Salary Cap: The Hotdog Days of Summer

[Boocock]

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Recent Thoughts
- Perron as a left winger
- Five top-six options - does the sixth matter that much?
- Bringing signs to training camp



All figures are cap numbers, not salaries.

Official 2015-16 salary ceiling: ........71,400,000
Projected 2015-16 cap spending: ....67,620,000
Projected offseason cap space: .........3,780,000



PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Evgeni Malkin|

C​

|

28​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

Sidney Crosby|

C​

|

27​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

Phil Kessel|

RW​

|

27​

|

6,800,000​

|

6,800,000​

|

6,800,000​

Patric Hornqvist|

RW​

|

28​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

Chris Kunitz|

LW​

|

35​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

|

UFA​

David Perron|

LW​

|

26​

|

3,812,500​

|

UFA​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

36​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

UFA​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

26​

|

3,300,000​

|

UFA​

Sergei Plotnikov|

LW​

|

25​

|

925,000​

|

RFA​

Defense.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

.2017-18​

Kris Letang|

D​

|

28​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

Rob Scuderi|

D​

|

36​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

|

UFA​

Ian Cole|

D​

|

26​

|

2,100,000​

|

2,100,000​

|

2,100,000​

Ben Lovejoy|

D​

|

31​

|

1,100,000​

|

UFA​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

20​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

21​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

|

RFA​

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

23​

|

800,000​

|

800,000​

|

RFA​

Goalie............,.......​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

.2017-18​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

30​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

28​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Tyler Biggs|

RW​

|

22​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

Oskar Sundqvist|

C​

|

21​

|

700,833​

|

708,333​

|

RFA​

Conor Sheary|

LW​

|

23​

|

667,500​

|

667,500​

|

RFA​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

22​

|

659,167​

|

659,167​

|

RFA​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

23​

|

655,000​

|

RFA​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

23​

|

652,500​

|

RFA​

Anton Zlobin|

LW​

|

22​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Matia Marcantuoni|

C​

|

21​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

21​

|

585,000​

|

585,000​

|

RFA​

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

23​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Kevin Porter|

C​

|

29​

|

575,000​

|

UFA​

Kael Mouillierat|

LW​

|

27​

|

575,000​

|

UFA​

Defense...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

22​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Niclas Andersen|

D​

|

27​

|

625,000​

|

UFA​

Tim Erixon|

D​

|

24​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

David Warsofsky|

D​

|

25​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

23​

|

575,000​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Will O'Neill|

D​

|

27​

|

575,000​

|

UFA​

Steve Oleksy|

D​

|

29​

|

575,000​

|

UFA​

Goalie..................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

|

2017-18​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

21​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

|

RFA​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

20​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

News and notes​

Paul Martin|

D​

|

34​

|

5,000,000​

| Signed with San Jose (4 years, $4.85M per)

Christian Ehrhoff|

D​

|

32​

|

4,000,000​

|Hitting the market, looking to sign with a contender

Daniel Winnik|

LW​

|

30​

|

1,300,000​

| Signed with Toronto (2 years, $2.25M per)

Maxim Lapierre|

C​

|

30​

|

1,100,000​

|Won't be offered a new deal, per Renaud Lavoie

Steve Downie|

RW​

|

28​

|

1,000,000​

| Signed with Arizona (1 year, $1.75M)

Thomas Greiss|

G​

|

29​

|

1,000,000​

| Signed with N.Y. Islanders (2 years, $1.5M per)

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

25​

|

874,125​

| Signed with N.Y. Rangers (1 year, $700k)

Blake Comeau|

LW​

|

29​

|

700,000​

| Signed with Colorado (3 years, $2.4M per)

Craig Adams|

RW​

|

38​

|

700,000​

|I believe the term is "seppuku" -- Look it up, Harvard Boy

Adam Payerl|

RW​

|

24​

|

626,667​

|Did not receive qualifying offer

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

25​

|

625,000​

|Did not receive qualifying offer

Taylor Chorney|

D​

|

28​

|

550,000​

| Signed with Washington (1 year, $700k)

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

32​

|

550,000​

| Signed with SC Bern (NLA)

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Group 6 UFA who wants to return to the Penguins

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

28​

|

550,000​

|Injuries may cost him some money on his next 2-way deal

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond|

RW​

|

30​

|

550,000​

|One of many casually discarded AHL goons

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|Did not receive qualifying offer

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Player........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

News and notes​

Beau Bennett|

RW​

|

23​

|

900,000​

|Received qualifying offer, name hasn't been in trade talks

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

23​

|

831,667​

| Re-signed with Penguins (2 years, $800k per)

Ian Cole|

D​

|

26​

|

825,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (3 years, $2.1M per)

