Pittsburgh Penguins: The Rob Scuderi Conundrum
Four Score and just over two years ago, Ray Shero brought forth upon our city a returning player, convinced he was the same player that was set free in the summer of 2009 and dedicated to improving and calming the Pittsburgh Penguins defense.
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Now we are engaged in a great debate, testing whether the value of a veteran defenseman or any aging veteran has a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins as currently constructed. On the battlefield of the ice, I ask that today we lay the second chapter of Rob Scuderi’s career to rest. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
Enough with channeling my inner Abraham Lincoln, it doesn’t take a great orator or philosopher to see that Rob Scuderi’s time in Pittsburgh should be coming to an end. There is just no way the Pens can justify having over $3 million wrapped up in salary cap space for Scuderi, who profiles at best as a seventh defenseman, on the 2015-2016 Penguins.
Pittsburgh has a solid set of defensemen at the NHL level this season: Olli Maatta, Kris Letang, Ian Cole, Derrick Pouliot, Ben Lovejoy and Brian Dumoulin are a solid if not spectacular projected top six. Defensive depth is included with Adam Clendening, Niclas Andersen, Tim Erixon, Steven Oleksy and David Warsofsky. This doesn’t include the X-factor of Sergei Gonchar, who Rob Rossi noted today on TribLive Radio, is more than likely to make the Penguins opening day roster.
The only argument for keeping Scuderi for the upcoming season is to protect against injury; however, where Rob Scuderi would fit, legitimately depth-wise, amongst those other 12 players is another question. Unbiasedly viewing the situation we could say that Rob Scuderi is the Pittsburgh Penguins seventh best defenseman today, and tenth at worst. It should also be noted that of the thirteen possible candidates for spots on the Opening Night roster his salary and cap hit are second to only Kris Letang.
As William Shakespeare would say, therein lies the rub. With the glut of capable, albeit not spectacular defenseman, could the Pittsburgh Penguins move Rob Scuderi before the season to create some cap space and alleviate some of the roster crunch that is sure to happen?
Trading Scuderi Will Be a Huge Challenge for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Scuderi has a limited no movement clause (exact details are unknown, it was reported that he nixed being placed in the Phil Kessel trade this summer) on his contract meaning he can block trades to certain teams and possibly refuse placement on waivers. Refusal of placement on waivers may mean giving up in the upwards of six million dollars in guaranteed salary. Knowing this it is an unlikely event by Scuderi.
Sending Scuderi to the AHL would then expose him to waivers and risk losing him with no compensation. If he would clear waivers, could the Penguins pull a Mike Richards and bury Scuderi in the minors while continuing to have him on the books to create a little cap space and give some fresh faces a chance? Will the Penguins slow the development of a young defenseman such as Derrick Pouliot and risk losing depth Players such as Erixon and Clendening by stubbornly keeping Scuderi on the active roster? This is a conundrum that faces the Pittsburgh Penguins and their fan base as we approach training camp.
I had previously proposed an outside the box idea of swapping Rob Scuderi for Mike Richards with salary retention. However, with Richards’ status in LA in limbo that is no longer a feasible opportunity. Scuderi prefers to stay close to the east coast for familial reasons, so would a chance at playing time and a reconnection with the General Manager who signed him to the albatross of a four-year contract be something that could work with both parties?
Is There a Market for Scuderi Around the League?
The New Jersey Devils have nowhere near the depth that the Penguins possess across their roster and may be willing to take on Scuderi’s contract if the Pens include a player with some upside such as JS Dea or Matia Marcantuoni. If Pittsburgh retains a bit of cap, they could potentially get a decent return. Other ideas like this are out there such as dealing him to be a mentor to young growing teams with cap space such as Florida, Arizona, or Carolina. Another option would be flipping Scuderi for another bad contract and possibly taking on longer term for less annual value, like a buyout but with something to show for it.
I agreed with not buying out Scuderi this summer as I thought he would have been moved by now. He should have some value around the league even after a down season, even if it is for a conditional pick. Allowing Scuderi to walk free via waivers would save the Pittsburgh Penguins valuable cap space, but would a nightmare in the locker room. However, it should be noted that any avenues that exist to keep Rob Scuderi off the Penguins roster for 2015-2016 should be explored and explored quickly.
Next: Is There Room for Youth on the Pens Roster for 2015-16?