Salary Cap: Salary Cap Summer Part 2 | The Hunt for 3C Continued

[ColePens]

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

2017-18 salary ceiling​

​

​

|

$75,000,000​

​

​

Projected dollars committed |

64,695,000​

2016-17 bonus overage |

50,000​

Approximate cap space |

10,255,000​

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​

|

30​

|

4,250,000​

|

UFA​

Carl Hagelin|

LW​

|

28​

|

4,000,000​

|

4,000,000​

|

UFA​

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​

|

26​

|

5,500,000​

|

5,500,000​

|

5,500,000​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

22​

|

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​

|

33​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2017-18​

|

2018-19​

|

2019-20​

Zach Aston-Reese|

LW​

|

22​

|

925,000​

|

925,000​

|

RFA​

Adam Johnson|

C​

|

22​

|

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​

|

22​

|

705,000​

|

RFA​

Daniel Sprong|

RW​

|

20​

|

692,500​

|

RFA​

Dominik Simon|

C​

|

22​

|

692,500​

|

RFA​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

24​

|

675,000​

|

675,000​

|

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​

|

26​

|

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​

|

24​

|

705,000​

|

RFA​

Casey DeSmith|

G​

|

25​

|

650,000​

|

650,000​

|

UFA​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

22​

|

630,833​

|

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​

| Signed with Tampa Bay (1 year, $2M)

Trevor Daley|

D​

|

33​

|

3,300,000​

| Signed with Detroit (3 years, $3.178M per)

Ron Hainsey|

D​

|

36​

|

2,833,333​

| Signed with Toronto (2 years, $3M per)

Nick Bonino|

C​

|

29​

|

1,900,000​

| Signed with Nashville (4 years, $4.1M per)

Matt Cullen|

C​

|

40​

|

1,000,000​

|Once again sounds like Pens, Wild or retirement

Chad Ruhwedel|

D​

|

27​

|

575,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (2 years, $650k per)

David Warsofsky|

D​

|

27​

|

575,000​

| Signed with Colorado (2 years, $675k per, 2-way)

Cameron Gaunce|

D​

|

27​

|

575,000​

| Signed with Columbus (2 years, $650k, 2-way)

Kevin Porter|

C​

|

31​

|

575,000​

| Signed with Buffalo (2 years, $650k, 2-way)

Garrett Wilson|

LW​

|

26​

|

575,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (2 years, $650k per, 2-way)

Tim Erixon|

D​

|

26​

|

575,000​

| Did not receive qualifying offer

Stuart Percy|

D​

|

24​

|

575,000​

| Did not receive qualifying offer

Tom Sestito|

LW​

|

29​

|

575,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $650k, 2-way)

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2016-17​

|

News and notes​

Justin Schultz|

D​

|

26​

|

1,400,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (3 years, $5.5M per)

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

23​

|

863,333​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $800k)

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

25​

|

800,000​

|Filed for player-elected arbitration

Oskar Sundqvist|

C​

|

23​

|

700,833​

| Traded to St. Louis for Ryan Reaves

Conor Sheary|

LW​

|

25​

|

667,500​

|Filed for player-elected arbitration

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

24​

|

659,167​

| Re-signed with Penguins (2 years, $675k per)

Frank Corrado|

D​

|

24​

|

600,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $650k, 2-way)

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

23​

|

585,000​

|Needs to take bigger step from AHL supporting cast

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Filip Gustavsson|

G​

|

19​

|

Lulea HF (SHL)​

|

3 years, 775,833 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)

Blaine Byron|

F​

|

22​

|Maine (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 (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...

 

[Jacob]

"Making space for the younger guys" just isn't a thing. It's about accumulating as many good hockey players as you can have under the cap. If that means 12 wingers, you let things work themselves out, as they always do.

 

[cygnus47]

We could trade a forward AND a defenseman and still have plenty of depth.

 

[mrwirez]

I'm glad that he seems to be open to most possible options.

Me too.

I like that JR hasn't "panic" traded and didn't screw up the core for a 3peat attempt too.
I'm thinking, I consider Phil, Hags, and Horny very much part of the cup-run core. I hope they stay through next season The Penguins have nice chemistry with a blend of speed, youth and experience... For now.

