Penguin's offseason 2022 edition

[Ice]

I get it's not a 5 million dollar albatross, but these things limit cap (it's not the only one, D has a couple) and block younger, hungrier players from coming up and making an impact on ELCs. I know, we think the cupboard is pretty bare, but that was the prevalent thought in 2016, when WBS kids came up and injected youth, hunger and energy into a stale team of overpaid vets.

I just don't love the idea of vet FAs on long term deals to play 4th line, particularly at wing. It's not good use of cap. Those positions are for the kids to compete for.

[DP39]

https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... year-deal/

The Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Ron Hextall took care of their last official outstanding order of business on Thursday. The Penguins signed RFA Kasperi Kapanen to a two-year deal with a $3.2 million cap hit.

Kapanen was to have an arbitration hearing on July 30. PuckPedia.com was first with the story, which has been confirmed by PHN.

Kapanen struggled to one of, if not his worst professional season in 2021-22. In 79 games, Kapanen had only 11 goals and 32 points. He was a healthy scratch later in the season and shuffled down in the Penguins lineup......
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Seems like a bit high AAV to me. Hopefully he can find his mojo and develop into what he's supposed to be -- a good top-six winger.

[Ice]

Zucker, McGinn and Kapanen will total almost 12 million in cap this season. Methinks that 12 million could have been better spent.

[Louis Lipps Service]

https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... year-deal/

The Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Ron Hextall took care of their last official outstanding order of business on Thursday. The Penguins signed RFA Kasperi Kapanen to a two-year deal with a $3.2 million cap hit.

Kapanen was to have an arbitration hearing on July 30. PuckPedia.com was first with the story, which has been confirmed by PHN.

Kapanen struggled to one of, if not his worst professional season in 2021-22. In 79 games, Kapanen had only 11 goals and 32 points. He was a healthy scratch later in the season and shuffled down in the Penguins lineup......
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Seems like a bit high AAV to me. Hopefully he can find his mojo and develop into what he's supposed to be -- a good top-six winger.

If his output ever actually matched his skill level, he’d be well worth that and then some.

But if it still hasn’t happened after 7 years, safe to say it ain’t happening.

One positive from this is that we get to keep running the GetGo commercial with him in it. That’s where the real value of this deal lies.

“AND SOME TOTS!”.

[Stillenigma]

Yeah, I would have been willing to let Kapanen walk for anything over $2M. I would rather pay eRod that money honestly. Kapanen is such a frustrating player. It's not like he's soft like Galchenyuk. He actually forechecks well. It's just that when he actually has the puck, he is not willing or able to protect it using his body and I have no idea why. My guess is it won't be fixed at this point, though.

[fractalsteel]

Not sure if they overpaid for him.
What troubles me about Kap is he is wildly inconsistent. On or off (being off too much for his talent set).

He can skate and is fast. He can carry the puck and seems to be able to enter the OZ on most rushes. Once he gets into the OZ he either stops looking to dish(not better than an average passer) or he spins or pivots losing/giving up the puck. I don't know why after all the time in the NHL he hasn't corrected this big flaw in his game.

I read the BIrds are over the cap and still have moves to make.

The roster really isn't better unless the shake up on D pays off. Dumo will be a big ? going into next year.

[Pabst]

Pens still have 8 defensemen listed on the roster, so dropping Ty Smith to WBS gets them cap compliant.

That said, there remains logjam on D that needs to be addressed

[fractalsteel]

Pens still have 8 defensemen listed on the roster, so dropping Ty Smith to WBS gets them cap compliant.

That said, there remains logjam on D that needs to be addressed

I thought they had 9?
Dumo/58/MP/Petry/Smith/Rutta/Ruhwedel/POJ/and Friedman.

If they got to eight and sent Smith down, yeah they are compliant but razor thin. Still think they have to move one and then entertain sending Smith to WBS.
Interesting point on Pensburgh, if POJ doesn't impress and beat out anyone on the roster why keep him around?

I was also thinking about the future. What if Guentzel has another 40+ goal season(s) in the coming two years? Where does that put him for a salary slot?

