Salary Cap: Penguins future roster-building (2017-18 and beyond) | Contract/FA charts in Post #1

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ColePens

RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
Mar 27, 2008
107,025
67,650
Pittsburgh
All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

Estimated 2017-18 ceiling​
|
$75.5-$76M​
Projected dollars committed |
59,500,000​
Projected July 1 cap space |
~16,000,000​



PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Forward.................
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2017-18
|
2018-19
|
2019-20

Evgeni Malkin|
C​
|
30​
|
9,500,000​
|
9,500,000​
|
9,500,000​

Sidney Crosby|
C​
|
29​
|
8,700,000​
|
8,700,000​
|
8,700,000​

Phil Kessel|
RW​
|
29​
|
6,800,000​
|
6,800,000​
|
6,800,000​

Patric Hornqvist|
RW​
|
29​
|
4,250,000​
|
UFA

Carl Hagelin|
LW​
|
28​
|
4,000,000​
|
4,000,000​
|
UFA

Jake Guentzel|
LW​
|
22​
|
734,167​
|
734,167​
|
RFA

Daniel Sprong|
RW​
|
19​
|
692,500​
|
692,500​
|
RFA

Bryan Rust|
RW​
|
24​
|
640,000​
|
RFA

Scott Wilson|
LW​
|
24​
|
625,000​
|
RFA

Tom Kuhnhackl|
LW​
|
24​
|
625,000​
|
RFA
Defense.................
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2017-18
|
2018-19
|
.2019-20

Kris Letang|
D​
|
29​
|
7,250,000​
|
7,250,000​
|
7,250,000​

Olli Maatta|
D​
|
22​
|
4,083,333​
|
4,083,333​
|
4,083,333​

Ian Cole|
D​
|
27​
|
2,100,000​
|
UFA
Goalie............,.......
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2016-17
|
2017-18
|
.2019-20

Marc-Andre Fleury|
G​
|
32​
|
5,750,000​
|
5,750,000​
|
UFA

Matt Murray|
G​
|
22​
|
3,750,000​
|
3,750,000​
|
3,750,000​



WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS
Forward...............
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2017-18
|
2018-19
|
2019-20

Zach Aston-Reese|
LW​
|
22​
|
925,000​
|
925,000​
|
RFA

Thomas Di Pauli|
C​
|
22​
|
742,500​
|
RFA

Teddy Blueger|
C​
|
22​
|
705,000​
|
RFA

Dominik Simon|
C​
|
22​
|
692,500​
|
RFA

Carter Rowney|
RW​
|
27​
|
612,500​
|
UFA
Defense...............
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2017-18
|
2018-19
|
2019-20

Jeff Taylor|
D​
|
22​
|
925,000​
|
925,000​
|
RFA

Ethan Prow|
D​
|
24​
|
730,000​
|
RFA

Lukas Bengtsson|
D​
|
22​
|
705,000​
|
RFA
Goalie..................
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2017-18
|
2018-19
|
2019-20

Sean Maguire|
G​
|
23​
|
705,000​
|
RFA

Tristan Jarry|
G​
|
21​
|
589,167​
|
RFA



UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Player........................
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2016-17
|
News and notes

Mark Streit|
D​
|
39​
|
5,250,000​
|Served his purpose as a deadline rental

Chris Kunitz|
LW​
|
37​
|
3,850,000​
|Is the long international nightmare over?

Trevor Daley|
D​
|
33​
|
3,300,000​
|Declining, but immortalized as the anti-Scuderi

Ron Hainsey|
D​
|
35​
|
2,833,333​
|History with Rutherford could earn an extra look

Nick Bonino|
C​
|
28​
|
1,900,000​
|No way to tell which Bonino you'd be paying for

Matt Cullen|
C​
|
40​
|
1,000,000​
|Thanks for your service, Dad -- Enjoy retirement

Chad Ruhwedel|
D​
|
26​
|
575,000​
|Better than expected as an extended fill-in

David Warsofsky|
D​
|
26​
|
575,000​
|Great AHL production -- Not an NHL defender

Cameron Gaunce|
D​
|
26​
|
575,000​
|Depth defender who showed a few flashes

Kevin Porter|
C​
|
30​
|
575,000​
|Likely to move on after not sniffing a call-up

