A lot of the players on rookie contracts have been stars
- Gunner Staal

that is my conclusion before I even start this.

2008- no one really. DET was just cost effective and balanced
2009- Malkin, Staal, MAF (not sure about him, didn't check)
2010- Toews
2011- Seguin

having a key guy performing under a rookie contract makes life so much easier. that is why guys like Bennett and Despres need to step up and if Letang will be traded, it should be for impact prospects under rookie contracts for 3 more years.

Bennett-Crosby-Iginla
Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis
Morrow-Jokinen-Adams
(Vitale, Jeffrey)

If I could choose, those would be the guys I'd like to see coming back (for the right prices). The bold ones are question marks and maybe we could bring someone else.

that is my conclusion before I even start this.

2008- no one really. DET was just cost effective and balanced
2009- Malkin, Staal, MAF (not sure about him, didn't check)
2010- Toews
2011- Seguin

having a key guy performing under a rookie contract makes life so much easier. that is why guys like Bennett and Despres need to step up and if Letang will be traded, it should be for impact prospects under rookie contracts for 3 more years.
- SuperHenderson13

In 2008, Detroit had Zetterberg on his second contract and it was only like $2.6 million. Franzen was below a million too.
2009, MAF wasn't entry level, but Malkin and Staal were. They also had Scuderi and Letang at like $800k each.
2010 - Toews and Kane were entry level, and Keith was a on the last year of a $1.45 mil/yr deal. Seabrook was much cheaper as well.
2011 - Seguin and Marchand were entry level, but they just did a great job of building the roster.
2012 - No one really major on entry level deals, but Quick was still on his old deal that only paid him $1.8 mil, so it was like an entry level deal. Plus they got Carter at the deadline, so his prorated cap hit wasn't bad.

In 2008, Detroit had Zetterberg on his second contract and it was only like $2.6 million. Franzen was below a million too.
2009, MAF wasn't entry level, but Malkin and Staal were. They also had Scuderi and Letang at like $800k each.
2010 - Toews and Kane were entry level, and Keith was a on the last year of a $1.45 mil/yr deal. Seabrook was much cheaper as well.
2011 - Seguin and Marchand were entry level, but they just did a great job of building the roster.
2012 - No one really major on entry level deals, but Quick was still on his old deal that only paid him $1.8 mil, so it was like an entry level deal. Plus they got Carter at the deadline, so his prorated cap hit wasn't bad.
- rival22

Lesson to learn? The cap matters and you need to strike while you have some future difference makers on bottom level contracts IE: Despres, Bennett etc...

Lesson to learn? The cap matters and you need to strike while you have some future difference makers on bottom level contracts IE: Despres, Bennett etc...
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, if we can have those two playing top 6/top 4 roles next season, especially with a low cap, that would be great.

Yeah, if we can have those two playing top 6/top 4 roles next season, especially with a low cap, that would be great.
- rival22

And while we are on the cap conversation, we all know that the cap is jumping right back up to 70M after this very short term dip back down, right? This lower cap figure is the definition of temporary. It should not play into Malkin's situation at all.

Just looking at the rosters from the other 3 "final four" teams, they all have significant cap questions.

Bos - They have $4 million in room (well, $8 with Savard's LTIR), but have to sign Rask, a backup, plus Horton, Jagr, Ference & Redden all are gone. With guys like Krug and Bartkowski, they can probably get by defensively, but that's two top 6 forwards gone.

LA - They have like $12 million, but Penner & Scuderi are UFA's, plus Bernier, Voynov, Muzzin, Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis and Jordan Nolan are all RFA's.

Chi - They only have $2 million in cap space, but have 21 guys signed. But there are expiring deals. Kruger & Nick Leddy are RFA's, and Rozival, Handzus, Bickell, Stalberg and Emery are all UFA's.

Just looking at the rosters from the other 3 "final four" teams, they all have significant cap questions.

Bos - They have $4 million in room (well, $8 with Savard's LTIR), but have to sign Rask, a backup, plus Horton, Jagr, Ference & Redden all are gone. With guys like Krug and Bartkowski, they can probably get by defensively, but that's two top 6 forwards gone.

LA - They have like $12 million, but Penner & Scuderi are UFA's, plus Bernier, Voynov, Muzzin, Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis and Jordan Nolan are all RFA's.

Chi - They only have $2 million in cap space, but have 21 guys signed. But there are expiring deals. Kruger & Nick Leddy are RFA's, and Rozival, Handzus, Bickell, Stalberg and Emery are all UFA's.
- rival22

All teams do. People continue to harp on the Penguins cap situation how they have no one signed in 2 years. I consider that a good thing. They have flexibility to sign the players they want to keep. I'd much prefer it that way.

Bennett-Crosby-Iginla
Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis
Morrow-Jokinen-Adams
(Vitale, Jeffrey)

If I could choose, those would be the guys I'd like to see coming back (for the right prices). The bold ones are question marks and maybe we could bring someone else.
- Orpik44

I dont think Morrow is coming back. I also think it will come down to a choice between the cost/benefit of Dupuis versus Cooke.

Bennett-Crosby-Iginla
Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis
Morrow-Jokinen-Adams
(Vitale, Jeffrey)

If I could choose, those would be the guys I'd like to see coming back (for the right prices). The bold ones are question marks and maybe we could bring someone else.
- Orpik44

morrow is gone, too slow for this team, if he does stay im fine with that too...

Jeffrey... I actually want Jeffrey to leave so he can get a shot somewhere else... he would be a good 2/3rd line winger somewhere else... rather keep a guy like vitale to be the odd man out and if people aren't playing good he can jump in...

