The Pittsburgh Penguins had a disappointing end to the season by blowing a 3-1 series lead to the New York Rangers. It did not help that Sidney Crosby missed a game and a half from a hit to the head. But they still lost and have big decisions to make this offseason.
NHL rumors floated around earlier this season about Evgeni Malkin not re-signing with the team and Kris Letang signing with the Montreal Canadiens in the offseason.
Pittsburgh has over $28 million in salary cap space available for next season, which is great, but the problem is, they have nine unrestricted free agents and two restricted free agents to re-sign.
Unrestricted Free Agents
- Evgeni Malkin (F)
- Kris Letang (D)
- Bryan Rust (F)
- Casey DeSmith (G)
- Rickard Rakell (F)
- Evan Rodrigues (F)
- Brian Boyle (F)
- Louis Domingue (G)
- Nathan Beaulieu (D)
Restricted Free Agents
- Kasperi Kapanen (F)
- Danton Heinen (F)
Malkin and Letang have stated they want to be a Penguin until they retire, but are they willing to take less money to re-sign instead of going to the open market in free agency?
Bryan Rust is an unrestricted free agent and will be looking for a pay raise from his current salary of $3.5 million/year. He has had three straight seasons with at least 20 goals. If the Pens do decide to re-sign Malkin and Letang, it is likely Rust is lost to free agency. But if one of Letang or Malkin leaves, the Pens will do everything they can to re-sign him.
Like so many other teams in the league, the NHL salary cap causes havoc on good teams.
Malkin goes. At times, he looks like he’s playing in practice mode