Garrett Wilson|
LW​
|
25​
|
575,000​
|Group VI UFA was solid in WBS before injury

Tom Sestito|
LW​
|
29​
|
575,000​
|Token minor-league goon



RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Player..........................
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
2016-17
|
News and notes

Justin Schultz|
D​
|
26​
|
1,400,000​
|Hard to imagine anyone raising his stock more

Derrick Pouliot|
D​
|
22​
|
863,333​
|*Sigh* At least his next contract will still be cheap

Brian Dumoulin|
D​
|
25​
|
800,000​
|In line for a reasonably priced mid-range deal

Oskar Sundqvist|
C​
|
22​
|
700,833​
|Will they protect him in the expansion draft?

Conor Sheary|
LW​
|
24​
|
667,500​
|Aggressive agent could make for tough negotiation

Josh Archibald|
RW​
|
24​
|
659,167​
|Decent speed will likely keep him in the organization

Frank Corrado|
D​
|
23​
|
600,000​
|Worthwhile project to keep around and develop

Jean-Sebastien Dea|
C​
|
22​
|
585,000​
|Needs to take bigger step from AHL supporting cast

Tim Erixon|
D​
|
25​
|
575,000​
|Telling that he wasn't close to a call-up this season

Stuart Percy|
D​
|
23​
|
575,000​
|Unfortunately just another Leafs' first-round bust



UNSIGNED PROSPECTS
Player​
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
Current Team (League)

Niclas Almari|
D​
|
18​
|HPK (Liiga)

Anthony Angello|
F​
|
20​
|Cornell (ECAC)

Dane Birks|
D​
|
21​
|Michigan Tech (WCHA)

Kasper Bjorkqvist|
F​
|
19​
|Providence (HEA)

Blaine Byron|
F​
|
21​
|Maine (HEA)

Filip Gustavsson|
G​
|
18​
|Luleå HF (SHL)

Connor Hall|
D​
|
18​
|Kitchener (OHL)

Ryan Jones|
D​
|
20​
|Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)

Sam Lafferty|
F​
|
21​
|Brown (ECAC)

Joe Masonius|
D​
|
19​
|Connecticut (HEA)

Nikita Pavlychev|
F​
|
19​
|Penn State (B1G)

Alexander Pechurskiy|
G​
|
26​
|Amur Khabarovsk (KHL)

Frederik Tiffels|
F​
|
21​
|Western Michigan (NCHC)

Dominik Uher|
C​
|
23​
|HC Sparta Praha (ELH)
 
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Registered User
Sep 5, 2008
28,726
2,346
Let's wait to see how we do in the playoffs without a number 1 before declaring we don't need one. Coincidence or not (I say not), a team hasn't won the Cup since 2006 without a really good number 1.

Without a bonafide #1 is not the same as having a blueline built around a guy (Letang) and not having him available though.

I wouldn't call Shattenkirk a bonafide #1, but if you put him on our blueline in place of Letang, I doubt we miss a beat whatsoever.

Having this blueline corps have to go without Letang (or a replacement) is what's going to kill us. Not the fact that we don't have a #1 guy like Letang, Doughty, Keith, etc.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
8,141
Without a bonafide #1 is not the same as having a blueline built around a guy (Letang) and not having him available though.

I wouldn't call Shattenkirk a bonafide #1, but if you put him on our blueline in place of Letang, I doubt we miss a beat whatsoever.

Having this blueline corps have to go without Letang (or a replacement) is what's going to kill us. Not the fact that we don't have a #1 guy like Letang, Doughty, Keith, etc.

Okay so help me understand then, are you suggesting we trade Letang and sign Shattenkirk? Or are we somehow keeping both? I missed part of the conversation.
 

Empoleon8771

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
81,590
79,778
Redmond, WA
There's a difference between having a bad defense and not having a #1 though. Look at the Oilers for example, they don't have a #1 defenseman (and don't really have anyone who projects as being a #1 guy), but they manage by having 2 #2s on their top pair (Klefbom and Larsson) and a solid middle pair with a good #3 and a good #4 (Sekera and Russel). Just using Niskanen as an example of a player, I don't see anything wrong with this defense:

Maatta-Niskanen
Dumoulin-Schultz
Cole-Hainsey

A guy like Muzzin, Niskanen or Shattenkirk can all fill that role. Although the next question is how do the Penguins pull off one of those guys, which is a separate issue in itself.

