Salary Cap: Penguins 2014-15 roster building discussion III (Contract/free agent chart in Post 1)

[Frederick Stanley]

Part III:

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.

Updated the contract chart for the offseason.

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

Projected 2014-2015 salary ceiling: ...~68-71,000,000
Projected cap spending: ..........................55,119,167
Projected cap space: .......................~12-15,880,833



PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

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​

James Neal|

RW​

|

26​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,000,000​

Chris Kunitz|

LW​

|

34​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

34​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

Beau Bennett|

LW​

|

21​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Craig Adams|

RW​

|

36​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

.2015-16​

Kris Letang|

D​

|

26​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

Paul Martin|

D​

|

32​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Rob Scuderi|

D​

|

34​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

Robert Bortuzzo|

D​

|

24​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

Goalie...................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

.2015-16​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

28​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

26​

|

600,000​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

21​

|

655,000​

|

655,000​

|

RFA​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

22​

|

652,500​

|

652,500​

|

RFA​

Matia Marcantuoni|

C​

|

19​

|

633,333​

|

633,333​

|

633,333​

Adam Payerl|

RW​

|

22​

|

626,667​

|

RFA​

Anton Zlobin|

LW​

|

20​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

20​

|

601,667​

|

RFA​

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

21​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond|

RW​

|

28​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

21​

|

TBA​

|

TBA​

|

TBA​

Defense.............................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

22​

|

831,667​

|

RFA​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

20​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

23​

|

625,000​

|

RFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

20​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

RFA​

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

21​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

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

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

19​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

24​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

News and notes​

Brooks Orpik|

D​

|

33​

|

3,750,000​

|Longest-tenured Penguin has lost a step or six. Free Candy now a Milk Dud

Jussi Jokinen|

LW​

|

30​

|

3,000,000​

|Only counted for $2.1M against Pens cap, can get a bigger raise elsewhere

Lee Stempniak|

RW​

|

31​

|

2,500,000​

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

Matt Niskanen|

D​

|

26​

|

2,300,000​

|So that's what a contract year looks like. Unaffordable unless Letang is dealt?

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​

|Need to figure out what they want to do with Sutter before deciding on him

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​

|

29​

|

1,100,000​

|Inevitable “Glass re-signs” thread will surely be the board's most anticipated

Spencer Machacek|

RW​

|

25​

|

632,500​

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

Deryk Engelland|

D​

|

31​

|

566,667​

|Dressing him over Bortuzzo makes Baby Jesus cry

Joe Vitale|

C​

|

28​

|

550,000​

|May want to test the market after getting limited minutes in Pittsburgh

Chuck Kobasew|

RW​

|

31​

|

550,000​

|Was on 82-goal pace through two games before contracting polio

Chris Conner|

RW​

|

29​

|

550,000​

|C'mon, Habs – you know you need another 5-foot-9 perimeter winger

Harry Zolnierczyk|

LW​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Group VI UFA was franchise's best convicted sex offender since Tibbetts

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

30​

|

550,000​

|Near-point-per-game pace with WBS will likely look for a better NHL shot

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's top scorer not named Kostopoulos

Brendan Mikkelson|

D​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Top-10 scoring defenseman in the AHL this past season

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player......................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2013-14​

|

News and notes​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

24​

|

2,066,667​

|Shero denies that he sews KESLER onto 16's jersey at night while sobbing

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

23​

|

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

Brian Gibbons|

C​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|Get legal to start drafting that Must Never Appear On Crosby Line clause

Zach Sill|

C​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|Nasty cut from a skate cost him shot at extended look with the big club

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

24​

|

550,000​

|Remains one of the most aggravating players in the AHL

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

18​

|

Edmonton (WHL)​

|

3 years/650,833 per​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

19​

|

Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)​

|

3 years/598,333 per​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

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)

Click to read more...

 

[Frederick Stanley]

From the PGT:

Jokinen? I give up.

You can't lose both Jokinen and Neal in one offseason.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Let's say for a moment, we trade Neal for Kane.

