Salary Cap: Free Agency Part VI | Pens updates, roster ideas, proposals here | Cap space: $7.3M

[shureshot66]

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

Confirmed 2014-2015 salary ceiling: ...69,000,000
Projected cap spending: .....................61,669,167
Projected cap space: ...........................7,330,833



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​

Marcel Goc|

C​

|

30​

|

1,200,000​

|

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​

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​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

Robert Bortuzzo|

D​

|

25​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

Goalie...................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

29​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Thomas Greiss|

G​

|

28​

|

1,000,000​

|

UFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Oskar Sundqvist|

C​

|

20​

|

708,333​

|

708,333​

|

708,333​

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​

Zach Sill|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

27​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

31​

|

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​

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​

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

News and notes​

Brooks Orpik|

D​

|

33​

|

3,750,000​

| Signed with Washington (5 years, $5.5M per) !

Jussi Jokinen|

LW​

|

31​

|

3,000,000​

| Signed with Florida (4 years, $4M per) ?

Lee Stempniak|

RW​

|

31​

|

2,500,000​

|Surprisingly good stickhandler likely too pricey for a third-liner on this team

Matt Niskanen|

D​

|

27​

|

2,300,000​

| Signed with Washington (7 years, $5.75M per)

Tomas Vokoun|

G​

|

37​

|

2,000,000​

|God bless the man if he's able to continue playing, but it won't be in Pittsburgh

Marcel Goc|

C​

|

30​

|

1,700,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $1.2M)

Taylor Pyatt|

LW​

|

32​

|

1,550,000​

|At least they didn't have to give up anything to get him in the first place? Ugh

Tanner Glass|

LW​

|

30​

|

1,100,000​

| Signed with N.Y. Rangers (3 years, $1.45M per) ?!

Spencer Machacek|

RW​

|

25​

|

632,500​

|Group VI UFA provided much-needed scoring touch for WBS after trade

Deryk Engelland|

D​

|

32​

|

566,667​

| Signed with Calgary (3 years, $2.9M per) ?!?!?!

Joe Vitale|

C​

|

28​

|

550,000​

| Signed with Arizona (3 years, $1.117M per)

Brian Gibbons|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

| Signed with Columbus (1 year, TBA, 2-way)

Zach Sill|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $550k, 2-way)

Chuck Kobasew|

RW​

|

32​

|

550,000​

| Signed with Bern (NLA)

Chris Conner|

RW​

|

30​

|

550,000​

| Signed with Washington (1 year, $550k, 2-way)

Harry Zolnierczyk|

LW​

|

26​

|

550,000​

| Signed with N.Y. Islanders (1 year, $600k, 2-way)

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

27​

|

550,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $550k, 2-way)

Brendan Mikkelson|

D​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Decent scoring defenseman ... in the AHL

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player......................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

News and notes​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

24​

|

2,066,667​

|Owners caught Shero sewing KESLER onto 16's jersey at night while sobbing

Nick Spaling|

LW​

|

25​

|

1,500,000​

|Sounds like he's already being penciled in as Sutter's new running mate

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

24​

|

925,000​

|”Promising Pens Winger” label remarkably similar to “Office Hot” concept

Simon Despres|

D​

|

22​

|

840,000​

| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etZpup-GtLw

Philip Samuelsson|

D​

|

22​

|

627,500​

|New extension should be long enough for Jack Neely to be draft-eligible

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|Remains one of the most aggravating players in the AHL

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

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 (WCHA)

Troy Josephs|

F​

|

20​

|Clarkson (ECAC)

Kasperi Kapanen|

F​

|

17​

|KalPa (Liiga)

Sam Lafferty|

F​

|

19​

|Tri-City (USHL)

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...

 

[Captain Hook]

I know people aren't crazy about Seto but I would take a flyer on him if he's dirt cheap. He's got the wheels to play with Sid and more skill than the likes of Dupuis and Gibbons.

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

Rumor has it that Dupuis told Bennett not to rehab too hard, save something for camp.

 

[Waffle Fries]

Clark MacAthur at a little over 3 mil for 2 years was better value. Especially given age.

That contract is the epitome of get along gang. NTC to boot. I almost broke my iphone when I saw it last summer.

Oh I was furious. I believe was the same day that the Letang deal was officially announced. I was pretty excited about the idea of having Sid, Geno and Letang locked up long term. The off-season went downhill pretty fast.

