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The Penguins are over the salary cap limit and have to cut/move salary in order to become cap compliant. Matt Niskanen is the most obvious candidate to be moved in a trade for the Penguins to achieve a cap compliant roster. This is stuff we all know, this is all stuff we have beaten to death this summer. It is also not lost on the man himself.
In an article from Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Niskanen touches on his situation and how he is aware of the business end of things.
"I know the situation we're in, being over the cap," It's pretty evident that Ray [Shero, the general manager] has to make a decision. Someone who probably otherwise is a regular on our roster [will be traded]."
"I'm not worried about it, or anything. I've just prepared as though I'm going to be here when the regular season starts, and I'm working toward that. But I understand that Ray has to make a decision.”
"There probably are times when you think about it more, and it's kind of tough. Especially when I really love being here, and I think I can help.”
"Over the last year or so, you've kind of had that thought, 'Well, this might not last forever.' That's just reality for veteran role players."
The business end of things will always be a part of hockey but there is always a human on the other end of the business decisions. Niskanen appears to have a clear and accurate perception of the situation. It also appears that he has accepted his situation and will try and make the best of it no matter what happens in the near future. He is approaching the matter as a true professional.
Niskanen’s 2.3M cap hit is more than fair for any team not named the Penguins. Shero chose to spend his money on Rob Scuderi and the fallout from that signing is that the Penguins cannot afford a 2.3M #6 D man.
One interesting destination for Niskanen was put forth by Hockeybuzz’s own Matt Karash in his latest article
here . Karash suggests that Niskanen could potentially be on the Hurricanes radar if they do not choose to go the free agent route (Hainsey, Gilbert) to shore up their defense corp. The Hurricanes Joni Pitkanen is healing slower than expected, which has created a potential need for Carolina
We all know that Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford are not afraid to strike a deal with one another.
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Here are a couple of updates on some former Penguins.
Josh Rimer of Hockeybuzz was able to pull a quote from Brenden Morrow about his current free agent status. He included it in his
most recent blog entry
"No not yet. I'm still talking to a few teams and staying patient. Teams I'd prefer to play on are having a tough time moving cap space for me, but I'm in no hurry."
It appears that Morrow is waiting for the dust to settle after the start of training camps so that he can find the right situation for himself. Savvy veteran move on his part. Why not get the amount of money you are looking for as well as playing for the team that you want to? That’s his right as a UFA and he is taking full advantage of it, good for him.
Does that mean he could potentially be waiting on the Penguins? Not likely in my opinion.
Former Penguins forward Luca Caputi has
signed a new deal to play over in Europe . He will be joining a Swedish league playing for Vasteras HC
Just an FYI the Penguins will take on the Senators Thursday September 5th at 2PM in the rookie tournament taking place in London, Ontario. The game will be covered on TV which means there are probably some streams floating around the internet somewhere.
One week until training camp starts on the 11th.
Thanks for reading!
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