Salary Cap: Look Sharp! I've had my Phil of rumors. I'd like to Oshie a trade already. Nail it,JR

[IcedCapp]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

Official 2015-16 salary ceiling: ........71,400,000
Projected 2015-16 cap spending: ....60,695,000
Projected offseason cap space: .......10,705,000



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​

Ian Cole|

D​

|

26​

|

2,100,000​

|

2,100,000​

|

2,100,000​

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​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Kasperi Kapanen|

RW​

|

18​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

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​

|

585,000​

|

585,000​

|

RFA​

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

23​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Defense...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

21​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Niclas Andersen|

D​

|

27​

|

625,000​

|

UFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

21​

|

589,167​

|

RFA​

Goalie..................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

20​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

|

RFA​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

27​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

19​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

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​

|Won't be offered a new deal, per Renaud Lavoie

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​

| Signed with SC Bern (NLA)

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​

| Re-signed with Penguins (3 years, $2.1M per)

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​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $575k)

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)

Nikita Pavlychev|

F​

|

18​

|Des Moines (USHL)

Alexander Pechurskiy|

G​

|

24​

|Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Ryan Segalla|

D​

|

20​

|Connecticut (HEA)

Dominik Simon|

F​

|

20​

|HC Plzen (ELH)

Daniel Sprong|

F​

|

18​

|Charlottetown (QMJHL)

Jeff Taylor|

D​

|

20​

|Union (ECAC)

Frederik Tiffels|

F​

|

20​

|Western Michigan (NCHC)

Click to read more...

 

[Ogrezilla]

why am I here right now?

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

good point. But when you have 14 assistant GMs, maybe they are calling people?

Just like they were calling around shopping Despres.

 

[Sidney BrOSSby*]

why am I here right now?

You came for the coffee and the cake.


:mistletoe:

 

[Ogrezilla]

Just like they were calling around shopping Despres.

 

[DegenX]

this year is all about getting experience for the younger guys, regaining cap flexibility, and positioning the team to load up for 16-17.

This is what I keep circling back to.

I'd love to acquire Kessel. I think he's as close to perfect as we can get in terms of filling a need long term. But, I don't want to give up Määttä, Pouliot or Harrington as part of the cost of getting him. I know ... you have to give to get. Then again, if all reports are accurate, we are in a unique situation here. The Leafs want/need to move Kessel and we're the only ones interested on his list. Ideally, we can get this done for Sutter, Dumoulin, one of KK/BB and Scuderi as a cap dump. Maybe a conditional first, if push comes to shove. If that doesn't get it done, I'd just walk away. Try the same package for Skinner.

If we don't land Kessel or Skinner, I'm OK with that, too. If we do sign Plotnikov as expected, and can add Frolik, I think we'll still be OK as long as we shed some of the drag. Move Sutter, Spaling, Kunitz, Scuderi and Lovejoy for whatever we can get and play the kids.

Play the kids ... that's been my mantra for forever Yes, there will be ups and downs. There will be a learning curve, an adjustment period ... but in the end, it will be worth it. Wasting draft picks at the deadline and signing guys with one foot out of the league isn't getting us anywhere.

Shore up the top six, either by trade or by over paying a guy like Frolik if we have to. Dump the dead weight and fill out the remaining bottom six spots with the handful of decent prospects we do have. Play the kids on defense, don't sign another aging D. Try something different instead of doing the same thing over and over and expecting it to work.

I like what Ogre said the other day: we need to move from a 'win now' mentality to a 'win soon' one. We need to plan for the future instead of continuing to mortgage it. The only way to do that is to start actually using the assets we have instead of trading them away for short term fixes that don't fix anything.

 

[penzweiser]

Any new developments?

 

[acrat11]

The question is, if Toronto is willing to take on a significant amount of Kessel's salary, would we be willing to move Maatta. I love Maatta just as much as the next person, just bought his jersey in fact, but if we are getting Phil Kessel for 7 years at 5-6 million, would we do it? I think I would.

 

[penguins2946*]

We don't need to focus on the future right now, we just can't be pissing it away like we have been. Only focusing on the future is just as bad of a strategy as only focusing on the present. One is terribly shortsighted and hurts our future and the other pisses away the prime of our core. There needs to be some kind of balance here. Don't trade picks and prospects for 20 game rentals, but don't be afraid to trade picks and prospects for long term solutions. Don't refuse to play young players, but don't only play young players. Don't only buy at the deadline, but don't only sell either. Do what Tampa is doing. They aren't afraid to trade good prospects and picks, but they also trade for good prospects and picks. You can't just either focus on the future or focus on now, you have to do both.

No to trading Maatta period. People need to realize we're just as shallow on D right now as we are in forwards. We don't have the depth we had a couple years ago, Maatta is badically untradeable right now.

