Salary Cap: Salary Cap & Roster Building | Yeah, I got nuthin' ....

[Big McLargehuge]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

2017-18 salary ceiling​

​

​

|

$75,000,000​

​

​

Projected dollars committed |

71,795,000​

2016-17 bonus overage |

50,000​

Approximate cap space |

3,155,000​

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​

Ryan Reaves|

RW​

|

30​

|

1,125,000​

|

UFA​

Jake Guentzel|

LW​

|

22​

|

734,167​

|

734,167​

|

RFA​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

25​

|

640,000​

|

RFA​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

25​

|

625,000​

|

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​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

23​

|

800,000​

|

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​

Antti Niemi|

G​

|

34​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

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​

Teddy Blueger|

C​

|

23​

|

705,000​

|

RFA​

Daniel Sprong|

RW​

|

20​

|

692,500​

|

RFA​

Dominik Simon|

C​

|

23​

|

692,500​

|

RFA​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

24​

|

675,000​

|

675,000​

|

RFA​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

23​

|

650,000​

|

RFA​

Garrett Wilson|

LW​

|

26​

|

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​

Jeff Taylor|

D​

|

23​

|

742,500​

|

742,500​

|

RFA​

Ethan Prow|

D​

|

24​

|

730,000​

|

RFA​

Lukas Bengtsson|

D​

|

23​

|

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​

Sean Maguire|

G​

|

25​

|

705,000​

|

RFA​

Casey DeSmith|

G​

|

25​

|

675,000​

|

675,000​

|

UFA​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

22​

|

630,833​

|

RFA​

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Filip Gustavsson|

G​

|

19​

|

LuleÃ¥ 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​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

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​

|Brynäs IF (SHL)

Antti Palojarvi|

D​

|

18​

|Lukko U20 (SML Jr.A)

Nikita Pavlychev|

F​

|

20​

|Penn State (B1G)

Clayton Phillips|

D​

|

17​

|Fargo (USHL)

Will Reilly|

D​

|

19​

|RPI (ECAC)

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

24​

|HC Sparta Praha (ELH)

Click to read more...

 

[M0NTY26]

These are the wishy washy stuff I've been hearing all summer: we just won the cup, you can't force trades, you can't force people to sign here, how do you know he hasn't tried?

This is the exact same stuff people said in defense of Shero.

Rutherford said himself he had 5 potential trades lined up in June. He could have signed Bones. He had options but didn't pursue anything, yet. So don't act like he was without options.

You're saying a bunch of nothing, with just as much substance. Saying he had options - what were they? Rather than just throw out all these bland statements, then expecting people to come in here and prove something to you, it would probably be a good start for you to list some of these options. Specifics, with numbers.

You don't sign a 3rd line center for 4 million dollars. Not only is that terrible management, but it's not possible under the current salary cap. So we would've had to move a contract out to sign Bones. Creating holes to fill holes is, again, poor management.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

Get off the cross, we need the wood.

I git yer wood right here, fella ...

 

[Pens x]

You're saying a bunch of nothing, with just as much substance. Saying he had options - what were they? Rather than just throw out all these bland statements, then expecting people to come in here and prove something to you, it would probably be a good start for you to list some of these options. Specifics, with numbers.

You don't sign a 3rd line center for 4 million dollars. Not only is that terrible management, but it's not possible under the current salary cap. So we would've had to move a contract out to sign Bones. Creating holes to fill holes is, again, poor management.

I've already said what I would do but then I get the standard bs replies. You will just spew the hindsight is 2020 crap.

I would have tried to trade Hagelin as $4 mill is a bit expensive. I would have signed Benoit Pouliout in his place for about $3 mil less.

With that savings, I would have gone after Hanzal.

Another back up option would have been to sign Dominic Moore as a replacement for Cullen.

 

[madinsomniac]

The problem with any UFA is that they have to want to play here... most simply gravitate to the place offering the biggest dollars... which usually means they are overpaid... some also wont play in the east, or for a former club they felt wronged them...

Ufa options are never as simple as they should have signed player X for Y sum cause we don't know if that player would have accepted that to come here...

