On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford: “It’s obvious that I’m going to keep an open mind to making some changes. I’m going to make some changes. I can’t tell you who that’s going to be right now. We’re a good team. We will be a good team moving forward. We will have a chance to win again.”
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins don’t have a lot of unrestricted free agents to deal with, but they do have several questions to address, and GM Jim Rutherford isn’t one to sit on his hands.
Trading Phil Kessel may not go over well with teammates and fans, but it might make sense from the business side of things. He’s coming off a 34 goal, 92 point season, so his stock may never be higher. He’ll be 31-years old at the start of next season and carries a $6.8 million cap hit for Penguins.
Carl Hagelin will be 30-years old at the start of next season and is in the final year of his deal at a $4 million cap hit. He could be easy to move and would give the Penguins a bit of financial flexibility.
The Penguins seem happy with the tandem of Matt Murray and Casey DeSmith, so Tristan Jarry could be moved. Hard to see Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill not being interested.
The Penguins will like likely want to sign RFA Brian Rust to a long-term deal.
Ideally, they would find a trade partner for Matt Hunwick and his $2.25 cap hit for the next two weeks. Maybe the Maple Leafs would want him back. They could buy him out.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said that Dan Sprong “will be a regular on our team next year.”
So that means that a top-nine winger may be on the outs. Phil Kessel and Patric Hornqvist also play on the right side.
Other wingers on the Penguins roster include Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, Kessel, Hornqvist, Conor Sheary, Carl Hagelin, Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon.
Hagelin and Sheary are potential trade candidates. Hagelin has a year left on his deal and likely wouldn’t be back, so why not move him a little early? Sheary has two years left at $3 million and disappeared in the playoffs after an 18 goal season.