Salary Cap: Penguins 2013-14 cap/roster building discussion (Contract chart in Post #2)

[ImporterExporter]

This offseason needs to begin the complete destruction and rebuild that the 2 stooges put into motion over 4 years ago. Obviously you can't rely on FA alone to rebuild a team and there are a handful of guys that we all agree should be traded, for anything really. However, we know who the 2014 FA crop will be and there are some intriguing names out there, that could help in key areas we are lacking.

The first order of business, would be to obviously fire Bylsma (his entire staff) and Shero. That should happen the moment we're eliminated, which i pray is this round. Everything beyond that is pointless until they are gone, which we all pray happens.

http://capgeek.com/free-agents/

There are the 2014 FA's. If the cap does increase into the 70-71M range, we would be sitting in the 15M range in terms of space available. That is without signing and RFA's/UFA's from our own team.

I want to break it down into groups.

Group 1:
Players that NEED TO WALK (IE. don't even offer them the time of day).

1. Glass
2. Engo
3. Kobasew
4. Orpik
5. Pyatt
6. Vokoun

Most of those guys are a major reason for the **** we're in. They are easily replaceable by guys already in the system or relatively cheap FA signings from other teams. Didn't include AHL level FA's.

Group 2:
Players that NEED TO RE-SIGN (IE. proved their worth and need to be brought back)

1. Niskanen
2. Vitale
3. Despres (RFA, possibly trade bait)
4. Gibbons (RFA)
5. Megna (RFA)

Nisky has blossomed into a legit #3 and while his price tag will jump north of 4M per, i think given his age and skill set, is worth it at 4.5M per, give or take a little. Vitale is the perfect 4th liner. Every team should have a guy like him. He'll be cheap. Couple of RFA's that obviously need to be kept.

Group 3:
Players that COULD BE KEPT (for the right price, length of term)

1. Sutter (RFA)
2. Goc
3. Jokinen
4. Stemp

Sutter may or may not be worth it, depending on what the trade market is like and whether or not we could lure a Bolland type in FA. Goc, Joki and Stemp could all be pieces but i'm not paying them more then they make now and they wouldn't be first choices.

Now we can look at FA's from other teams that would make sense, depending on what we do with our own players.

Forwards:

1. Bolland
2. Kulemin
3. Winnik

I like Bolland a lot as a #3C. Winnik would be a wonderful fit as a 3/4. Big body, can move people and chip in offensively.

Defenseman:

There really aren't any guys that pop out in the FA class, and quite frankly, if we bring back Nisky and use the plethora of depth we have within the system, we really don't need to dip into the FA pool.

Goaltenders:

1. Halak
2. Brian Elliott

Halak is my sleeper signing for this offseason. He's always been pretty good and flashed elite skills, namely against us a few years back in the postseason. He put up very good numbers this year and at 28 isn't as old as a guy like Miller and won't command near that much cash. IF we can get Fleury out of the mix, he's my #1 target. A 3 year contract would be about perfect as we develop our own young players in Jarry and Murray. Elliott would be a great backup.

Players that i'd absolutely explore trading:

1. Fleury (don't care if we literally give him away)
2. Letang
3. Scuderi (for anything really)
4. Neal
5. Sutter

Players that i'd listen to offers on or use in package for a top 6 winger/top 4 dman:

1. Despres (probably in package deal with one of the guys above)
2. Bennett (see Despres)


Ideally, we could target players like Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, David Perron, Bobby Ryan, Clarke MacArthur, Ryan Kesler, 1st round picks etc. A goalie like Reimer could come into play.

Anyway, post your thoughts on the upcoming FA's and where we should go with our own players as well as guys from other teams.

Click to read more...

 

[Shrimper]

Penguins 2013-14 cap/roster building discussion (Contract chart in Post #1)

Thanks to Sureshot for the numbers and format.

