Salary Cap: 2015 offseason roster-building thread I | Charts in post #1 | Cap projection: $71.5M

[shureshot66]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

Projected 2015-16 salary ceiling: ....71,500,000
Projected 2015-16 cap spending: ....58,595,000
Projected offseason cap space: .......12,905,000



PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Evgeni Malkin|

C​

|

28​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

Sidney Crosby|

C​

|

27​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

Patric Hornqvist|

RW​

|

28​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

Chris Kunitz|

LW​

|

35​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

|

UFA​

David Perron|

LW​

|

26​

|

3,812,500​

|

UFA​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

35​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

UFA​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

26​

|

3,300,000​

|

UFA​

Nick Spaling|

LW​

|

26​

|

2,200,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

.2017-18​

Kris Letang|

D​

|

27​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

Rob Scuderi|

D​

|

36​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

|

UFA​

Ben Lovejoy|

D​

|

31​

|

1,100,000​

|

UFA​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

20​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

21​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

|

RFA​

Goalie............,.......​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

.2017-18​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

30​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Kasperi Kapanen|

RW​

|

18​

|

925,000​

|

925,000​

|

925,000​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

22​

|

659,167​

|

659,167​

|

RFA​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

22​

|

655,000​

|

RFA​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

22​

|

652,500​

|

RFA​

Anton Zlobin|

LW​

|

22​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Matia Marcantuoni|

C​

|

21​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

21​

|

598,333​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Defense...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

21​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

21​

|

589,167​

|

RFA​

Goalie..................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

19​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

20​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

|

RFA​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

27​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

News and notes​

Paul Martin|

D​

|

33​

|

5,000,000​

|The rare fairly paid UFA last time around. Too pricey now

Christian Ehrhoff|

D​

|

32​

|

4,000,000​

|Will be happy to escape the voodoo curse on Pens' blueline

Daniel Winnik|

LW​

|

29​

|

1,300,000​

|Expected contract makes more sense for another team

Maxim Lapierre|

C​

|

29​

|

1,100,000​

|Reasonable fourth-line playoff center if priced right

Steve Downie|

RW​

|

27​

|

1,000,000​

|Sparkplug or outright liability with the refs?

Thomas Greiss|

G​

|

29​

|

1,000,000​

|Sure to be moving on with rest of Pens' goalies thriving

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

25​

|

874,125​

|Group 6 UFA who doesn't have much incentive to return

Blake Comeau|

LW​

|

29​

|

700,000​

|Wrist injury kept his stats -- and his pricetag -- down

Craig Adams|

RW​

|

37​

|

700,000​

|I believe the term is "seppuku" -- Look it up, Harvard Boy

Taylor Chorney|

D​

|

27​

|

550,000​

|Apparently under consideration to bring back to the big club

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

32​

|

550,000​

|Token 14th/15th forward likely to look for a better shot

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Group 6 UFA beloved for running into people and falling down

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

28​

|

550,000​

|Injuries may cost him some money on his next 2-way deal

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond|

RW​

|

29​

|

550,000​

|One of many casually discarded AHL goons

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

News and notes​

Beau Bennett|

RW​

|

23​

|

900,000​

|As likely to be traded as he is to be re-signed, it seems

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

23​

|

831,667​

|Pressure is on the front office to decide on his future

Ian Cole|

D​

|

26​

|

825,000​

|Imagine a trade deadline pickup that didn't embarrass

Adam Payerl|

RW​

|

24​

|

626,667​

|Doesn't bring much other than decent size

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

24​

|

625,000​

|Buried very, very deep on the depth chart at this point

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

22​

|

601,667​

|Has the makings of a serviceable fourth-liner

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

23​

|

598,333​

|Finally over the injury bug?

