Équipe: 2021-22 Penguins de Pittsburgh

Date de création initiale: 16 nov. 2021

Publié: 16 nov. 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

I personally would much rather ZAR as a top 6 over Ritchie or Bunting.

People think ZAR is just a 4th Line, defensive forward. Even though the ZAR/Blueger/Tanev line played 3rd line minutes all last season.

And dude was a top scorer, top NCAA free agent signing, Hobey Baker runner up with 31 goals and 32 assists in 36 games his senior season.

If he signed elsewhere he probably would’ve had an opportunity as a top 6; atleast a mid 6.

He completely transformed his game to become a top PK, Selke vote getting, top defensive forward in the NHL. And he still contributes offensively enough.

He still has 8-9 goals and 130 plus hits playing just 40 or so games each of his 3 seasons. Mainly b/c his body probably can’t hold up to a full 82 game season. He hits everything that moves.

But if he did play a full 82, he would easily be a 200 plus “hit” player and close to a 20 goal scorer(with no PP time and 3rd-4th line minutes). Put him on the 2nd PP unit and plant him in the crease and I would imagine his production goes way up too.

He’s an analytics darling too.

In my opinion, it would be just good asset management getting something for him now though. And not that he’s not needed or not useful

He’ll be 27 years old, coming into his prime and looking for a long term deal next season. I would imagine 3-5 years and something around 2M-3.5M per. And a bigger opportunity.

And most likely, he’ll get it elsewhere. I can’t see, or don’t think, the Pens should match any offer over 2.25M-2.5M per. And I think he’ll get atleast McGinn money(2.75M for 5 years).

Move ZAR and DeSmith to help the Leafs this season and both their contracts come off the books so they get the cap space this offseason too.

They keep Brodie/Dermott/Liljegren at RHD and get a guys contract off their books that is sitting in press box.

And if Mrazek comes back healthy in just the 4 weeks, DeSmith can be a healthy scratch and Leafs still have the cap room after moving Holl.

And the Pens get a 3rd Pairing, RHD in Holl. An upgrade over Friedman and Ruhwedel. He’s a stay at home D-man but with Matheson that’s what he needs to be paired with. Like how Matheson/Ceci worked.

And Holl’s not overly physically, but can and has been a solid contributor when playing 3rd pairing minutes. And 2M this season and next is a reasonable contract for a 3rd pairing RHD.