Kunitz - Crosby - Kane
Jokinen - Malkin - Bennett

???

Terrible second line.

Hemsky Crosby Kane
Kunitz Malkin BB

 

[gordie]

You don't win Stanley Cups with Matt Niskanen. Part of Shero's flaws is that he acquired Niskanen and instead of keeping him for short period of time and trading him for something he needed, he held on to him too long which is a very bad Conservative trait with Ray Shero.

 

[Uncle Machete]

It all depends on who's the coach next season really. If Bylsma returns, then you need to do a COMPLETE overhaul because something needs to be done. If you get someone new, I'm fine with giving some players second chances.

 

[spcastlemagic]

I'll just say this - we need to get out of "win now" mode and into "build a team worth a damn" mode. Our rebuild on the fly may involve us sucking next year, which I am okay with as long as we restock the cupboard and give our young d-men meaningful minutes and experience. Then we can be like Chicago/Boston were the two modes are identical.

 

[Cardboard Orpik]

You don't win Stanley Cups with Matt Niskanen. Part of Shero's flaws is that he acquired Niskanen and instead of keeping him for short period of time and trading him for something he needed, he held on to him too long which is a very bad Conservative trait with Ray Shero.

You don't win Stanley Cups with Niskanen as your 1D, but he's not our 1D. He's fine where he is.

 

[Frederick Stanley]

It all depends on who's the coach next season really. If Bylsma returns, then you need to do a COMPLETE overhaul because something needs to be done. If you get someone new, I'm fine with giving some players second chances.

If Bylsma is still here next year, there's is no point in overhauling the team.

 

[BumFortyOne]

From the OP: I can't see Niskanen taking a penny less than $5 mil. He will command at least that on the open market and possibly upwards of $6 mil.

Anyone who wants Niskanen back should be prepared for him to make at least $5 mil.

 

[Will Hunting]

I agree with almost everything in OP, instead of Sutter part. Guy has heart and deserves to be re-signed (he will be). We have other trade pieces. The only way in which Sutter could be traded is when another decent 3C is brought in from free agency and Sutter is dealt in a package for a real upgrade on wing.

 

[SuburbanRhythm]

Posted this late in the last thread, but

Sill-Vitale-Payerl on the 4th line please.


And while we're at it

Gibbons - Sutter - Dupuis 3rd line

 

[AjaxTelamon]

I agree with almost everything in OP, instead of Sutter part. Guy has heart and deserves to be re-signed (he will be). We have other trade pieces. The only way in which Sutter could be traded is when another decent 3C is brought in from free agency and Sutter is dealt in a package for a real upgrade on wing.

We seem to have two options with our forwards, one is to sign Sutter and put solid players around him, and go for top 9 depth and scoring through every line. This means no great wings for Sid and Geno. The other alternative is to trade Sutter as the center piece of a package to get you that tough winger for Sid like an E. Kane. In that case, you build out your bottom 6 with a mix of tough, fast, defensive players that can grind teams down. I can see trying for Goc for 3C if we go that route.

As much as I love Sutter, I'd go for the latter.

 

[Phil68]

In terms of free agents, who can we reall get off of free agency...

Filter ResultsYear: 2014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026 Team: AllAnaheim Ducks Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Calgary Flames Carolina Hurricanes Chicago Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche Columbus Blue Jackets Dallas Stars Detroit Red Wings Edmonton Oilers Florida Panthers Los Angeles Kings Minnesota Wild Montreal Canadiens Nashville Predators New Jersey Devils New York Islanders New York Rangers Ottawa Senators Philadelphia Flyers Phoenix Coyotes Pittsburgh Penguins San Jose Sharks St. Louis Blues Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs Vancouver Canucks Washington Capitals Winnipeg Jets Position: All SkatersAll ForwardsCentersLeft WingersRight WingersDefensemenGoaltenders Free Agent Type: Restricted Free Agent Unrestricted Free Agent Apply UFA Finder: A better way to find 2014 unrestricted free agents »
Player Pos Team Age Cap Hit Expiry