Also saw that signing Kap gave them another buyout option but with a limited window. Not sure if that is correct but getting rid of Zucker that way weakens the top 6.

[Pabst]

Pens still have 8 defensemen listed on the roster, so dropping Ty Smith to WBS gets them cap compliant.

That said, there remains logjam on D that needs to be addressed

I thought they had 9?
Dumo/58/MP/Petry/Smith/Rutta/Ruhwedel/POJ/and Friedman.

If they got to eight and sent Smith down, yeah they are compliant but razor thin. Still think they have to move one and then entertain sending Smith to WBS.
Interesting point on Pensburgh, if POJ doesn't impress and beat out anyone on the roster why keep him around?

I was also thinking about the future. What if Guentzel has another 40+ goal season(s) in the coming two years? Where does that put him for a salary slot?

Also saw that signing Kap gave them another buyout option but with a limited window. Not sure if that is correct but getting rid of Zucker that way weakens the top 6.

Capfriendly still has POJ listed in WBS. That's not right, and it's causing the discrepancy.

Still....the Pens will need to get down to 7 defenseman.

[bradshaw2ben]

Not sure if they overpaid for him.
What troubles me about Kap is he is wildly inconsistent. On or off (being off too much for his talent set).

He can skate and is fast. He can carry the puck and seems to be able to enter the OZ on most rushes. Once he gets into the OZ he either stops looking to dish(not better than an average passer) or he spins or pivots losing/giving up the puck. I don't know why after all the time in the NHL he hasn't corrected this big flaw in his game.

I read the BIrds are over the cap and still have moves to make.

The roster really isn't better unless the shake up on D pays off. Dumo will be a big ? going into next year.

I will say this for Kap: one of the very, very few players with enough skill to play alongside Malkin and not drag him down. Maybe that's just where he fits... yet they rarely let him line up there, for whatever reason.

[Pabst]

I will say this for Kap: one of the very, very few players with enough skill to play alongside Malkin and not drag him down. Maybe that's just where he fits... yet they rarely let him line up there, for whatever reason.

If it's up to me, I'm putting Rust on Malkin's RW.

[Ice]

If Kapanen's last name was Smith, he'd be playing in WBS.

[fractalsteel]

Not sure if they overpaid for him.
What troubles me about Kap is he is wildly inconsistent. On or off (being off too much for his talent set).

He can skate and is fast. He can carry the puck and seems to be able to enter the OZ on most rushes. Once he gets into the OZ he either stops looking to dish(not better than an average passer) or he spins or pivots losing/giving up the puck. I don't know why after all the time in the NHL he hasn't corrected this big flaw in his game.

I read the BIrds are over the cap and still have moves to make.

The roster really isn't better unless the shake up on D pays off. Dumo will be a big ? going into next year.

I will say this for Kap: one of the very, very few players with enough skill to play alongside Malkin and not drag him down. Maybe that's just where he fits... yet they rarely let him line up there, for whatever reason.

You know the reason why...

He got his chance in the playoffs last year, getting about 12 minutes a game but there were the injuries(cheap shots) that probably forced him into the lineup.

I wonder what Sully's first response to the Kap signing was?

@Pabst
I agree, go with Rust and Malkin.

[bradshaw2ben]

If Kapanen's last name was Smith, he'd be playing in WBS.

I mean, no doubt he was largely terrible with the puck last year. But he did play well with 71.

[Ice]

The problem with putting him on the 2nd is then you're putting Zucker's 5 million on the 3rd line. Honestly, the $ value is going to be lousy either way, so why not give Kappy an extended look with Malkin, I guess. Might as well make the best hockey decision.

If history is any indication, injuries will limit both of them, so as long as they're not concurrent, everybody gets a chance.

[Pabst]

The problem with putting him on the 2nd is then you're putting Zucker's 5 million on the 3rd line. Honestly, the $ value is going to be lousy either way, so why not give Kappy an extended look with Malkin, I guess. Might as well make the best hockey decision.

If history is any indication, injuries will limit both of them, so as long as they're not concurrent, everybody gets a chance.

Quick correction - you're putting Rakell or Rust on the 3rd line. Point remains the same. Carry on.