Okay so help me understand then, are you suggesting we trade Letang and sign Shattenkirk? Or are we somehow keeping both? I missed part of the conversation.

The hypothetical was that for whatever reason, the Penguins would have to be planning for the future without Letang. So in this case, probably Letang retiring.
 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Registered User
Sep 5, 2008
28,726
2,346
Okay so help me understand then, are you suggesting we trade Letang and sign Shattenkirk? Or are we somehow keeping both? I missed part of the conversation.

Someone asked what the plan would be if Letang's neck injury forced him to retire. I just said that it wouldn't be as bad as people think if we had to move on from Letang.

A guy like Shattenkirk would easily replace Letang, but I wouldn't consider Shattenkirk a bonafide #1 d-man. I don't think that's needed nearly as much as having a well constructed blueline. As long as all of your blueline corps are all good fits, and can move the puck, I don't think having that elite, #1 defenseman is that important.

Dumoulin - Shattenkirk
Maatta - Schultz
Cole - XXXX

That's beyond good enough to win a Cup imo.
 

Speaking Moistly

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Feb 19, 2013
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Edmonton managed to make the playoffs in a not so good division. I don't know how they're supposed to be an example of not needing a #1D to win the cup. The Pens did well without Letang for half the season but that doesn't mean their cup chances didn't take a serious blow.
 

Riptide

Registered User
Dec 29, 2011
38,887
6,520
Yukon
Let's wait to see how we do in the playoffs without a number 1 before declaring we don't need one. Coincidence or not (I say not), a team hasn't won the Cup since 2006 without a really good number 1.

I think that's more of a coincidence then anything. Winning the Stanley Cup is hard as hell. And the teams that get there are usually very complete teams, and as such usually have a true #1D. But I think that's also because it's rare that a team can A) get the needed pieces to fill their needs without a #1D (PK/PP/ES), B) have the depth required that a real #1 isn't absolutely needed and C) have a good enough lineup overall to really make a run in the playoffs.

Looking at Carolina's team, they really did do it by committee. Their top pair played ~21-22 minutes, their 2nd pair 19 minutes and the 3rd pair 16-17 minutes. Their PPQB was F.Kaberle who had 10 PP points (out of his 13 pts) and was their #4D (TOI).

But that forward lineup. Probably one of the deepest ones we've seen until last summer (CHI's first cup is up there as well). And that's what not paying for a #1D allowed them to do... to field one of the deepest forward lineups we've seen in a decade.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
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There's a difference between having a bad defense and not having a #1 though. Look at the Oilers for example, they don't have a #1 defenseman (and don't really have anyone who projects as being a #1 guy), but they manage by having 2 #2s on their top pair (Klefbom and Larsson) and a solid middle pair with a good #3 and a good #4 (Sekera and Russel). Just using Niskanen as an example of a player, I don't see anything wrong with this defense:

Maatta-Niskanen
Dumoulin-Schultz
Cole-Hainsey

A guy like Muzzin, Niskanen or Shattenkirk can all fill that role. Although the next question is how do the Penguins pull off one of those guys, which is a separate issue in itself.



The hypothetical was that for whatever reason, the Penguins would have to be planning for the future without Letang. So in this case, probably Letang retiring.

I certainly wouldn't point to Edmonton as an example of a potential Cup defense.

Anyway, a Niskanen costs you 5.75MM and isn't available. Shattenkirk might be, but he's going to cost 6MM or more per season. If Letang had to retire, I'd definitely consider overpaying for Shattenkirk.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
8,141
Someone asked what the plan would be if Letang's neck injury forced him to retire. I just said that it wouldn't be as bad as people think if we had to move on from Letang.

A guy like Shattenkirk would easily replace Letang, but I wouldn't consider Shattenkirk a bonafide #1 d-man. I don't think that's needed nearly as much as having a well constructed blueline. As long as all of your blueline corps are all good fits, and can move the puck, I don't think having that elite, #1 defenseman is that important.

Dumoulin - Shattenkirk
Maatta - Schultz
Cole - XXXX

That's beyond good enough to win a Cup imo.

