They should easily let Kap walk. I honestly wouldn't even sign him at a league minimum. I don't think he brings any sort of value on the ice.

I'd re-sign ERod if he'd take $1M, but my guess is this is his moment to cash in and I'm sure some team will give him somewhere between $2-$3M. I honestly think DOC is a good replacement. He showed early in the season the ability to play both Center and Wing effectively, so I think he has the potential to be a good "swiss army knife" player.

I'm torn on McGinn. I feel like him being "overpaid" is a bit exaggerated. I think he's overpaid, but not in such a way that it hampers the Pens that much. I think he's a solid bottom-six player, but I'm fine if they move him out, too. I think AZ is a perfect destination for him since they need bodies and need to reach the cap floor.
- Rinosaur

I'd take him at 1 mil, maybe 1.25 mil... because despite him playing like poop there are for some reason teams that may want him. I'd love to sign and flip him for a pick... but probably some wishful thinking there.

I'd take him at 1 mil, maybe 1.25 mil... because despite him playing like poop there are for some reason teams that may want him. I'd love to sign and flip him for a pick... but probably some wishful thinking there.
- Guile

The main reason I don't want him back is I think they'll continue to try and crowbar him in the top-nine and block other players from getting opportunities. Keeping someone like ERod at around $1M makes more sense because they're not afraid to keep him out of the lineup if there's no place for him.

Unless there are secret problems behind closed doors, but the fact Edmonton gm said they will do everything possible to resign him guesses there’s no problems. They took a chance but a hell of a pickup by Edmonton. I think he gets too much for Pitt on his next cheque.
- 10inchTerror

I was just wondering if they will have the cap to sign him. They have 73 million committed to next years roster and Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, (each made 1.1 million this season) and McLeod (800k) as RFAs they need to sign. Also Koskinen needs to be resigned or a different starting goalie. They also have 8 ufas. If Klefborn comes back (if ever) he would be an additional 4 million in cap space taken. I assume Kane would get a raise from his 2 million contract he signed and maybe at the very least double it and make 4 million which may be a bit too rich for Edm.

I wouldn't mind Kap at 1 million. It would allow us to potentially sign a 2nd line winger (pending some other cap saving moves). It would potentially allow him to go to a 3rd line role and pk role in which he excelled at in Toronto. I feel we tried to force him to be something he wasn't.

Regarding all this Kapanan talk...there is a reason the Toronto peeps were thrilled to get rid of him let alone getting a first in return for him. I would also say kap played better in Toronto compared to here. hes been a bit of an enigma at times, but he is best when he is on the forecheck and has shown speed but cant actually control the puck when hes moving.

I say let him go and it won't effect much. hes basically non existent on the 3rd line, which may also partly be because of carter. he honestly showed me not much more than simon. and simon is a plug.

I'm not sure if this has been talked about at all, but there's no clauses, partial or full, in Rust's new contract.

I was just wondering if they will have the cap to sign him. They have 73 million committed to next years roster and Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, (each made 1.1 million this season) and McLeod (800k) as RFAs they need to sign. Also Koskinen needs to be resigned or a different starting goalie. They also have 8 ufas. If Klefborn comes back (if ever) he would be an additional 4 million in cap space taken. I assume Kane would get a raise from his 2 million contract he signed and maybe at the very least double it and make 4 million which may be a bit too rich for Edm.
- 123Kid

They won’t have the room. He’s a degenerate gambler and will go to the highest bidder.

Hextall had his presser today. Certainly didnt sound like someone who was worried about his job. He had this to say:

-had recent discussions with Letang/Malkin. The focus is for both of them to retire as penguins.
-The team expects more from Kapanen next season
-Says FSG is on board with their plan to compete for a Cup
-Team isnt going to overreact to losing in the first round. They feel like they had a really good team.

Hextall had his presser today. Certainly didnt sound like someone who was worried about his job. He had this to say:

-had recent discussions with Letang/Malkin. The focus is for both of them to retire as penguins.
-The team expects more from Kapanen next season
-Says FSG is on board with their plan to compete for a Cup
-Team isnt going to overreact to losing in the first round. They feel like they had a really good team.
- SuperHenderson13

I truly hope that's lip service.

I wouldn't mind Kap at 1 million. It would allow us to potentially sign a 2nd line winger (pending some other cap saving moves). It would potentially allow him to go to a 3rd line role and pk role in which he excelled at in Toronto. I feel we tried to force him to be something he wasn't.
- 123Kid

Agree with this. I think team tried to justify the trade playing him on 2nd line, especially after it looked good the year of the trade with Kapanen converting on an unsustainable shooting percentage well over his career norm. They also let him slack on the d coverage until later in this past year when he absolutely needed to step that up to justify staying in the lineup. Guy is a third liner and PK guy, not what anyone hopes for out of a 1st rounder but not garbage either. If he is paid accordingly he absolutely still fits on the team.

