In a piggyback from Frank's piece yesterday about internal players that need to step it up, let's take a look at players around the league that might be changing teams in the next couple weeks.
Everyone knows the Penguins need to add a skill winger (or three). But who is potentially out there that could be added to the lineup?
This list is compiled from what I feel is the best fits down to the reaches. Of course the Penguins won't get all of these guys--heck they probably won't acquire any of them-- but it is a nice list to start with..
Contract status: Cap hit of $5.25 million, signed through 2010-11
--Given the Penguins salary structure, if they somehow got to acquire St. Louis it would likely mean that one of Ryan Whitney ($4m), Jordan Staal ($4m) or Sergei Gonchar ($5m) are either involved in the deal or definitely going to be gone before next season, with Whitney being the overwhelming favorite there. From
Contract status: Cap hit of $3.9 million, signed through 2009-10
--Hejduk showed off some awesome hands during the NHL skills competition, he’s definitely still got it. Colorado’s virtually out of the playoff picture this year and while they’d probably like to reload and come back strong next season maybe they’d waiver for the right package.
Could you even imagine if Shero could add a former 40 goal scorer in Hejduk to the Pens for this season and next at the reasonable rate of $3.9 million? That would be a game changer.
Marek Svatos
Contract Status: Cap hit of $2.05 million, signed through 2009-10
Keith Tkachuk
Contract Status: Cap hit of $4 million, unrestricted after this season
--For a team looking to add some veteran leadership, they could do a lot worse than Tkachuk. And with his 34 points this season on a weak team it means Tkachuk wouldn’t just be the second coming of John LeClair for the Penguins, it seems like the 36 yeard old has a little gas left in tank. Tkachuk has also been solid on faceoffs this season, winning 52.9%, which is much better than any regular, healthy centers the Pens have.
Tkachuk would likely be a "rental" for the Penguins and as
Antoine Vermette
Contract status: Cap hit of $2.76 million, signed through 2009-10 season
--Vermette, I feel, has always been a guy with a lot of potential but has never cracked through. And he is still relatively young, so perhaps
Steve Sullivan
Contract status: Cap hit of $3.2 million this season,
--Coming from
But Sullivan is a guy who scored 60+ points in four season in the pre-lockout hook-n-hold era. He's got some skill if he can actually stay on the ice. Plus since he is something of damaged goods and an impending free agent, perhaps it wouldn't cost that much for Shero to get him from his friends in Nashville, that are four points out of the playoffs and fading.
Maxim Afinogenov
Contract status: Cap hit of $3.5 million, unrestricted free agent this summer
--Afinogenov has taken up permanent status in Lindy Ruff’s doghouse and it seems like irreparable damage has been done between player and team. But at issue is Afinogenov’s groin, he could be finished for the season.
Afinogenov’s pure skill would be amazing to watch him dangle out there with either of the Penguins’ top centers. And although there have been questions on his work ethic and reliability, I think bringing Afinogenov into a place where his two Russian comrades Gonchar and Malkin are team leaders and some of the hardest workers would straighten him out.
Also, even if Afinogenov could be healthy enough to return, it’s unlikely that Buffalo would want to trade him to a team in the conference that is chasing them for a playoff spot…That’d be kinda like selling matches to an arsonist.
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So there you have it, a list of guys who could be available if the Penguins are willing to meet the price. I'm pretty much assuming that Shero is going to have to deal Alex Goligoski and probably throw in a prospect or pick into the mix. I'd love to see Goose stay with the Pens but you have to give something to get something and the Penguins need to leverage the amount of puck moving defensemen they have to bring in wingers that can finish--something they don't have enough of.
Did I leave any names out that could potentially be in the black and vegas gold come March?