Penguins Free Agency Dilema

June 25, 2008   HTR Feature Article   113 views

This Coming Free Agency for the Penguins will decide the future of the franchise. Are they going to be a success for a few seasons or are they going to go full steam ahead with becoming a powerhouse in the NHL for the next several years. Here are the top ten prospects that the Penguins need to consider and not allow other teams in the east or west acquire.

This Coming Free Agency for the Penguins will decide the future of the franchise. Are they going to be a success for a few seasons or are they going to go full steam ahead with becoming a powerhouse in the NHL. Here are the top ten prospects that the Penguins need to consider and not allow other teams in the east or west acquire.

  1. Markus Naslund- I believe this may be the man we get to play with Crosby if Hossa does not sign. A couple downfalls though is his age he is 34 but still averaging about 50 points a year which would put his price maybe right around what we want to pay Hossa. He has also stated he would like to come back to Pittsburgh probably to finish off his career in the next 3 or 4 years???? I give this a 90% chance.

  1. Marian Hossa- Without a doubt I want the Pens to keep Hossa, but he can easily ask for $8.5-$9.5 million a year with the way he plays in the regular season, and if teams are smart they wont give him the most because he only has performed well once in the playoffs and that was playing on a line with? CROSBY! I think he may sign here in Pittsburgh I give it a 85% chance.

  1. Sergei Fedorov- (LOL) I think it is funny I am putting this here but it is a very possible situation. Fedorov has played with greats such as Yzerman and Ovechkin. Why not finish a career with Crosby? His asking price is probably the least out of the top three but has the capability to perform as well if not better than the other two. I give this a 50% chance of happening.

  1. Mark Streit- He is a superb Offensive Defenseman in his three years notching a little over 100 points. He has good defensive skills and may not hit as much as Orpik but if the Pens are unable to keep Orpik he maybe a good substitute. I say a 20% chance of this happening

  1. Wade Redden- A great defensive defenseman only one year where he has had a minus in the NHL not a big hitter but definitely makes up for that in his defense abilities. I doubt that Ottawa will let him go but his asking price I would say will be around $7 to $8 mill a year so who knows but would add much more defensive depth that the Pens need if they expect to defeat a team like Detroit in the Finals. I give this a 15% chance of happening.

  1. Brooks Orpik- I say he was underrated all season even when Therrien decided to throw him up as a forward I didn’t hthis it was necessary. And in the playoffs he was superb demolishing anyone who stood in his way. He has stated he would take a so called hometown discount to stay in Pittsburgh probably around $4mill a year for 3 or 4 years he will take. I give this a 95% chance of happening.

  1. Cory Stillman- Average I’d say 45 points a season asking price $6 mill a good 4 or 5 seasons left in him, another possible teammate of Crosby’s line, but again he isn’t as good as the top three but when he is on he can be a real asset. I give this a 40% chance of happening

  1. Michael Ryder- He is 28 averages about 50 points a season yet not so much luck in the Playoffs. Plays right wing and is a very good finisher when it comes to powerplays. With the way Montreal has been stacking up their team it’s a possibility they maybe looking to clear up some cap space and letting him move on. I say asking proce of $6.5 to $7.5 million for 5 years. I give this a possibility of 35%.

  1. Martin Straka- Yes number 82 without a doubt he had his best season in 00-01 with the Penguins and unfortunately has not had a chance to relive such glory since. His speed has decreased with age and injury but still one of the quickest out there. He has maybe 1 to 2 years of quality playing left and maybe a asset on Crosby or Malkins wing. I give this a 50% chance of happening.

  1. Brian Rolston- Averaging 50 points per year he is a toned down version of Sidney Crosby. May not be as flashy but can finish plays when they are to be finished and can set up plays as they are needed. Probably would be a great pick up by the pens probably around a $7 million a year for about 4 or 5 years. I give this a 40% chance of happening

Notable players from the Pens Organization.

Adam Hall- definitely showed talent through out most of the season and playoffs

Pascal Dupuis- Showed he can skate with Crosby but cant exactly perform with him. Maybe a good line mate of Jordan Staal or even Malkin

Connor James- Even though he only played a few games this past season, there is definitely a part that tells me we need to keep him for depth. He is a lot like a Max Talbot player and we need to have depth in that area of our team.

Ty Conklin- What is there not to be said of Ty? He brought this team together when they believed they were down. A star goaltender and unfortunately has a chance at a starting position on another team but a high quality back up to Marc-Andre Fleury.