Salary Cap: 2016-17 roster-building part IV | Contract chart, cap info in post #1

[KIRK]

Dumoulin is a perfect example of the modern day shutdown defenseman. Guys like Dumoulin are replacing guys like Gill and Scuderi in the NHL, the latter group just doesn't have a spot in the NHL anymore.

At this point, I really want to keep both Schultz and Pouliot. Schultz has been really good his entire time with the Penguins and I really like that he's another righty shot that we don't have. Pouliot doesn't have a future here at this point, I don't think that's really debatable. However, if we hold on to him and develop him further, to the point where he becomes similar to Goligoski in 2011, we could probably get back a really good winger for him. It makes more sense to trade him in 2 years for a guy like 2011 Neal than to trade him for another reclamation project this summer.

The plan for this summer should be going after a top end RFA and then a tweener UFA if they have the cap space for it.

Schultz 100% is about the money. He'd need to take Cole ballpark, which is about a 45% or so cut, or the Pens need to look in another direction.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Schultz 100% is about the money. He'd need to take Cole ballpark, which is about a 45% or so cut, or the Pens need to look in another direction.

You'd think that, but him chasing the money nearly destroyed his career already. I don't see any team offering him more than a year or 2 around $2 million per year.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

It's not about trust. It's about 3-4 million dollars, which is the difference between Fleury and a cheap backup versus Murray and a little costlier veteran backup.

That said, I think the team would be making a huge mistake going into next season with both of them. You've got a good 3-4 year window here with Sid and Geno (and maybe even where you can pull off this 3 #1 lines thing). Exploit every year of that.

At this point, who would you lean towards trading?

I don't know if it's just me focusing too much on other fanbases tearing him down, but is MM ready to carry a 50 game (minimum) load for us?

 

[SaturdayNightSlegr]

I'm really liking Schultz right now. He's like a poor man's Zubov; RHS, head always up, perfect passer. Plus he's big time injury insurance when Letang and/or Maatta get hurt. He could thrive here if either of two is hurt for a while.

I understand his qualifying offer of ~$4M is too high, but it is feasible to do a one-year slightly-overpaid "bridge" deal of like $2.5-$3M; since it will be another year till we have to pay Dumo.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Whether I'd trade MAF or Murray largely depends on what we could get back for him. If Calgary called today and offered the 6th overall pick and Gilles for Murray, I don't see any way you can say no to that. You'll end up with an elite forward prospect in either Tkachuk, Dubois or Nylander plus a good goalie prospect in Gilles. If the option is that or trade MAF for 2 2nd round picks, I think you'd have to do the 1st.

 

[Riptide]

Whether I'd trade MAF or Murray largely depends on what we could get back for him. If Calgary called today and offered the 6th overall pick and Gilles for Murray, I don't see any way you can say no to that. You'll end up with an elite forward prospect in either Tkachuk, Dubois or Nylander plus a good goalie prospect in Gilles. If the option is that or trade MAF for 2 2nd round picks, I think you'd have to do the 1st.

I dunno... there's going to be a lot of decent talent in the 2nd round in this draft.

 

[mpp9]

We could do worse than picking up another couple 2nd rounders, signing a backup, having four top 60 picks and pocketing the cap space for moves as they become available. Having 3-4 million in space would allow us to get very creative in filling out the top 6.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

What is Bonino going to want? I'd sign him for 3x3.5m But much more than that and I'd start to question whether Fehr can bring some of what he does for half the price. Or even someone like Blueger, Guentzel or Sundqvist a couple years from now. I mean 3.5m for what he's providing in the playoffs is fine. But if he wants 4m or something like what Sutter got (5x4.375m) then I'd probably pass. We're winning with depth and value contracts. Not overpaying Bonino will be key to continuing that success.

We also need to ensure that regardless of how good we are this year and next year, that we don't fall into the trap that we must re-sign all of our players. Everyone has a "value", and the moment they want more then what the team thinks they're worth, they should be out the door.

He'll want too much for what he brings. I would let him play out his deal next year and take another run, and then plug in whoever grabs the job, with Fehr as your backup plan if none of OS or the kids pan out quickly enough.

I feel like Bonino will have a good contract year, and won't have an issue losing him for nothing at the end of that year considering Dumo will need a raise then.

 

[KIRK]

At this point, who would you lean towards trading?

I don't know if it's just me focusing too much on other fanbases tearing him down, but is MM ready to carry a 50 game (minimum) load for us?

If you don't think he can handle that. then move him instead.

