Ryan Wilson: March to the Cup: Jaromir Jagr Conference semifinals RESULTS March to the Cup: Jaromir Jagr Conference semifinals RESULTS

First! Do you guys think Penguins will buy anyone out if the rumors are true? Also would you guys want to see us sign any potential buy out candidates if they were bought out?



I would love to see Henrique be signed to a cheap deal and play on our bottom few lines as a Center. He is a potential buyout candidate. I wouldn't even mind us signing a Defenseman and getting rid of Schultz.

First! Do you guys think Penguins will buy anyone out if the rumors are true? Also would you guys want to see us sign any potential buy out candidates if they were bought out?



I would love to see Henrique be signed to a cheap deal and play on our bottom few lines as a Center. He is a potential buyout candidate. I wouldn't even mind us signing a Defenseman and getting rid of Schultz.
- 123Kid

Come on - we all know the answer to this question . It's just a question of whether or not JR will admit he made a bad choice when everyone was telling him it was a terrible contract.

Come on - we all know the answer to this question . It's just a question of whether or not JR will admit he made a bad choice when everyone was telling him it was a terrible contract.
- mw630

It would be nice to get rid of JJ's contract long term. I feel this year he has played well and earned his 3 million. Before all of the break happened. I felt Letang and Schultz were playing terrible and were our worst 2 defensemen.

Vegas vs Tampa. Total coin flip. Anyone have a feel for this matchup?

First! Do you guys think Penguins will buy anyone out if the rumors are true? Also would you guys want to see us sign any potential buy out candidates if they were bought out?



I would love to see Henrique be signed to a cheap deal and play on our bottom few lines as a Center. He is a potential buyout candidate. I wouldn't even mind us signing a Defenseman and getting rid of Schultz.
- 123Kid

What are the rumors? I think it's hard to decide anything in advance not knowing how the cap will play out. They'll be looking for a RHD for certain. Maybe a top 6 RW if they get a good value. But most of the line-up looks pretty set with 14 forwards and 7 defensemen technically under club control.

Bjugstad may be the only guy I could see them buying out though I'd agree on JJ, just don't think they will.

Vegas vs Tampa. Total coin flip. Anyone have a feel for this matchup?
- powerhouse

I think Tampa's blueline is far superior. That's a real weak spot for Vegas this year.

What are the rumors? I think it's hard to decide anything in advance not knowing how the cap will play out. They'll be looking for a RHD for certain. Maybe a top 6 RW if they get a good value. But most of the line-up looks pretty set with 14 forwards and 7 defensemen technically under club control.

Bjugstad may be the only guy I could see them buying out though I'd agree on JJ, just don't think they will.
- Tojo.

Rumors have it the NHL may potentially allow a buyout period once the stoppage resumes. Essentially teams wouldn't be penalized against their cap space for two compliance buyouts. I think even the NHL was uncertain if the buyout would be immediately upon the return of the season. Or if they were to wait until the offseason.

Rumored players who may be bought out:
(list put together after searching multiple sites) Also I would love to see a lot of these players in a Penguins Jersey. I would hope we would wavier a few players (cough cough Sheary) to get a few of these players on Pittsburgh for the playoffs/a one-two year run.

Henrique and Backes ANA
Lundqvist and Staal NYR
Eriksson, Sutter, Ferland, Baertschi, Beagle Canucks (they have a lot that they may look into cutting)
Neal and Russell Oilers
Okposo and Skinner Sabres
Alzner Canadiens
Seabrook Chicago
Kessel Coyotes
Moore Bruins
Lucic Flames
Gardiner, Niederreiter, Staal Hurricanes
Erik Johnson Avalanche
Wennberg CBJ
Cogliano Dallas
Bjugstad and Schultz Pittsburgh
Ladd NYI
Abdelkader and Nielsen DET
Bobby Ryan and Boedker OTT
Rask and Parise MIN
Drouin MTL (this was a surprise name)
Wood, Schneider and Subban NJD
Turris and Rinne NSH
Carter LA
Johnson TB
Justin Faulk STL

My dream pick ups would be


Henrique, Ferland (a good bottom 6 guy), Skinner, Gardiner, Niederreiter, Staal,
Erik Johnson, Cogliano, Parise, Drouin (#1 wish list), Johnson TB (#2 Wish list), Subban, Turris, Faulk.

Rumors have it the NHL may potentially allow a buyout period once the stoppage resumes. Essentially teams wouldn't be penalized against their cap space for two compliance buyouts. I think even the NHL was uncertain if the buyout would be immediately upon the return of the season. Or if they were to wait until the offseason.

Rumored players who may be bought out:
(list put together after searching multiple sites) Also I would love to see a lot of these players in a Penguins Jersey. I would hope we would wavier a few players (cough cough Sheary) to get a few of these players on Pittsburgh for the playoffs/a one-two year run.