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

22​

|

575,000​

|Provides grit on an AHL blueline and not much more

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|Nice knowing you, kid

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Oskar Sundqvist|

C​

|

20​

|

SkellefteÃ¥ (SHL)​

|

3 years/708,333 per​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

Anthony Angello|

F​

|

18​

|Omaha (USHL)

Dane Birks|

D​

|

19​

|Michigan Tech (WCHA)

Teddy Blueger|

F​

|

20​

|Minnesota State (WCHA)

Blaine Byron|

F​

|

20​

|Maine (HEA)

Jake Guentzel|

F​

|

20​

|Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)

Troy Josephs|

F​

|

20​

|Clarkson (ECAC)

Sam Lafferty|

F​

|

19​

|Brown (ECAC)

Jaden Lindo|

F​

|

19​

|Owen Sound (OHL)

Sean Maguire|

G​

|

22​

|Boston University (HEA)

Alexander Pechurskiy|

G​

|

24​

|Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Ryan Segalla|

D​

|

20​

|Connecticut (HEA)

Jeff Taylor|

D​

|

20​

|Union (ECAC)

Click to read more...

 

[shureshot66]

Restarting things for the offseason with updated free agent charts.

We've done a great job keeping these ongoing threads focused on who to target, who to sign, who to dump, etc. Let's please keep it that way. Random musings/complaints about Rutherford, Johnston, Rossi or whoever can go elsewhere.

I've kept the NHL roster above pretty bare bones for flexiblity's sake. Obviously guys like Kapanen, Sundqvist and the WBS goalies are all major options to make the team next fall, so feel free to figure them into your cap calculations as you see fit.

 

[KIRK]

Trade or failing that buyout . . . Kunitz, Scuderi, Lovejoy

Trade . . . Sutter

Consider no raise resign . . . Comeau, Lappy

Let all other UFA's walk no matter the price

 

[tom_servo]

At least we've got Eastside Hockey Manager back.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I still think a team will trade for Kunitz if we want to move him. 2 time Cup winner coming off a 40 point year, and his salary would be manageable for a non cap team. Christ, Orpik signed a deal for 5.5 mil per, don't tell me someone wouldn't take Kunitz at 3.85 mil.

Scuderi...eh, we may have to bite the bullet and buy him out.

 

[WayneSid9987]

The model franchise to copy right now is the Ducks.

Perry and Getzlaf, both 29. Brought in a proven 30 yr old playoff performer in Kesler and everyone else on thier roster aren't pluggers/vanilla players. They are filled with young talent(both big and small).

You obviously have to draft well but they've had:

22 - 1st and 2nd round picks since thier Cup win in '07. 31 1st to 3rd round picks.

The Pens have had 12 1st and 2nd's in that same span. 19 1st to 3rd round picks.

So how do you play catch up quickly? is the question.
And you don't really need to catch up at all positions. It's strictly F's. Their pipeline is still pretty damn good right now for D-Men and the G positions.

First and foremost, going after a Panarin or players of his ilk in the near future should be a priority. Guys who are really good/skilled and can step in immediately are a huge plus.

They can also afford to trade another blue chip D-prospect for a F-prospect of equal value. LOL at trading one for a 31 yr old Ben Lovejoy.

The future isn't entirely dire though with Kapanen and Sundqvist in the fold.

 

[shureshot66]

I still think a team will trade for Kunitz if we want to move him. 2 time Cup winner coming off a 40 point year, and his salary would be manageable for a non cap team. Christ, Orpik signed a deal for 5.5 mil per, don't tell me someone wouldn't take Kunitz at 3.85 mil.

It's been awhile since I've looked this stuff up -- I can find details on a limited NTC for Dupuis but nothing for Kunitz. That would be a huge relief if he actually doesn't have one. Ship his ass to Edmonton to teach the young'ns and whatnot.

This post-Capgeek world frightens and confuses me.

 

[KIRK]

It's been awhile since I've looked this stuff up -- I can find details on a limited NTC for Dupuis but nothing for Kunitz. That would be a huge relief if he actually doesn't have one. Ship his ass to Edmonton to teach the young'ns and whatnot.

