Stempniak in, duclair out

Playing around with armchair GM for next year with the cap staying the same. Being able to have 5 guys on the back end who make a Mil or less helps this team out immensely. I did this with giving healthy raises to all FAs signed as well.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kunitz ($3.850m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Patric Hornqvist ($4.250m)
Kasperi Kapanen ($0.925m) / Evgeni Malkin ($9.500m) / Jiri Tlusty ($3.750m)
Beau Bennett ($1.250m) / Brandon Sutter ($3.300m) / Pascal Dupuis ($3.750m)
Blake Comeau ($1.000m) / Oskar Sundqvist ($0.701m) / Nick Spaling ($2.200m)
Jayson Megna ($0.900m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Kris Letang ($7.250m) / Christian Ehrhoff ($5.500m)
Simon Despres ($0.900m) / Olli Maatta ($0.894m)
Scott Harrington ($0.589m) / Derrick Pouliot ($0.863m)
Robert Bortuzzo ($1.000m) /
GOALTENDERS
Marc-Andre Fleury ($5.750m)
Matthew Murray ($0.620m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$0
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2015-16)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $67,442,500; BONUSES: $1,230,833
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $1,557,500

I just can't wait for kap amd sund to play with sid and malkin..

I just can't wait for kap amd sund to play with sid and malkin..
- nh4442

You think they are both here next year?

I am glad I am not making this decision. Its tough because Martin is a low key elite d man in this league, so any time you have a chance to lock down a guy like that you take it. On the other hand, our depth at D is stupid ridiculous and we are a team that's against the cap, so that creates a two sided problem: 1) We should be utilizing our cheap contracts at D to alleviate our cap situation, and 2) We have to start playing our youth or their development will be retarded. Couple that with the fact that Martin is not young and had some issues staying healthy last season and there is a serious predicament. Bottom line: with our depth, even if Scuds goes, we only have room for one older vet not named Letang: Martin or Ehrhoff.

One of Martin or Ehrhoff needs to be signed, and preferably at 5 mil 3 years. I like Ehrhoff a lot. He's looked solid this season and would be even more solid next season after spending a full year on this team and system. However, Martin is obviously the superior player and that won't change in 3 years, I don't think. While Ehrhoff is loads more likely to sign for 5mil/3years, I'd much rather that contract go to Paul Martin.

I just can't wait for kap amd sund to play with sid and malkin..
- nh4442

I have a pipe dream that Sundqvist can be converted into a powerforward top 6 winger, but at the end of the day he is a bottom 6 center. He has tremendous upside, but upside for a 3C roll. He will not play alongside Sid or Geno.

Not so surprising timing on the Martin change of heart... This paragraph jumped out at me in the New York Times piece on the Pens the other day:



The story this summer was that Martin was close to Bylsma/Reirdon and wasn't happy with the change. Funny what a little bit of time and winning will do. Interesting that he basically took a shot at the old system too.
- rival22

Martin might have been close to Bylsma and Reirdon, but I guess what I never understood about that sentiment is what was so attractive about losing in spectacular fashion every spring? If ever there was a team that screamed of needed change, it was this team......I'm glad Martin is finally on board. That said, I'd be happy about only one of Martin or Hoff. Certainly not both.

Wow, Gonchar to the Habs

I have a pipe dream that Sundqvist can be converted into a powerforward top 6 winger, but at the end of the day he is a bottom 6 center. He has tremendous upside, but upside for a 3C roll. He will not play alongside Sid or Geno.
- Victoro311

I dream of top six! Sound the trumpets! He shoots, he scores!!!!

Wow, Gonchar to the Habs
- cap1681

Back with Therrien....

I thought the Stars were already thin on defence?

Back with Therrien....

I thought the Stars were already thin on defence?
- rival22

Unless they are making room for something bigger

Unless they are making room for something bigger
- cap1681

I mean, it wouldn't be surprising. Gonchar at 5 mil isn't exactly solid value these days. If they have something in hand for a better valued d man, I would absolutely try to move Gonchar to make room for him.

Unless they are making room for something bigger
- cap1681

That was my first thought as well.

That was my first thought as well.
- rival22

Martin to Dallas for Brett Ritchie and a 3rd

The Pens should send a message to Staal tonight. I hope they will.

I don't know why the Stars gave Gonchar that kind of deal in the first place.

Also I could care less how many goals Jagr scores.

Its official: Sweet Beau is back, baby!

Martin to Dallas for a first jagr to the pens for a 2nd

Its official: Sweet Beau is back, baby!
- Victoro311

Let's see if they jump him right in at right wing with Geno. Should be an easy choice.

Its official: Sweet Beau is back, baby!
- Victoro311

Who moves to the 4th line? Spaling, Comeau, or Downie?

The Pens should send a message to Staal tonight. I hope they will.

I don't know why the Stars gave Gonchar that kind of deal in the first place.

Also I could care less how many goals Jagr scores.
- acdc1206

How about not creating a crap storm and just win.

Jagrbombs for life

Man I wonder what type of deal Martin would be willing to do with the Penguins. JR number one priority should be trading Scuderi. By any means necessary. If the cap really doesn't go up next year Scuderi's cap space will be very valuable.

I really think we could solve our winger problem by taking advantage of Boston or Chicago's cap situation. Try to sign R. Smith from Boston or Saad from Chicago. Those teams will have so many issues with the cap I don't see how they would get out of it.

Our D would have LeTang, Martin/Ehroff, Matta on the last year of his entry deal, Despres on a pretty friendly contract, plus either Bortuzzo or Harrington or Puliout.

They need to make something happen and get one more top six winger for Malkin

Its official: Sweet Beau is back, baby!
- Victoro311

ill put the over/under at twenty and ill say under. prove me wrong beau

Who moves to the 4th line? Spaling, Comeau, or Downie?
- cap1681

IMO, Comeau. He can add some hands/grit to that line, while Spaling & Downie have fit in perfectly alongside Sutter. I don't want to mess with that line. He's a more talented Sill and can definitely fit in that role well. He might even help make Adams look like a serviceable player.

Goc/Adams/Comeau isn't a bad 4th line.

Man I wonder what type of deal Martin would be willing to do with the Penguins. JR number one priority should be trading Scuderi. By any means necessary. If the cap really doesn't go up next year Scuderi's cap space will be very valuable.

I really think we could solve our winger problem by taking advantage of Boston or Chicago's cap situation. Try to sign R. Smith from Boston or Saad from Chicago. Those teams will have so many issues with the cap I don't see how they would get out of it.

Our D would have LeTang, Martin/Ehroff, Matta on the last year of his entry deal, Despres on a pretty friendly contract, plus either Bortuzzo or Harrington or Puliout.

They need to make something happen and get one more top six winger for Malkin
- tbassett

I agree trade Scuds, but he has value and there is no rush to move him... wait for the right deal even if its the deadline. No possibility of Saad or Reilly getting moved.. they ll move Sharp or Erickson first...

I'm sorry but Martin is expendable right now with depth of D.
- nh4442

Name one of those guys that could step in and replace Martin. Better yet, name one of those guys that's played more than 10 NHL games.