Henrique and Backes ANA
Lundqvist and Staal NYR
Eriksson, Sutter, Ferland, Baertschi, Beagle Canucks (they have a lot that they may look into cutting)
Neal and Russell Oilers
Okposo and Skinner Sabres
Alzner Canadiens
Seabrook Chicago
Kessel Coyotes
Moore Bruins
Lucic Flames
Gardiner, Niederreiter, Staal Hurricanes
Erik Johnson Avalanche
Wennberg CBJ
Cogliano Dallas
Bjugstad and Schultz Pittsburgh
Ladd NYI
Abdelkader and Nielsen DET
Bobby Ryan and Boedker OTT
Rask and Parise MIN
Drouin MTL (this was a surprise name)
Wood, Schneider and Subban NJD
Turris and Rinne NSH
Carter LA
Johnson TB
Justin Faulk STL
- 123Kid

I don't know which site listed Schultz but he is about to become a UFA.

I would replace Schultz with Horny on this list. As much as I like Horny, he turns 34 next season and has 3 more years at $5.3M. He's already showing signs of slowing down and is getting injured more often.

I don't know which site listed Schultz but he is about to become a UFA.

I would replace Schultz with Horny on this list. As much as I like Horny, he turns 34 next season and has 3 more years at $5.3M. He's already showing signs of slowing down and is getting injured more often.
- Hockey66

I think it were if the buyouts happened right away for cap compliance with the thought of Guentzel coming back. Just speculation of course

Rumors have it the NHL may potentially allow a buyout period once the stoppage resumes. Essentially teams wouldn't be penalized against their cap space for two compliance buyouts. I think even the NHL was uncertain if the buyout would be immediately upon the return of the season. Or if they were to wait until the offseason.

Rumored players who may be bought out:
(list put together after searching multiple sites) Also I would love to see a lot of these players in a Penguins Jersey. I would hope we would wavier a few players (cough cough Sheary) to get a few of these players on Pittsburgh for the playoffs/a one-two year run.

Henrique and Backes ANA
Lundqvist and Staal NYR
Eriksson, Sutter, Ferland, Baertschi, Beagle Canucks (they have a lot that they may look into cutting)
Neal and Russell Oilers
Okposo and Skinner Sabres
Alzner Canadiens
Seabrook Chicago
Kessel Coyotes
Moore Bruins
Lucic Flames
Gardiner, Niederreiter, Staal Hurricanes
Erik Johnson Avalanche
Wennberg CBJ
Cogliano Dallas
Bjugstad and Schultz Pittsburgh
Ladd NYI
Abdelkader and Nielsen DET
Bobby Ryan and Boedker OTT
Rask and Parise MIN
Drouin MTL (this was a surprise name)
Wood, Schneider and Subban NJD
Turris and Rinne NSH
Carter LA
Johnson TB
Justin Faulk STL
- 123Kid

I hadn't seen this anywhere, who's the source? I don't think it makes senae to do right when they come back, but it would for next year in response to a lower cap.

Pens would have to look at JJ, Hornqvist, and Bjugstad if they can't trade him. I don't know that they would especially Hornqvist because he's still productive and they value him.

A few surprising names. I'd be focused in on a RD and a RW, though I'd have to at least check in on Staal. Mostly bargain shopping, so I'd check on E. Johnson and Neiderreiter, but I'd probably let the market play out and snag a couple guys who get squeezed by the cap. That also isn't Rutherford's style.

I hadn't seen this anywhere, who's the source? I don't think it makes senae to do right when they come back, but it would for next year in response to a lower cap.

Pens would have to look at JJ, Hornqvist, and Bjugstad if they can't trade him. I don't know that they would especially Hornqvist because he's still productive and they value him.

A few surprising names. I'd be focused in on a RD and a RW, though I'd have to at least check in on Staal. Mostly bargain shopping, so I'd check on E. Johnson and Neiderreiter, but I'd probably let the market play out and snag a couple guys who get squeezed by the cap. That also isn't Rutherford's style.
- Tojo.

Of course, JJ is a given and need not even be mentioned.

I agree that they probably keep Horny and JR probably has his ego too tied up in JJ to buy him out, but we really need to start using these get out of jail free cards.

J staal and drouin would be alright to stick on a 3rd line together. Seems to be an abundance of lw in trade rumours, buyout rumours etc. Need more righty’s.

I’d say our worst contract is definitely hornqvist. This year he played well minus some minor Injuries but a couple years down the road he could be the next bjugstad. Also bjugstad.

J staal and drouin would be alright to stick on a 3rd line together. Seems to be an abundance of lw in trade rumours, buyout rumours etc. Need more righty’s.

