Salary Cap: Salary Cap & Roster Building | Man, Oh, Man, Oh, Friend of Mine. All Good Things in All Good Time

[DegenX]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

2017-18 salary ceiling	$75,000,000
Projected dollars committed	75,129,309​
Projected LTIR Used	531,741​
Approximate cap space	$402,432​

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PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward..................................	Pos.​	Age​	..........2017-18​	..........2018-19​	..........2019-20​
Evgeni Malkin	C​	31​	9,500,000​	9,500,000​	9,500,000​
Sidney Crosby	C​	30​	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​	30​	4,250,000​	UFA​
Carl Hagelin	LW​	29​	4,000,000​	4,000,000​	UFA​
Conor Sheary	LW​	25​	3,000,000​	3,000,000​	3,000,000​
Riley Sheahan	C​	25​	2,075,000​	RFA​
Ryan Reaves	RW​	30​	1,125,000​	UFA​
Jake Guentzel	LW​	22​	734,167​	734,167​	RFA​
Dominik Simon	C/RW​	23​	692,500​	RFA​
Bryan Rust	RW​	25​	640,000​	RFA​
Daniel Sprong	RW​	20​	692,500​	RFA​
Jean-Sebastien Dea	C​	23​	650,000​	RFA​
Tom Kuhnhackl	LW​	25​	625,000​	RFA​
Carter Rowney	C​	28​	612,500​	UFA​
Defense	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Kris Letang	D​	30​	7,250,000​	7,250,000​	7,250,000​
Justin Schultz	D​	27​	5,500,000​	5,500,000​	5,500,000​
Brian Dumoulin	D​	26​	4,100,000​	4,100,000​	4,100,000​
Olli Maatta	D​	23​	4,083,333​	4,083,333​	4,083,333​
Matt Hunwick	D​	32​	2,250,000​	2,250,000​	2,250,000​
Ian Cole	D​	28​	2,100,000​	UFA​
Jamie Oleksiak	D​	25​	964,688​	RFA​
Chad Ruhwedel	D​	27​	650,000​	650,000​	UFA​
Goalie	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Matt Murray	G​	23​	3,750,000​	3,750,000​	3,750,000​
Tristan Jarry	G​	22​	630,833​	RFA​
Casey DeSmith	G​	25​	675,000​	675,000​	UFA​

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WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward..................................	Pos.​	Age​	..........2017-18​	..........2018-19​	..........2019-20​
Zach Aston-Reese	LW​	23​	925,000​	925,000​	RFA​
Adam Johnson	C​	23​	925,000​	925,000​	RFA​
Thomas Di Pauli	C​	23​	742,500​	RFA​
Freddie Tiffels	LW​	22​	742,500​	742,500​	RFA​
Sam Miletic	LW​	20​	710,000​	710,000​	710,000​
Teddy Blueger	C​	23​	705,000​	RFA​
Garrett Wilson	LW​	24​	650,000​	650,000​	UFA​
Greg McKegg	C​	25​	650,000​	RFA​
Tom Sestito	LW​	29​	650,000​	UFA​
Defense	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Andrey Pedan	D​	24​	750,000​	RFA​
Jeff Taylor	D​	23​	742,500​	742,500​	RFA​
Ethan Prow	D​	24​	730,000​	RFA​
Lukas Bengtsson	D​	24​	705,000​	RFA​
Frank Corrado	D​	24​	650,000​	RFA​
Jarred Tinordi	D​	25​	650,000​	RFA​
Zach Trotman	D​	27​	650,000​	UFA​
Kevin Czuczman	D​	26​	650,000​	UFA​
Chris Summers	D​	29​	650,000​	650,000​	UFA​
Goalie	Pos.​	Age​	2017-18​	2018-19​	2019-20​
Michael Leighton	G​	36​	650,000​	UFA​

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SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player	Pos.​	Age​	Current team​	Contract​
Filip Gustavsson	G​	19​	Lulea HF (SHL)​	3 years/775,833 per​
Alex D'Orio	G​	18​	Saint John (QMJHL)​	3 years/716,667 per​
Jordy Bellerive	C​	18​	Lethbridge (WHL)​	3 years/716,667 per​

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UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player	Pos.​	Age​	Current team​
Niclas Almari	D​	19​	HPK (Liiga)
Anthony Angello	F​	21​	Cornell (ECAC)
Dane Birks	D​	21​	Michigan Tech (WCHA)
Kasper Bjorkqvist	F​	19​	Providence (HEA)
Jan Drozg	F​	18​	Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Connor Hall	D​	19​	Kitchener (OHL)
Ryan Jones	D​	21​	Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)
Sam Lafferty	F​	22​	Brown (ECAC)
Zachary Lauzon	D​	18​	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Joe Masonius	D​	20​	Connecticut (HEA)
Linus Olund	F​	20​	Brynas IF (SHL)
Antti Palojarvi	D​	18​	Lukko U20 (SML Jr.A)
Nikita Pavlychev	F​	20​	Penn State (Big Ten)
Clayton Phillips	D​	17​	Fargo (USHL)
Will Reilly	D​	19​	RPI (ECAC)
Dominik Uher	C​	24​	HC Sparta Praha (ELH)

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Data Source

Click to read more...

