We'll have to revisit this one later in the year. Granted he's a late developer, but he is a puck possession, power forward beast with speed, hands and a shot, and who can play with elite talent. Not many like him in the league and he just turned 27. This year was also his first playing top 6.
- Pags

Yeah, never any doubt about the talent... I have long been wanting us to trade for him. His give a poop level just concerns me and that is the type of guy I'd prefer the team knowing from experience before backing up the truck on.

Letang and Malkin are definitely going to test free agency. Might be a good thing for the Malkin situation. Pens are just going to have to Match Letangs best offer.
- Grinder47

You’re only hoping they test FA.

Question... why are we so in need of a backup goalie? DeSmith was fine until the fluke injury. He was great last year... this year started off bleh and then he turned it on later in the season.

Its a backup spot and if we are penny pinching for it, can we really do much better if it all than DeSmith?

Question... why are we so in need of a backup goalie? DeSmith was fine until the fluke injury. He was great last year... this year started off bleh and then he turned it on later in the season.

Its a backup spot and if we are penny pinching for it, can we really do much better if it all than DeSmith?
- Guile

I was hoping the Pens could use Lindberg as their backup next season, but his injuries prevented him from getting a chance to play. He was impressive in the the little he played.

Aside from that, there's nothing wrong with bringing DeSmith back, but if the Pens have a chance to upgrade? Sure, why not? We all know the Fleury walk won't go away until he makes a decision.

What do you guys think Nick Paul will go for on the open market?

Don’t really think McGinn is that bad of a contract either, he’s just not very impactful.

The point I’m making is that we usually go into the offseason with just enough cap to make an impactful signing and we pretty much are never able to pull it off and up spending our cap on bit pieces just for the sake of spending it. Managing free agency is hard. If an impact guy hits the market, there’s gonna be ten other teams that are trying like hell to sign him too, so even if you get the contract offer right, he still has to pick you over the other guys. Not always the case. If you remember, Saad told us no this past offseason even though our offer was in line with what he wanted, he just didn’t want to play here.

So when you say that we can just tell Rakell to kick rocks because we can just get someone else, the answer is not really. We know Rakell is open to the idea of coming back. He’s said as much. We have no idea if Palat, Nino, Nich, or whoever would even consider Pittsburgh and then we’re stuck with paying Frank Vatrano $3 mil a year just cus.
- Victoro311

Big name free agents don't seem interested in coming to Pittsburgh. I can't remember the last one, Gonchar? (and that was considered a huge overpay at the time)

Penguins have had to trade for the top players they didn't draft for years. At some point, it's obvious that players with other options don't choose the Burgh for whatever reason

I was hoping the Pens could use Lindberg as their backup next season, but his injuries prevented him from getting a chance to play. He was impressive in the the little he played.

Aside from that, there's nothing wrong with bringing DeSmith back, but if the Pens have a chance to upgrade? Sure, why not? We all know the Fleury walk won't go away until he makes a decision.
- Rinosaur

Lindberg has huge potential.

Ideally for me we would bring back Fleury on a 2 year $3.5m aav. Lindberg needs a full season and backing up this year means he would have 2 back to back years of low starts. Not good for his development.

The other piece is Jarry. This is his contract year and he is not the guy I want to be attached to long term unless he proves he can do something in the playoffs.

So if Jarry doesn't look like the guy you don't have a desperate situation and you go into 23 with Fleury and Lindberg which would be ideal cost wise. Of course as much as it looks like it, Lindberg still needs to prove he is the goalie of the future still.

Another name that caught my eye, wondering what you all think...Chandler Stephenson of Vegas. They have to shed some serious salary and with Eichel, he's now bumped to the 3rd line. He's had 2 decent seasons there as a top 6, only 28, good 5 vs 5 and on faceoffs, fast, kills penalties and signed for 2 more years at 2.75 per. Pretty much a steal for a 60 point guy who can do a few things.

https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/3270269
- Pags

All of the above is why Vegas won't trade him, as they're not going to trade one of their best value contracts just to make cap space.

Nichushkin is having his first good season ever, no one is giving him $7M with term. Max he gets is a 5x$5M, even though the talent is there, he is a huge risk.

Dumo definitely a good fit for Zona as a fill in like you mentioned but also a deadline value if he is healthy. Look at what Chiarot and Kulak got at the deadline, if he is healthy, Dumo is worth more.
- MacPatty

Nichushkin's predicted deal is 7 years at $6.3M per.

Nichushkin's predicted deal is 7 years at $6.3M per.
- kingcong39

I predict he gets much less. Could see him getting that aav on a 2-3 year deal maybe.

Big name free agents don't seem interested in coming to Pittsburgh. I can't remember the last one, Gonchar? (and that was considered a huge overpay at the time)

Penguins have had to trade for the top players they didn't draft for years. At some point, it's obvious that players with other options don't choose the Burgh for whatever reason
- TheGame316

Who are the big name guys the Pens have tried to get but couldn't? No doubt that Pittsburgh isn't a draw but they are still somewhere mid pack. The real problem is that the Pens have rarely had cap space to be able to give market value offers. Hence our big moves always being trades.

Hossa is one that stands out but he was trying to cup chase.