I’d say our worst contract is definitely hornqvist. This year he played well minus some minor Injuries but a couple years down the road he could be the next bjugstad. Also bjugstad.
- 10inchTerror

Something tells me no Staal will be a Pen ever again. I've been wanting Eric for a while but I think it's not to be. As for Drouin, he is definitely not a Sully type of player.

J staal and drouin would be alright to stick on a 3rd line together. Seems to be an abundance of lw in trade rumours, buyout rumours etc. Need more righty’s.

I’d say our worst contract is definitely hornqvist. This year he played well minus some minor Injuries but a couple years down the road he could be the next bjugstad. Also bjugstad.
- 10inchTerror

Yeah with Guentzel and Zucker we have our top LWs for the next few years. I've heard conflicting reports on if Poulin can play RW, plus Simon, ZAR, McCann, and maybe O'Connor eventually are LW options. No need to add there.

I'm going JJ. Hornqvist had a great ES goal scoring year without much Crosby or Malkin time making him a good option for a 3rd line scoring threat and the PP again was much better with him than without so he still earned his keep. I do understand that contract will get bad maybe even next year though and it would be wise to get out of it if there are free buyouts.

Of all the players listed

Tyler Johnson, Okposo, Kessel (I doubt he comes back to Pittsburgh), Bobby Ryan, Bjugstad, and Turris are right handed forwards. Boedker and Niederreiter are left handed shots, but play majority of their shifts as RW. Drouin can play either wing and during their playoff run in the past he played quite a bit at RW.


Right handed defensemen from the list above:

Faulk, Subban, Erik Johnson, Seabrook.

If the buyouts happen in the offseason. I wouldn't mind taking a swap of getting rid of Bjudstad and adding someone like Tyler Johnson if he were available as our 3rd line center. I think it would set things up for the lines and we would have a pretty solid team. Or even Drouin if he played RW for us. It would allow 2 stacked lines and I feel Rodrigues, McCann or Lafferty could slot in to our 3rd/4th line center role if Bjudstad was bought out.

Next years roster if buyouts happen:

Zucker - Crosby - (potential add since I feel we need one more player here and I don't think Sheary is the answer)
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Rodrigues/Lafferty - Hornqvist (potential add if Hornqvist gets bought out)
Tanev - Bluegar - ZAR

Letang - Dumoulin
Marino - Pettersson
If JJ gets bought out it could be POJ/Riikola on left side and potential added FA on the Right side.

I would put the assumption out there that maybe Murray or Jarry get dangled as trade bait (even though goalies don't really have a lot of trade value) so who knows what JR is thinking with this situation.

If the buyouts happen in the offseason. I wouldn't mind taking a swap of getting rid of Bjudstad and adding someone like Tyler Johnson if he were available as our 3rd line center. I think it would set things up for the lines and we would have a pretty solid team. Or even Drouin if he played RW for us. It would allow 2 stacked lines and I feel Rodrigues, McCann or Lafferty could slot in to our 3rd/4th line center role if Bjudstad was bought out.

Next years roster if buyouts happen:

Zucker - Crosby - (potential add since I feel we need one more player here and I don't think Sheary is the answer)
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Rodrigues/Lafferty - Hornqvist (potential add if Hornqvist gets bought out)
Tanev - Bluegar - ZAR

Letang - Dumoulin
Marino - Pettersson
If JJ gets bought out it could be POJ/Riikola on left side and potential added FA on the Right side.

I would put the assumption out there that maybe Murray or Jarry get dangled as trade bait (even though goalies don't really have a lot of trade value) so who knows what JR is thinking with this situation.
- 123Kid

I largely agree with this.

McCann would be an option at 3C or 3LW.

You left out Simon who is a RFA. So long as he's cheap, I'd put him in the LW spot with McCann and Hornqvist.

I wouldn't qualify Rod at 2.2 M. Just didn't see enough and don't really have a bottom 6 need though he could compete with Simon.

Lafferty is probably my 13th heading into camp though he ended up 10 games short of losing his waiver exempt status so he can go to WBS if another prospect beats him out.

Still need a top line RW and bottom pair RD.

Not buying that buyout rumor list. Why would they buyout Schultz who's a pending UFA? Also, buying out Bjugstad makes little sense. Despite his injury woes this year they can likely find a deal for him.

As pointed out, JJ and Hornqvist would be the players you look at to buy out.

There are just too many players on that list who don't need to be bought out and can be traded with retention instead of being on the hook for years and year.

Teams on there in rebuilds, i.e. Ottawa and LA have no reason to buy anyone out. Plenty of teams would take Bobby Ryan at 50% of $7.25 for two years and the same with Carter at 50% of $5.27. When you look at the buyout for those two players they save more by trading and retaining.

Those are just two examples from that list, but there are plenty of teams in similar positions with players who only have two or three years left and don't get much savings from a buyout the first two years of the buyout.