One pertinent question encapsulated the entire operation. As we dive into another Pittsburgh Penguins Q&A, one reader put a big bow on everything from the Penguins’ trade possibilities to free agency with a simple query.
“Please define a successful offseason.”
And with that, we have the foundation for everything. The Penguins are in a unique spot that only a couple others have been during the salary cap era. They are old, successful, established, aging, talented, and have some life left in the tank but are falling behind. For the first time since half-past never, the Penguins also have salary cap space to burn.
So, when Kory Indzeoski lobbed that question, it deserved to be the first up.
Please define a successful off season
— Kory Indzeoski (@The_Indyman) June 4, 2024
Great question. We could fill the entire column with this answer. Last summer, president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas wanted to shake things up, so he targeted Erik Karlsson. It was supposed to reinvigorate the Penguins, refresh the locker room, and add one of the best defensem*n in the game.
It was supposed to, anyway.
This offseason will be defined not by one big move but by how Dubas positions the Penguins for the future. It’s still Sidney Crosby’s team, assuming he signs a contract on or shortly after July 1, but the five-year outlook is now paramount. Can Dubas put pieces in place to win now, AND ones who will carry the franchise after the core three have faded?
Karlsson is 34 years old and not part of the long-term plan. He was “now.” A successful offseason will be one that makes the Penguins better than they were on April 17, but also one in which the future becomes visible.
Any free agent signing should be a short-term veteran or younger and longer-term. This writer maintains that a player capable of being the second-line center this season or next would be a wise move.
Penguins Trade Hopes and Free Agency
Do you see a fit with these guys on a one year deal? Zucker, Tyler Johnson, Perry, wheeler, beauvilier, olofsson, cam talbot, Martin jones
See AlsoState of the Bills: New executive Pete Guelli – 'Smart' business to explore adding limited ownerOutstanding Medical School Faculty, Staff Honored in 2024Buffalo Sabres: Latest News, Schedule, and Odds 2024NHL free-agent big board: Reinhart, Guentzel and Stamkos lead our ranking of the top 50 UFAs— BJ Johnston (@thebjjohnston) June 4, 2024
That’s quite a shopping list, BJ! AFP Analytics projects Jason Zucker’s next contract to be three years and $3.7 million per season. At that price, I’m buying and not even reaching for a coupon. That would perfectly dovetail with the Penguins’ current life cycle and make them better.
Tyler Johnson, formerly of the Tampa Bay Lightning and possibly an ex of the Chicago Blackhawks, is an intriguing Penguins free-agent target. He offers lineup versatility, playing center should Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or Lars Eller be injured, and he can chip in offense from either wing. He’s also become quite a mentor in Chicago.
Johnson’s offense dropped off over the last three seasons in Chicago, but he netted 17 goals with just 31 points this season. There are also the matters of age—he’s 33—and size—he’s 5-foot-8. However, AFP projects him to make $1.7 million next season, which could make him a solid buy-low candidate on a short deal.
The rest? No thanks. Blake Wheeler is probably getting on with his life’s work. Anthony Beauvillier never started. Viktor Olofsson had 15 points in 50 games with the Buffalo Sabres. Goalie Cam Talbot couldn’t cut it with the defensively stout LA Kings, and Martin Jones would be a lovely third goalie option, but no more.
Should the pens add a guy like Martin Necas, David Perron or OEL?
— Guentzel for MVP (Pens FAN) (@Guentz4MVP) June 4, 2024
Should they add Martin Necas? Yep. Can they? Nope. The trade cost will be stiff and the Penguins don’t have the available horses for that ride.
Dave Perron. It didn’t work the first time when the Penguins players were in their prime. Why would it work now? He’s 36, and that’s old, even by the Penguins’ standards.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is an interesting proposition. He skates well, has talent, and can play big minutes on the left side, but he’s not such a good defender and the Penguins have filled their quota on defensem*n who are shaky in the defensive zone.
Do you think the penguins will have any interest in Teuvo Teräväinen in free agency?