It didn't seem like Shero even bothered negotiating to me. He used to be really firm on not signing guys above a certain age to longer than two year deals. Had it just been 2 years @ 3.75M I would have said he was overpaid, but I wouldn't have been pissed. Four years at almost any amount is ridiculous.

Not much we can do about it now, but last off-season was absolutely brutal.

I guess it's obvious now that GMs do sign players to keep their coaches happy. Orpik/Nisky in Washington with Reirdon, Glass with AV in New York. Maybe it's a good thing that Johnston hasn't been in the NHL for awhile just to keep him from having any weird attachments to players. At least Tocchet's boy fills a need and signed cheap.

 

[Zero Pucks]

I'm hoping JR goes after Kevin Hayes if he hits the market. That's about the only half decent option we have left worth pursuing that doesn't involve a trade.

 

[T1K]

I know people aren't crazy about Seto but I would take a flyer on him if he's dirt cheap. He's got the wheels to play with Sid and more skill than the likes of Dupuis and Gibbons.

For under 2 mil he's a good value. I think I'd prefer Stemp, but he is the kind of player that Crosby does well with. Either him or Stemp I think would be decent options. Obviously they are band aids, but if we can roll 4 strong lines then we'll be so much better come playoff time.

 

[mpp9]

Seto doesn't solve the problem with our top 6. He can't do anything on his own. That should be the criteria. Hornqvist goes to the net and works his ass off. Now we need a player who can create offense. Basically all things Neal couldn't or wouldn't do.

 

[Fleury3434*]

Don't understand the Dupuis hate...him Crosby and Kunitz are usually money together (at least regular season wise). Let's give Dupuis at least until closer to trade deadline. I'm even willing to give scuderi another shot, I remember when hfboards want sped Paul Martin kicked to the curb after the Philly playoff series lol. Look at Martin now! Maybe scuderi can turn it around under a new system.

Honestly don't know what everyone is complaining about, JR wanted a tougher team to play against and I believe he has succeeded in doing that. Malkin doesn't "need" another top 6 winger; he won the cup,with max talbot and ****ing Feds on his line. He needs players that work hard in the dirty areas and can feed him the puck.

Maybe closer to trade deadline we can start worrying about getting a winger; but until then I'm happy with what we got; this team as constructed is EASILY a playoff team

 

[wizmet12]

Just get rid of Dupree and sign one year deal w Heatley 1.5mil

 

[DoktorZaius]

Just get rid of Dupree and sign one year deal w Heatley 1.5mil

Heatley is a total mess. I'd pay that money to keep him off the team.

 

[wizmet12]

Heatley is a total mess. I'd pay that money to keep him off the team.

You thinking mr Dupree is a lesser mess?
I would try him on one year deal though. I just cant stand a KCD line anymore.

 

[Zero Pucks]

Just say no to Heatley.

 

[Captain Hook]

KCD is okay as a band-aid as long as the player (Sid) the coach (Johnston) and the GM (Rutherford) don't fall in love with it again and are flexible enough to fix it with a move at or before the deadline. The problem with the last regime was they were married to it, especially Bylsma. Shero at least tried to bring in some different RW options by trading for Iggy.

 

[billybudd]

I know people aren't crazy about Seto but I would take a flyer on him if he's dirt cheap. He's got the wheels to play with Sid and more skill than the likes of Dupuis and Gibbons.

Judging by Johston's outline the probability of Setoguchi lasting 10 games before being scratched is low. Big time perimeter player. No room for that in his strategy. He literally doesn't do a single thing that is required of him. I'd try my luck with Downie and one knee PD before I signed a bad fit just to say I signed someone.

That said, I kick the tires on those Washington guys first. Huge fan of Ward in particular

 

[billybudd]

I'm hoping JR goes after Kevin Hayes if he hits the market. That's about the only half decent option we have left worth pursuing that doesn't involve a trade.

You'd have to trade for Jimmy to have any success with that. Whole reason Kevin won't sign is to play with his bro is my understanding of the situation

 

[KIRK]

KCD is okay as a band-aid as long as the player (Sid) the coach (Johnston) and the GM (Rutherford) don't fall in love with it again and are flexible enough to fix it with a move at or before the deadline. The problem with the last regime was they were married to it, especially Bylsma. Shero at least tried to bring in some different RW options by trading for Iggy.