*I HOPE -when the season starts, everyone doesn't look back and say, DAMN... We should just paid Bonino..

 

[Peat]

"Making space for the younger guys" just isn't a thing. It's about accumulating as many good hockey players as you can have under the cap. If that means 12 wingers, you let things work themselves out, as they always do.

I'm pretty sure I've seen teams let guys walk/trade guys to give bigger roles to younger players.

More to the point though, we are gonna be bumping into the cap if we get a pricy 3C, particularly if Cullen comes back. We'll also be bumping into the problem of having too many waiver exempt guys we want on the roster if Cullen comes back or one of the WBS guys comes up and sticks. Or if we get a pricy 3C and don't want to carry 14 forwards. Or if we don't get Cullen, but still want 5 centres in the 14, and don't trust Guentzel/Wilson there.

I'm all for accumulating as many good hockey players as we can keep hold of but we're about to run into problems holding onto them. And there's no point waiting until the last minute here if we see good trades involving them because WBS is full to the brim with wingers.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Ron Hainsey also pushed 20+ minutes in the playoffs. Just because you're playing the minutes doesn't mean you should be. I'd also argue Toronto didn't play nearly as well as some people like to make them seem. Look at what our hobbled squad did to the Caps the first couple games of our series.

I don't think that is fair. Toronto was there for the first time with this group, and Washington should have blown them out of the water. Five of six games went into OT.

Toronto is coming quickly, whether we like it or not.

I'm pretty sure I've seen teams let guys walk/trade guys to give bigger roles to younger players.

More to the point though, we are gonna be bumping into the cap if we get a pricy 3C, particularly if Cullen comes back. We'll also be bumping into the problem of having too many waiver exempt guys we want on the roster if Cullen comes back or one of the WBS guys comes up and sticks. Or if we get a pricy 3C and don't want to carry 14 forwards. Or if we don't get Cullen, but still want 5 centres in the 14, and don't trust Guentzel/Wilson there.

I'm all for accumulating as many good hockey players as we can keep hold of but we're about to run into problems holding onto them. And there's no point waiting until the last minute here if we see good trades involving them because WBS is full to the brim with wingers.

Well said. I agree.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don't think that is fair. Toronto was there for the first time with this group, and Washington should have blown them out of the water. Five of six games went into OT.

Toronto is coming quickly, whether we like it or not.

Toronto's forwards and offensive system won them those games. Not their defensive prowess. I'd also point out the fact Babcock has a knack for making mediocre NHL defenseman look effective throughout his career.

Whatever. I'm not going to get into the Hunwick battle. I don't want ColePens browsing through my post history. I'll let it play out this season, and like I've said since the signing, I bet he is a whipping boy around here by November - December. Especially if one of Letang or Schultz goes down with injury.

 

[Nakawick]

To answer the question from the previous thread by HOG.

I think signing Archibald to a 2 year one way deal indicates that they plan on keeping him. Plus the organization seems confident that Sprong and ZAR will play for the Pens this year. They of course are waiver exempt, but no one else is. We are bringing in one center and have saved a spot for Cullen and we have Rowney as well. It is a numbers game. Not a guarantee, but a reasonable assumption.
Also the possibility that maybe there is more than one trade if we move a D in our trade for the centre. Maybe we then move a winger for a D.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

To answer the question from the previous thread by HOG.

I think signing Archibald to a 2 year one way deal indicates that they plan on keeping him. Plus the organization seems confident that Sprong and ZAR will play for the Pens this year. They of course are waiver exempt, but no one else is. We are being in one center and have saved a spot for Cullen and we have Rowney as well. It is a numbers game. Not a guarantee, but a reasonable assumption.
Also the possibility that maybe there is more than one trade if we move a D in our trade for the centre. Maybe we then move a winger for a D.

I don't think the Pens brass thinks any of the kids will jump on the big club this year right out of camp, likely a month or two in if they play incredibly well in the AHL.

As for Archie, yeah maybe they see him as a regular and need to decide on Wilson, Kuhn, and him.

