With martin leaving and the projected cap going up to 73 mil, that's around 9 mil in salary with no big names needing to be resigned. It may be better for JR to make a major move during the offseason around the draft so the cap doesn't restrict who he wants. Maybe a rental like tlusty and/or another cheaper player is all he will do.

McD is struggling this year. I think its a combination of trying to do too much, his injury, and the captaincy. He'll find his groove soon.

Letang obviously blows him away offensively, but McD is one of the best shutdown defenseman and has some offensive upside. In terms of two way play, I'd say McD is the better all around defenseman and certainly a top 15 if not top 10 defender in this league.
- rangerdanger94

Correct. I also have to point to durability in a #1. It factors in. McD is what, a 4.7M cap hit?

Correct. I also have to point to durability in a #1. It factors in. McD is what, a 4.7M cap hit?
- Johnny Wrath

What will he make on his 3rd contract? You can argue value but your original point was better players McD and Hedman are not better players then Letang

Top 10 yes, top 5 no
- znagle

Agreed. But I put arguably because I've seen a few people mention him as a top 5 guy.

What will he make on his 3rd contract? You can argue value but your original point was better players McD and Hedman are not better players then Letang
- dbell646

Probably in the 8M+ range

Just don't see it. It's hard to put him with the likes of Suter, Weber, Doughty etc....guys who play 25+ minutes a night, and Hedman is only getting 22 a night?
- cap1681

Hedman and McD were 8th and 9th respectively in Norris voting last year, both young with arrows pointing straight up. Those that finished higher in the voting:

Keith
Chara
Weber
Suter
Pietrangelo
Doughty
Karlsson

Pretty good company to be in.

What will he make on his 3rd contract? You can argue value but your original point was better players McD and Hedman are not better players then Letang
- dbell646

They're better defensively

What will he make on his 3rd contract? You can argue value but your original point was better players McD and Hedman are not better players then Letang
- dbell646

My point was that that they are better #1 Defenders than Kris Letang, that Letang is a #3, and that Letang's cap hit will severely limit the Penguins' ability to be competitive at forward under the salary cap.

Probably in the 8M+ range
- cap1681

He will be 30 when he becomes a UFA. Not sure he gets that much at that age.

Agreed. But I put arguably because I've seen a few people mention him as a top 5 guy.
- rangerdanger94

He's a terrific dman no debating that but Letang is also a terrific dman. I think he gets extremely underrated for his play in his own end. As someone pointed out when he gets beat it's usually when he joins a rush I can't remember to many instances where he loses in our end man on man

Just don't see it. It's hard to put him with the likes of Suter, Weber, Doughty etc....guys who play 25+ minutes a night, and Hedman is only getting 22 a night?
- cap1681

So is tyler myers a #1 because he ranked top 10 in toi/g?

My point was that that they are better #1 Defenders than Kris Letang, that Letang is a #3, and that Letang's cap hit will severely limit the Penguins' ability to be competitive at forward under the salary cap.
- Johnny Wrath

Saying a #3 is just retarded. You named possible 8 players who are actually better then Letang. How does that knock him to a #3? He is a 1 plain and simple. If you've watched the games without him playing and you don't see a difference you gotta stop drinking my dude.

My point was that that they are better #1 Defenders than Kris Letang, that Letang is a #3, and that Letang's cap hit will severely limit the Penguins' ability to be competitive at forward under the salary cap.
- Johnny Wrath

I don't think clarity was the issue; You made your point very clearly and concisely. Its just that no one really seems to agree with you at all.

Before letang was injured he was in the top 3 for points among dmen and averaged more time short handed than any of the top 5 dmen. His role on this team is enormous and He has looked fantastic in this new system. If he doesn't miss any games, he will be in the Norris contention.

Agreed. But I put arguably because I've seen a few people mention him as a top 5 guy.
- rangerdanger94

Just looking at the way contracts are trending in the NHL, a top 10 #1 defenseman is going to cost you 8M+ a year in 3 years.

Agreed. And by low cost I'm thinking like a 4th/5th round draft pick.

If he came with his head on right, I think he'd be a load to handle w/71.
- 87_71_11_29

Aside from the fact that I think he is a bad hockey player (personal opinion), the dude carries a $4M cap hit. So even if the cost to acquire is low, he's basically taking up all the salary relief from Dupuis and still is a risky acquisition. Pass on Stewart.

Just looking at the way contracts are trending in the NHL, a top 10 #1 defenseman is going to cost you 8M+ a year in 3 years.
- cap1681

Good thing we dont have to worry about that for another 4

Letang > MacDonnut

If #58 played in NY He'd be very very hyped.

Aside from the fact that I think he is a bad hockey player (personal opinion), the dude carries a $4M cap hit. So even if the cost to acquire is low, he's basically taking up all the salary relief from Dupuis and still is a risky acquisition. Pass on Stewart.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

where's Buffalo at with the cap? They might need to retain a chunk of his salary just to stay above the floor. or does the floor disappear once the season begins?

So is tyler myers a #1 because he ranked top 10 in toi/g?
- rangerdanger94

Yes, Myers is a #1. If he wasn't on a horrible team, he would probably be considered a top tier #1. Also why you see teams trying to trade for him.

Just looking at the way contracts are trending in the NHL, a top 10 #1 defenseman is going to cost you 8M+ a year in 3 years.
- cap1681

Subban already has a $9M/yr contract right now; $8M/yr in 3 yrs will be a bargain for a #1D.

Good thing we dont have to worry about that for another 4
- rangerdanger94

In 4 years when the cap is at 80+ mil and other dmen probably getting significant raises, he will have a 10+ mil cap hit easily.

Subban already has a $9M/yr contract right now; $8M/yr in 3 yrs will be a bargain for a #1D.
- s0rcerer1984

And 7.25 will be a huge bargin for a guy who will be in the top 10 in Norris voting every year and may actually win one.

Don't be supriesed if kesler and bobby ryan are penguins 2010 vancouver Malkin -kesler-ryan -7-1-16
- Palmer117

I want some of whatever you are smoking.

They're better defensively
- rangerdanger94

The formula I'm using for winning is that you need a #1 C, a #1 D, and a #1 G to have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup under current conditions. It's not a strange occurrence that LA, Chicago, and Boston have had the majority of the success in the last five seasons while the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL have been continually defeated by other incomplete teams during that time.