Heatley, Dany » L MIN 33 $7,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Gaborik, Marian » R LAK 32 $7,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Vanek, Thomas » L MTL 30 $7,142,857 2014 (UFA)
Boyle, Dan » D SJS 37 $6,666,667 2014 (UFA)
Stastny, Paul » C COL 28 $6,600,000 2014 (UFA)
Miller, Ryan » G STL 33 $6,250,000 2014 (UFA)
Timonen, Kimmo » D PHI 39 $6,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Iginla, Jarome » R BOS 36 $6,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Cammalleri, Mike » L CGY 31 $6,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Markov, Andrei » D MTL 35 $5,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Alfredsson, Daniel » R DET 41 $5,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Hemsky, Ales » R OTT 30 $5,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Gionta, Brian » R MTL 35 $5,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Legwand, David » C DET 33 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Whitney, Ray » L DAL 42 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Pitkanen, Joni » D CAR 30 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Hiller, Jonas » G ANA 32 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Jokinen, Olli » C WPG 35 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Brodeur, Martin » G NJD 42 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Michalek, Milan » L OTT 29 $4,333,333 2014 (UFA)
Callahan, Ryan » R TBL 29 $4,275,000 2014 (UFA)
Roy, Derek » C STL 31 $4,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Meszaros, Andrej » D BOS 28 $4,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Zidlicky, Marek » D NJD 37 $4,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Quincey, Kyle » D DET 28 $3,775,000 2014 (UFA)
Halak, Jaroslav » G NYI 29 $3,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Thomas, Tim » G DAL 40 $3,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Salo, Sami » D TBL 39 $3,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Orpik, Brooks » D PIT 33 $3,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Koivu, Saku » C ANA 39 $3,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Mitchell, Willie » D LAK 37 $3,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Schultz, Nick » D CLB 31 $3,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Dubnyk, Devan » G MTL 28 $3,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Tallinder, Henrik » D BUF 35 $3,375,000 2014 (UFA)
Bolland, Dave » C TOR 27 $3,375,000 2014 (UFA)
Robidas, Stephane » D ANA 37 $3,300,000 2014 (UFA)
Nabokov, Evgeni » G NYI 38 $3,250,000 2014 (UFA)
Moulson, Matt » L MIN 30 $3,133,333 2014 (UFA)
Jokinen, Jussi » L PIT 31 $3,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Samuelsson, Mikael » R DET 37 $3,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Setoguchi, Devin » R WPG 27 $3,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Vrbata, Radim » R PHX 32 $3,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Grabovski, Mikhail » C WAS 30 $3,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Klesla, Rostislav » D BUF 32 $2,975,000 2014 (UFA)
Greene, Matt » D LAK 31 $2,950,000 2014 (UFA)
Ott, Steve » C STL 31 $2,950,000 2014 (UFA)
Kulemin, Nikolai » R TOR 27 $2,800,000 2014 (UFA)
Morris, Derek » D PHX 35 $2,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Downie, Steve » R PHI 27 $2,650,000 2014 (UFA)
Stempniak, Lee » R PIT 31 $2,500,000 2014 (UFA)

 

[BumFortyOne]

We seem to have two options with our forwards, one is to sign Sutter and put solid players around him, and go for top 9 depth and scoring through every line. This means no great wings for Sid and Geno. The other alternative is to trade Sutter as the center piece of a package to get you that tough winger for Sid like an E. Kane. In that case, you build out your bottom 6 with a mix of tough, fast, defensive players that can grind teams down. I can see trying for Goc for 3C if we go that route.

As much as I love Sutter, I'd go for the latter.

I agree with this. Sutter definitely proved himself this playoffs, but that also means he'll a) get a bigger contract and b) will have better trade value. I'd rather move Sutter for an upgrade at wing and re-sign Goc than sink $4 mil into Sutter on the third line and not have the depth at wing to fill out all three lines adequately.

 

[cheesedanish87]

BB is a guy i have questions about, i really don't know what type of player hes going to end up being, i haven't seen enough out of him to think he should be given a job in the top 6 next year.