 

[madinsomniac]

In what world were the 2003 Ducks not a creation of Babcock in his first year of coaching?

Also, he has a knack for getting a lot out of fringe defensemen. That is all I implied, I don't think he is some godsend coach.

I think we got a lot out of a duct taped defensive corps last playoffs... im not worried at all about that, though i hope Pouliot breaks out and gives us one extra puck mover...

 

[Nakawick]

I think we got a lot out of a duct taped defensive corps last playoffs... im not worried at all about that, though i hope Pouliot breaks out and gives us one extra puck mover...

Maybe he can turn into a Del Zotto type of Dman for us. Worth the risk of a one year 800k deal.

 

[Gurglesons]

I think we got a lot out of a duct taped defensive corps last playoffs... im not worried at all about that, though i hope Pouliot breaks out and gives us one extra puck mover...

I get our defense was bad last year, but Hainsey and Daley were legitimate top four defensemen throughout their careers. Asking them to step up and play top four minutes in their mid-30s wasn't that big of a deal. It was ugly at times, but because of having players like Dumo, Maatta, etc you could play them 25 a night and then play them 19 a night. I don't really trust doing that with Hunwick.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Think you have to include Archy on the big club so...

Currently:

Jake-Sid-Horny
Hags-G-Phil
Wilson-Rowney-Rust
Archy-Kuhn-Reaves

Olli-Tanger
Cole-Schultz
Hunwick-Ruh
Pooh

Murz
Niemi

is 9.63M in space but the 50k bonus penalty takes that to 9.58M in space.

2 key guys left now are Dumo and Sheary.

Let's go pretty conservative 4M to Dumo and 3.5M to Sheary.
9.58-7.5 = 2.08M <would be our cap space.

Hypotheticals after that:

-could involve Pooh(800k) and Kuhn or Wilson(625k) in a 3C deal. Leaves room for 2.08+.8+.625=3.505M dollars to work with.

-involve Hags in a 3C deal = 2.08+4=6.08M dollars to work with.
-or Maatta = 2.08+4.083333=6.163333M dollars to work with.

Not saying at all that JR should carry a 6M 3C. He's not gonna do that. He'd deffo want some retention on a Duchene for example.
Just more showing the figures now after Pooh+Archy signed.

End of the day the 3C's cap hit likely varies from as low as 1M for a guy like Karlsson to something like 4.5 for a guy like Duchene retained.

 

[Saints11]

I don't think the Pens brass thinks any of the kids will jump on the big club this year right out of camp, likely a month or two in if they play incredibly well in the AHL.

As for Archie, yeah maybe they see him as a regular and need to decide on Wilson, Kuhn, and him.

These three forwards are all different in abilities. Wilson seems to be a favorite of Sully. He can move up and down the line-up. However, he has yet to transfer the scoring touch he showed at Wilkes. He was a good 4th line banger in the Cup run this year. Kuhnhackl has made himself into a fairly good member of the PK, despite the fact he isn't that swift of a skater. Of the three, he probably has the weakest scoring touch as a pure goal scorer. Archie is the closest to the Guentzal/ Sheary model of swift skater, who has a scoring touch, though not as refined as the other two. He does possess a physical streak, maybe not as great as either Wilson or Kuhnhackl.

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

Looks like Streit is heading to Montreal, I wonder where Markov signs now.

 

[Nakawick]

Looks like Streit is heading to Montreal, I wonder where Markov signs now.

Duchene and Markov. Keep the dream alive.

 

[SEALBound]

Looks like Streit is heading to Montreal, I wonder where Markov signs now.

For the $6mil he wants at his age, probably the KHL.

 

[BrokenStick]

Ok, let's start thinking a bit outside box, here.

Let's say we don't acquire anyone before the season starts. Do you think this team can hold down a solid playoff spot without a true 3C for much of the season? All the way to the trade deadline, even?

Here's the thing: as it is right now, this will be the first time since 2013 that we'll have cap space during the season. The further into the season we go, the more that space stretches, due to cap hit proration.

For example, if have 3 million in space to start the season, by the deadline we could add over 7 million worth of player(s).

It is also easier to get teams to retain salary when it's only for part of a season, too.