 

[penzweiser]

The question is, if Toronto is willing to take on a significant amount of Kessel's salary, would we be willing to move Maatta. I love Maatta just as much as the next person, just bought his jersey in fact, but if we are getting Phil Kessel for 7 years at 5-6 million, would we do it? I think I would.

They would be eating 14-21 million in that scenario, that is a lot of money to eat...

 

[IcedCapp]

If they don't trade for Kessel, I hope they don't trade for anyone. Don't give up assets for backup plans.

The STL deal may be the exception, but only because I think there's the possibility of picking up a forward prospect in the deal.

 

[sovietsanta87]

Im good with anyone but Maatta being traded. A combo of Pouliot BB KK Scuds Kunitz Dupuis Sutter and draft picks would be fine with me.

 

[pensfan71]

If they don't trade for Kessel, I hope they don't trade for anyone. Don't give up assets for backup plans.

The STL deal may be the exception, but only because I think there's the possibility of picking up a forward prospect in the deal.

 

[penguins2946*]

If they don't trade for Kessel, I hope they don't trade for anyone. Don't give up assets for backup plans.

The STL deal may be the exception, but only because I think there's the possibility of picking up a forward prospect in the deal.

Is a forward prospect even that big of a need for us at this point? In the system and on the roster, we have Bennett, Plotnikov, Sundqvist, Sprong, Rust, Wilson and Kapanen now. That's not a bad group.

 

[acrat11]

They would be eating 14-21 million in that scenario, that is a lot of money to eat...

Yes it is, but they are on the rebuild so they will have space for the next few seasons. And like someone posted earlier, they really need a defenseman like Maatta and not Pouliot. I doubt them eating 3 mill a year is a possibility but if it gets down to it and Shanahan becomes desperate, I could see them eating 2 million a year to get Maatta.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Kessel doesn't warrant any cap retention. That's why.

Even if Maatta was the return they would take back salary like in the form of Kunitz and/or a dump in the form of Scuderi.

They may want, Maatta, but they won't be getting him.

Even Sutter could be used in place of Kunitz.

Sutter, Pouliot, 1st and Scuderi works if they just wait, and if they choose to hold onto Kessel so be it. Move onto B/C/D/E/F******.... G.

You do due process though and see if they'll bite. It's 3 days.

 

[IcedCapp]

Is a forward prospect even that big of a need for us at this point? In the system and on the roster, we have Bennett, Plotnikov, Sundqvist, Sprong, Rust, Wilson and Kapanen now. That's not a bad group.

I think the Pens lack near-NHL ready forward talent. If you get an Oshie and/or Berglund and an NHL-ready winger, and you can have tons of depth, I'm happy.

But It's not a huge need, no, which is why I'm basically saying either go big or go home.

 

[acrat11]

Kessel doesn't warrant any cap retention. That's why.

Even if Maatta was the return they would take back salary like in the form of Kunitz and/or a dump in the form of Scuderi.

They may want, Maatta, but they won't be getting him.

Even Sutter could be used in place of Kunitz.

Sutter, Pouliot, 1st and Scuderi works if they just wait, and if they choose to hold onto Kessel so be it. Move onto B/C/D/E/F******.... G.

You do due process though and see if they'll bite. It's 3 days.

There's a huge difference between getting scuderi or kunitz off the books for two years and them retaining Kessel's salary for the term. Maybe it's not an option for them to retain, but there is a big difference.

 

[penzweiser]

If they don't trade for Kessel, I hope they don't trade for anyone. Don't give up assets for backup plans.

The STL deal may be the exception, but only because I think there's the possibility of picking up a forward prospect in the deal.

There's guys out there that we should discuss giving up assets for other than kessel, it just isn't worth it for guys like sharp.

 

[chethejet]

Cup winners all have very good D. Pens will significantly weaken the D with a trade of Maatta. Trading for a 8 million dollar winger is so restrictive that the Pens may lose Maatta and or DP or Perron due to financial flexibility as the cap may well stay at 71 million. It is financial suicide to add 8 million to the core. That represents five players making 38 million which is 55% of the cap. Dumping or buyouts doesn't change that fact. Can't work.

 

[Boocock]

After reading Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts, I'm more convinced than ever we're in great hands.

17. I’m a huge Michael Jordan fan. One of my favourite quotes of his is: “My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.” Was reminded of that the other day thinking about Jim Rutherford.

One of the reasons the Penguins are linked to Jiri Hudler, Phil Kessel, TJ Oshie, Sharp and Jeff Skinner (among others) is the GM’s listening on all of them, waiting for the best deal.

Everyone thinks the Penguins are desperate in their search for wingers, he sees it as the other teams are desperate to move them. It’s a gigantic game of chicken, and there aren’t many teams as willing to take some of those players. It’s an important way to think.