 

[MtlPenFan]

Gifted imbecile is a good way to put it, and I have a fun hypothetical to play with.

Give Olli Letang's physical gifts, and he becomes an automatic top 5 defenseman in the League. Even before vastly improving his skating this year, Olli became a legit top 2nd pairing defenseman despite his poor skating using nothing more than his brains.

I know this'll be a hit with some of the cool kids, but if you give Letang Olli's physical shortcomings, is he even in the NHL?

 

[Ogrezilla]

At least Hagelin playing well makes our situation better. Either he's more attractive in a trade, or we are less worried about adding a LW.

 

[Riptide]

At least Hagelin playing well makes our situation better. Either he's more attractive in a trade, or we are less worried about adding a LW.

Given how he's been playing, I don't think I would trade him. But I'd still be looking for a gritty LW.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Gifted imbecile is a good way to put it, and I have a fun hypothetical to play with.

Give Olli Letang's physical gifts, and he becomes an automatic top 5 defenseman in the League. Even before vastly improving his skating this year, Olli became a legit top 2nd pairing defenseman despite his poor skating using nothing more than his brains.

I know this'll be a hit with some of the cool kids, but if you give Letang Olli's physical shortcomings, is he even in the NHL?

I don’t think Letang is as stupid as we often paint him to be, tbh. He’s not a high IQ player but he’s not completely moronic. Letang’s mind in Maatta's body with his worst skating? Maybe bottom pairing because Maatta isn’t bereft of physical tools and Letang isn’t brain dead. Letang’s brain in a body like Scuderi’s wouldn’t be an nhl player. Likewise I doubt Maatta’s IQ could compensate enough for Scuderi’s physical tools in the current nhl.

 

[Gurglesons]

Given how he's been playing, I don't think I would trade him. But I'd still be looking for a gritty LW.

Trade him every day of the week. This team needs the cap next year for a player without the miles.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Given how he's been playing, I don't think I would trade him. But I'd still be looking for a gritty LW.

I think it’s a question of if he righted the ship or if it’s a mirage. If he’s not really right again trade him while you can.

 

[Andy99]

The greatness of Jonathan Toews is one of the biggest myths ever pushed upon hockey fans.

If Toews was Slovenian, he'd be making $3 million and be in trade discussions to Buffalo for a 2nd or 3rd round pick....

 

[HandshakeLine]

3rd pairing guy due to his ability to move the puck, RD and not being small. But nothing special.

I totally misread this as you saying Olli would be out of the league and thought I had a stroke for a second.

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

Gifted imbecile is a good way to put it, and I have a fun hypothetical to play with.

Give Olli Letang's physical gifts, and he becomes an automatic top 5 defenseman in the League. Even before vastly improving his skating this year, Olli became a legit top 2nd pairing defenseman despite his poor skating using nothing more than his brains.

I know this'll be a hit with some of the cool kids, but if you give Letang Olli's physical shortcomings, is he even in the NHL?

If Lebron James was 5”9 instead of 6”9, would be even be in the nba?

 

[Shady Machine]

Given how he's been playing, I don't think I would trade him. But I'd still be looking for a gritty LW.

You wouldn't trade Hagelin right now because he's not playing awful anymore?

Is he helping Malkin? Sure, but Malkin is just playing well right now. This isn't some magical combination. If someone takes that contract off your hands, fantastic.

 

[HandshakeLine]

If Lebron James was 5”9 instead of 6”9, would be even be in the nba?

 

[Brandinho]

If Lebron James was 5”9 instead of 6”9, would be even be in the nba?

With his athleticism and instincts? Yes.

Nate Robinson had an 11 year career at 5'9 and he isn't nearly as talented.

 

[Ryder71]

At least Hagelin playing well makes our situation better. Either he's more attractive in a trade, or we are less worried about adding a LW.

His speed is such an important dynamic and dimension to this team. If he continues on his current course I'd be careful about just trying to dump him. You can't teach speed and he has it in spades. So ferocious on the forecheck.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

If Lebron James was 5”9 instead of 6”9, would be even be in the nba?