 

[Pens1566]

I agree with this. Sutter definitely proved himself this playoffs, but that also means he'll a) get a bigger contract and b) will have better trade value. I'd rather move Sutter for an upgrade at wing and re-sign Goc than sink $4 mil into Sutter on the third line and not have the depth at wing to fill out all three lines adequately.

I doubt you'll get an "upgrade at wing" for a pending RFA.

 

[Shrimper]

What I'd like as a 4th line if possible. Komarov is coming back to the NHL, McClement is a UFA I believe. With the tight cap space that the Leafs have and them needing to re-sign a few people McClement might slip through. If we does we should snap him up and run a Komarov-Vitale-McClement line.

That would be a tough as guns line to play against. McClement is also one of the best PK'ers in the league.

 

[BumFortyOne]

I doubt you'll get an "upgrade at wing" for a pending RFA.

I was talking as part of a package deal. He certainly wouldn't be the only piece going back, but he'd need to be the centerpiece probably. The real hope is that Winnipeg really likes him and could swing something like Sutter+Dumoulin/Despres+1st for Kane, though that may not be enough.

If there's no deal to be had, then I would obviously keep Sutter and look elsewhere.

 

[Darth Vitale]

I'll have to check back at Post 1 after work but here's my gut feeling of what needs to happen, given that we'll have a new coach and system next year, hopefully one that knows how to properly utilize his players and hide their weaknesses. In the end, it's pointless to speculate on moves until you know who the GM and coach will be, know their style, their connections, etc.


1) Any new GM or coach worth a crap will remember what Kunitz - Geno - Neal did in Sid's absence and make them a regular line at least for next year and see what happens. Some continuity is a good thing. That was the best line in hockey when it was together and well balanced for the most part if a little soff defensively at times. You start there so the new team has at least one tried-and-true line to fall back on.

2) Any new GM or coach worth a crap will get a commitment from Sid to be more vocal in his leadership and surround him with two, actual, bonafide wingers. San Jose might just get blown up this year. Patrick Marleau anyone? Possibly they could move a big package that includes Kunitz, Letang ($), 1st for a bigtime RW + proven young D.

3) Build around Maatta and Despres on D, see if you can keep Niskanen (assuming Letang and his salary get moved in situation like the one above -- otherwise it won't work). Keeping Bortuzzo around makes a lot of sense; he'll get stronger on his feet. You don't want to regret moving that guy 3 years from now when he's a freakin' animal out there, potentially.

4) Anyone else not named Vitale is expendable / movable for picks in the next 2 drafts or solid 3rd line types of the variety that seem to grow on trees in Boston and Chicago.

Have fun lads. Will be back a little later once we know more.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

I doubt you'll get an "upgrade at wing" for a pending RFA.

You can sign him before he is traded, you can let the new team work out a deal with his agent prior to a trade, etc etc. With Sutter you've got something attractive for a lot of teams, especially considering his youth and the fact that teams will think they can get a solid deal on a long term deal with a guy who is ready to break out.

On another note, if we want to add snarl, which we should, we definitely need Despres and Bort in our lineup next year. I certainly hope we're not giving those guys away.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

I'll have to check back at Post 1 after work but here's my gut feeling of what needs to happen, given that we'll have a new coach and system next year, hopefully one that knows how to properly utilize his players and hide their weaknesses. In the end, it's pointless to speculate on moves until you know who the GM and coach will be, know their style, their connections, etc.


1) Any new GM or coach worth a crap will remember what Kunitz - Geno - Neal did in Sid's absence and make them a regular line at least for next year and see what happens. Some continuity is a good thing. That was the best line in hockey when it was together and well balanced for the most part if a little soff defensively at times. You start there so the new team has at least one tried-and-true line to fall back on.

2) Any new GM or coach worth a crap will get a commitment from Sid to be more vocal in his leadership and surround him with two, actual, bonafide wingers. San Jose might just get blown up this year. Patrick Marleau anyone? Possibly they could move a big package that includes Kunitz, Letang ($), 1st for a bigtime RW + proven young D.