Agree.

In an ideal world, Sid's and Geno's lines would be stacked. On a team with flaws, on balance, I think that is the best way to set the team up for playoff success.

That said-- and this is for RRP-- one reason I wanted the top six stacked is because I always thought only then would we have a Bylsma proof roster.

It now sounds like we've got a coach who believes in matchups and who isn't afraid to mix up his lines if his big guys aren't going.

That will help to mitigate the talent deficiency on the wings in the top six.

So, KCD is a band-aid. It also will be one of several band-aid combinations we see within games.

As I wrote yesterday, reminds me of Badger Bob. He had that little notebook telling him which combos worked best against what guys. Using that and a little gut, he'd mix it up.

Even a guy like Therrien was pretty good when it came to telling if Sid or Geno were going, and he'd mix it up. I could see guys like Downie and Spaling being used like Cooke, Ruutu, and Talbot were.

I still think the top six needs to be improved, but it can be managed short term.

 

[Michael8771*]

Like I said before I really think our other signings were excellent relative to cost, length and need. The problem that still exists is the most pressing one. That's what I don't understand about this team or its management. Why aren't we making our top six a top priority? That's where are best players are right? It's as if Sid and Geno are being punished for being as good as they are. Apparently the powers that be expect them to do more with less. This has been a theme for how long now? To maximize our greatest assets you give them the best supporting cast you can. Otherwise you somewhat mitigate their value and ability to contribute.

The first thing that should have happened was to sign a top six winger! From there you work your way back. And yet here we are again. Still time but damn!

 

[GnomE]

I wanted Kulemin but not at anywhere near 4 million per. He's way too risky a top 6 option to commit 4 years and 4 million per to unless you are really desperate like the Isles. I'd take Ehroff over him a million times out of a million.

Risky? How do we know Crosby will click with Hornqvist. He hasn't clicked with a lot of players before. Will Horn click with Malkin?
With Kulemin, we DID know he can work with Malkin. It's the safest signing you can make actually. After 8 yeas, we had a chance to sign a perfect 3rd wheel for Malkin!

Why does it have to be a choice between Ehrhoff and Kulemin? We could've traded Dupuis; he's easily replaceable, especially with all the bottom 6 depth we now have. But no! Apparently it's way "too creative"! "Very, very, very creative"

There's always a chance but it would take someone getting very, very creative to figure out how that contract fits into our cap

 

[KIRK]

Judging by Johston's outline the probability of Setoguchi lasting 10 games before being scratched is low. Big time perimeter player. No room for that in his strategy. He literally doesn't do a single thing that is required of him. I'd try my luck with Downie and one knee PD before I signed a bad fit just to say I signed someone.

That said, I kick the tires on those Washington guys first. Huge fan of Ward in particular

I'd be kicking a lot of tires.

1. I do not see Sutter as a good value at 3.5M, not with the alternatives. Main board, people seem ok with Palmieri for him straight up. Others a month ago were talking Sutter for Stewart and a 2nd. I think Sutter gets you another top nine winger, and one that slots just as well if not better than any other alternative on the Pens save Horny and Kunitz.

2. I linked earlier a Colligan interview with Pens Initiative where he referenced Martin as the odd man out. I think he needs to go anytime between now and the deadline, and preferably not later than not long after Maatta returns. Letang and Ehrhoff are slotted. So should be Despres and Borts. Figure Sammy for your #7. Right now, even with Maatta out, Martin and Scuds are the other two. No Dumo. No Harrington. Forget about Pouliot returning too. I think you can do without one of Martin or Scuds right now. And, depending upon what Despres, Dumo, and Harrington show and with Maatta back, both by say January. As soon as the right return for Martin is there, you move him.

You mentioned Washington. Here's another team I'm looking at: Florida. They don't need Sutter, but they need defense badly. Hayes and Pirri interest. I also look at Anaheim. Mentioned Sutter. Ideal 3C for the teams they face. And, I could see Martin having value (yeah, they've got a full roster, but look at some of those names).

Lots of moving parts. Our top six needs help, but JR obviously has the ammo. Just needs to pull the trigger when it makes the most sense.

Here's two 'just spitballing' deals . . .

Sutter for Palmieri and then Scuds, Adams, and a 2nd for Stewart.