The further into the year we wait, the more (and bigger) we could add.

Wait until the deadline and we could do something silly like try to get both Sedins for a cup run. (I am not really suggesting this as an example of a good idea.)

 

[mrwirez]

[Modded]

...9.63M in space but the 50k bonus penalty takes that to 9.58M in space.

2 key guys left now are Dumo and Sheary.

Let's go pretty conservative 4M to Dumo and 3.5M to Sheary.
9.58-7.5 = 2.08M <would be our cap space.

Hypotheticals after that:

-could involve Pooh(800k) and Kuhn or Wilson(625k) in a 3C deal. Leaves room for 2.08+.8+.625=3.505M dollars to work with.

-involve Hags in a 3C deal = 2.08+4=6.08M dollars to work with.
-or Maatta = 2.08+4.083333=6.163333M dollars to work with.

Not saying at all that JR should carry a 6M 3C. He's not gonna do that. He'd deffo want some retention on a Duchene for example.
Just more showing the figures now after Pooh+Archy signed.

End of the day the 3C's cap hit likely varies from as low as 1M for a guy like Karlsson to something like 4.5 for a guy like Duchene retained.

What if Matt Cullen decides to come back for a "final-final" year as 4C? What would the options be then for finding a 3C, maybe 2.5M - 3.5M tops?

At what point does JR need to say to MC, I need to know your decision Matt, or does he get welcomed back no matter what? If he's welcomed back, I doubt they're looking at a 3C that wants anything over 3-3.5M. I just don't see them unloading 1-3 players for a 4-5M 3C, right. Because they could have just signed Bonino, like I was saying a while back: "I hope we don't look back and regret not just re-signing NB..

Thinking about it more, Hags is probably the winger they would trade? No?

I gots sooo many Q's.

 

[PensandCaps]

I think the pens trade one of Wilson or Kuhn. Which is ashame. Just so we waste a roster spot for "toughness"

 

[Pengu]

With all factors taken in it looks like a 3-3.5 million 3 C at MOST, or even cheaper.
JR has his list and until the price goes down he isn't going to pull the trigger.
He will probably hold the door open for Cullen as long as he did last off season.

And if nothing turns up I could see us go forward into the season with some room ready to get someone when the opportunity arises.

 

[ColePens]

The good thing, as OG shows, we actually do have a lot of flexibility in what we can do. We have pieces that are actually valuable. We do not have any deadweight on our roster, IMO. We do not have any troubling term contracts out there. Our core is signed through their careers basically. We have some great young pieces who are extremely cheap for the time being.

I know it's not a perfect roster going into the season, but it never really is. There is plenty of time to make adjustments to when it matters. I think there are so many positives to this team right now. There are not many NHL teams right now who are in the position we are in. JR and Sully didn't just do their jobs, they pulled off a miracle that seemed impossible after 2014.

 

[JRS91]

I really wish the Kessel rumors would stop to be honest.

He has 45 points in 49 playoff games with the Penguins and is one of the few skilled players we have that isn't injury prone. Why would you even consider trading him?

 

[thecore]

Ok, let's start thinking a bit outside box, here.

Let's say we don't acquire anyone before the season starts. Do you think this team can hold down a solid playoff spot without a true 3C for much of the season? All the way to the trade deadline, even?

Here's the thing: as it is right now, this will be the first time since 2013 that we'll have cap space during the season. The further into the season we go, the more that space stretches, due to cap hit proration.

For example, if have 3 million in space to start the season, by the deadline we could add over 7 million worth of player(s).

It is also easier to get teams to retain salary when it's only for part of a season, too.

The further into the year we wait, the more (and bigger) we could add.

Wait until the deadline and we could do something silly like try to get both Sedins for a cup run. (I am not really suggesting this as an example of a good idea.)

I think we could absolutely take this approach. Some posters just want a perfect roster on sept 1.

 

[Son Goku]

I really wish the Kessel rumors would stop to be honest.

He has 45 points in 49 playoff games with the Penguins and is one of the few skilled players we have that isn't injury prone. Why would you even consider trading him?

Agreed, I thought it was ridiculous myself. Was just simply wondering if there was any truth behind it.