All teams do. People continue to harp on the Penguins cap situation how they have no one signed in 2 years. I consider that a good thing. They have flexibility to sign the players they want to keep. I'd much prefer it that way.
- Deadstar

I think Shero has been masterful in the way he's structured the players contracts. Sign the core and craft the rest of the lineup to your needs. This is such a pivotal year and the decision on Bylsma is paramount considering Shero will be making huge decisions on what players will work within the coaches system.

Can't wait for Shero's press conference...

And while we are on the cap conversation, we all know that the cap is jumping right back up to 70M after this very short term dip back down, right? This lower cap figure is the definition of temporary. It should not play into Malkin's situation at all.
- Gunner Staal

I don't understand this "malkin situation"...

hes at 8.7 now... if he jumps to 9.5 that is still only... wait let me get calculator out.. .8 mil increase... its guys like letang where there is a situation! he wants to go from 3.5 to 7mil that's a 3.5 mil increase... we can get 2-3 guys for that kinda money lol

I think Shero has been masterful in the way he's structured the players contracts. Sign the core and craft the rest of the lineup to your needs. This is such a pivotal year and the decision on Bylsma is paramount considering Shero will be making huge decisions on what players will work within the coaches system.

Can't wait for Shero's press conference...
- madmike71

Announcer: Please no questions till the end...

Shero: (steps up to podium and clears his throat) (long pause) Dan Bylsma has been relieved of his duties, Malkin, Iggy, Murray, Cooke and Dupes have all re-upped. See you at the draft... (drops mic and walks out)

I dont think Morrow is coming back. I also think it will come down to a choice between the cost/benefit of Dupuis versus Cooke.
- Deadstar

Morrow is such a character. I'd have to think if he gets a very good workout he could be better than he was this year. The same applies to Iggy. I'd love to see both coming back.
Would you take Morrow for $1M to replace Glass' spot?I definitely would..

Sad..


I think we've seen the last of #58 in Pittsburgh. I didn't like how he sounded in his last interview

Morrow is such a character. I'd have to think if he gets a very good workout he could be better than he was this year. The same applies to Iggy. I'd love to see both coming back.
Would you take Morrow for $1M to replace Glass' spot?I definitely would..

Sad..


I think we've seen the last of #58 in Pittsburgh. I didn't like how he sounded in his last interview

- Orpik44

Some players get money hungry.. He is not a 7 milly guy.

Some players get money hungry.. He is not a 7 milly guy.
- bixll

I'd be glad to pay him $6M/year though. That's the most I'd probably go.

Announcer: Please no questions till the end...

Shero: (steps up to podium and clears his throat) (long pause) Dan Bylsma has been relieved of his duties, Malkin, Iggy, Murray, Cooke and Dupes have all re-upped. See you at the draft... (drops mic and walks out)



- nh4442

I'd settle for Malkin and Dupes. Possibly Cooke, 'cept I'm sort of sick of all the controversy that comes with him. He's not irreplaceable. Not sold on Iggy and Murray. I think there are better options out there. Scuds still looks like a strong player...I wonder what his demands will be?

I'd settle for Malkin and Dupes. Possibly Cooke, 'cept I'm sort of sick of all the controversy that comes with him. He's not irreplaceable. Not sold on Iggy and Murray. I think there are better options out there. Scuds still looks like a strong player...I wonder what his demands will be?
- madmike71

scuds has already said he wants to stay in LA and wants a deal...

Iggy was not used correctly, he repeatedly showed little to no chemistry with geno and neal and was then put down...a new coach will put him with sid and Bennett


Murray was a great 3rd line def Dman.. he had a greta shot, just slow as f#$k

scuds has already said he wants to stay in LA and wants a deal...

Iggy was not used correctly, he repeatedly showed little to no chemistry with geno and neal and was then put down...a new coach will put him with sid and Bennett


Murray was a great 3rd line def Dman.. he had a greta shot, just slow as f#$k
- nh4442

That's what we need from him. For $2-2.5M he'd be welcomed back.

Probably the best Penguins guy out there.
- Gunner Staal

Solid piece - no shame in losing to Boston, though the no-show performance in Game 2 is difficult to overlook. I think the bigger concern of the postseason might be that had the Isles had a little bit of luck (the luck the Pens lacked against Boston), the Pens might have been out of this in the 1st round and the decision on Bylsma would have been an easier one.

Some players get money hungry.. He is not a 7 milly guy.
- bixll

Letang is a 7M/year guy, it just won't be in Pittsburgh, it doesn't make sense given the young depth coming up the ranks. Gonchar just got 5M/year, again.

Solid piece - no shame in losing to Boston, though the no-show performance in Game 2 is difficult to overlook. I think the bigger concern of the postseason might be that had the Isles had a little bit of luck (the luck the Pens lacked against Boston), the Pens might have been out of this in the 1st round and the decision on Bylsma would have been an easier one.
- MadCap2008

It was brought up yesterday but I do find it funny that Claude Julien was a miracle 4 minute 3rd period stretch away from being out on his ass too.

Letang is a 7M/year guy, it just won't be in Pittsburgh, it doesn't make sense given the young depth coming up the ranks. Gonchar just got 5M/year, again.
- Gunner Staal

..and he's also on your Whitney/Gogo list now you don't pay $7M for a Gogo, do you?

..and he's also on your Whitney/Gogo list now
- Orpik44

Consistent unforced mental errors will do that.

Consistent unforced mental errors will do that.
- Gunner Staal

Seriously. Would you take him back for $6M per, 8 year contract?