Pens Points: NHL Award show day

Sidney Crosby, Pascal Dupuis and Jim Rutherford make up the Penguins contingent in Las Vegas tonight for the awkward annual cringe-fest known as the NHL Awards.

Rutherford says the Pens aren't "aggressively" trying to trade Marc-Andre Fleury , but also admitted that expansion might force them to make a decision. [Tribune Review]

Sad he even had to, but JR also laughed off another summer Evgeni Malkin trade rumor. [Post-Gazette]

Pretty beast quote by Dupuis,"the last time I put my jersey on was to lift the Stanley Cup and go out on top." [Penguins.com]

The 2016-17 salary cap is officially known, lower-limit is $54 million, upper limit is $73 million, up $1.6 million at the top courtesy of the NHLPA using their escalator. [NHL.com]

Penguins minor leaguer Anton Zlobin has signed in the KHL next season (link in Russian) [Sport-Express]

Tampa's Ryan Callahan is out 5 months following hip surgery, so there's an open spot now on Team USA for the World Cup. Here's hoping, if asked, Phil Kessel tells them to pound sand. [Tampa Bay.com]

Old friend Alex Goligoski is a wealthy man with a new contract and team, Alex Goligoski signs for 5 years and $27.5 million with the Arizona Coyotes. [Five for Howling]

A look at Chicago's roster and cap situation. [Second City Hockey]

Today in the endless Steven Stamkos saga:

• Sabres are expected to be "all in" with as much as a $12 million per year offer [Die by the Blade]
• Tampa could be in the middle of a big change if they lose him. [Raw Charge]
• Rangers could be in the mix too, but Stamkos won't fix all that ails them. (Where that cap space is coming from, I'm still not sure) [Blueshirt Banter]

Loved Yohe's take on best road-trip cities. Haven't made it to Montreal yet, but a strong endorsement for the rest of his top-5 (Nashville, Denver, Dallas, Raleigh).  [DK $]