and depth to a position that's a major weakness to the team.

As to who he'd play with, Purcell is a play making 2nd line winger. Put either Yakupov or Pouliot on the other wing. Or move one of Eberle/Hall down to provide some balance. Not ideal, but much better than misplaying Gordon, Arcobello or Driasiatl.

Except that Perron has to want to stay there. Why would he re-sign with a team that's doing poorly, when he could get the same/similar money from better teams? He'll be 26? and a FA. Lots of options. This isn't quite like the Ryan situation where the team hasn't done great, but not poorly either, and the Sens haven't pissed off the entire city either. Edmonton has been a mess from start to finish for a while, and there's nothing on the horizon that it'll change much over the next 2 seasons (14/15 & 15/16). Sure they have decent young players... but much like I don't see Sutter extending with us, I also don't see Perron staying in Edmonton (unless they make major strides this season - aka become a bubble team).

Perron holds more value between now and the TD then he does from the TD/June and when his contract expires. Edmonton also needs to make some changes if they ever want to get better. Now maybe it's not Perron they dangle (and hope they can re-sign), but Yakupov. But I don't see them selling that low on him - and if they move him this soon for anyone other than a comparable player (young, yet to hit their very high potential) they would be selling low on him. That fan base would be pissed for selling low on him. And if he was traded, and hit his potential elsewhere, they'd also be livid. I just don't see a MacT taking that risk.

Why not?

He got boned pretty hard when he got traded here. NO serious PP time, stuck behind two centers better than he is, and he's done the 40 point total already.

He's being held back here and he's at a 40 point clip now. In the right situation Sutter most certainly can be a 40/55 guy. Especially if he gets decent PP time.

 

[SwordofStMichael]

Madden: what about Simon Despres, he looks to be playing with more confidence now

Dejan: Well he should be, he doesn't have the coaching staff burying him anymore, and more importantly he doesn't have fellow players, who are no longer in that room, that were really burying him

hmm..Orpik and Niskanen? (will have to wait for podcast for exact quote)

 

[vyktor]

Madden: what about Simon Despres, he looks to be playing with more confidence now

Dejan: Well he should be, he doesn't have the coaching staff burying him anymore, and more importantly he doesn't have fellow players, who are no longer in that room, that were really burying him

hmm..Orpik and Niskanen? (will have to wait for podcast for exact quote)

Speaking of Madden: did anyone else hear him talking about Staal during the pre game, he said Staal wanted to move to LW and that he had 'been lied to" about that by the team too many times

 

[Will Hunting]

Madden: what about Simon Despres, he looks to be playing with more confidence now

Dejan: Well he should be, he doesn't have the coaching staff burying him anymore, and more importantly he doesn't have fellow players, who are no longer in that room, that were really burying him

hmm..Orpik and Niskanen? (will have to wait for podcast for exact quote)

I can see Orpik, easily. But Niskanen wouldn´t act like that.. Interesting, though.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Why not?

He got boned pretty hard when he got traded here. NO serious PP time, stuck behind two centers better than he is, and he's done the 40 point total already.

He's being held back here and he's at a 40 point clip now. In the right situation Sutter most certainly can be a 40/55 guy. Especially if he gets decent PP time.

Sutter flat out said after the trade in an interview I heard that summer he doesn't see himself as a third liner. He wants to play a scoring line role. It's not a guess, he said those exact words.

So he isn't exactly a guy I think that will be happy stuck behind Malkin and Crosby for long, just like Staal.

 

[Riptide]

Why not?

He got boned pretty hard when he got traded here. NO serious PP time, stuck behind two centers better than he is, and he's done the 40 point total already.

He's being held back here and he's at a 40 point clip now. In the right situation Sutter most certainly can be a 40/55 guy. Especially if he gets decent PP time.

If I were to bet (on whether he'd be above/below 50, I'd bet below. I think he really needs 3 things to succeed. One is a playmaking winger, and the other is someone with better board play. The 3rd being consistent 2nd line icetime with some offensive players. Could Pouliot/Yak, Sutter, Purcell/Yak provide the right mix to be a more defensive minded 2nd line? Not sure... on paper I'd say no. But I do like that line better than Perron - Arcobello/Draisitl/Gordon - Purcell/Yak/BP.

But he's a lot more like Kessler than people think. More like a Kesler lite. Kesler was never a play making center. He's good defensively, is decent offensively, and has a great shot. The biggest difference is Kesler's board play and physical game. I think their offensive ability is fairly similar.

And speaking of Kesler, Kesler never did anything offensively until he was 25 - despite having played ~240 games. Prior to 08/09 (when he had just turned 25), he'd never gone beyond 21g/37 pts, and never looked to be anything other than a gritty #3 center.

Would I expect that from Sutter? Like I said.. I wouldn't bet on it. But even if he's a 40 point sound defensively big (and unphysical) 2 way player... that still fills a MAJOR need for that team, and something that not a lot of teams are likely willing to give up. Especially when said player is 25.

 

[66-30-33]

Sutter flat out said after the trade in an interview I heard that summer he doesn't see himself as a third liner. He wants to play a scoring line role. It's not a guess, he said those exact words.

So he isn't exactly a guy I think that will be happy stuck behind Malkin and Crosby for long, just like Staal.

weird, remember saying he is a 3rd line C and will still play a shutdown sorta role.

 

[SwordofStMichael]

Dejan 1:00 minute mark
"he doesn't have Dan Bylsma and staff burying him, he doesn't have a couple of, in particular, teammates who used to bury him when they were here, they are not here anymore..."

http://www.1059thex.com/media/podcast-mark-madden-MarkMadden/madden-october-29-hour-3-seg-25497537/

 

[Ogrezilla]

weird, remember saying he is a 3rd line C and will still play a shutdown sorta role.

he said he'd do it if it was asked of him.

 

[penguins2946*]

Dejan 1:00 minute mark
"he doesn't have Dan Bylsma and staff burying him, he doesn't have a couple of, in particular, teammates who used to bury him when they were here, they are not here anymore..."

http://www.1059thex.com/media/podcast-mark-madden-MarkMadden/madden-october-29-hour-3-seg-25497537/

Definitely Orpik, without a doubt. I don't think Niskanen was one of those guys. He understood Despres's struggles because he went through the same thing as a young NHLer. I can't imagine him being a jerk to Despres. Niskanen also was a great leader in the room last year.