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

2013-2014 salary ceiling: .................64,300,000
Projected cap spending: ...................69,522,543
Projected LTIR relief: .........................5,222,543
Projected cap space: ...........................495,000



PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Sidney Crosby|

C​

|

26​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

Evgeni Malkin|

C​

|

27​

|

8,700,000​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

James Neal|

RW​

|

26​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,000,000​

Chris Kunitz|

LW​

|

34​

|

3,725,000​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

Lee Stempniak|

RW​

|

31​

|

2,500,000​

|

UFA​

Jussi Jokinen|

LW​

|

30​

|

2,100,000​

|

UFA​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

24​

|

2,066,667​

|

RFA​

Marcel Goc|

C​

|

30​

|

1,700,000​

|

UFA​

Taylor Pyatt|

LW​

|

32​

|

1,550,000​

|

UFA​

Tanner Glass|

LW​

|

29​

|

1,100,000​

|

UFA​

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

23​

|

925,000​

|

RFA​

Beau Bennett|

LW​

|

21​

|

900,000​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Craig Adams|

RW​

|

36​

|

700,000​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

Joe Vitale|

C​

|

28​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Brian Gibbons|

C​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

30​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

.2015-16​

Paul Martin|

D​

|

32​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Brooks Orpik|

D​

|

33​

|

3,750,000​

|

UFA​

Rob Scuderi|

D​

|

34​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

Matt Niskanen|

D​

|

26​

|

2,300,000​

|

UFA​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

Simon Despres|

D​

|

22​

|

840,000​

|

RFA​

Robert Bortuzzo|

D​

|

24​

|

600,000​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

Deryk Engelland|

D​

|

31​

|

566,667​

|

UFA​

Goalie....................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

.2015-16​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

28​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

26​

|

537,500​

|

600,000​

|

600,000​

Injured reserve.......​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

34​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

Kris Letang|

D​

|

26​

|

3,500,000​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

Tomas Vokoun|

G​

|

37​

|

2,000,000​

|

UFA​

Chris Conner|

RW​

|

29​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

22​

|

ATO​

|

652,500​

|

652,500​

Spencer Machacek|

RW​

|

25​

|

632,500​

|

RFA​

Adam Payerl|

RW​

|

22​

|

626,667​

|

626,667​

|

RFA​

Anton Zlobin|

LW​

|

20​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

20​

|

601,667​

|

601,667​

|

RFA​

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

21​

|

598,333​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

24​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Chuck Kobasew|

RW​

|

31​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond|

RW​

|

28​

|

550,000​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Zach Sill|

C​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Harry Zolnierczyk|

LW​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Defense.............................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

22​

|

831,667​

|

831,667​

|

RFA​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

20​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

Philip Samuelsson|

D​

|

22​

|

627,500​

|

RFA​

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

23​

|

625,000​

|

625,000​

|

RFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

20​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

21​

|

575,000​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Brendan Mikkelson|

D​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

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

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

24​

|

550,000​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

19​

|

Portland (WHL)​

|

3 years/894,167 per​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

18​

|

Edmonton (WHL)​

|

3 years/650,833 per​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

19​

|

Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)​

|

3 years/650,833 per​

Matia Marcantuoni|

C​

|

19​

|

Kitchener (OHL)​

|

3 years/633,333 per​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

19​

|

Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)​

|

3 years/598,333 per​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

21​

|

UMass-Lowell (HEA)​

|

2 years/TBA​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

Josh Archibald|

F​

|

20​

|Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA)

Dane Birks|

D​

|

18​

|Merritt (BCHL)

Teddy Blueger|

F​

|

19​

|Minnesota State (WCHA)

Blaine Byron|

F​

|

18​

|Maine (HEA)

Jake Guentzel|

F​

|

18​

|Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA)

Troy Josephs|

F​

|

19​

|St. Michael's (OJHL)

Sean Maguire|

G​

|

20​

|Boston University (HEA)

Alexander Pechurskiy|

G​

|

23​

|Orsk (VHL)

Ryan Segalla|

D​

|

18​

|Dubuque (USHL)

Clark Seymour|

D​

|

20​

|Peterborough (OHL)

Oskar Sundqvist|

F​

|

19​

|Skellefteå (SHL)

 

[Jacob]

1. Buy out Fleury.
2. Fire Bylsma.
3. Sign Halak.
4. Hire Trotz or Laviolette.

 

[Dupree13]

I don't get why some people are suggesting to trade Neal.

