Deadline-day deal? Not likely for Penguins
Rob Rossi, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
There are expectations for the Penguins, but the one fans figure on more than retaining the Stanley Cup is a roster move by general manager Ray Shero before the March 3 NHL trade deadline.
But don’t bet on a trade, even though the Penguins have never won the Stanley Cup, let alone played for it, without a significant late-season deal.
Shero, like the man he replaced, has enhanced his resume with a championship won in large part due to a series of early-tenure upgrades. Gary Roberts (acquired in 2007), Marian Hossa (2008) and Bill Guerin (2009) are to him what Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson (each acquired in 1991) and Rick Tocchet (1992) were to then-general manager Craig Patrick, whose shrewd trades steeled the Penguins for Cup wins in those years.
Patrick made many more near-deadline moves before his tenure ended in 2006, but none returned the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh.
To keep the Cup in the “City of Champions” this summer, Shero might not possess the luxury of adding a missing piece at or near the deadline. Ownership approved him to spend near the cap two years ago, and Shero has indeed spent this season — to the point where the Penguins are within $700,000 of the NHL’s $56.8 million upper-salary limit.
Financial realities may tie Shero’s hands when the league returns from the Olympic break, during which there is a mandatory freeze on roster moves. At the very least, the Penguins’ cap situation could force Shero into a tough position. He could consider trading a promising young player with a locked-in cap hit – defenseman Alex Goligoski, 24, counts $1.83 million this and the next two seasons — to free space for a prime-ticket addition next month.
League analysts and agents do not expect Shero to sacrifice the future for the present.
“The modern GMs — and Ray’s reputation as one of the best of that group is deserved — they understand how to work this cap system,” Versus broadcaster Brian Engblom said. “I’d be surprised to see Ray give up too much to add to this Penguins team.
“I’d be tempted to take my chances with the current group given what they’ve accomplished the past few years.”
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