 

[Riptide]

You don't sign a 3rd line center for 4 million dollars. Not only is that terrible management, but it's not possible under the current salary cap. So we would've had to move a contract out to sign Bones. Creating holes to fill holes is, again, poor management.

You can... which is not saying you should, it's just really hard to make it work when you A) have the 2nd most expensive blueline in the NHL and B) already have several fairly expensive players and a lot of overall depth in general.

Which isn't the end of the world... just means JR needs to be a little more selective about things.

 

[Riptide]

I've already said what I would do but then I get the standard bs replies. You will just spew the hindsight is 2020 crap.

I would have tried to trade Hagelin as $4 mill is a bit expensive. I would have signed Benoit Pouliout in his place for about $3 mil less.

With that savings, I would have gone after Hanzal.

Another back up option would have been to sign Dominic Moore as a replacement for Cullen.

Who's taking Hagelin and his 2x4m deal after a 6g/22pt season? I'm not saying it can't be done... but you're certainly not getting out of that deal with 2-3m in cap space.

And then as madinsomniac pointed out "going after Hanzal"... results in no guarantee's. Maybe he likes the warm desert winters and the low taxes?

Additionally... isn't that the same sort of vague wishy washy statement that you just lamb blasted everyone here for writing? "Oh just go sign the top FA C this summer".

 

[Empoleon8771]

"I would have done something completely unrealistic and then assume that two guys would want to come here for what they got on another team"

Okay

Bringing up Moore as a Cullen replacement is completely a hindsight analysis, though, unless you were ready to tell Cullen he wasn't wanted back on the Penguins on July 1st.

 

[888 98 twins]

No Sheahan. Hold out for Karlsson or Haula.

 

[Riptide]

Bringing up Moore as a Cullen replacement is completely a hindsight analysis, though, unless you were ready to tell Cullen he wasn't wanted back on the Penguins on July 1st.

That's my biggest issue with that idea. We didn't/do not have the cap to afford both, we have at least 1 serviceable #4C in Rowney, and Cullen again was a big contributer to our 2nd cup. Obviously you do not wait forever, but unless there's a deal there where you need a nee or a yay due to cap reasons, you give him that time - he's earned that.

No Sheahan. Hold out for Karlsson or Haula.

If a player isn't available at a semi reasonable price... you need to move on.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Pouliot options:

1) Use him in a trade to get a C JR can "go out and get right now".
2) Trade him alone for a pick.
3) Try to sneak him thru waivers.

I think you might see one of these happen if there isn't an abundance of injuries AND McClement is signed.

D Depth:

Dumo-Tang
Cole-Schultz
Maatta-Hunwick
Ruh

Corrado
Trotman
Tinordi
Czuczman/Bengtsson

So it's not as if they can't handle the loss of him, imo.
It really is put up or you're gone time for Pooh.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Pouliot options:

1) Use him in a trade to get a C JR can "go out and get right now".
2) Trade him alone for a pick.
3) Try to sneak him thru waivers.

I think you might see one of these happen if there isn't an abundance of injuries AND McClement is signed.

D Depth:

Dumo-Tang
Cole-Schultz
Maatta-Hunwick
Ruh

Corrado
Trotman
Tinordi
Czuczman/Bengtsson

So it's not as if they can't handle the loss of him, imo.
It really is put up or you're gone time for Pooh.

Or you can, you know, keep him. I find it hilarious how people are rushing to judgement on him after 1 preseason game that wasn't even televised.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Okay, lets say we keep him and theres no one on IR to start. Whats your 23 man roster?
Thats more what i'm getting at here.
If McClement is signed, which he just might be. Someones getting traded or either being claimed on waivers or slips thru them.

 

[Gurglesons]

Don't sign McClement. Move a player out in the 3C move.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Move a player out in the 3C move.

That was one of my options.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Okay, lets say we keep him and theres no one on IR to start. Whats your 23 man roster?
Thats more what i'm getting at here.
If McClement is signed, which he just might be. Someones getting traded or either being claimed on waivers or slips thru them.

You have Kuhnhackl, Ruhwedel and Pouliot as the extras and you waive Archibald. I don't know why you're bringing McClement into this scenario, there's no reason to think he's going to be signed right now. Him scoring a PP goal in the first preseason game doesn't change that.