Maybe, maybe not. As I said, it hasn't been done, but every team is different and that top 4 can move the puck very well.
 

Riptide

Registered User
Dec 29, 2011
38,887
6,520
Yukon
Okay so help me understand then, are you suggesting we trade Letang and sign Shattenkirk? Or are we somehow keeping both? I missed part of the conversation.

Even if we wanted to, I don't think we could. Being realistic, there's some severe timing challenges if we actually wanted to go that route this summer. Unless of course Rutherford (and management) was not only willing to trade Letang, but to accept a fraction of his value and to trade him while injured. And i have a hard time seeing either of those happening (trade while on IR or them accepting peanuts).
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
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I think that's more of a coincidence then anything. Winning the Stanley Cup is hard as hell. And the teams that get there are usually very complete teams, and as such usually have a true #1D. But I think that's also because it's rare that a team can A) get the needed pieces to fill their needs without a #1D (PK/PP/ES), B) have the depth required that a real #1 isn't absolutely needed and C) have a good enough lineup overall to really make a run in the playoffs.

Looking at Carolina's team, they really did do it by committee. Their top pair played ~21-22 minutes, their 2nd pair 19 minutes and the 3rd pair 16-17 minutes. Their PPQB was F.Kaberle who had 10 PP points (out of his 13 pts) and was their #4D (TOI).

But that forward lineup. Probably one of the deepest ones we've seen until last summer (CHI's first cup is up there as well). And that's what not paying for a #1D allowed them to do... to field one of the deepest forward lineups we've seen in a decade.

That's fair, but here's the problem. A number 1 for the Pens costs them 7.25MM but a number 2 like Shattenkirk is going to cost 6-7MM per so there's not much cost savings. Add to that an extension for Schultz in the 5MM range, Dumo, 3C, and Sheary and there isn't a ton of room.

Anyway, I'm not saying a team like the Pens can't win a Cup without Letang, just that it's very hard and hasn't been done in over a decade.
 

Empoleon8771

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
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Redmond, WA
Edmonton managed to make the playoffs in a not so good division. I don't know how they're supposed to be an example of not needing a #1D to win the cup. The Pens did well without Letang for half the season but that doesn't mean their cup chances didn't take a serious blow.

The Oilers finished with the 8th most points in the NHL and were 8th in GA. I think if the Penguins had Edmonton's defense, I'd comfortably say that they would be the cup favorites again this year.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
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The Oilers finished with the 8th most points in the NHL and were 8th in GA. I think if the Penguins had Edmonton's defense, I'd comfortably say that they would be the cup favorites again this year.

You'd rather have the Oiler defense over the Pens?
 

Empoleon8771

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
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Redmond, WA
You'd rather have the Oiler defense over the Pens?

Without Letang? Yeah, pretty easily. The big issue the Oilers have on their defense is that they lack a guy like Schultz, a 2RD OFD. Their defense overall is pretty solid though and will only be getting better, since a majority of their defensemen are young. As long as the Penguins have as good of a forward group as they have, they can get by with a mediocre defense.
 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Registered User
Sep 5, 2008
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Maybe, maybe not. As I said, it hasn't been done, but every team is different and that top 4 can move the puck very well.

Well not all of the recent winners were successful for the same reasons. LA won by grinding teams down and elite goaltending. Chicago has had depth out the ass at all positions for nearly a decade, and they win with that on top of top-flight talents in Kane, Hossa, and Toews (maybe not an elite talent, but his ability in the clutch is undeniable). And the Penguins win on the backs of Sid and Geno with help from the supporting cast. Sure, those teams had Doughty, Keith and Letang respectively, but I don't think they were the driving factor behind the three teams dominating the league for the past decade. If that were the case, I think teams like Nashville (Josi and Weber, now Subban), Montreal (Subban, and now Weber), Ottawa (Karlsson) and San Jose (Burns) would have been much stronger showings.

None of this is going to amount to anything other than an interesting discussion anyway. Odds are Letang's neck is going to be fine, and we've got no shot at landing someone like Shattenkirk or Niskanen to see if we could succeed without a bonafide #1.
 

Speaking Moistly

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Feb 19, 2013
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Has it been answered that Letang could be expansion exempt because of a career threatening injury?