Yeah he has his flaws, but a 40-goal winger on a pretty reasonable contract? No way I'd give that up.

I honestly wouldn't do anything too crazy with this roster. I feel like the coaching is a way bigger problem than the roster. Fix that and I think things get better. Even Letang could probably get a lot of his issues under control with a coach who doesn't preach fire-wagon hockey.

 

[Sideline]

1. Buy out Fleury.
2. Fire Bylsma.
3. Sign Halak.
4. Hire Trotz or Laviolette.

Fire Shero. Hire Jacob.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I think Trotz would be Bylsma 2.0, to be honest. He's never had experience with highly talented, star players, let alone shown success with them. Plus, it fits right into Shero's wet-dream of cloning Nashville's style.

Laviolette isn't perfect, but he's just what this team needs. He's shown success with stars, he will light a fire under this team's ass, he will make them tough to play against again. Give me that guy, please.

 

[joeyjake5]

There is no doubt that there will be player changes next year no matter what happens the rest of the playoffs. But before this, a new management team must oversee this team. Both RS and DB must go.

 

[wej20]

To the people who want Shero to go, who is your replacement?

 

[Allie Kitsune]

To the people who want Shero to go, who is your replacement?

I think the issue is that Shero and DB are such BFFs that we know there's no way Ray ever fires him.

The only way DB goes is if Shero is shown the door first.

 

[cheesedanish87]

If you can get Miller for a 3 year contract i would go that route, even if you have to pay him 7 million a year.

None of the other ufa goalies excite me, i would try to trade for a goalie if the pens can't sign Miller.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Not big on Bolland.
And i'd move Kunitz/Dupuis before i moved Neal or Bennett.

 

[Shady Machine]

We can't afford Bolland. He's going to want 4+ mil per on a long term deal and will likely get it.

 

[Farnham4top6]

To the people who want Shero to go, who is your replacement?

Anders Forsberg, former scout for and one of the best coaches in Sweden. As a coach Roger Rönnberg would be nice.

 

[Dupree13]

I'd keep Shero. To me he's put good rosters together. Coaching has been the failure.

 

[Shockmaster]

I think the issue is that Shero and DB are such BFFs that we know there's no way Ray ever fires him.

The only way DB goes is if Shero is shown the door first.

I think Mario and Ron Burkle would have something to say about that. If those two want Bylsma gone and Shero values his current job, he'll fire Bylsma.

On the other hand, if Mario and Ron want Bylsma fired and Shero's reaction is something similar to the 0:25 mark of this clip.....



...then he can be shown the door too.

 

[Bennett Brauer]

I'd keep Shero. To me he's put good rosters together. Coaching has been the failure.

I agree, I don't really understand the Shero hate but I won't question, everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Hey why don't we reunite the goalie/coach tandem that owned us in 2010? Jaroslav Halak and Jacques Martin!

EDIT: That 2nd part is absolutely serious also. I would like Martin to replace Bylsma and Halak to replace Fleury. Team is instantly better IMO.

 

[Til the End of Time]

I'd keep Shero. To me he's put good rosters together. Coaching has been the failure.

keeping fleury for this long is absolutely inexcusable.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

With the butt whooping LA is taking, I would try to lure them in to a trade for Scuds for middling futures just to get him off our books. Sign Nisky with that money. Then go with something like the below. Short on grit, but you'll get a goodly amount just adding in Bort and Des. Tons of talent and depth.