I think you do not qualify him even though his qualifying number is a measly 860k because he almost certainly takes you to arb and wins, especially if you try to argue for anything near his qualifying number, or even in the low 2s. Go the ERod route, don't qualify him and let him go to FA or even trade the RFA rights and remain open to bringing him back if he gets to FA if the numbers make sense.

If he wants to come back on a lower deal, say 4.5 - 4.75 for 2Y I'd entertain that. If it works out I don't want to be back in the RFA/arb bucket again next year with him so not looking a 1Y term.

They should easily let Kap walk. I honestly wouldn't even sign him at a league minimum. I don't think he brings any sort of value on the ice.

I'd re-sign ERod if he'd take $1M, but my guess is this is his moment to cash in and I'm sure some team will give him somewhere between $2-$3M. I honestly think DOC is a good replacement. He showed early in the season the ability to play both Center and Wing effectively, so I think he has the potential to be a good "swiss army knife" player.

I'm torn on McGinn. I feel like him being "overpaid" is a bit exaggerated. I think he's overpaid, but not in such a way that it hampers the Pens that much. I think he's a solid bottom-six player, but I'm fine if they move him out, too. I think AZ is a perfect destination for him since they need bodies and need to reach the cap floor.
- Rinosaur

Yeah McGinn is a decent enough player. I’d rather have Tanev for 3.5 than McGinn though.

Yeah McGinn is a decent enough player. I’d rather have Tanev for 3.5 than McGinn though.
- Grinder47

Tanev is soft/injury prone.

Yeah McGinn is a decent enough player. I’d rather have Tanev for 3.5 than McGinn though.
- Grinder47

Well, I'd rather Hextall protected McCann and let SEA select Tanev.

Hextall had his presser today. Certainly didnt sound like someone who was worried about his job. He had this to say:

-had recent discussions with Letang/Malkin. The focus is for both of them to retire as penguins.
-The team expects more from Kapanen next season
-Says FSG is on board with their plan to compete for a Cup
-Team isnt going to overreact to losing in the first round. They feel like they had a really good team.
- SuperHenderson13

Having a journeyman 3rd string goalie and losing a top 6 winger , top 2 pairing Dman and #1 center can really affect a playoff round. We did have a good team, played a lot like in our back to back cup wins as opposed to the last few years.

Tanev is soft/injury prone.
- Feds91Stammer

Nah. He’s just a good hockey player. Constant energy, never gives up on a play. There’s a reason his last minutes as a penguins were on the ice with Crosby.

I'm a bit surprised by all of the Kapanen hate. He has not turned into a top 6 forward, and is painful to watch at times but I think it's silly to talk about letting him walk.

In the playoffs I thought he looked dangerous and made some plays. He is 25, he has been more impactful than Rust was at that age. Ideally we can sign him for 2 years at $2.5M and slot him in on the 4th line to start the season. Make him earn his opportunities.

Short of that, he is a nice trade chip for another player needing a change of scenery.

Well, I'd rather Hextall protected McCann and let SEA select Tanev.
- Rinosaur

Yeah losing both was dumb. But comparisons made between McGinn and Tanev just aren’t true.

Well, I'd rather Hextall protected McCann and let SEA select Tanev.
- Rinosaur

Could have exposed Malkin and Carter and protected both and then had Malkin Carter Tanev and McCann.

I truly hope that's lip service.
- Rinosaur

I expect more from him next year too. Just in Montreal not Pittsburgh.

Honestly didn't think Rust would be back. Seems fairly ok at the moment but everyone will feel like they did about Hornquist toward the back end of it. Was hoping we would hear about Letang first...

I don't get the thought process for wanting Rackell at $5M. Anything longer than 3 years with him or higher than $4M would be a mistake. He is good, but some of you fell in love with him real quick.
- MacPatty

I think they might have to go a little longer on term but generally agree. Just look back at what everybody thought about Kapanen a year ago. Or how well Zucker fit in his first partial season here.

Really shocked how low Rust's contract is. I thought even the 6 year 6 million was a pipe dream. I've been against signing him, but can't complain about this deal even when it looks bad in 2-3 years.

I think they might have to go a little longer on term but generally agree. Just look back at what everybody thought about Kapanen a year ago. Or how well Zucker fit in his first partial season here.
- Tojo.

Zucker is more my concern here. Good nhl player that looks great for a bit and then goes back to being just pretty good. Kapanen has been super inconsistent his whole career. We know Rackell is better than Kapanen.

Wow at the Panthers. Gotta feel good for Patty Maroon. Great story on his road to making and staying in the NHL. Huge goal tonight

Really shocked how low Rust's contract is. I thought even the 6 year 6 million was a pipe dream. I've been against signing him, but can't complain about this deal even when it looks bad in 2-3 years.
- Tojo.

You really think there will be that BIG of a drop off in maybe just two years? In that case, they should not have signed him. Better get at least four decent years.

Nah. He’s just a good hockey player. Constant energy, never gives up on a play. There’s a reason his last minutes as a penguins were on the ice with Crosby.
- Grinder47

Dude can’t even make it through more than 30 games. He’s a bum.