Pittsburgh Penguins: Free Agent Possibilities by Position

Apr 18, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center

(87) is congratulated after scoring a second period goal against the New York Rangers during game 2 of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Most hockey fans see the upcoming 2015 free agents as one of the worst in recent memory, mostly because it does not contain a big name superstar.  But, I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion so quickly. The approaching free agency frenzy that we all know and love is very important for teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have specific needs to fill to be successful in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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General Manager Jim Rutherford could go a couple of different ways this offseason with his plan to re-tool the Pittsburgh Penguins.  It all depends on who he decides to re-sign from last season’s roster. He could be in search of a top-six defensemen, considering that both Christian Ehrhoff and Paul Martin will almost certainly depart via free agency.  Although it is likely that Martin will seek a new deal somewhere else to finish his career, he could be re-signed for the right price, if he wants to stay that is.

Of course, Jim Rutherford already stated that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be in search of a top-six winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.

If the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to shake up their roster via free agency, let’s take a look at the best options available in every position.

May 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals left wing

(22) celebrates his goal in front of New York Rangers center

(28) during the third period of game five of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Left Wing: Curtis Glencross

We all know that Matt Beleskey would be a great Left Wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but I’d like to visit another possibility. Curtis Glencross is an option the Penguins could consider.

The 32 year old winger still has what it takes to contribute as a top 9 winger in the NHL. His numbers have slowly decreased over the past few years, but that has been due to his bad luck with injuries. Many Penguins fans will probably disagree with signing Glencross because of his age. The last thing we need is another contract like Chris Kunitz on this roster, right?

But, watching highlights of him play, it reminds me of how Patric Hornqvist plays.

Glencross likes to be in front of the net and score second chance goals. He also has a very good wrist shot, which has been impressive over the years and a reason the Washington Capitals decided to get him before the trade deadline. This guy would look with Evgeni Malkin. Here is his goal against the Rangers.

Mar 11, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks left wing

(14) skates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Center: Tomas Fleischmann

I do not believe the Penguins will be seeking any help in the center position via free agency, but stranger things have happened.  There’s always the chance that Brandon Sutter gets moved this summer, in which case they’ll need to fill that role.

So, let us look at an option at center which is Tomas Fleischmann. Tomas is a guy with a lot of versatility. He has a history of playing well on the power play as well as the penalty kill, which has made him a very valuable player. Also, he has been very good in the face-off circle as well, which has been a weakness of the Penguins.

Fleischmann is a guy who is very good at distributing the puck to his wingers and finding them for long stretch passes at times. His cap hit would be around $4 mil, and yes, that seems a little high for a third line center, but keep in mind that Sutter currently makes $3.3 million.

Don’t stress Pens fans, I do not see Jim Rutherford making any major moves for a center in the free agent market this summer, but this could be an option if they find themselves in that position. Take a look at his HERO chart below! (via ownthepuck.blogspot.ca)

Sep 21, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie

(35) makes a save against Calgary Flames right wing

(22) during the first period of preseason action at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Right Wing: Devin Setoguchi

The former #8 overall pick of the 2005 draft is someone the Penguins should keep an eye on going into free agency. Setoguchi has found himself bounced around the league quite a bit recently.

He started his career with San Jose and has been on three other teams over the past 5 years (Wild, Jets, Flames). This past season he only played 12 games, where he was unable to find the back of the net or find any consistency. The Flames put him on waivers and no one claimed him.  When he was on waivers there was rumor that the Pittsburgh Penguins had interest in picking him up, but it never happened. So why not give him a chance now? This guy is a proven goal scorer in the NHL. He was a 20+ goal scoring machine from 2008-2012.

Devin Setoguchi would be well worth his cheap cap hit of only $750,000. He may be due for a revival tour, similar to Blake Comeau this past season.  This is an option I would look at if I were Jim Rutherford. Here is a short goal video.

Defense: Jeff Petry and Cody Franson

With Christian Ehrhoff and Paul Martin likely leaving this offseason, the Penguins will need to find a replacement for at least one of them.  Jeff Petry and Cody Franson are both potential options.

May 12, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry (26) looks to pass in game six of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated Montreal Canadiens 4-1 to win the series 4 games to 2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier in the year, rumors were flying that Jim Rutherford had interest in obtaining Petry from the Oilers before the trade deadline. The deal was obviously not good enough for both sides because Petry found himself on the Montreal Canadiens roster instead.

Mar 31, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Cody Franson (44) after a goal during the first period agains the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Franson was trapped in Toronto on a struggling Maple Leafs team since 2011, until the team that drafted him came knocking. The Nashville Predators made a deal to bring him back to the music city.

Both of these players add experience on both the power play and penalty kill, and did I mention they are only 27 years old? Although the Penguins have a tremendous amount of depth on defense, some of those players may not be ready to step in and play at the NHL level. This is why these two players should be considered by the general manager and his staff to come on board next season.

Dec 23, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie

(37) blocks a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Goalie: None

The Pittsburgh Penguins could be in the market for a back-up goalie this summer, but if they were smart they would look at their minor league goalies. Thomas Greiss did not have an ideal time here in Pittsburgh in my opinion.

He backed up a goalie that played 64 of the 82 regular season games. His numbers were not all that impressive going 9-6-3 with a 2.59 GAA. To his defense, it’s very difficult to find a rhythm in net with such sparse starts, but that’s what backups are expected to do. He was only called on for back to back games for the most part, where Fleury took one and Greiss took the other.

Greiss was a cheap $1 mil sign this past offseason and if the Penguins wanted to go that direction again they could, but I believe it is time to let either Jeff Zatkoff or Matt Murray take over the role behind Marc-Andre Fleury.