3) Build around Maatta and Despres on D, see if you can keep Niskanen (assuming Letang and his salary get moved in situation like the one above -- otherwise it won't work). Keeping Bortuzzo around makes a lot of sense; he'll get stronger on his feet. You don't want to regret moving that guy 3 years from now when he's a freakin' animal out there, potentially.

4) Anyone else not named Vitale is expendable / movable for picks in the next 2 drafts or solid 3rd line types of the variety that seem to grow on trees in Boston and Chicago.

Have fun lads. Will be back a little later once we know more.

If they are switching GM's, they need to do it quickly. They need to get a new regime in here and get a plan put together before too many things are set in stone. Such as Letang's NTC, Sutter's contract situation, and before any of our retreads are given new deals.

 

[Pens1566]

You can sign him before he is traded, you can let the new team work out a deal with his agent prior to a trade, etc etc. With Sutter you've got something attractive for a lot of teams, especially considering his youth and the fact that teams will think they can get a solid deal on a long term deal with a guy who is ready to break out.

On another note, if we want to add snarl, which we should, we definitely need Despres and Bort in our lineup next year. I certainly hope we're not giving those guys away.

Any substantial value he has to other organizations would require a deal in place. Without that, he won't get much alone and using him as a centerpiece to a multi-player package is laughable at best.

 

[The Tang]

Obvious firing of coaching staff (I'm ok with Martin staying) and Shero, plan of action:

Keep (under contract):
Crosby, Malkin, Neal (I want to see what a real coach can do with him, plus trading him for another wing is a lateral move), Martin, Fleury (other than maybe Hiller none of the free agents are actually an upgrade)

Re-sign:
Sutter
Despres (wouldn't consider as trade bait unless return is really good)
Niskanen (unlikely to happen)
Gibbons
Megna
Zolnierczyk
Goc
Engelland (I like as a 4th line forward, but if he departs I won't exactly shed a tear)

Release:
Orpik
Glass
Pyatt
Stempniak (I don't think we need both him and Goc)
Kobasew
Vokoun (health too much a concern)

Trade Bait:
Sutter (I'm warming up to the idea of dealing him for a wing, especially if Goc is re-signed)
Derrek Pouliot (I know he's likely our best prospect, but I'm ok to get a good young player in return)
1st round pick (same as Pouliot)

Purge:
Scuderi
Dupuis
Adams (If we got a 7th rounder for all three I'd be thrilled; $8mm in dead cap weight)
Letang (not worth his new contract and name alone should be able to net them something)

As for needs? Well, pretty obvious in a winger for Sid (I would definitely overpay to get Evander Kane) but I think Bennett can take a top six role. I wouldn't be opposed to getting Milan Michalek though. The lower lines need actual speedy, aggressive grinders. Zolniercyk is one so a few more are needed. I'm sure they can be had via trade or free agency (don't have time to look up right now).

Also, I think one depth defenseman would be good. I actually liked Murray when he was here last year and if he came cheap, he's the kind of physical guy they need.

 

[penguins2946*]

@IanAltenbaugh: Harrington/Pouliout need to compete for a spot in the next Pens camp. Same for Dumoulin. D & fwds need gutted of losing stink. #Pens #NHL

Just wanted to drop this here. Move Scuderi for pucks, Letang for a young winger (Perron?) and let Niskanen walk. Go with:

Maatta-Martin
Despres-Bortuzzo
Dumoulin-Harrington

Let them grow and learn from their mistakes.

 

[gordie]

Just wanted to drop this here. Move Scuderi for pucks, Letang for a young winger (Perron?) and let Niskanen walk. Go with:

Maatta-Martin
Despres-Bortuzzo
Dumoulin-Harrington

Let them grow and learn from their mistakes.

That's a rookie defense practically. Let's see how Letang responds to a new coaching staff and maybe even Scuderi too. Orpik and Niskanen are the goners.