This post-Capgeek world frightens and confuses me.

Kunitz's old deal had a limited NTC. There's nothing on the new deal and, in fact, save Yohe, everyone who's spoken of his deal has done so by saying there's no NTC.

And, yes, I think you can move him. Edmonton. Maybe Winnipeg. Several teams would be willing, I suspect.

 

[Wes C Addle]

It's been awhile since I've looked this stuff up -- I can find details on a limited NTC for Dupuis but nothing for Kunitz. That would be a huge relief if he actually doesn't have one. Ship his ass to Edmonton to teach the young'ns and whatnot.

This post-Capgeek world frightens and confuses me.

An old version of Capgeek shows Dupuis can submit a list of 8 teams he can't be traded to. It shows nothing for Kunitz. Hopefully that was pretty darn accurate.

A question/refresher on buyouts.

Buyouts for players over the age of 26, is this 2/3 of the cap hit spread evenly over twice the remaning length?

So for someone like Scuderi, I'm getting a hit of 1.125 million over 4 years. Does that make sense?

 

[KIRK]

An old version of Capgeek shows Dupuis can submit a list of 8 teams he can't be traded to. It shows nothing for Kunitz. Hopefully that was pretty darn accurate.

A question/refresher on buyouts.

Buyouts for players over the age of 26, is this 2/3 of the cap hit spread evenly over twice the remaning length?

So for someone like Scuderi, I'm getting a hit of 1.125 million over 4 years. Does that make sense?

You understand correctly.

 

[shureshot66]

An old version of Capgeek shows Dupuis can submit a list of 8 teams he can't be traded to. It shows nothing for Kunitz. Hopefully that was pretty darn accurate.

A question/refresher on buyouts.

Buyouts for players over the age of 26, is this 2/3 of the cap hit spread evenly over twice the remaning length?

So for someone like Scuderi, I'm getting a hit of 1.125 million over 4 years. Does that make sense?

It's something very close to that, yes. Dead cap space for the next four seasons (net savings over the next two) is definitely correct. The actual amount of dead space varies, I believe, based on actual salary, not cap hit. So the penalty would be a little different from year to year, but you're in the right ballpark.

EDIT: If I did it right, these would be the cap hits for the next four years if they did buy him out.

2015-16: 1,291,667 (net saving of ~$2.1M)
2016-17: 1,791,667 (net saving of ~$1.6M)
2017-18: 916,667
2018-19: 916,667

 

[billybudd]

I'd be willing to give Lovejoy a chance to make the team on a pairing with Pouliot. They looked okay before Pouliot's defensive game went to Hell, which was somewhat independent of Lovejoy. But my leash would be short.

To me, him, Cole and, I guess, Harrington (if he can play the right) are battling for one roster spot, assuming DP makes the team, which is a foregone conclusion they seem to be making ,but I'm not sure I would be.

Dumoulin and Chorney would very probably be my second pair unless they start getting lit up, strange as that would have sounded two weeks ago. They gave up no goals together in five playoff games and five on the season in the AHL. Something's right with that pair. Both, independently, were better than Paul "soon to be highest-paid free agent D of 2015" Martin.

I still think a team will trade for Kunitz if we want to move him. 2 time Cup winner coming off a 40 point year, and his salary would be manageable for a non cap team. Christ, Orpik signed a deal for 5.5 mil per, don't tell me someone wouldn't take Kunitz at 3.85 mil.

Scuderi...eh, we may have to bite the bullet and buy him out.

It's possible. If Morrow keeps getting gigs, it's not out of the question someone would give you something for Kunitz, if they have the balls to move him.

 

[JackFr]

OK, last time I post this before I go insane. Assuming that Sutter isn't traded...