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

22​

|

601,667​

|Has the makings of a serviceable fourth-liner

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

23​

|

598,333​

| Re-signed with Penguins (1 year, $575k)

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

23​

|

575,000​

| Re-signed with Penguins (2 years, $575k per)

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

Anthony Angello|

F​

|

19​

|Cornell (ECAC)

Dane Birks|

D​

|

19​

|Michigan Tech (WCHA)

Teddy Blueger|

F​

|

20​

|Minnesota State (WCHA)

Blaine Byron|

F​

|

20​

|Maine (HEA)

Jake Guentzel|

F​

|

20​

|Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)

Troy Josephs|

F​

|

21​

|Clarkson (ECAC)

Sam Lafferty|

F​

|

20​

|Brown (ECAC)

Jaden Lindo|

F​

|

19​

|Owen Sound (OHL)

Sean Maguire|

G​

|

22​

|Boston University (HEA)

Nikita Pavlychev|

F​

|

18​

|Des Moines (USHL)

Alexander Pechurskiy|

G​

|

25​

|Khabarovsk (KHL)

Ryan Segalla|

D​

|

20​

|Connecticut (HEA)

Dominik Simon|

F​

|

20​

|HC Plzen (ELH)

Daniel Sprong|

F​

|

18​

|Charlottetown (QMJHL)

Jeff Taylor|

D​

|

21​

|Union (ECAC)

Frederik Tiffels|

F​

|

20​

|Western Michigan (NCHC)

Click to read more...

 

[ColePens]

A+ thread title

 

[tom_servo]

If they're keeping Kunitz, the guy's ending up next to Sid or Geno. Just gotta hope he can rebound in that scenario.

The way this roster looks as of right now, I like the look of a Kunitz-Sutter-Dupuis line. Even though Kunitz and Dupuis have declined and are being paid as luxuries, there is a fair bit of skill and two-way play on that line, and they're no longer burdened with the pace of a 1st line. Sutter's effectiveness probably goes up a fair bit. Maybe I'm too far removed from seeing actual games, but I might be able to live with that. For now. In early July.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Perron won't be cemented on 3rd line RW.
Don't care what MJ said.
They know what he's capable of and his ability to play LW.

 

[mpp9]

The way this roster looks as of right now, I like the look of a Kunitz-Sutter-Dupuis line. Even though Kunitz and Dupuis have declined and are being paid as luxuries, there is a fair bit of skill and two-way play on that line, and they're no longer burdened with the pace of a 1st line. Sutter's effectiveness probably goes up a fair bit. Maybe I'm too far removed from seeing actual games, but I might be able to live with that. For now. In early July.

That's how it should be. Kunitz looked far better without having to keep up with Sid and Geno last season. I just doubt it would last. The first turnover by Plotnikov or Perron coinciding with a "not ******" Kunitz effort, and you know what happens.

 

[wheelz87]

The way this roster looks as of right now, I like the look of a Kunitz-Sutter-Dupuis line. Even though Kunitz and Dupuis have declined and are being paid as luxuries, there is a fair bit of skill and two-way play on that line, and they're no longer burdened with the pace of a 1st line. Sutter's effectiveness probably goes up a fair bit. Maybe I'm too far removed from seeing actual games, but I might be able to live with that. For now. In early July.

But seriously, does that just make too much sense? 3 former 20 goal guys on a third line is awesome! And at the same time their best hockey is all behind them (not Sutter) so why can't this team's management be smart and realize playing guys like Dupuis and Kunitz in a limited and secondary role will HELP this team? No pressure on these guys, they don't NEED to score. They are the bonus scoring. Kunitz is not a 20 minute guy anymore. He can still be effective for 15-17. Dupuis is obviously a wild card but his whole life he has been an ideal third winger. Please just roll with those three. The top 5 *should* be set in stone and Bennett/Plotnikov battle for the last spot, loser to line 4. (or loser could go to line three, but even I'm not that optimistic to bump out Dupuis or Kunitz )

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

The way this roster looks as of right now, I like the look of a Kunitz-Sutter-Dupuis line. Even though Kunitz and Dupuis have declined and are being paid as luxuries, there is a fair bit of skill and two-way play on that line, and they're no longer burdened with the pace of a 1st line. Sutter's effectiveness probably goes up a fair bit. Maybe I'm too far removed from seeing actual games, but I might be able to live with that. For now. In early July.

My biggest concerns there are 1) who the hell is going to carry the puck and 2) how long is Kunitz going to stay on the 3rd line?

 

[AjaxTelamon]

My biggest concerns there are 1) who the hell is going to carry the puck and 2) how long is Kunitz going to stay on the 3rd line?

Those are legit concerns, and the primary reasons that a Kunitz/Sutter/Dupuis line will absolutely not last long. Possession is going to be a fiasco. Though I can see Sutter and Dupuis being disruptive enough that other teams won't be able to generate a ton of high quality chances.