I think he can . . . he's already done half that number after 90% of a AHL season.

You'd think that, but him chasing the money nearly destroyed his career already. I don't see any team offering him more than a year or 2 around $2 million per year.

Don't disagree. Just saying the Pens shouldn't go any higher than what you cited either.

He'll want too much for what he brings. I would let him play out his deal next year and take another run, and then plug in whoever grabs the job, with Fehr as your backup plan if none of OS or the kids pan out quickly enough.

I feel like Bonino will have a good contract year, and won't have an issue losing him for nothing at the end of that year considering Dumo will need a raise then.

I'd be okay at a 3.5-4.0M number. Failing that, yes, let him play out the year unless someone makes a really, really nice offer this summer. I assume they'll weigh pros/cons of all of those options this summer.

 

[mpp9]

I'm looking at Anaheim this summer. Their window is damn close to shut with Kesler and Perry likely to wear down very soon. What would they give to get that piece to their forward group in Bonino where everyone fits perfectly. Rackell back to wing and three legit lines of offense.

Theyre surely going to make a rash decision this summer. Id take advantage.

 

[JTG]

There's a ton of questions moving forward with this team - none of them are bad or incredibly difficult like years past.

1. Do you move Hagelin and Kessel with Sid next season?
2. I understand we're a fast team, but bringing in a guy with break neck speed to play with Geno is not necessary, as to play with Geno it doesn't take a great deal of speed
3. If Hagelin and Kessel play with Sid, can Hornqvist mesh with Geno?
4. Do we have a top 6'er between Rust, Sprong, Wilson, Kuhnhackl, and Sundqvist
5. Are all of Kunitz, Fehr, and Cullen here next season?
6. Do you try to re-sign Schultz and have he a Pouliot both on this blue line?
7. If Fleury requests a trade, do we look for picks/prospects or legitimate NHL players?
8. Do you spend big money for a LW for Geno?
9. Since there has such a big resurgence of young cap friendly talent, does JR spend to the cap and face a complete cap hell in 2-3 years, but be a Cup favorite the next 2-3 years?
10. Are all of our solutions in house?
11. Do you operate this offseason with the expansion draft in mind, or just let things be as they may when the time comes?
12. Does this coaching staff and management team believe in Derrick Pouliot?

If this team wins it all, it's going to be really hard to change what we have working here, but to get Sid and Geno wingers, Fleury, Kunitz, Fehr, and anyone making big money will have to be purged to make room for the forwards.

 

[JTG]

I'm really liking Schultz right now. He's like a poor man's Zubov; RHS, head always up, perfect passer. Plus he's big time injury insurance when Letang and/or Maatta get hurt. He could thrive here if either of two is hurt for a while.

I understand his qualifying offer of ~$4M is too high, but it is feasible to do a one-year slightly-overpaid "bridge" deal of like $2.5-$3M; since it will be another year till we have to pay Dumo.

I have been a big fan of Schultz since he broke into the league. I think he got a real raw deal in Edmonton. I think he brings a lot here in terms of powerplay specialty, and I hope Sully has enough balls to sit Letang for Schultz on the top unit. Schultz has the calmness and coolness to run a PP like Sarge did. He's also a righty, so he can Geno can go back and forth with that puck and set each other up for one timers.

I see a ton of Niskanen in Schultz, and I have faith we can get him going in the right direction here to be a really solid middle pairing defenseman. I wouldn't be at all shocked, if brought back, that Schultz puts up some pretty solid point totals in Pittsburgh.

His defensive play hasn't been anywhere near as bad as advertised.

 

[JTG]

I have sort of been thinking also, Sundqvist is probably a better 3rd line pivot, but we don't have space for him here, as Cullen should be brought back if he wants to come back, and Bonino stays to play with his besties.

Hornqvist and Sundqvist flanking Geno seems like it could work, but I don't think Geno and Hornqvist have meshed well, and neither Sundqvist or Hornqvist are the shooter that Geno seems to enjoy playing with lately.

 

[JTG]

You'd think that, but him chasing the money nearly destroyed his career already. I don't see any team offering him more than a year or 2 around $2 million per year.

I agree with that. Almost every team is going to peg Schultz as a reclamation project - even if they don't really know what they are reclaiming.

 

[chethejet]

Pens have to clear some space next year. Kunitz frees up money just not sure how much. I am coming around to keeping Bonino but correct he will be in demand with that contract. Oskar can't stay in WB forever. He needs to play as a bigger forward center. DP is a keeper. he is a very talented player who will be good as he matures. Smart player with PP fit. Schultz is a fit for two reasons, Rh shot and PP. He is still a liability on D but with good coaching he can be a 5 or 6. Fehr is healthy and is playing good. He is a bigger guy who can play PP and be a quality 4th line guy.