The Oilers finished with the 8th most points in the NHL and were 8th in GA. I think if the Penguins had Edmonton's defense, I'd comfortably say that they would be the cup favorites again this year.

Yeah, they're still not an example of a team winning without a 1D. They finished 8th without one and haven't played a playoff game yet. That defense hasn't accomplished anything close to competing for the cup and it's missing a piece that all teams except one have needed in the salary cap era.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
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Well not all of the recent winners were successful for the same reasons. LA won by grinding teams down and elite goaltending. Chicago has had depth out the ass at all positions for nearly a decade, and they win with that on top of top-flight talents in Kane, Hossa, and Toews (maybe not an elite talent, but his ability in the clutch is undeniable). And the Penguins win on the backs of Sid and Geno with help from the supporting cast. Sure, those teams had Doughty, Keith and Letang respectively, but I don't think they were the driving factor behind the three teams dominating the league for the past decade. If that were the case, I think teams like Nashville (Josi and Weber, now Subban), Montreal (Subban, and now Weber), Ottawa (Karlsson) and San Jose (Burns) would have been much stronger showings.

None of this is going to amount to anything other than an interesting discussion anyway. Odds are Letang's neck is going to be fine, and we've got no shot at landing someone like Shattenkirk or Niskanen to see if we could succeed without a bonafide #1.

I think you are severely underrating the impact of Doughty, Keith, and Letang on those teams. Those guys, particularly the first 2 could eat up half of game without any major mistakes.

I'm not making the argument that having an elite defenseman is the main key to winning, but that it's probably a necessary component. Nashville was missing anything resembling a top center, same with Montreal and Ottawa, and San Jose just made to the Cup finals, although he's not really the type of all situations elite Dman I'm talking about.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
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Without Letang? Yeah, pretty easily. The big issue the Oilers have on their defense is that they lack a guy like Schultz, a 2RD OFD. Their defense overall is pretty solid though and will only be getting better, since a majority of their defensemen are young. As long as the Penguins have as good of a forward group as they have, they can get by with a mediocre defense.

I wouldn't. Pretty easily? What am I missing :laugh:

As for the last statement, that's yet to be seen since no one has won a Cup without an elite Dman since Carolina in 2006. If Edmonton wins a few rounds, then I'll admit you are right.
 

Empoleon8771

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
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Redmond, WA
I wouldn't. Pretty easily? What am I missing :laugh:

Klefbom and Larsson is a good top pair, Sekera is a strong #3 guy, Russell has played well for the Oilers and Benning and Nurse are solid young guys as well. Like I said, they need another offensive RD to push Russel down to the 3rd pair, but overall that defense is pretty solid. Their defense is pretty average, if they get a solid 2nd pair OFD, I think they'd fall in the 10th-12th best defenses in hockey. We're also comparing their D group to a Penguins D group without Letang, the Penguins D group without Letang is pretty below average overall (like 20th best in the league).

With that being said, I think it's a moot point overall because Letang probably isn't retiring anytime soon. The Penguins long term needs now aren't really much different before we knew about Letang's neck problems. They still need a prime Paul Martin like D to anchor the 2nd pair with Schultz, that's true regardless of Letang's status.
 
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Coastal Kev

There will be "I told you so's" Bet on it
Feb 16, 2013
16,777
5,037
The Low Country, SC
I don't think the Pens need a drastic overhaul on D next year. If up to me, I would trade Maata for a Physical D, Zadorov or Trouba in a package would be great.

Then you could send out Horny for Gravel and a pick from LA and all of the sudden the Pens have a couple of physical stout Dmen.
 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Registered User
Sep 5, 2008
28,726
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Has it been answered that Letang could be expansion exempt because of a career threatening injury?

I think it'd need to be reviewed and deemed by a doctor to be career threatening, and I'd imagine the Penguins would have to petition for that sort of thing. No idea if it's that serious, or if the Penguins would even go for that avenue.

I think you are severely underrating the impact of Doughty, Keith, and Letang on those teams. Those guys, particularly the first 2 could eat up half of game without any major mistakes.

I'm not making the argument that elite defense is the main key to winning, but that it's probably a necessary component. Nashville was missing anything resembling a top center, same with Montreal and Ottawa, and San Jose just made to the Cup finals, although he's not really the type of all situations elite Dman I'm talking about.