We really have very little choice but to put Duper with Sid, and use that as our shutdown line unless we can get some other players in here. They're our only two defensively solid forwards. What else do you do when you're up 2-1 in the third against the Ducks and Getzlaf and Perry come out? Do you put out Kunitz/Sutter/Dupuis?

So Duper/Sid/PH is going to happen as things stand now. At least it pushes Kunitz out of the top 6, one would hope.

Marcel Goc, of all the FA's out there, solves a lot of problems for us, and I hope he's brought in. That gives us the flexibility to put together a decent shut down line, something like:

Sundqvist Goc Dupuis

You've got speed, a big body on the boards, right and left handed draws, and now all of a sudden you can run lines like:

Perron Sid PH
Plots Geno Kessel
Kunitz Sutter BB

And abuse matchups like crazy. That third line was the best Kunitz looked last year, they should be able to have success against 3rd pairings.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Let's convert Dupers into a Defenseman, hey it's never done the other way in the NHL.

 

[Jacob]

Those are legit concerns, and the primary reasons that a Kunitz/Sutter/Dupuis line will absolutely not last long. Possession is going to be a fiasco. Though I can see Sutter and Dupuis being disruptive enough that other teams won't be able to generate a ton of high quality chances.

We really have very little choice but to put Duper with Sid, and use that as our shutdown line unless we can get some other players in here. They're our only two defensively solid forwards. What else do you do when you're up 2-1 in the third against the Ducks and Getzlaf and Perry come out? Do you put out Kunitz/Sutter/Dupuis?

So Duper/Sid/PH is going to happen as things stand now. At least it pushes Kunitz out of the top 6, one would hope.

Marcel Goc, of all the FA's out there, solves a lot of problems for us, and I hope he's brought in. That gives us the flexibility to put together a decent shut down line, something like:

Sundqvist Goc Dupuis

You've got speed, a big body on the boards, right and left handed draws, and now all of a sudden you can run lines like:

Perron Sid PH
Plots Geno Kessel
Kunitz Sutter BB

And abuse matchups like crazy. That third line was the best Kunitz looked last year, they should be able to have success against 3rd pairings.

Pretty much my thinking at this point in time as well. I'd also accept Slater or Lapierre as the 4th line C on the cheap, but I think Goc fits just as well.

 

[Beauner]

With Sundqvist, does the organization see him as a LW or center? He was drafted as a center but played LW last year. Depending on where the staff sees him that could have a domino effect on other free agents brought in and line combos.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Sundqvist will be our new Adams.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Those are legit concerns, and the primary reasons that a Kunitz/Sutter/Dupuis line will absolutely not last long. Possession is going to be a fiasco. Though I can see Sutter and Dupuis being disruptive enough that other teams won't be able to generate a ton of high quality chances.

We really have very little choice but to put Duper with Sid, and use that as our shutdown line unless we can get some other players in here. They're our only two defensively solid forwards. What else do you do when you're up 2-1 in the third against the Ducks and Getzlaf and Perry come out? Do you put out Kunitz/Sutter/Dupuis?

So Duper/Sid/PH is going to happen as things stand now. At least it pushes Kunitz out of the top 6, one would hope.

Marcel Goc, of all the FA's out there, solves a lot of problems for us, and I hope he's brought in. That gives us the flexibility to put together a decent shut down line, something like:

Sundqvist Goc Dupuis

You've got speed, a big body on the boards, right and left handed draws, and now all of a sudden you can run lines like:

Perron Sid PH
Plots Geno Kessel
Kunitz Sutter BB

And abuse matchups like crazy. That third line was the best Kunitz looked last year, they should be able to have success against 3rd pairings.

There's a lot that would have to break right for us coaching-wise to see that 4th line regularly and Kunitz out of the top 6, but I really like the look of that line-up.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Phil is already gaining girth at Qdoba.

 

[Penguinator]

Sundqvist will be our new Adams.

Hopefully, Harder, Better, Faster. Not a long shot by any means.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Hopefully, Harder, Better, Faster. Not a long shot by any means.

My goodness, Jim, this isn't porn.

 

[Jacob]

With Sundqvist, does the organization see him as a LW or center? He was drafted as a center but played LW last year. Depending on where the staff sees him that could have a domino effect on other free agents brought in and line combos.

Until he can prove he's capable on faceoffs he's a winger. Preferably right wing.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

There's a lot that would have to break right for us coaching-wise to see that 4th line regularly and Kunitz out of the top 6, but I really like the look of that line-up.

You're also relying on BB to stay healthy, as it's critical that he is playing with confidence and can control the puck on that line. I know it's a lot of longshots, but I just can't go back to watching Sid take all the D zone draws ala 2013-2014 and being gassed by the playoffs.

