NHL RumorsNHL RumorsNHL Rumors
  • Rumors
  • NHL Trades
    • 2024-25 NHL Trade Tracker
    • Trade Articles
    • 2023-24 NHL Trade Tracker
  • Video
  • Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Utah Hockey Club
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Contact
  • FAQ
Font ResizerAa
NHL RumorsNHL Rumors
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
NHL Free AgentsNHL Rumors

NHL Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins – Zucker, Trade Candidates and Free Agents

Mark Easson 06/02/2022
4 Min Read
Four options involving Jason Zucker. The Pittsburgh Penguins have cap space and could move out more salary. Who will they bring back?
© James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Pittsburgh Penguins have just under $24 million in salary cap space but re-signing Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin could take a big chunk of that.

One way to gain a bit more cap space would be to move on from forward Jason Zucker. The Penguins like Zucker as a person and player but not the contract. He has another year left at $5.5 million. Four paths for Zucker.

1. Salary Dump – Given his age, injury history and salary, he’s likely not holding much trade value at all. The Penguins may have to sweeten the pot with a pick or prospect.

2. Hockey Trade – Could they find a deal like they did for Patric Hornqvist, acquiring Mike Matheson from the Florida Panthers.

3. Contract Buyout – A $2,033,334 cap hit and then $1,733,334. Would be a $3.5 million savings next year. Jack Johnson is still on the books next year at $1.9 million and then $916,667 million for three more years.

4. Keep Him Around – They have pending free agent forwards in Rickard Rakell, Kasperi Kapanen, Evan Rodrigues and Danton Heinen so they could use him up front.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic: Sure the Pittsburgh Penguins have over $23 million in salary cap space but it could disappear quickly.

The Penguins have a group of players who may not have lived up to their contracts last season.

Jason Zucker: $5.5 million
John Marino: $4.4 million
Brian Dumoulin: $4.1 million
Marcus Pettersson: $4,025,175
Jeff Carter: $3.125 million
Brock McGinn: $2.75 million

Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have come in at $16.75 million for years and the Penguins can’t expect to pay them the same if they remain. Malkin is almost 36-years-old and had knee surgery a year ago. He’s willing to play for less but how much less? Letang may not be looking to take less money and is coming off a good season.

Potential trade candidates include Marino and Pettersson. If they lose Letang, it’s hard to see them wanting to trade right-handed defenseman Marino. Dumoulin didn’t have a great season and could be moved given their depth down the left side.

Kasperi Kapanen and Danton Heinen are RFAs. Some still like Kapanen. Heinen may end up costing too much. If Malkin and Letang aren’t back, they might have room to keep pending UFA Rickard Rakell. How much would it cost to keep pending UFA Evan Rodrigues?

Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Brian Boyle had signed a one-year, $750,000 at the start of last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a bit of a surprise at first but it eventually made sense. He’s coming off season-ending knee surgery, and re-signing him could block someone like Drew O’Connor or Filip Hallander. His leadership and a bit of a physical presence was a welcome addition though.

Betway_Rhomboid_doubleSided_EvenSpacing-svg

The Oilers are on the road against the Avalanche and are
+150 on the moneyline with Betway

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Brian BoyleBrian DumoulinBrock McGinnDanton HeinenDrew O'ConnorEvan RodriguesEvgeni MalkinFilip HallanderJack JohnsonJason ZuckerJeff CarterJohn MarinoKasperi KapanenKris LetangMarcus PetterssonMike MathesonPatric HornqvistPittsburgh PenguinsRickard Rakell

2024-25 Critical Dates

TBA: 2025 NHL Draft Lottery
June 23rd: Last possible day for the Stanley Cup Final
June 27th-28th: 2025 NHL Draft
July 1st: Start of free agency

NHL Rumors to your inbox.

NHLrumors Logo

Categories

  • Rumors

Information

  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking NHL News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.