If Murray gets a great offer, take it. MAF is good for the next two or three years which is the window for the core. I am not sold on Murray yet. The price to get Anderson from the Ducks will be as much as Murray or very close. But those wanting the cap relief for MAF is not a necessary move. Kunitz, and one other vet frees up 5 /6 million which is enough.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

Pens have to clear some space next year. Kunitz frees up money just not sure how much. I am coming around to keeping Bonino but correct he will be in demand with that contract. Oskar can't stay in WB forever. He needs to play as a bigger forward center. DP is a keeper. he is a very talented player who will be good as he matures. Smart player with PP fit. Schultz is a fit for two reasons, Rh shot and PP. He is still a liability on D but with good coaching he can be a 5 or 6. Fehr is healthy and is playing good. He is a bigger guy who can play PP and be a quality 4th line guy.

Yeah, but the trouble is this year was largely a waste of OS's development. He needs to learn the offensive side of the game on the smaller ice, and he never, ever got a chance in WBS to even play on the PP, let alone be a featured offensive player.

The way this team is set up now, we really don't want or need a pure checker like OS is at this stage of his development. He needs a full season in WBS in an offensive role, which I don't see him getting now that we have Guentzel.

 

[Malkinstheman]

I think theres no way you will get the 6th and a great goalie like Gillies. It would be possible if Murray was around 23 and doing what he is doing now with 60+ games but he only has 25 games of experience.

Two 2nds for flower though I would consider a big win. That clears 5.75 off the cap. Then you can acquire a guy like niemi for scraps or sign Ward/Riemer. I have to admit though the goalie options are pretty underwhelming.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think theres no way you will get the 6th and a great goalie like Gillies. It would be possible if Murray was around 23 and doing what he is doing know 60+ games but he only has 25 games of experience.

Two 2nds for flower though I would consider a big win. That clears 5.75 off the cap. Then you can acquire a guy like niemi for scraps or sign Ward/Riemer. I have to admit though the goalie options are pretty underwhelming.

I honestly think Murray's playoffs brings him to the same value that Schneider had when he was traded. The rumored offer from the Oilers for Schneider was 7th overall and a good prospect, so that's basically the basis for the Gilles and the 6th pick deal.

 

[Fordy]

i think sprong is gonna be so sick on this team. he should stick next year, imo. he was too good already this year, i think if he was given the chance he could have made it work

 

[Malkinstheman]

I dont know I just dont see it. Teams might still see a lot of risk in him and giving up that much for a goalie might not be a good idea. If calgary offered that deal though I would be forced to think about it. I dont know anything about the prospects this year but a top-10 caliber forward plus really good goalie prospect is a really good deal. Still leaves us with fleury who has a good contract and has been plying great.

 

[66-30-33]

Maybe Pens get Vesey? and he pans out right away. Then since people keep saying Boedker...he can play with Malkin. Boedker-Malkin-Sprong...fast players. Pens get even more fast and skilled. Would mean Wilson, Kuhn, Sheary, would fight for that last spot on LW on the 4th line, Rust gets the RW and we can maybe get an FA to play 4th line C if Cullen retires.

 

[JTG]

I honestly think Murray's playoffs brings him to the same value that Schneider had when he was traded. The rumored offer from the Oilers for Schneider was 7th overall and a good prospect, so that's basically the basis for the Gilles and the 6th pick deal.

The stage Murray is on shouldn't be minimized, and it'd definitely count if we were trading him, but Schneider had 3 awesome years backing up Lou before being traded. Though Murray is winning the most important games, it's still very possible he's a flash in the pan.

 

[Jacob]

I think Sundqvist needs to develop his offensive game if we expect him to move beyond 4th line center. He's still 2 years younger than Rust/Sheary/Wilson/Kuhnhackl, so another year in the AHL (or at least starting the year in the AHL) as one of their top line players seeing lots of offensive situations seems like it'd be beneficial to me.

 

[JTG]

I think Sundqvist needs to develop his offensive game if we expect him to move beyond 4th line center. He's still 2 years younger than Rust/Sheary/Wilson/Kuhnhackl, so another year in the AHL (or at least starting the year in the AHL) as one of their top line players seeing lots of offensive situations seems like it'd be beneficial to me.

I agree

 

[JTG]

Sprong is able to go to the AHL next season right?