The Pittsburgh Penguins have some decisions to make that will be difficult. From a numbers standpoint, the 7F/3D/1G setup benefits Pittsburgh. It would allow them to protect their more borderline forwards. Those forwards feature some potential as well as depth. Pittsburgh has a few exemptions including Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary, as well and three of their younger defensemen.
This is a bit emotional for the Penguins. After all, they just won the Stanley Cup. Let’s just jump into it.
Forward Decisions
Pittsburgh has Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Phil Kessel all on NMC’s. After that, Patric Hornqvist and Bryan Rust seem likely to be protected as well. That leaves several forwards battling for those last two spots.
Who among the bottom six is worth being protected?
Ultimately, we’re talking about a team that has some depth to expose. It is also helpful that Pittsburgh has two dynamic forwards which they do not have to worry about. Pittsburgh greatly benefits because of this.
These decisions are straightforward but still emotional. The Penguins just repeated as Stanley Cup champions. That being said, this is a business and decisions must be made.
It appears that Scott Wilson and Josh Archibald will be protected. Wilson has proven to be versatile and does not look out of place on any line. He can score when needed and play shutdown defense at crucial times. Archibald has much potential and Pittsburgh is not keen on wasting that.
This leaves Carl Hagelin unprotected. That is not too much of a surprise given that he makes $4 million. There are two years remaining on the deal and the forward just has not shown that offensive thrust. Too many nights, he struggled which is an ominous sign.
What may happen…
Pittsburgh should not have to wrestle with this much but it seems that Hagelin would be the odd man out. That could change between now and the weekend. However, Pittsburgh’s youth seems to always step up and the forward is likely not part of those plans.
Defense Decisions
The Penguins must protect Kris Letang. This is an easy decision and one that does not take much forethought. He also has a NMC if there was any doubt.
Now, this is where things get a little difficult. Olli Maatta almost must be protected. He did play better in the playoffs when it mattered and is just 22. That contract has five more years left on it with a cap hit at just over $4 million, which is not overly bad. Maatta has to stay healthy in order to improve, however.
Justin Schultz may be the odd man out. What? Schultz is a 26 year old RFA who will come with an expansive price tag. If Pittsburgh feels they cannot sign him, then why not. Brian Dumoulin is younger (by a year) and cheaper. Dumoulin played well defensively and be counted on more than Schultz. That may be something up for debate but the cap has to be considered too. Schultz has quite the upside offensively but definitely had valleys this season.
Pittsburgh is in a position to also trade for a defenseman post expansion draft. Jim Rutherford could possibly wait until free agency or the NHL draft. Maybe a young defenseman steps up from the minors. That is always plausible as well.
Goaltender Decisions
Matt Murray will be protected. The goalie was very good this season when healthy. It is safe to say that Marc-Andre Fleury appears headed somewhere after agreeing to waive his no-movement clause. Will that be Las Vegas in the end? That is the question.
It is an emotional decision for Pittsburgh because of how well liked Fleury is in the organization. He has done everything asked of him and then some. The goalie has battled through losing his game completely several times to help win three Stanley Cups.
Projected protected players and their cap hits
Forwards
Evgeni Malkin (NMC) – $9.5M through 2022
Sidney Crosby (NMC) – $8.7M through 2025
Phil Kessel – $6.8M through 2022
Patric Hornqvist – $4.25M through 2018
Bryan Rust – $640K through 2018
Scott Wilson – $625K through 2018
Josh Archibald – restricted free agent
Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary are both exempt.
Defensemen
Kris Letang (M-NTC, NMC) – $7.25M through 2022
Olli Maatta – $4.083M through 2022
Brian Dumoulin – restricted free agent
Justin Schultz is in limbo here. If they leave him unprotected, then they will try to sign him later.
Goalie
Matt Murray – $3.75M through 2020
Marc-Andre Fleury waived his NMC which means he will be unprotected no matter what.
Top two options on who they would most likely lose
Could a trade happen is the question? However, the two most likely choices appear to be Hagelin and Fleury. That could change as the time draws closer to the expansion draft. Honestly, this is kind of a waiting game. At press time, nothing has happened yet.
If Pittsburgh were to make a trade with Vegas to select/not select a player, who would it be and why.
Fleury waived his NMC which means he will be dangled to Las Vegas. If a trade were to be done, that just seems unlikely now.
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