We are about two weeks past the frenzy that marked the beginning of free agency, and the Penguins did not connect with Plan A by signing Zach Parise or Ryan Suter with cap space created by the Staal and Michalek trades.. In the process, some big tough blue liners like Bryan Allen and Jason Garrison went to other teams, and after that Matt Carle signed with Tampa leaving the closet pretty bare for Pittsburgh relative to top two pairing defensemen. As it currently stands, the top 5 blue liners for Pittsburgh are Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang, Paul Martin, Matt Niskanen, and Deryk Engelland. This leaves two NHL positions open on the blue line with Simon Despres, Dylan Reese, Brian Strait and Robert Bortuzzo top candidates to fill out the remaining spots, with Joe Morrow as a potential long shot to leap from major junior hockey to the NHL or Ben Lovejoy hanging in as a depth guy. I am going to say that Pittsburgh feels that Despres is ready to not only make the leap to the NHL, but may be ready to play top two pairing minutes, and they also think that Bortuzzo and Strait are both ready to play bottom pairing minutes and if they don't make the big club, the Penguins will lose them on waivers as they did with Nick Johnson last season. As I review the above referenced list, very few players really intrigue me as solid additions to the Penguins other than Spacek, whose size, experience and shot might make him a valuable veteran for the right price. Short of Spacek, or a trade that moves some combination of prospects above or Pouliot, Dumoulin, Maatta, Harrington or draft picks, I think the Penguins should give the young guys a shot. The Penguins should keep a close eye on the Shea Weber situation, as the depth of top prospects on the blue line could make Pittsburgh a good dance partner if Nashville feels like they could lose Weber. I am sure they may have an interest in some of the high end blue line talent Pittsburgh has stockpiled. As it is, Pittsburgh would need to find a way to move a couple young blue liners just to not lose them on waivers. It might be good to save the cap space, take a look at what we have early int he season, and make a deal if necessary later in the year, if the right chance presents itself. We have a ton of young players on the blue line, let them play unless an impact trade is available or Spacek can be had for a good number.
The forward position creates a different problem for Pittsburgh as there is no organizational depth of NHL ready impact players up front to draw from. Dustin Jeffrey or Eric Tangradi could be given a shot now, and Beau Bennett next year, but a Stanley Cup contender with the likes of Malkin and Crosby at center would like to have a little more finish on the top six if possible. Of the remaining available players I like Winnik if he can be had for a good number to add size and grit to the bottom six, but only at a good number, and he does not address the top six issue. If Pittsburgh could get Doan for two to three years and a decent number, his size, leadership and scoring punch could have the same positive impact on the Penguins as the Guerin deal did for them. A 20 goal plus guy with experience, character and drive would look on the Penguins and kill two birds with one stone. He would add the veteran presence and the top six winger with one move. My concern there is the good chance that he stays in Phoenix or goes to Vancouver v coming east, and the Penguins miss one of a couple of other opportunities to improve their team. An intriguing chance exists that the Penguins and Alex Semin agree on a one or two year deal to give the enigmatic center the chance to remake his reputation as a soft coach killing player. I am a life long hater of Semin, BUT at the right price and term, it would be tempting to experiment with old softy. One or two years at 5M or so, especially one year would be tempting. He is a true sniper with better on ice statistics from a two way perspective than most know, but I still worry that after being a big regular season point machine that he will do his usual post season disappearing act. An intriguing high risk but but potential high reward move. Three and four years ago Semin scored 84 and 79 points with 40 and 34 goals respectively. The past two years his totals fell 30 points to 54 points with 21 and 28 goals resepectively. He has also been a plus player in all of those seasons. He suffered a miserable post season this year, and his Crosby commentary may not make him a popular player here, but man, a motivated Semin on our top two lines surely could give Pittsburgh an additional high end weapon for opposing teams to deal with. Andrei Kostitsyn is the only other forward I like as a possible top six winger for Pittsburgh, but again if the price is right. The Penguins may be better served to use some of their top end blue line prospects and/or draft picks to go after a possible trade. One I mentioned is the Chris Stewart move, sending some high end defensive prospect and a mid round pick or something to get him. I would love the idea of Bobby Ryan better than most, but Pittsburgh would have to acquire a solid center w ith some of their young defense to send as part of any deal, AND send either Despres or Morrow to Anaheim, and likely a top draft pick to be in the mix for Ryan. A steep price, and complicated, but not impossible. Ryan is signed for 5.1M for three years, and paired with Crosby and Duper, he would likely be a tough, physical 40 goal per year man for Pittsburgh. Our top two lines would be the best in the league as well. Think of Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Kunitz and Ryan as 5 of your top 6 and try not to drool. If nothing major comes up, Pittsburgh should save cap space and look at next year's UFA market as a golden opportunity to improve their team.
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