Suddenly, your top 12 forwards are Sid, Geno, Kunitz, Horny, Beau, Stewart, KP, Spaling, Goc, Downie, Comeau, Dupree.

Defense after Maatta returns is Tang, Ehrhoff, Martin, Maatta, Despres, Borts.

AND, come January, you'd STILL have the Martin chip and, my guess, about 2M in cap space to prorate.

 

[KIRK]

Like I said before I really think our other signings were excellent relative to cost, length and need. The problem that still exists is the most pressing one. That's what I don't understand about this team or its management. Why aren't we making our top six a top priority? That's where are best players are right? It's as if Sid and Geno are being punished for being as good as they are. Apparently the powers that be expect them to do more with less. This has been a theme for how long now? To maximize our greatest assets you give them the best supporting cast you can. Otherwise you somewhat mitigate their value and ability to contribute.

The first thing that should have happened was to sign a top six winger! From there you work your way back. And yet here we are again. Still time but damn!

Patience young grasshopper.

IF Maatta returns in November AND Martin and Scuderi are here, then the full blown panic will be more than justified.

IF Mike Jonhston proves every bit as married to lines even when they don't work in a game or at all, then the full blown panic will be more than justified.

Until then, we are ascribing the history of Shero to Rutherford. With Shero, you'd look at a roster like this and say 'ok, he'll do a deadline rental and that's it'. He did it enough times that you could expect it.

There's NO indication that Rutherford is pretty much done until deadline rental time. He may wait until Maatta returns or even a month into the season to see how acute the issue is, but I don't see anything that says he'll sit on his hands like Shero did.

 

[GnomE]

Like I said before I really think our other signings were excellent relative to cost, length and need. The problem that still exists is the most pressing one. That's what I don't understand about this team or its management. Why aren't we making our top six a top priority? That's where are best players are right? It's as if Sid and Geno are being punished for being as good as they are. Apparently the powers that be expect them to do more with less. This has been a theme for how long now? To maximize our greatest assets you give them the best supporting cast you can. Otherwise you somewhat mitigate their value and ability to contribute.

The first thing that should have happened was to sign a top six winger! From there you work your way back. And yet here we are again. Still time but damn!

Exactly! Couldn't have said any better than that.
Sorry, I think I missed out on replying to your post earlier.


Also, I don't understand why people keep bringing up that Grabo and Kulemin were a package deal. There is actually evidence to the contrary. Rutherford's comments regarding Kulemin signing suggest they weren't willing to pay him.

The quote above that I mentioned and the one (I can't find it at the moment, he said some time on July 1st) where he says Kulemin's demands are too high.

 

[deakka]

I'm on boars with trading sutter. Goc will not be that big of a step down from sutter. If he wants 3.5-4 I much rather take goc + assets we get from sutter.

Also he's said to look for a shirt term deal. That tells me he wants to test FA as soon as he can.

 

[NatureBoy]

I'm on boars with trading sutter. Goc will not be that big of a step down from sutter. If he wants 3.5-4 I much rather take goc + assets we get from sutter.

Also he's said to look for a shirt term deal. That tells me he wants to test FA as soon as he can.

Question is, would Spaling be a good 4th line center? Personally I would not have a problem if the Pens move Sutter if he brings back a good return. I don´t think he is worth 3.5 either.

 

[ObsessedCreative*]

Risky? How do we know Crosby will click with Hornqvist. He hasn't clicked with a lot of players before. Will Horn click with Malkin?
With Kulemin, we DID know he can work with Malkin. It's the safest signing you can make actually. After 8 yeas, we had a chance to sign a perfect 3rd wheel for Malkin!

Why does it have to be a choice between Ehrhoff and Kulemin? We could've traded Dupuis; he's easily replaceable, especially with all the bottom 6 depth we now have. But no! Apparently it's way "too creative"! "Very, very, very creative"

No really we didn't he and Garbo were a package deal.

 

[KIRK]

Question is, would Spaling be a good 4th line center? Personally I would not have a problem if the Pens move Sutter if he brings back a good return. I don´t think he is worth 3.5 either.

Don't know who would be 3C and who would be 4C if Sutter were moved. But, he can play 4C. He's a bottom six guy. Plays an energy, effort game. Anyway, it's not a reason not to move Sutter, IMO.