18. No one will comment on how close it was (or still may be), but Kessel to Pittsburgh had serious traction. Toronto was willing to ease the Penguins’ contract burden. But there was no consensus on the reward.

Patience is a virtue.

 

[IcedCapp]

There's guys out there that we should discuss giving up assets for other than kessel, it just isn't worth it for guys like sharp.

I mostly disagree, but it's not like JR listens to us anyhow.

 

[orby]

I love Maatta but Kessel with 2m retained is a borderline ridiculous bargain. I'd consider that.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

This is what I keep circling back to.

I'd love to acquire Kessel. I think he's as close to perfect as we can get in terms of filling a need long term. But, I don't want to give up Määttä, Pouliot or Harrington as part of the cost of getting him. I know ... you have to give to get. Then again, if all reports are accurate, we are in a unique situation here. The Leafs want/need to move Kessel and we're the only ones interested on his list. Ideally, we can get this done for Sutter, Dumoulin, one of KK/BB and Scuderi as a cap dump. Maybe a conditional first, if push comes to shove. If that doesn't get it done, I'd just walk away. Try the same package for Skinner.

If we don't land Kessel or Skinner, I'm OK with that, too. If we do sign Plotnikov as expected, and can add Frolik, I think we'll still be OK as long as we shed some of the drag. Move Sutter, Spaling, Kunitz, Scuderi and Lovejoy for whatever we can get and play the kids.

Play the kids ... that's been my mantra for forever Yes, there will be ups and downs. There will be a learning curve, an adjustment period ... but in the end, it will be worth it. Wasting draft picks at the deadline and signing guys with one foot out of the league isn't getting us anywhere.

Shore up the top six, either by trade or by over paying a guy like Frolik if we have to. Dump the dead weight and fill out the remaining bottom six spots with the handful of decent prospects we do have. Play the kids on defense, don't sign another aging D. Try something different instead of doing the same thing over and over and expecting it to work.

I like what Ogre said the other day: we need to move from a 'win now' mentality to a 'win soon' one. We need to plan for the future instead of continuing to mortgage it. The only way to do that is to start actually using the assets we have instead of trading them away for short term fixes that don't fix anything.

The question is, if Toronto is willing to take on a significant amount of Kessel's salary, would we be willing to move Maatta. I love Maatta just as much as the next person, just bought his jersey in fact, but if we are getting Phil Kessel for 7 years at 5-6 million, would we do it? I think I would.

Here's the thing, the more of a carrot you dangle in front of the Leafs, the more they may be willing to accept back in terms of contracts. So if you're only willing to deal Brian Dumoulin and Brandon Sutter as the main package, then the Leafs won't take back any of Kunitz, Scuderi, Dupuis, Spaling et al. And they won't retain Kessel's salary. AND they may even want you to take Roman Polak in the deal.

In other words, this is a complicated deal but we're in a complicated situation. Trading for a Kessel without any relief on our cap would only put even more pressure on the situation. BUT, if you do dangle something Toronto covets, then they become even more interested in moving Kessel out and become more willing to take back players we do not want anymore. And that's a HUGE component of this deal.

I don't want the Leafs to retain any of Kessel's salary. I want them to take back at the VERY LEAST Chris Kunitz's contract and preferably two of Kunitz, Scuderi, Dupuis and/or Spaling.

Then maybe we could package Sutter and Lovejoy together for a youngish defenseman who can maybe help us forget about the young D-man we are inevitably going to have to lose in order to acquire Kessel.

So let's say we can get Kessel at full salary without having to take back another contract, without having to throw in a 1st round pick in 2016, in exchange for Maatta, Kunitz and Dupuis? I'm making that trade because it helps us more than it hurts us.

THEN, what about Sutter and Lovejoy to Montreal for a young defenseman like Jarred Tinordi and a second rounder in 2016?

This is what I'd be looking to do right now.

I would be more than happy to have Kessel, Plotnikov, Sundqvist and Kapanen up front, with Sutter, Kunitz and Dupuis gone, and Tinordi and Andersen on defense replacing Maatta and Lovejoy.

If they don't trade for Kessel, I hope they don't trade for anyone. Don't give up assets for backup plans.

The STL deal may be the exception, but only because I think there's the possibility of picking up a forward prospect in the deal.

Why did you suggest "Nail it" in this thread title? What are you hearing? Please don't get my hopes up, you cold coffee tease!

 

[Ugene Magic]

There's a huge difference between getting scuderi or kunitz off the books for two years and them retaining Kessel's salary for the term. Maybe it's not an option for them to retain, but there is a big difference.

That's exactly why they wouldn't retain any, option B fits their timeline better with those two coming off the books. Plus they can flip Kunitz for a pick at the TDL. Sutter they would keep if he was in place of Kunitz, and re-sign him.

The main point stands that Kessel's value warrants not retaining anything. He's worth 8.0 plain and simple.