Now is really not the time to be looking ahead, as the Penguins are positioned well to be in the playoffs this season, and with some healthy bodies returning and the possibility of a little more depth to come on Monday via the trade deadline, maybe even take a run at the title again. That said, the current make up of the roster and pending free agency will dictate what the Penguins may do on Monday. To that end, I wanted to summarize the current roster, cap hits, and who is signed through next year and beyond. Remember that up to 23 players can be on the active NHL roster, with 20 dressing per night, usually 12 forwards, 6 defenseman, and 2 goaltenders. First the forwards who are under contract for next season:
Crosby 8.7M thru 12-13
Malkin 8.7M thru 13-14
Kunitz 3.75M thru 11-12
Staal 4M thru 12-13
Neal 2.875M thru 11-12 then RFA not UFA
Cooke 1.8M thru 12-13
Letestu 625K thru 12-13
Tangradi 845K thru 11-12 then RFA not UFA
Vitale 512K thru 11-12
Those are the current Penguins forwards who will be under contract through at least next year. The top 5 through Neal are a pretty impressive group and is only one shy of a nasty group of top six forwards. After those 5, you have Cooke a key component sure to be on the team, and Letestu who would step up to take the third line center role should Staal and Malkin play together next year as planned. Tangradi is a wild card, and I am sure they hope he can blossom into a full time role on the team next year, but he could be trade bait fir the right young forward with term on his deal and some scoring punch. I would like to see ET blossom into an NHL ready power forward, as that would add another dimension to the Pens lineup. There are 9 forwards under contract for next year, and I have to believe that the top 5 plus Cooke and Letestu are locks, leaving 5 positions open for a nightly roster spot open for the following to compete for:
Vitale and Tangradi referenced above......Vitale at 512K and ET at 845K. The remaining contenders include:
Kovalev currently making 5M and UFA
Dupuis currently making 1.4M and UFA
Talbot currently making 1.05M and UFA
Rupp currently making 825K and UFA
Godard currently making 750K and UFA
Kennedy currently making 725K and RFA
Asham currently making 700K and UFA
Adams currently making 550K and UFA
Connor currently making 550K and UFA
Jeffrey currently making 508K and RFA
Comrie currently making 500K and UFA
Johnson currently making 500K and RFA
Wallace currently making 500K and RFA
So there are 15 players here trying to make 5-7 spots on the team. You could also include Sterling and Vellieux as players who could be in the mix. For my money you have to sign Rupp at similar money due to his size, toughness and role on the fourth line. You have to sign Adams at similar money as you get tons of value with his PK abilities, and leadership for a small expense. Finally, you have to sign Jeffrey if you can for similar money, as he has proven he has a role on this team, and can chip in some offense. After that, to me, you probably have to make some very tough calls. I love Talbot and Dupuis, but you may have to sacrifice at least one, if not both of them in the interest of cap space. Joe Vitale seems to have a shown a solid presence on faceoffs and solid grinding ability. If you can get him for 55oK to take on the role of a Talbot who may command 1.5M, you may have no choice, despite Talbot's contribution to the 2009 Cup. I love Duper's ability to play on the top line with Crosby, kill penalties and forecheck like a monster, BUT if he is not willing to maybe take a little less to stay, the Pens may find a guy like Comrie, Kennedy, or Asham to have more value to them over the long haul. Duper at least has that kind of versatility in his corner. If they dont find that legitimate top 6 winger for Crosby, well Crosby, Kunitz, Dupuis was a dynamic line while healthy this season. The Penguins are also high on Nick Johnson, and hope that Eric Tangradi is ready to step into a top 6 role on the big club. Asham has been hurt all year, but when healthy plays a game similar to Matt Cooke's but he is willing to drop the gloves on a regular basis to stand up for his teammates. Finally, sone still think that a place has to be kept for Godard, for those nights against the Islanders, Flyers, and Rangers. You can see the log jam of players competing for roster spots, which is a good thing for the team, but it could also lead to some package of one or more of the above being moved. I could even see a veteran forward moved to the western conference team in return for a prospect, draft pick or young player. It would be too much to ask for Kovalev to be willing to work for 1.5M for another year and a chance to skate with Malkin or Crosby, so I expect him to be a rental.
The goaltending situation is stable with Fleury signed for 5M per year through 2014-15, and Johnson signed through 2011-12 for 600K. You would not move a franchise goaltender, nor a backup like Johnson with a contract like that one while you are contender, so there will not be a move there.
On defense, an NHL team will carry 7 defensemen at a time, usually with 6 dressing per night. Our situation there is so solid for short and long term.
Paul Martin currently making 5M and signed thru 2014-15
Zybnek Michalek currently making 4M and signed through 2014-15
Brooks Orpik currently making 3.75M and signed through 2013-14
Kris Letang currently making 3.5M and signed through 2013-14
Matt Niskanen currently making 1.5M and signed through 2011-12 then RFA
Brian Strait currently making 860K and signed through 2011-12 then RFA
Ben Lovejoy currently making 525K and signed through 2012-13
Deryk Engelland currently making 566K and signed through 2013-14
The Penguins currently have 8 NHL ready defensemen signed through at least next year and six of those for year beyond that. This gives the Penguins great leverage in that area. In addition, they have the following assets ready next year or the year after:
Robert Bortuzzo currently making 535K and signed through 2011-12-ready next year, and considered a possible top 4 upside;
Simon Depres currently making 870K and signed through 2012-13, and ready next year or the year after, considered a possible top pairing upside with star potential;
Carl Sneep currently making 850K and signed through 2011-12 probably ready next year or the year after, and considered a solid top 5 upside;
As you can see the defense for the Penguins should be a strength for years to come, and could also send an asset along with a veteran forward to a western conference team in return for more firepower up front without really denting the short or long term outlook for the Penguins. They also have depth defenseman Andrew Hutchinson who could fill in as a 7th defenseman without killing you. I think Despres is off limits for a deal, but any of the others could be used in return for the right forward. As much as you would hate to lose any of them, if they are not going to play for us in the NHL in the next two years, they will not re-sign as free agents, so you may as well get a return if possible. Shero has a lot of options should the right deal be offered, but no long term PRESSING needs, so Monday should be interesting. I would love to see us target a western conference team for a top six forward with at least another year left in return for a defensive prospect, and a guy like Talbot that we would likely lose anyway.
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