We need a defensive face-off specialist ala Goc, Malhotra, Slater, etc. And Goc is the best of that lot.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

With Beau, it's always been about his bad luck with injuries, never have I questioned his talent and he's shown more than enough "flashes" of it to warrant keeping him around, as for one, it doesn't hurt the Pens cap much at all, second...he knows what he needs to work on now after playing more games in the NHL, albeit with gimped knees.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

You're also relying on BB to stay healthy, as it's critical that he is playing with confidence and can control the puck on that line. I know it's a lot of longshots, but I just can't go back to watching Sid take all the D zone draws ala 2013-2014 and being gassed by the playoffs.

We need a defensive face-off specialist ala Goc, Malhotra, Slater, etc. And Goc is the best of that lot.

Assuming he'd come back after being dumped for Lapierre mid-season last year. If I'm Goc and looking to win a Cup, I'd be wondering why I should trust that team not to jettison me again.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Assuming he'd come back after being dumped for Lapierre mid-season last year. If I'm Goc and looking to win a Cup, I'd be wondering why I should trust that team not to jettison me again.

Maybe Goc gets a NTC? Over 1 year. Basically saying I wanna stay.
If he signs cheap like 1 mill 1 year I'd be ok with it

 

[displacedpensfan]

Buffalo/NJ

Do you guys think one of Buffalo (Bylsma) or New Jersey (Shero) would have any interest in Kunitz or Scuderi?

New Jersey's offense is so terrible that Kunitz might actually represent a legitimate upgrade for them; conversely he could mentor some of Buffalo's young players. I think he could be replaced for half his cap hit by someone like Fehr or Semin (or just stick BB there!) and you wouldn't see a dropoff on the 3rd line.

As for Scuderi, he's obviously harder to move, though he might still have some value showing the kids the ropes in Buffalo; we might have to eat a third to half of his salary to move him though, but there's definitely a price point at which it's worth it.

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

You're also relying on BB to stay healthy, as it's critical that he is playing with confidence and can control the puck on that line. I know it's a lot of longshots, but I just can't go back to watching Sid take all the D zone draws ala 2013-2014 and being gassed by the playoffs.

We need a defensive face-off specialist ala Goc, Malhotra, Slater, etc. And Goc is the best of that lot.

I could see Malhotra getting a camp invite as insurance.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

Maybe Goc gets a NTC? Over 1 year. Basically saying I wanna stay.
If he signs cheap like 1 mill 1 year I'd be ok with it

That's what you'd have to do, and I'd be fine with it too.

Do you guys think one of Buffalo (Bylsma) or New Jersey (Shero) would have any interest in Kunitz or Scuderi?

New Jersey's offense is so terrible that Kunitz might actually represent a legitimate upgrade for them; conversely he could mentor some of Buffalo's young players. I think he could be replaced for half his cap hit by someone like Fehr or Semin (or just stick BB there!) and you wouldn't see a dropoff on the 3rd line.

As for Scuderi, he's obviously harder to move, though he might still have some value showing the kids the ropes in Buffalo; we might have to eat a third to half of his salary to move him though, but there's definitely a price point at which it's worth it.

I'd think the latter is more likely than the former, but why not.

I honestly expect Kunitz to pot 15 this year in 2nd-3rd line TOI and some 2nd unit PP time, which isn't really awful for his cap hit.

He needs to play less, and he needs to play against worse players, and he'll look a lot better. But he cannot be pressed up in the lineup, I'd rather see Plots or Sundqvist play LW for Geno than Kunitz, and just go the net and draw defenders and cause confusion.

I could see Malhotra getting a camp invite as insurance.

I could too. JR pretty much resurrected his career in Carolina. I was surprised he didn't come in last year. I loved him with Vancouver, but he's a shell of his former self now, and really is a 1 trick pony. But he's exceptionally good at that one trick.

 

[Headshot77]

Do you guys think one of Buffalo (Bylsma) or New Jersey (Shero) would have any interest in Kunitz or Scuderi?

New Jersey's offense is so terrible that Kunitz might actually represent a legitimate upgrade for them; conversely he could mentor some of Buffalo's young players. I think he could be replaced for half his cap hit by someone like Fehr or Semin (or just stick BB there!) and you wouldn't see a dropoff on the 3rd line.

As for Scuderi, he's obviously harder to move, though he might still have some value showing the kids the ropes in Buffalo; we might have to eat a third to half of his salary to move him though, but there's definitely a price point at which it's worth it.

I wonder if we can trade Scuderi for Sharp, straight up. Yeah, we gain 2.5 million in salary, but we free up the logjam on D and solidify that 6th top 6 spot.

Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist
Sharp-Malkin-Kessel

Brutal!