Panarin (0.9) - Crosby (8.7) - Hornqvist (4.2)
Perron (3.8) - Malkin (9.5) - Bennett (0.9)
Winnik (2) - Sutter (3.3) - Tikhonov (0.8)
Sundqvist (0.7) - Lapierre (1.5) - Rust (0.7)

Maatta (0.9) - Letang (7.2)
Cole (1.2) - Petry (5)
Lovejoy (1.1) - Pouliot (0.9)

Fleury (5.7)
Whoever (0.9)

Cap hit: 60,000,000
Salary cap: 70,000,000
Cap space: 10,000,000

Winnik kept only because otherwise that trade is horrific. We're going to end up with a cap-limit roster next season but we don't have to. We just have to be smart in spending our money. This gives us room for trades if Bennett and Panarin don't pan out completely, and best of all we aren't tossing money into a bottom six of mercenaries.

Why not take that roster into opening night? It gives us flexibility for expensive Pouliot and Maatta contracts in the future and lets us make trades without having to worry about fitting anything under the cap.

 

[billybudd]

Panarin's an ELC, but Tikhonov's a UFA, I think. In other words, Panarin can only make what a rook can make. Tikhonov makes whatever anyone will pay him, which won't be 800k. Reason he's debating coming back is money, pure and simple.

 

[JackFr]

Panarin's an ELC, but Tikhonov's a UFA, I think. In other words, Panarin can only make what a rook can make. Tikhonov makes whatever anyone will pay him, which won't be 800k. Reason he's debating coming back is money, pure and simple.

Ah well then add some money to that contract. There's plenty of room to do it

 

[Ugene Magic]

It's something very close to that, yes. Dead cap space for the next four seasons (net savings over the next two) is definitely correct. The actual amount of dead space varies, I believe, based on actual salary, not cap hit. So the penalty would be a little different from year to year, but you're in the right ballpark.

EDIT: If I did it right, these would be the cap hits for the next four years if they did buy him out.

2015-16: 1,291,667 (net saving of ~$2.1M)
2016-17: 1,791,667 (net saving of ~$1.6M)
2017-18: 916,667
2018-19: 916,667

Very doable.

Get'er done.

They can eat half of Kunitz's deal for two seasons. Ship him off.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

The crop of forwards this year in free agency seems pretty weak, but there is a player who could turn the Pens' fortunes around:

 

[penspenspens]

For me, it all comes down to letting Kunitz and Scuderi go. I'd like to see Duper gone too, but that's a bit different. He's not worth 3 7500 000 a year. Kunitz/Scuderi have to go, even if they played for free.

With the cap hits of Crosby/Malkin, we can't affort to have wingers who play below their paygrade.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

XXXX - Crosby - Hornqvist
Perron - Malkin - XXXX
Sundqvist - Matthias - Bennett
Spaling - Lapierre - Comeau
Farnham

Maatta - Letang
Petry - Pouliot
McQuaid - Dumoulin/Harrington
Lovejoy

Fleury
XXXX

Trade Sutter while his value is high. Try to get a good, young roster player. Add if you need to.

Trade Kunitz for the best return you can.

Trade Scuderi for literally anything you can. Buy him out if you can't find a taker.

Try to sign Matthias for the 3rd line. Try to sign Petry and McQuaid to fill out the defense. Sign whoever to backup Fleury.

How do you fix the top six winger situation? Beleskey? Frolik? Tlusty? Beleskey is intriguing, but he screams one hit wonder. Frolik is a guy who has always left teams wanting more. Tlusty? Yuck.

If you want to grab a guy like Beleskey and hope he plays out, fine. I still think it's a **** signing. That only puts a band-aid on one problem. We still need another winger. We're gonna have to hope Sutter+ can land us a young, promising winger or we're gonna have to part with Letang, Maatta, or Pouliot. That's just the reality of it.

We are boned. Plain and simple, it's too late to fix this mess unless we're willing to part with Letang for the King's Ransom he will fetch us, and just deal with the void it creates. That's just the position we've put ourselves in after a decade of abysmal drafting/development of players, and usage of picks.

