On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Source said on Sunday that the Penguins have interest in bringing back winger Chris Kunitz, but it may depend on salary cap space.
The 38-year old recorded 29 points in 82 games for the Lightning last year and was on a $2 million deal with $1 million in potential bonuses.
Matt Gajtka of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Confirming Mackey’s report that the Penguins are interested in Kunitz, with Sidney Crosby contacting him to gauge his interest. Kunitz kept his Pittsburgh home and sold his offseason one in Chicago.
After signing Bryan Rust to four-year, $3.5 million per cap hit, the Penguins have about $5 million cap space.
Sources have also said that the Penguins have some interest in winger Anthony Duclair.
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins are believed to have some interest in Jack Johnson (Bob McKenzie report) and Hurricanes left winger Jeff Skinner.
Conor Sheary and his salary would need to be included in a Skinner trade, and the Penguins would still need to move another $3 million in salary – Olli Maatta or Matt Hunwick? They didn’t qualify Riley Sheahan as they were unsure of what he might get in arbitration.
The Hurricanes aren’t deep down the middle. The Penguins third-line center is Derick Brassard who only carries a $3 million salary.
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: After signing Bryan Rust, the Penguins have around $4 million in cap space and they still need to sign defenseman Jamie Oleksiak.
GM Jim Rutherford would also like to add a defenseman and a forward.
Players the Penguins could look to trade to help create more salary cap space include Conor Sheary ($3 million), Matt Hunwick (two years left at $2.25 million per season), Carl Hagelin (one-year left at $4 million) and Derick Brassard ($3 million salary and would need a good return if moved).
Trading a big salary like a Kris Letang or Phil Kessel is unlikely to happen.