Even if you sign McClement, I'd waive him and keep him in WBS until injuries strike. It's not like he's going to be claimed on waivers.

 

[Gurglesons]

That was one of my options.

Regardless of how bad Pouliot is, he the best defenseman we have in the minors with the most room to grow. With the chance he gets his **** together this year, it is worth it to lose Archibald or Kuhn for nothing with the depth we have on wing.

 

[WayneSid9987]

You have Kuhnhackl, Ruhwedel and Pouliot as the extras and you waive Archibald. I don't know why you're bringing McClement into this scenario, there's no reason to think he's going to be signed right now. Him scoring a PP goal in the first preseason game doesn't change that.

Even if you sign McClement, I'd waive him and keep him in WBS until injuries strike. It's not like he's going to be claimed on waivers.

I'm obviously not signing McClement cuz he scored a PP goal in a pre-season game. C'mon, man.

And why would you waive Archibald before trying to move Pouliot at this point? Either via trade or trying to push him thru waivers.

Regardless of how bad Pouliot is, he the best defenseman we have in the minors with the most room to grow. With the chance he gets his **** together this year, it is worth it to lose Archibald or Kuhn for nothing with the depth we have on wing.

PIT can't give him the time on the NHL roster to give him that room to grow anymore if Archie, Kuhn, etc. are more effective NHL players.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'm obviously not signing McClement cuz he scored a PP goal in a pre-season game. C'mon, man.

And why would you waive Archibald before trying to move Pouliot at this point? Either via trade or trying to push him thru waivers.

Because Archibald is nothing the Penguins don't have already and he'd probably pass through waivers because he's not that good.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Because Archibald is nothing the Penguins don't have already and he'd probably pass through waivers because he's not that good.

Doesn't matter if he's better and more useful than Pouliot.
Exactly what are we missing if we move Pouliot?
Bengtsson's better than him at this point.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

3C has always been the hardest position to fill in hockey.

They are as rare as hen's teeth, everyone is looking for one, no one can seem to find one. So I can understand the panic over entering the season with that position a bit up in the air.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I don't think for a second 3C is the hardest position to fill. That's either #1 center or #1 d-man, for sure.

Finding the perfect compliment as a 3C is really difficult. Good thing we don't need the perfect compliment, just a serviceable player who can play with the elite winger depth we have, win faceoffs, and skate well enough to keep up.

But this just goes to show it's not always panicky doom and gloom. People were rightfully concerned about JR's willingness or ability to find a 3C before the season, and here we are three weeks from game 1 and we're looking at someone like Blueger as our 3C. Mind you, he's been making a case for himself, but it's understandable to be skeptical about him slotting in at 3C on a team vying for it's third straight Cup.

 

[steveg]

Or you can, you know, keep him. I find it hilarious how people are rushing to judgement on him after 1 preseason game that wasn't even televised.

Not sure you were implying this, but did Pouliot have a poor showing tonight?

 

[SEALBound]

Because Archibald is nothing the Penguins don't have already and he'd probably pass through waivers because he's not that good.

Indeed. You have Kuhnhackl at the same level. Waive one and if he gets claimed, you have the other. We have a couple guys at that level. I get more weary if you have to waive a guy like Scott Wilson.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I don't think for a second 3C is the hardest position to fill. That's either #1 center or #1 d-man, for sure.

Finding the perfect compliment as a 3C is really difficult. Good thing we don't need the perfect compliment, just a serviceable player who can play with the elite winger depth we have, win faceoffs, and skate well enough to keep up.

But this just goes to show it's not always panicky doom and gloom. People were rightfully concerned about JR's willingness or ability to find a 3C before the season, and here we are three weeks from game 1 and we're looking at someone like Blueger as our 3C. Mind you, he's been making a case for himself, but it's understandable to be skeptical about him slotting in at 3C on a team vying for it's third straight Cup.

I'd rather see Blueger get a chance than a McClement signing. Ugh. McClement is way too much like Craig Adams for my taste. Plus, at least Teddy has some upside. I think his ceiling is a decent 3C, but that means there's at least a chance he could be a decent 3C. McClement won't be, and if McClement pushed Rowney up to 3C, that wouldn't be much better.