Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Ramblings: Pens Have Little Option but to Seek Trades

We’re now making our way through the end of NHL free agency week one, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are fairly silent after making a splash on July 1 in acquiring Phil Kessel.

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The silence is essentially because the Pens are now very limited in cap space and options via the free agent route. Jim Rutherford has stated that he’s still looking to add a fourth line center, and many believe that they could use some help on defense as well. But, the fact remains that they are all but maxed out cap-wise

There are a few roster changes that could still occur. Rutherford is searching for a trade partner that’s willing to take Rob Scuderi‘s contract. However, Scuderi has a limited no trade clause which reportedly allows him to block a trade with up to fourteen teams. So, selling him on the idea of a team trying to hit the cap floor isn’t likely.

Some have cited Arizona as a possible destination, but considering they are now over the cap floor with Mikkel Boedker locked in for next season, they really have no need for him.

Using the armchair GM tool at hockeyscap.com, I built the Pittsburgh Penguins as currently constructed with my view of how the fourth line should shake out. According to those numbers, the Pens have a hair over $1 million left in cap space.

I most likely overcompensated for Brian Dumoulin‘s salary, but went with a higher number to be safe. Given the above lineup, and the fact that Scuderi will likely remain on the roster, what options do the Pittsburgh Penguins have left?

First of all, they can stand pat. Due to multiple veteran contracts that have them handcuffed, it was expected that we’d see a lot of youth in the lineup this season. The above lineup is indicative of exactly that. Jim Rutherford also stated that he wanted scoring capabilities throughout all four lines, and while you’re wagering on Sundqvist progressing quickly into an NHL role and Bennett showing his scoring touch, this lineup could provide that.

There are other possibilities that could find themselves on the Pittsburgh Penguins opening night roster. Names like Conor Sheary, Kael Mouillierat, Bryan Rust, and newly acquired Tyler Biggs just to name a few.

If Rutherford truly plans to add to this lineup, things will get pretty tricky. Plain and simple, the Pens are in a bind and the only way to adjust the bottom-six is via trade. More specifically, a trade that free’s up cap space. Is that possible?

Moving Brandon Sutter should still be on the table. I assume they can get a decent pick for him, and while playing with two solid possession forwards like Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz may help his game, I’d feel more comfortable spending his $3.3 million elsewhere. Considering Mike Santorelli is still available and reportedly looking for a little under $3 million, that would be a great option for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Also, in my opinion, trading Beau Bennett should be on the table for a late round pick if there is any interest out there. Moving Bennett essentially means boosting your available cap to nearly $2 million, which opens more doors for potential targets. It’s hard to see a fit for him on this team right now, and if he can fetch any assets GM Jim Rutherford should be all over it.

With the Pens beginning their prospect camp on July 14 we should have more information on any standouts that look poised for an NHL role. Obviously, there’s no way of knowing until training camp begins and they face true NHL talent, but I expect guys like Sundqvist and Pouliot to be fairly dominant among the group at at development camp.

If they don’t show that they’re ready for full-time NHL minutes, it could mean trouble in Pittsburgh.

Thanks for reading. Follow me on Twitter at @Michael29Angelo for more Pens talk throughout the summer.

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