You’re only hoping they test FA.
- Rinosaur

Letang no, but he’s already said as much. I think Malkin might find the deals he’s expecting aren’t there and may actually sign for under 7 million. If he actually requested 6.8 or whatever I think he would be signed. Nostalgia and all.

Letang and Malkin are definitely going to test free agency. Might be a good thing for the Malkin situation. Pens are just going to have to Match Letangs best offer.
- Grinder47

I think Malkin will be back but there is no way we will be able to match what the Canadiens will offer Letang.

Nichushkin's predicted deal is 7 years at $6.3M per.
- kingcong39

Predicted by whom? Not saying I disagree with a deal like that, but where are you citing this from?

Question... why are we so in need of a backup goalie? DeSmith was fine until the fluke injury. He was great last year... this year started off bleh and then he turned it on later in the season.

Its a backup spot and if we are penny pinching for it, can we really do much better if it all than DeSmith?
- Guile

This is two years in a row he was injured for the playoffs. Not sure how you handle him, doubt he'll settle for a two way contract, but that is the way I would go. He could have used some time in the minors early in the season to get his game back.

Predicted by whom? Not saying I disagree with a deal like that, but where are you citing this from?
- Rinosaur

Would also be interested in seeing what they had predicted for Rust, though they have probably edited since his signing.

I think Malkin will be back but there is no way we will be able to match what the Canadiens will offer Letang.
- stackthepads

If that’s the case you just match Letangs and don’t extend and offer to Malkin. Letangs more important and worth the money.

Would also be interested in seeing what they had predicted for Rust, though they have probably edited since his signing.
- MacPatty

Rust clearly took a discount. From everything I remember reading, there seemed to be the feeling he could get anywhere between $6-$7M.

There's nothing that implies Nichushkin is willing to take a discount. If COL wins the cup, who knows, he may be willing to take less if he wants to win again there.

Rust clearly took a discount. From everything I remember reading, there seemed to be the feeling he could get anywhere between $6-$7M.

There's nothing that implies Nichushkin is willing to take a discount. If COL wins the cup, who knows, he may be willing to take less if he wants to win again there.
- Rinosaur

See, I felt that was all nonsense also. Rusts deal is a fair market value, both sides probably feel ok about it. Nobody was paying him near $7M and if he thought someone would he wouldn't have signed.

Rust has a better track record than Nich, the best he is going to do is match that deal. So I agree he won't take a discount but his market isn't anywhere near $7M.

Rakell should get a show me deal. 1-2 years around 4 mil. He had 2-3 sub par season in Anaheim before the trade. He looked great in Pitt and I want him back. His last 3 years don’t make him a 5 mil guy. But one or two seasons with Malkin/Crosby could make him a 6+mil player. Let him prove he deserves a fat pay day.

I was hoping the Pens could use Lindberg as their backup next season, but his injuries prevented him from getting a chance to play. He was impressive in the the little he played.

Aside from that, there's nothing wrong with bringing DeSmith back, but if the Pens have a chance to upgrade? Sure, why not? We all know the Fleury walk won't go away until he makes a decision.
- Rinosaur

I agree with guile on CDS. He’s always been pretty good with the exception of the beginning of the year after his core surgery. Expect it again wherever he ends up. I’d be happy with fleury at a backup goalies price. I think he would actually be perfect where him and Jarry could do a game for game like fleury and Talbot did. That would keep Jarry fresh. Jarry has showed signs of great play we just can’t over work him, and he needs to be healthy. Give lindberg a couple years and see how he does.

Also I don’t think players don’t like pittsburgh. Everyone who plays here is happy to resign. Look at rakells comments. I think it’s more of how many free agents have we seriously chased.

Who are the big name guys the Pens have tried to get but couldn't? No doubt that Pittsburgh isn't a draw but they are still somewhere mid pack. The real problem is that the Pens have rarely had cap space to be able to give market value offers. Hence our big moves always being trades.

Hossa is one that stands out but he was trying to cup chase.
- MacPatty

There are big name guys and "value" guy available every year but we end up with Brandon Tanev, Brock McGinn, Jack Johnson, or just resigning (sometimes overpaying) our own guys etc, etc, etc

There's probably a reason for that, It's probably "known" that guys willing to take "less" will choose to do so in a bigger, better, better weather, better contender city and the "true" top players have multiple offers and unless Pittsburgh is willing to overpay, they choose elsewhere. It is probably a case of Pittsburgh being every players 3rd choice when the offers are "close"

Guys like Brandon Tanev and Brock McGinn are the "Top Targets" on Free Agency day because deep down the organization knows they don't have what it takes to entice the top guys to come here

There are ways the team can "free up" capspace for July 1 to go out and get "their guy" but there never do. Probably a reason why

I think they try to resign Letang and I think they let Malkin walk and revamp the 2nd line.

I think they try to resign Letang and I think they let Malkin walk and revamp the 2nd line.
- 123Kid

If Malkin walks I wonder where he goes?

I could see some team like Seattle wanting to make a splash and offering something stupid like 3 years 30 Million.

I think if he leaves Pittsburgh, it won't be to a "contender" for a discount. The Russian in him will take the highest offer

Ryan Wilson: Bryan Ru$t will be staying with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Bryan Ru$t will be staying with the Pittsburgh Penguins
- Ryan_Wilson