Free agency kicks off tomorrow. The Penguins aren’t expected to be big players as far as money and term go. They will be using free agency as a tool to shore up the depth on value contracts per Kyle Dubas.
It remains to be seen what the Penguins will do with Tristan Jarry, Jason Zucker, and Brian Dumoulin. My assumption is they will all test the market and potentially circle back to the Penguins. With the trade for Reilly Smith Zucker’s return doesn’t seem probable anymore. The goaltending situation is anybody’s guess at this point. It is an area of concern and it has also been an area of focus for the front office. We just don’t know a lot about it. I think Dumoulin is the likeliest player to leave and the one to be easiest to replace because he is close to replacement level.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph is his roster replacement given Dumoulin’s current playing ability. Joseph is not Dumoulin’s replacement as a top pairing defender with Letang. Which brings us to some rumors. The Penguins are trying to acquire Noah Hanifin.
Hanifin is a bonafide top four defenseman who is one of the Calgary Flames players currently trying to orchestrate their departure from the franchise. He is a pending UFA with a 4.96M cap hit. He will be 26 years old at the beginning of next season and hits the 27-year-old mark in January. His timeline would fit the Penguins timeline.
The Penguins have the cap flexibility and the need for a player like this. They might not have the assets. There will be other suitors and they might be more forthcoming with their offers. Hanifin has an eight team no trade clause at the moment. Unlikely, the Penguins are on it.
Things are moving fast out there so I’m trying to keep up. As of this moment Matt Duchene and Blake Wheeler were just put on unconditional waivers with the intent of a buyout. I realize Dubas wasn’t looking to be splashy in free agency, but Matt Duchene is a very interesting addition to the free agent market. Jake Guentzel is a pending UFA. I’m not suggesting Duchene is on Guentzel’s level anymore, but it might be nice to get some insurance at the wing position moving forward. Guentzel’s contract is going to be big. Duchene can also play center and the Penguins currently have a rough third line center situation.
Any guesses on who Matt Duchene’s most common linemate was that past four seasons in Nashville?
A lot of people are hoping for him to be bought out...
It is in fact Mikael Granlund. They had a 52.24 xGF% together in those four years. However, as we know Granlund is not the same player anymore. Last year that number was 41.24. Even on the miniscule chance Duchene finds his way to Pittsburgh I have no interest in rekindling the duo. Granlund and his cap hit needs to go no matter what. The clock is ticking on the Granlund buyout. Team has until 5PM today. There is a 2nd buyout window later in the summer but my understanding is it is tied to arbitration and I’m not sure it would be a path towards being able to buyout Granlund later. I could be wrong, but today is for sure an opportunity to do so.
There’s a lot going on and a lot for the Penguins still to accomplish. This is a very important time frame for what the Penguins are going to look like for the remainder of their competitive window.
Thanks for reading!