The fact that this team doesn't think it has any issues beyond staying healthy really makes me sick to my stomach. Even if we're healthy, we're missing two top six wingers, and our defense is still missing 3 guys next October.

I'd see if we could land a huge package from Detroit for Letang. Something like Toronto wanted for Phaneuf; Mantha, B. Smith, and Pulkkinen. A phenomenal, huge winger prospect, a good, young defenseman with snarl, and another good winger prospect.

 

[systemsgo]

For me, it all comes down to letting Kunitz and Scuderi go. I'd like to see Duper gone too, but that's a bit different. He's not worth 3 7500 000 a year. Kunitz/Scuderi have to go, even if they played for free.

With the cap hits of Crosby/Malkin, we can't affort to have wingers who play below their paygrade.

I don't think he's worth his contract, especially since who knows what kind of shape he'll be in next year what with getting older and extended time off. However, we complain a lot of slow wingers, and Dupuis is the fastest one we have.

It might be worth it to keep him if he can play, as he's fast (can fit in the top 6 in a pinch, the worry is if they think he should be a top 6 role permanently), defensively sound and can play on the PK. It's not like there're many options out there for wingers.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I don't think he's worth his contract, especially since who knows what kind of shape he'll be in next year what with getting older and extended time off. However, we complain a lot of slow wingers, and Dupuis is the fastest one we have.

It might be worth it to keep him if he can play, as he's fast (can fit in the top 6 in a pinch, the worry is if they think he should be a top 6 role permanently), defensively sound and can play on the PK. It's not like there're many options out there for wingers.

Dupuis was fast. We have no idea what he's going to be like after a knee surgery, and a year off of hockey in which he couldn't keep in top shape. He's also 36. Let's be honest here, we're all silly if we don't think Dupuis is gonna be a top six winger next fall. That's assuming his career isn't done--which I think it should be. This team isn't going to be gunning for a Cup, and Dupuis isn't gonna change that. There's no use in trying to come back.

 

[systemsgo]

Dupuis was fast. We have no idea what he's going to be like after a knee surgery, and a year off of hockey in which he couldn't keep in top shape. He's also 36. Let's be honest here, we're all silly if we don't think Dupuis is gonna be a top six winger next fall. That's assuming his career isn't done--which I think it should be. This team isn't going to be gunning for a Cup, and Dupuis isn't gonna change that. There's no use in trying to come back.

I don't think he's going to be able to come back. But let's say he does come back, with the way he conditions himself, he could very likely be just as fast. If his knee injury late in his career didn't slow him down, I don't think blood clots would. It might end his career, but I don't think it'd slow him down. A guy who played knowing he had a possible life threatening issue isn't going to not try to come back just because he doesn't have a cup.



I was looking at the Blues boards. Some of them mentioned trading Backes + Oshie for Malkin. Not that I want Geno traded, but that doesn't seem too bad a deal compared to some crap being floated around in the Trades board.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

If I'm moving Geno to St. Louis, I want Backes, Tarasenko and a 1st.

Yes, it's an absurd payment, but that's what it'd take me to move Geno. That's why Sid and Geno will never be moved. There's no fair deal to be made. Really no use in spitballing any trade with Sid or Geno.

 

[systemsgo]

If I'm moving Geno to St. Louis, I want Backes, Tarasenko and a 1st.

Yes, it's an absurd payment, but that's what it'd take me to move Geno. That's why Sid and Geno will never be moved. There's no fair deal to be made. Really no use in spitballing any trade with Sid or Geno.

There's no deal that would make us a better team. Just look at how terrible the Seguin trade worked out for the Bruins. Or even Kesler and Canucks.

The only reason they'd get traded is if they wanted out, and if they want out, well, we're never going to get a fair deal.

 

[The Greatest 101]

Watch them trade Malkin for Weber and Nick Spaling.