CapGeek Armchair GM Roster

FORWARDS
Chris Kunitz ($3.850m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Lee Stempniak ($3.000m)
Nikolai Kulemin ($3.250m) / Evgeni Malkin ($9.500m) / James Neal ($5.000m)
Beau Bennett ($0.900m) / Brandon Sutter ($3.250m) / Pascal Dupuis ($3.750m)
Joe Vitale ($0.550m) / Marcel Goc ($1.700m) / Jayson Megna ($0.925m)
Brian Gibbons ($0.700m) /

DEFENSEMEN
Paul Martin ($5.000m) / Kris Letang ($7.250m)
Olli Maatta ($0.894m) / Matt Niskanen ($4.250m)
Simon Despres ($1.100m) / Robert Bortuzzo ($0.600m)
Brian Dumoulin ($0.832m) /

GOALTENDERS
Jaroslav Halak ($5.000m)
Jeff Zatkoff ($0.600m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $70,600,833; BONUSES: $68,333
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $499,167

 

[hiptanaka]

How many other teams would be interested in signing Halak? I'm assuming quite a few, considering he's proven to be capable of being a starter.

 

[Bennett Brauer]

With the butt whooping LA is taking, I would try to lure them in to a trade for Scuds for middling futures just to get him off our books. Sign Nisky with that money. Then go with something like the below. Short on grit, but you'll get a goodly amount just adding in Bort and Des. Tons of talent and depth.

CapGeek Armchair GM Roster

FORWARDS
Chris Kunitz ($3.850m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Lee Stempniak ($3.000m)
Nikolai Kulemin ($3.250m) / Evgeni Malkin ($9.500m) / James Neal ($5.000m)
Beau Bennett ($0.900m) / Brandon Sutter ($3.250m) / Pascal Dupuis ($3.750m)
Joe Vitale ($0.550m) / Marcel Goc ($1.700m) / Jayson Megna ($0.925m)
Brian Gibbons ($0.700m) /

DEFENSEMEN
Paul Martin ($5.000m) / Kris Letang ($7.250m)
Olli Maatta ($0.894m) / Matt Niskanen ($4.250m)
Simon Despres ($1.100m) / Robert Bortuzzo ($0.600m)
Brian Dumoulin ($0.832m) /

GOALTENDERS
Jaroslav Halak ($5.000m)
Jeff Zatkoff ($0.600m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $70,600,833; BONUSES: $68,333
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $499,167

I really like this lineup, hopefully some of those salaries aren't as realistic though, I would give a few of those guys a little bit less just so we have around $1M in cap space.

 

[Farnham4top6]

keeping fleury for this long is absolutely inexcusable.

Not giving MAF a somewhat competent goalie coach until this season is by far worse, look what that have done to the goalie who had potential to be better then Hašek. If big changes isn't done to this organization this summer it will be better for all parts if MAF leaves this organization.

 

[Wes C Addle]

The Pens should have two amnesty buyouts left to use this offseason on players signed before the lockout correct? If so, Fleury could be one to use. It's too bad that a lot of awful to questionable at best contracts have been dolled out to players after the lockout. Scuds, Letang, Adams, Dupers. It'd be nice to get a do over on some of those.

 

[Zero Pucks]

Nothing will make this team any better until Bylsma and Fleury are gone. And if Shero sits on his hands and does nothing this offseason, then he has to go as well. If he's not going to do anything to improve this team, then give his job to somebody that will.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

To the people who want Shero to go, who is your replacement?

Ron Francis should be the top candidate, but he's supposedly going to be named Carolina's GM. If it isn't too late, we should contact him and see his interest level.

Second choice for me would be Michael Futa, who is I believe the director of scouting for the Kings (unless he was recently promoted to assistant GM). That organization has churned out an impressive number of players lately, and they are really deep at the AHL level and below.

Third idea would be Pat Brisson. Player agent. Don't know his level of interest. Knows Mario well. Represents both Crosby and Malkin.

There are many more candidates, of course, including our own Tom Fitzgerald.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

How many other teams would be interested in signing Halak? I'm assuming quite a few, considering he's proven to be capable of being a starter.

That's the hardest part of putting together a lineup without Fleury, but you'd have to think we'd be an attractive destination for Halak, considering most of the cup contenders are well set in net. I'd think a 3 year deal would be best as a bridge to our young tenders, but a 5 year deal would be fine as a safer bridge, and being realistic about what his demands will be. I think he will command 5x5 somewhere.

We can also look at Hiller, or as a sleeper, Khudobin in a trade, then extend him if he plays well.