That's enough introduction. Plan and simple this piece will discuss all the Pens UFAs, RFAs, rumored buyouts and possible trade pieces. Enjoy my take on who is in and who is out of the 2015-16 Pittsburgh Penguins
The UnRestricted Free Agents
Goalies (1): Thomas Greiss
Defensemen (3): Paul Martin, Christian Ehrhoff and Taylor Chorney
Forwards (8): Blake Comeau, Steve Downie, Max Lapierre, Daniel Winnik, Craig Adams, Nick Drazenovic, Andrew Ebbett and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond
Here are my thoughts on each of those UFAs:
Goalie, Thomas Greiss: He's out. I don't think the Pens should overpay for a backup goalie that not only didn't play much, but wasn't very steady. Jeff Zatkoff was completely capable last season and should have been the back up again. He has one more year left and should replace Greiss in 2015-16.
Defenseman, Paul Martin: After a horrid start to his Pens tenure, Paul Martin became one of the Pens best defensemen and became increasingly more steady. He never complained and always gave us everything he had. I would bring him back at less money, but it won't happen. Rumors are he would like to play for the Kings, and I ultimately think that is where he will end up. Martin is out, for sure.
Defensemen, Christian Ehrhoff: Like Martin and Greiss, Ehrhoff is gone. The Pens didn't need to bring him in to begin with and they would be silly to waste valuable cap space on him again. He played well when he was on the ice, but he is to injury prone. I don't think he should come back.
Defenseman, Taylor Chorney: I think Chorney was serviceable for the Pens and he could be back again. That being said, I don't think he should be in the starting six. If he is the seventh, I am fine with it. Ultimately, I think he will be back.
Winger, Blake Comeau: I think Comeau was the steal of the offseason, even after missing 20 games due to a broken wrist. He says he wants to be back and I'd welcome him at a reasonable deal. He would fit well in the bottom six, and I think he will be back.
Center, Max Lapierre: Lappy was nothing special in the regular season, but we saw where he excels in the playoffs. He was great in the Rangers series and I'd like to see him back manning the fourth line with Farnham and Comeau. I don't know if management feels the same, so only time will tell. In the end, I think he will be back.
Winger, Steve Downie: I think he is gone. He provided a little scoring depth, but he was completely undisciplined and even Rick Tocchet couldn't reel him in. He has upsides, but Farnham could replace him for half the price. Downie is gone.
Winger, Dan Winnik: Winnik is a great penalty killer, but I don't think the Pens will bring him back. He was everything he was characterized as, but he's not worth more than what he was making and the Pens would be better suited going younger. I think Winnik is gone.
Winger, Craig Adams: Adams is gone. He will retire. End of story.
Center, Nick Drazenovic: This is a quality forward that could see time somewhere going forward. He played well in Wilkes-Barre when healthy, but didn't get the call here. He may be back, but I wouldn't expect him to see much time with the big club.
Center, Andrew Ebbett: If the Pens don't bring back Lapierre, I think they should bring Ebbett back for the fourth line. He is a good center, good penalty killer and can score from time to time. I thought he was better than Goc before the trade and had another solid season at both levels. Ultimately, I think other teams may give him a shot, so I don't know whether he stays or goes. I'd personally like to see him stay.
Winger, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond: Don't know much about him. I know he is a scrapper, but I don't think he has the talent for the big club. He may re-sign, but it will be as a Baby Pen.
The Restricted Free Agents
Defensemen (4): Ian Cole, Brian Dumoulin, Nick D'Agostino and Reid McNeill
Forwards (6): Beau Bennett, Jayson Megna, Adam Payerl, Dominik Uher, Tom Kuehnhackl and Bobby Farnham
Goalies (1): Eric Hartzell
I think you will see the majority of these guys back next season. Payerl, Uher, Kuehnhackl, D'Agostino and McNeill will likely return to Wilkes-Barre. Here are my thoughts on the rest:
Defenseman, Ian Cole: No one impressed me more the last half of the season than Ian Cole, and he only played 20 games in Pittsburgh. The guy who was traded for Bortuzzo to serve as a 7th defenseman could very well be a starter next year again. He deservers it. He fits greatly into the Johnston system and has a shot that is very underrated. He reportedly wants to return to the Pens and I believe he will be back. I think a 2, 3-year deal at 1.2-1.5 million annually is fair for both sides.
Defenseman, Brian Dumoulin: Dumoulin really impressed me. He has always been in the shadows to the likes of Pouliot, Maatta and Harrington, but he probably had the best overall year out of the four of them. He is too good to be stuck in Wilkes-Barre again, and his play in the post season won me over. Dumoulin can play every night and be a solid choice for the blue line. I think he re-signs for two years.
Winger, Beau Bennett: I really don't know what to do with this kid. I'm ready to give up on him but I am weary, because we saw what happen with Simon Despres this year. There is no question that the kid has talent, but he obviously doesn't have the trust of management and he is frankly too fragile. I am willing to give him another shot, but only less than a million annually. Ultimately, I think the Pens should try to trade him for a pick at the draft.