— Logan Krienke (@logankrienke) June 4, 2024
Interested? Sure, why not?
Teravainen scored 25 goals and 53 points this season, and if he can competently play Carolina’s grinding man-to-man defense, he could surely handle the Penguins’ system. However, he’ll cost about $5 million per year on a four-to-six-year deal. He fits, kind of, but the Penguins would need to clear space on their roster—namely Reilly Smith- to make it work within the lineup. I don’t see it as a strong possibility.
Penguins Coaches and Changes
Do you think David Quinn would be a good fit to the coaching staff
— steve robinson (@stevero44531796) June 4, 2024
It would fit, given his relationship with Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. However, there are some negative factors to consider. First, there was the short three-year tenure in New York, which included very little success, followed by a brief two-year stint in San Jose, in which there was apparently some level of discord with the players.
Given the negativity with which his San Jose job ended, he might not be the right coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and one could see why Dubas might shy away from the dynamics that would accompany bringing in a close Sullivan buddy to the NHL bench.
Then again, he got the most out of Mikael Granlund, eh? I don’t discount the possibility, but I would go in a different direction.
Who are the ideal candidates or even possibilities to fill the Wilkes Barre coaching positions and could Taylor Fedun be an option?
— Hasbulla Stan Account (@HasbullaUFC) June 4, 2024
Here are three names previously published on PHN.
Dallas Eakins. A decade ago, he was the hot commodity as the coach of the Toronto Marlies, leaving to accept the head spot with the Edmonton Oilers. He didn’t last long but lasted much longer as coach of the Anaheim Ducks, from 2019-2023. He’s coaching in Germany right now. Perhaps a return to the AHL is what he needs to jumpstart his career.
Jay Leach remains an assistant in Seattle. He was not terminated with head coach Dave Hakstol, but coach Dan Bylsma just took over, and he may want his own assistants. If Leach is unsure of his future, he was briefly the head coach of the WBS Penguins in 2015-16 following Sullivan’s promotion.
David Carle interviewed for the New Jersey Devils’ head coach position, though Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald admitted he knew Carle wasn’t yet ready for the job. The coach has built a college hockey powerhouse, winning two national championships in three years with Denver. He coached Penguins prospect Tristan Broz, so the Penguins should be familiar with him. If he wants to be an NHL bench boss, perhaps an AHL gig is the next stop.
I’ll toss another name you might know–Jon Goyens. He coached Raivis Ansons and Nathan Legare in the QMJHL after a career coaching Quebec Major AAA. By all accounts, he’s very good with young players and the Penguins have plenty of those on the way. He’s currently doing a lot of media work after an ill-fated stint with Cape Breton of the QMJHL in which he returned the team to the playoffs for the first time in several years. He’s currently serving as a color analyst for the Montreal Canadiens and Laval Rockets. Oh, and his father wrote the book on Mario Lemieux.
And Chris Lazary just won the Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. I really liked their style.
It’s too soon for Fedun to become a head coach. If that’s his next career choice, he’ll need some seasoning behind a bench as an assistant or a lower level.
And lastly…
Pit trades: Jarry, POJ
Edm trades: Campbell, broberg, 1st, 3rd
Fair deal?— BJ Johnston (@thebjjohnston) June 4, 2024
Fair? Jack Campbell has three more years left on a $5 million deal, and he was banished to the AHL. It will take those picks just to move him. Regardless of sour Penguins fans’ opinions, Tristan Jarry is an NHL goalie. What would the Penguins gain in that deal other than wasted salary cap space languishing in the AHL, a need to spend additional assets to acquire a starting goalie, a late first-rounder, and a newly acquired need for a top-four defenseman?
But I’d love for you to take over a team in my dynasty keeper league!
Dan who will be the Third line Center next season? Eller, Domi, Ponamrev, Roslovic etc? Your prediction?
— Quinn Vogt (@QuinnVogt49Gold) June 4, 2024
That’s an easy one. Lars Eller.