Weird analogy considering there've been quite a few 5'9 NBA players over the years, and without having LeBron's ability.

 

[Dey so soff*]

Unfortunately there are a myriad of atheletes out there who excel in either smarts and awareness OR physical ability. The rare ones who have both tend to be the superstars.

Letang falls into the category of having phenomenal physical ability but lacking situational awareness and hockey IQ. For most of his career he has used his physical attributes to cover when he made a mistake or a bad pinch. How many times have we seen Letang scrambling back to make a play after he turned it over or made a bad pinch? As he gets older and he begins to lose the speed and agility, those mistakes are magnified because he can’t recover like he used to.

He must adapt his game and learn how to read situations or continue to cost the team...

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Isn't Letang with Olli's physical short comings basically Marc-Andre Bergeron?

 

[billybudd]

Isn't Letang with Olli's physical short comings basically Marc-Andre Bergeron?

Bergeron had an enormous shot, so probably not. Trying to think of a flatfooted defenseman who's dumb and can't shoot but can pass the puck. Ryan Whitney?

 

[Peat]

You wouldn't trade Hagelin right now because he's not playing awful anymore?

Is he helping Malkin? Sure, but Malkin is just playing well right now. This isn't some magical combination. If someone takes that contract off your hands, fantastic.

If you traded Hagelin, you'd get diddly squat return - save cap space - and lose a guy who still belongs in the team. I don't like that return save for the cap space and right now I can't see what we'd do with it right now barring some unlikely deadline trades.

Maybe in the Summer you start finding other uses for the cap but right now, it makes no sense to me. And tbh, if the cap does go up to 80m, maybe moving him does little for us either.

Which brings me to a question I've been wondering about - if there's a big cap rise, does that change the trade market? I feel like all the close to the cap teams getting off the hook would decrease supply and make getting players harder.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Bergeron had an enormous shot, so probably not. Trying to think of a flatfooted defenseman who's dumb and can't shoot but can pass the puck. Ryan Whitney?

Whitney was fine until his foot issue started to creep up, Pens noticed, dumped him asap. Whitney pre-foot injury was pretty decent. People just remember the bad with him.

Ric Jackman?

 

[Riptide]

Trade him every day of the week. This team needs the cap next year for a player without the miles.

Not really. We can afford Hornqvist, sign our RFA's and still have enough to go looking for a C. Won't have a fortune, but will have enough to go after some different guys.

I think it’s a question of if he righted the ship or if it’s a mirage. If he’s not really right again trade him while you can.

Playoffs start in 2.5 months. Hagelin's speed/defense is someone I want come playoff time. If need be, we can move him in the summer. But just like last summer - I'm not hurry to dump him. I get that his contract vs his return blows. But we have the cap space in the short term to handle it and long term he's either off the books or is re-signing for something much much more affordable.

 

[cygnus47]

If you traded Hagelin, you'd get diddly squat return - save cap space - and lose a guy who still belongs in the team. I don't like that return save for the cap space and right now I can't see what we'd do with it right now barring some unlikely deadline trades.

Maybe in the Summer you start finding other uses for the cap but right now, it makes no sense to me. And tbh, if the cap does go up to 80m, maybe moving him does little for us either.

Which brings me to a question I've been wondering about - if there's a big cap rise, does that change the trade market? I feel like all the close to the cap teams getting off the hook would decrease supply and make getting players harder.

It might also have the domino effect of having some guys available that wouldn't have been because their team can afford a more expensive upgrade. Mostly I'd agree though, the guys that teams are only moving because they can't fit them within the cap might be held onto for depth.

 

[chethejet]

Depending what the Pen achieve or fail to achieve, GMJR will need to address what gives the Pens the best chance to compete for a cup next year. If he fails to trade for a good 3rd center this year, then at the draft or FA period that is a must. Hags with one year can be moved. Hornqvist if still a Pen certainly is a player GMJR wants to sign is feasible. If the cap is 80 million, plenty of room to sign Rust, Horny, add a center and take care of the RFA's if he wishes. But yes there are a couple of players I would trade or move for various reasons.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Depending what the Pen achieve or fail to achieve, GMJR will need to address what gives the Pens the best chance to compete for a cup next year. If he fails to trade for a good 3rd center this year, then at the draft or FA period that is a must. Hags with one year can be moved. Hornqvist if still a Pen certainly is a player GMJR wants to sign is feasible. If the cap is 80 million, plenty of room to sign Rust, Horny, add a center and take care of the RFA's if he wishes. But yes there are a couple of players I would trade or move for various reasons.

I’d change up the D in the off season.​

 

[#1GuinFan]

Not to nitpick, but didnt Sean McGuire get dealt in the Archibald trade?