Center, Jayson Megna: This is another kid, like Dumoulin, I think is unappreciated. He has produced good numbers for the Baby Pens every season he's played there and he plays good hockey when given the chance up here. The organization should be able to re-sign him, but if he doesn't break camp with the team he will likely be subject to waivers. He re-ups with the Pens, but he may be elsewhere before opening night.
Winger, Bobby Farnham: Farnham is Downie Jr. with less scoring ability but better discipline. He played a good game while up here this year in a fourth line role and should be brought back. He can be signed for a very club-friendly contract, and would be a good fit on the fourth line.
The Veteran contracts
There has been a lot of discussion the last few weeks about the Pens possibly buying out some of these bad, veteran contracts. Here are my thoughts on such.
Defenseman, Rob Scuderi: As many know, I am a big Scuderi supporter. I think he is a good defenseman overall, but he just doesn't have the speed to fit into the Johnston system. I love his work on the PK and I like how he helps mentor young defensemen.
That all being said, I cannot justify paying him 3.75 annually anymore. I have to put the logo first in this instance, and I think it is time for the Pens to part ways with "The Piece." It is likely that the Penguins would have to buy out Scuds, because unless there is a complete dumpster fire team out there who desperately needs a defenseman, no one will trade for him. The buyout would still cause a cap hit, but not the 3.75 annually he is now.
Winger, Chris Kunitz: This is a really tough one to discuss because I cannot decide if he just had a down year or he really just doesn't want to be here anymore (as rumored). I have a hard time believing that the now 35 year old Kunitz regressed so much over the offseason. Guys have down years, but they don't go from 60+ points consistently to roughly 30 points in one year like that. If the rumors can be believed, Kunitz was unhappy with the organizations previous offseason and the changes made. If that is the case, I don't see much of a chance for reconciliation. If he wants out, then the Pens should explore their options on the matter.
I think Chris Kunitz still has value on the trade market to the right team. He could be a good veteran presence on a team that is on the rebound but not a complete makeover. That is the kind of team that could afford him, and would have a decent draft selection to offer up. That being said, if there is no trade market for the winger, then do you buy him out? I have a hard time doing that, but would. I think he could still be valuable to this team, but if he can't keep up with Sid and Geno, then it's time to make the move.
Trade Winds
There are several players on the roster that some think may well be on the move. I admit, I believe there are several players who could move before the puck drops next October. Here are my thoughts on a few bigger names.
Defenseman, Ben Lovejoy: I think the chances Lovejoy moves on is 50/50. He has another year left before free agency and he has a very friendly contract at just 1.2 million annually. It was a rough go for Lovejoy, who was forced into a 27+ minute a night role with the Pens due to injury. Like Paul Martin, I think he was just gassed come the playoffs. He struggled a little down the stretch, but I still think he is a good defenseman and could provide a good veteran presence next season. Perhaps the Pens move him at the draft for a decent pick, but if not, I think he will return next year.
Winger, David Perron: Perron was Jekyl and Hyde in his half season with the Penguins. He started out with 9 goals in 20 games before only scoring 1 in his last 15. It was revealed at locker clean out on Sunday he has been suffering from a rib injury that hampered his shot. This explains not only why he wasn't shooting much, but why his shots had no snot on them. I think if the Pens want to add front end draft picks, Perron is the most expendable player to do so. Will the Pens trade Perron to regain a 1st rounder? I doubt that. In the end, I dont think he gets moved and likely plays with Malkin next season.
Center, Brandon Sutter: He was the whipping boy of many Pens fans this year, mostly the analytics crowd because of his CORSI and FENWICK numbers. As you all know, I don't give a damn about those numbers. Goals and points is what tells the story to me. Sutter had 21 goals (4th on the team) and 33 points (6th on the team). For a third line center, that is pretty good. For a 3.3 million third line center, it's still pretty good. I admit I have flirted with the idea of trading Sutter, but only if the deal is too good to be true. What that would be? I would only know it when I see it, but I think Sutter is good for this team, good for this locker room and will only continue to progress. I think he only moves in a monster deal, so count on him being here again. CORSI be damned.
Center, Nick Spaling: Spaling's name was not one I intended on including in this piece but reconsidered over the last few days. Reports surfaced out of multiple places that management advised against bringing in Spaling in the Neal deal but Rutherford was insistent. Spaling had a decent year for the Pens, posting 27 points in over 75 games. I think he would add to this team next year, but he may be one piece that could fetch some return. I wouldn't be shocked to see him moved this offseason.
Conclusions
As I said in the opening, this is the part of the year for great change. We will see some players above move one way or the other. It's the nature of the business. It's why, even though we hate exiting the playoffs early, it's one of the most intriguing time of the year. Only time will tell. Let's sit back and enjoy the show.