Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits

Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits

After winning their second Stanley Cup of the Crosby era, the Pittsburgh Penguins face difficult decisions heading into free agency. GM Jim Rutherford needs to find a way to clear cap space before he can add a few small pieces that might help them contend for back-to-back Cup victories.

Pittsburgh has spent roughly $1.5 million dollars above the $73 million dollar cap for 2016-17 23-man roster. Logic suggests moving Marc-Andre Fleury, especially with impending expansion on the way. Although it sounds as though Rutherford is comfortable keeping the tandem together until the right offer comes along. A pair of trade candidates could be Eric Fehr (two years remaining, $2 million/year) or Ian Cole (two years remaining, $2.1 million/year).

After a slow start to the 2015-16 regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins were by far the hottest team over the second half. By the time April rolled around, the Pens finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a record of 48-26-8 (104 points).

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Pittsburgh made quick work of the New York Rangers in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs defeating them in five games.

They met up with Presidents Trophy winner Washington Capitals in the round two, dismantling the Caps in six games.

Waiting for them in the Conference Finals was 2014-15 Cup Finalist Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a hard-fought seven-game series, but Pittsburgh came out on top.

The Pens met up with San Jose in the Cup Final, a team that finally managed to get over the hump, but Pittsburgh proved too tough of a match-up and knocked off the Sharks in six games.

Related Story: Pens Defeat Sharks to Win Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agency Outlook/Preview

Salary Cap Committed to 2016-17: $74,474,999
Number of Players Signed: 36

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Matt Cullen, Tom Sestito, Kael Mouillierat, Justin Schultz, Ben Lovejoy, Jeff Zatkoff, Tyler Biggs, Matthias Plachta, Steve Oleksy, Will O’Neill

Notable Restricted Free Agents: none

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Rumors have been floating around regarding potential retirement for 39-year-old Matt Cullen, although it seems Pittsburgh would be interested in giving him one more year after his Stanley Cup Playoffs performance.

If Jim Rutherford can somehow find a way to trade Marc-Andre Fleury in the near future, they could also look to retain Jeff Zatkoff.

The only way to free up significant cap space (other than Fleury) is to move out a top-six forward.

Obviously, trading Evgeni Malkin is the quickest way to make room, but the return haul would need to be of massive proportion. Another candidate would be Patric Hornqvist (two years remaining, $4.25 million/year).

Related Story: Blackhawks Showing Interest in Evgeni Malkin?

Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agency Team Needs

Depth Forwards, Bottom Pair/No.7 Type Defender, AHL Backup (No.4 Goalie)

Wilkes-Barre helped produce a wealth of talent which helped make Pittsburgh’s Cup victory possible. Unfortunately, the remaining depth is a little thin, so a few AHL signings are necessary as injury insurance.

Defense was perceived as a weakness in 2015-16, but with the continued development of Brian Dumoulin and Derrick Pouliot, the Pens should be set in the top four. Question marks remain on that bottom pair, and upgrades would be helpful.

Beyond highly touted prospect Tristan Jarry, little remains for Pittsburgh between the pipes. If Jarry suffers a season-ending injury early next season, the Pens have zero insurance in their number three slot.

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Potential Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agency Targets

Depth Forwards: Chris Terry, Quinton Howden, Luke Gazdic, Greg McKegg, Christian Thomas, Danny Kristo, Brian Gibbons, Justin Shugg, Blair Jones

Bottom Pair/No.7 Type Defender: Matt Bartkowski, Mike Weber, Yannick Weber, Eric Gryba, Brian Strait, Korbinian Holzer, Klas Dahlbeck

AHL Backup/No.4 Goalie: Niklas Treutle, Nathan Lieuwen, Cedrick Desjardins, Jeremy Smith, Tom McCollum

*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com