Here are some notable newsworthy items in the Penguinsphere from the past couple of days.
First up, the baby Penguins dropped their first playoff game of the series to the Phantoms. Of note, Ville Koivunen, one of the prospects acquired in the Guentzel trade, scored their first AHL goal in the 2-1 loss. It would be a great development if he was NHL ready for next season. He had a good offensive year in Liiga and a strong offensive showing in the AHL playoffs would be more evidence of a player ready to make the jump. Here’s to hoping.
Sidney Crosby’s contract status is like a light to moths for those outside of the Penguins bubble. The reality is it is a complete long shot he is going anywhere. The Penguins value him more than anything else in the organization and are willing to sign a decent sized extension if he wants to. They are also preparing to go with short term deals if that is more palatable to Crosby. Point being, they are going to do whatever kind of contract Crosby prefers and that is exactly how they should handle the situation.
Both parties expect a new deal with Crosby will be reached by or not long after that date, the sources said, with contract length and salary cap hit as the major elements still to be worked out.
The Penguins would prefer Crosby to sign a contract that would take him to his eventual retirement, but they are prepared for a short-term deal, team sources said.
Last month, The Athletic reported a deal within the vicinity of three years at an average annual value of $10 million could work for Crosby. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote that he predicts two or three seasons at $10.5 million AAV.
It is less of a matter of it, and more what does the contract look like.
Another player due for a contract is the Penguins best left defenseman, Marcus Pettersson. He’s a terrific player. I think very highly of him. He is great positionally and combined with his stick IQ (poke checks, passing lanes, passing) he is the perfect set it and forget it player who can play with high end partners.
The Penguins are optimistic Marcus Pettersson will sign a long-term contract this summer, a team source and a source close to Pettersson said.
Pettersson, 27, has a season remaining on his current contract. He counts $4,025,175, against the cap — a cost the Penguins project will increase by at least $1 million annually on a new deal, the team source said.
Yep, kinda have to do that. They literally don’t have a replacement for him and because the Ryan Graves contract is such a disaster they don’t have two proper top four defensemen right now on the roster.
Pettersson will be representing Sweden in the World Championships coming up along with his Penguins partner, Erik Karlsson
Jake Guentzel has been great with the Hurricanes and things are going well for him there. It sounds like he would listen to the Penguins if they were to call him during free agency, but I would consider it a long shot. The time to show interest was before he latched on with a proper contender. I can’t imagine he wants back in on a retool/rebuild
Guentzel did not leave the Penguins on the best of terms. He was particularly agitated by a perceived lack of forthright communication from Dubas, a source close to Guentzel said.
However, Guentzel would not deny Dubas an opportunity to pitch him on a potential return to Pittsburgh if Guentzel tests free agency in July. Guentzel’s fondness for the Penguins supersedes any ill feelings toward Dubas, said a team source and a source close to Guentzel.
Still, Guentzel reuniting with the Penguins was described by one source as “a long shot” because “he’s loving it in Carolina, and (the Hurricanes) feel the same.”
Alex Nedeljkovic had a successful season as the Penguins backup. The problem with players having success on a one-year contract is that they usually are looking for a raise and rightfully so. The Penguins might be priced out on that
The Penguins are operating as though goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will have better offers in free agency than they can afford in an attempt to retain his services, a team source and a source close to Nedeljkovic said.
Dubas hinted last Friday the Penguins are comfortable going into next season with Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist as their goaltending tandem.
That’s all for now.
Thanks for reading!
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