Please check out the roster before reading the discription ....
Keep seeing everyone try to get Duchese as 3rd line center, which I think is a silly move, so I worked him into the roster, without sacrificing positional needs.
All signings shown here I believe are on the HIGH end, so cap space might be better IRL. I believe we'll AT LEAST save $2.183m additional caps space. That's enough to fill out the 23 man with Pouliot ($800k), Rowney ($650k), and Ruhwedel ($650k) or another forward up to ($733k). I also layout alternative signings to tweak the cap.
Duchese moves to wing and if Crosby or Malkin get hurt he can move over to Center. If Crosby gets kicked out of the FO circle, Duchese is 52.7% over his career. I gave a lot for him, nothing we can't afford, because other teams can use him as a MUCH larger part of their team. Mont, CBJ, NYI, etc.
3rd Center ... Signing a REAL 3rd line center, that will PK, etc. I sign Bonino and if he's bid to high in FA go for M, Hanzal for $4m or under. If Hanzal isn't there, B, Boyle ($2.8m or less).
4th Center ... Boyle brings size, potential net front, 50% face off %, plays PK, and he can check and shadow top forwards. If he isn't there D. Moore ($1.875m or less), at 36 yr old, scored 25 pts last year, over 50% FO, and can probably be had for $2.2m or less. Still have Rowney to move in and out, allowing Boyle/Moore to move up if Bonino should get injured. Maybe Aston-Reese or another center pushes to make the roster this year, or the next.
Defense ... I'm not a huge fan of Hainsey but he was acquitted to win the cup with and will hopefully be out played by Pouliot or Ruhwedel, who can both be sent down. If not Hainsey, the Pens can sign a guy like B.Campbell, maybe D. Giradi (if he can still skate after his injury), at $1 to 2m for 1 year. I'm sure they're both interested in making a cup run and who better to do it with then a team who can bring back the entire roster, minus MAF, for next year, and just won back-to-back cups?
McNabb could become a Dumoulin type player, or possible another Schultz, though his contract will probably mean moving on from Hornqvist, or others, next year IF Jarry doesn't prove himself an NHL quality backup through out the year.
The Ward trade could be something they do during the season, or NOW, if they don't want to bank on Jarry as back up going into the playoffs. He's on the last year of his contract (Carolina just signed Darling at $4m+) so his $3.3m goes away at years end and allows the Pens to resign Rust and McNabb and maybe Cole and/or Horny ... Also just seems like something Rutherford would do, trading for a Carolina player, and Caroline seems to love the Sweds.
At years end the following contracts will expire; Reaves, Rust, Hornqvist, Ward, Hainsey, McNabb, and Cole ... Totaling $15.12m in cap space.
I have next years signings projected something like this ...
Rust $2.6m (3 yrs)
McNabb $3.75m (3 yrs)
Cole $3.25m (2 yrs)
Hornqvist $4.25m (4 yrs) ... or let him go as UFA.
Ward $1.75m (2 yrs) ... or let him go as UFA if Jarry earns the back up role and pay him up to $1.25m.
Reaves $1.25m (2 yrs) ... or let him go as UFA.
Hainsey No offer. Hopefully replace with Pouliot, who will be under contract for another years.
Total would be $17.05m, which is $1.94m more in salaries from the 2017-18. The salary cap will likely increase by at least $2 million.
As I said in the description I'm paying the MOST I think they'll cost. I think we'll save at least $1.850m in RFAs from what I have here + the $333k = $2.183m.
Pouliot ($800k), Rowney ($650k), and another player up to $733k = $2.183 m ... (Edited to Team Explanation to spell that out.)
I also mentioned Hainsey could be replaced with someone like Campbell (@ $1.5m) Boyle with Moore (@ $1.75m or less), and Bonino with Hanzal or Boyle (@ $2.75m or less) for cap issues if not.
What do you think of the terms of the RFA signings and the actual roster?
like the the RFA signings. don't believe the the Canes would be interested in two years of hagelin versus the one year of ward. funny how duchesne gets all kinds of love and certainly he might be better in good Pens lineup, but is duchene that much better than sheary? as you mentioned duchene does have the flexibility to play centre and wing though.
As I said in the description I'm paying the MOST I think they'll cost. I think we'll save at least $1.850m in RFAs from what I have here + the $333k = $2.183m.
Pouliot ($800k), Rowney ($650k), and another player up to $733k = $2.183 m ... (Edited to Team Explanation to spell that out.)
I also mentioned Hainsey could be replaced with someone like Campbell (@ $1.5m) Boyle with Moore (@ $1.75m or less), and Bonino with Hanzal or Boyle (@ $2.75m or less) for cap issues if not.
What do you think of the terms of the RFA signings and the actual roster?
If you're going for the "most" you think they'll get you are quite low on Dumoulin.. He's better then Maatta and Maatta is getting over $4m
like the the RFA signings. don't believe the the Canes would be interested in two years of hagelin versus the one year of ward. funny how duchesne gets all kinds of love and certainly he might be better in good Pens lineup, but is duchene that much better than sheary? as you mentioned duchene does have the flexibility to play centre and wing though.
The Canes just signed Darling to $4 plus mill and have Lack at $2.7m so they should be looking to sell a goalie. Haglin is 28, with 2 cups, typically scores 30+ points, and the Cains have a lot of young fast Norwegian players that Haglin might be able to mentor. To be honest, I think we can get Ward for less, but think it works out for both teams. Besides they Canes might be able to move him at the deadline and get some future from a contender since they aren't going to be competing this year.
As for Sheary, I think his numbers are a bit inflated by playing with Crosby, but can put up a 40 point in a full season with a OK talent around him. I honestly just made the deal because I see EVERYONE calling for the Pens to go after him as 3rd line center, which I think is super silly. He's not going to be the shot blocking, heart and soul guy you need in that spot. He makes Sheary expendable so why not move him ... I'd honestly expect we can get more from the Avs for what I gave up. I'd love a center prospect since the Pens seem to be strong at wing and defense, but weak at center, coming up. I think Sakic is going to shop him all over so it's we'll have to out bid the next team, who out bid the previous team, etc.
You can move a 3rd Center up if the top 2 go down, or simply move Duchese over. He stretches farther then Sheary, which is why I don't hate the idea. I prefer they chase Evander Kane personally.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
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