Don't get me wrong, #1 defensemen are great players, I just don't think they're required elements in order for a team to win the Cup. None of those guys could be considered the main, driving factor in their team's Cup wins, imo.

I'm very confident that we'd have won last year if we had Shattenkirk instead of Letang (to use the example we've been kicking around).
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
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Klefbom and Larsson is a good top pair, Sekera is a strong #3 guy, Russell has played well for the Oilers and Benning and Nurse are solid young guys as well. Like I said, they need another offensive RD to push Russel down to the 3rd pair, but overall that defense is pretty solid. Their defense is pretty average, if they get a solid 2nd pair OFD, I think they'd fall in the 10th-12th best defenses in hockey. We're also comparing their D group to a Penguins D group without Letang, the Penguins D group without Letang is pretty below average overall (like 20th best in the league).

With that being said, I think it's a moot point overall because Letang probably isn't retiring anytime soon. The Penguins long term needs now aren't really much different before we knew about Letang's neck problems. They still need a prime Paul Martin like D to anchor the 2nd pair with Schultz, that's true regardless of Letang's status.

I think they WILL be a good defense core once those guys continue to develop, but I definitely take the Pens defense without Letang heading into the playoffs. I basically look at it like this:

Dumo <= Larsson - Larsson is better, but I don't think the difference is significant
Schultz = Klefbom - Schultz better offensively, but Klefbom is a better defender
Hainsey < Sekera - I haven't seen enough of Sekera lately, but he's good offensively and was solid in his own end so I'll give him the edge here
Cole > Russell - Both good shot blockers but Cole has really come into his own as a 2 way 4/5.

The other guys are unproven in the playoffs and haven't established themselves yet IMO. I'd take our group of Maatta, Daley, Streit, Ruh over Benning, Nurse, whoever else I'm missing.
 

Shady Machine

Registered User
Aug 6, 2010
36,705
8,141
Don't get me wrong, #1 defensemen are great players, I just don't think they're required elements in order for a team to win the Cup. None of those guys could be considered the main, driving factor in their team's Cup wins, imo.

I'm very confident that we'd have won last year if we had Shattenkirk instead of Letang (to use the example we've been kicking around).

Agree to disagree on the bolded statement. Who knows though. I'm making this argument while also having confidence the Pens can do some damage in the playoffs. You just never know, but I will say that in order to set yourself up as legit contenders, a #1 minute muncher is really important.
 

Empoleon8771

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
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79,778
Redmond, WA
I think they WILL be a good defense core once those guys continue to develop, but I definitely take the Pens defense without Letang heading into the playoffs. I basically look at it like this:

Dumo <= Larsson - Larsson is better, but I don't think the difference is significant
Schultz = Klefbom - Schultz better offensively, but Klefbom is a better defender
Hainsey < Sekera - I haven't seen enough of Sekera lately, but he's good offensively and was solid in his own end so I'll give him the edge here
Cole > Russell - Both good shot blockers but Cole has really come into his own as a 2 way 4/5.

The other guys are unproven in the playoffs and haven't established themselves yet IMO. I'd take our group of Maatta, Daley, Streit, Ruh over Benning, Nurse, whoever else I'm missing.

I agree with the last two, but not the first two. I think a top pair of Klefbom-Larsson would be a good bit better than a top pair of Dumoulin-Schultz. Maybe I'm just not sold on Schultz yet, but I do like Klefbom more than him. The Penguins beat the Oilers in depth, but I think the Oilers beat the Penguins top pair and that is a bigger factor than playing Maatta and Daley or Benning and Gryba on the bottom pair.

I also like the idea of Hornqvist to LA that was mentioned above, but not for that price. Maybe Martinez for Hornqvist with an extension straight up? I don't know where the Kings are well enough to speculate whether they'd do that, but Hornqvist seems like a guy who is perfectly made for that kind of system. I still think something like that plus re-signing Bonino (he finished the year with 18 goals and 37 points) and losing Fleury to Vegas would be a pretty ideal summer. Have this be your lineup to start next year:

Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-Bonino-Sprong
Wilson-Sundqvist-Kuhnhackl
Archibald-Rowney

Dumoulin-Letang
Martinez/other D from Hornqvist trade-Schultz
Maatta-Cole
Ruhwedel

Murray-Jarry
 
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