[Ice]

Then it's definitely not worth it. Peak Kapanen isn't better than what we've seen from Rust or Rakell.

Maybe if you're looking for more balanced scoring over three lines, at least on paper?

[fractalsteel]

Injuries or a transformation of game is the only way Kap sees top 6 time and I'll wager that Sully would try others there if it becomes necessary.

Right now the Center position is settled. The wingers aside from Guentzel, Rust and Rakell-Zucker to a degree are settled as well. The others will have to battle for positioning if injuries are few.

Rust/Rakell(Sid) Jake
Rust/Rakel(Hamlet) ?/ Zucker
Kap(old man)?/?/?
?/?/?(Bluegar)????

The defense is a another scramble as well. If Dumo is healed probably the top two are easy. After that, more eggs to be whipped into hopefully a taste omelette.

Might be the most important camp for the Pens in a...Decade?

[Pabst]

Heinen signed for 1 year at $1m. That solves the LW issue on the 3rd line.


Now, however, the Pens are going to be over the cap. Someone has to get traded at this point.

[Ice]

Heinen signs, 1 year, $1 million. Good value.

[DP39]

Yep. Thanks guys. Nice move at a great value!

[fractalsteel]

Heinen signed for 1 year at $1m. That solves the LW issue on the 3rd line.


Now, however, the Pens are going to be over the cap. Someone has to get traded at this point.

Wow

First I'm surprised he was still available and the $ is a million(at least) short of what I thought he would get(probably elsewhere).
Another forward ahead of Kap.
Sully is happy.

BTW, if I were Flames fan I'd be pretty pissed right now(not sure if Huberdeau/ weegar are worth a 24 year old tkachuk[ both with one year left on contrzcts])

[Ice]

If you average the great deal on Heinen and the lousy deal on Kap, it's 2.1 million apiece. Not so bad.

[fractalsteel]

And you paying Kap next year.

I would have preferred a one year deal for Kap as well.

[Ice]

Well, now you're just blowing my attempt at putting a positive spin on the contract

[DP39]

I have a feeling both Kap and Heinen give us good ROIs next year. Just a hunch.

[fractalsteel]

Well, now you're just blowing my attempt at putting a positive spin on the contract

I appreciate the positive spin. You and Wil are two of the best of such on this site.

The Kap signing doesn't make much sense to me.
Like Hex is trying to provoke Sully.

I just don't like the $ and terms of Kap deal.
I like the player, really I do but the first mistake and he gets buried. Sully has a history of that with this particular player. Now, does this pay raise mean he gets more chances to work with?
I doubt it.
And the Heinen deal was great but I'll wager he sees more time on the second line than does Kap.

[Ice]

He's an odd fit anywhere on the team. He doesn't drive possession, doesn't work on the cycle, and isn't much of a playmaker with the puck in his hands, which seemingly precludes him from top 6 duty.

His defense isn't great, and he's not really physical, and he tends to dangle a little bit, which makes him odd on a 3rd line.

He's been a decent PKer before, and tends to score off the rush, which means he might be good on the PK, but Sully won't play him there.

At 3.2 million dollars, I'd just like to be able to tell a casual fan what he actually does well on the team.

He's still kind of young, so hopefully he can improve a little in a couple of areas over the next two seasons.

[Pabst]

He's still kind of young, so hopefully he can improve a little in a couple of areas over the next two seasons.

This is my hope as well.

Remember that Bryan Rust was essentially a bottom six grinder until the 2019/2020 season. His breakthrough season came at age 27. Kap just turned 26.

[fractalsteel]

He's still kind of young, so hopefully he can improve a little in a couple of areas over the next two seasons.

This is my hope as well.

Remember that Bryan Rust was essentially a bottom six grinder until the 2019/2020 season. His breakthrough season came at age 27. Kap just turned 26.

Wasn't Rust on Malkin's line during the back to back cups? Along with Kunitz that line went 8 almost 9 games, half through the conference finals and half of the Stanley cup finals without being on the ice for a goal allowed.
That was a good line. Very good.

Until I see Kap overcome his weak points I'm not going to see a breakout guy. Again, I like the player, talent is there but something is holding him back.