Faceoff Factor

A Look Ahead to the Penguins' Offseason

Justin Maffei | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 8, 02:31 AM | Hype this story!

I have only included those that I feel will have an affect on the NHL roster.

Penguins under contract for 2008-2009

Forwards
Evgeni Malkin
Sidney Crosby
Jordan Staal
Petr Sykora
Max Talbot
Jeff Taffe
Tyler Kennedy

Defensemen
Sergei Gonchar
Ryan Whitney
Darryl Sydor
Rob Scuderi
Kris Letang
Hal Gill

Goalies
Dany Sabourin

Pending UFAs

Forwards
Georges Laraque, RW
Laraque is the best fighter in the league and an MT favorite. With as many stars as the Pens have, Laraque’s presence is quite a benefit. He provides protection for them and can even provide some offense. Laraque will likely be re-signed. After all, should you not protect the best players in the NHL with the best enforcer?

Jarkko Ruutu, LW
Ruutu is a great character guy, but the Pens may be ready to move on.

Gary Roberts, LW
Roberts is a warrior. However, he seemed to have lost a step this season and that was prior to his injury. As much of a benefit in the dressing room as Roberts is, his on ice performance is declining. The man has had a great career and is doing things at 41 that most could only dream of. The Pens would be better off leaving him go.

Marian Hossa, RW
The Penguins will do everything they can to re-sign Hossa. He has not said that he will re-sign with the Penguins but he is at least open to the idea, reports The Fourth Period.

Pascal Dupuis, LW
Dupuis is a good fit for this Penguins team. He has speed and is an agressive forechecker. He also plays a great two-way game. The Pens would benefit from re-signing Dupuis.

Adam Hall, RW
Hall played well when he was healthy. Unfortunately for him, all of the injuries allowed other players to step in and prove themselves. This has made Hall expendable.

Kris Beech, C
Beech was really only brought into to fill in for all of the injured players. With everyone healthy, he will most likely move on.

Defensemen

Mark Eaton
The Pens are set at defense even without re-signing Eaton. He has also had trouble staying on the ice. Look for the Pens to let him walk.

Alain Nasreddine
Nasreddine is a 7th defensemen, at best. It is unlikely that he is re-signed with Lannon and Goligoski waiting in the wings. However, if it is between Eaton and Nasreddine, look for the Pens to re-sign Nasreddine.

Goalies
Ty Conklin
Conklin stepped in and played excellent for the Penguins when Fleury went down. This may be his best chance for a big pay day and he will probably try and cash in.

Pending RFAs

Forwards

Ryan Malone, LW
Malone has earned his payday this season. He has finally realized some of his high potential. This hometown boy is going no where.

Tim Brent, C
Brent has the potential to be a strong fourth line center, maybe even third line. Look for Brent to push for playing time if he is re-signed, which seems likely.

Ryan Stone, C
The Pens seem to like what they have in Stone. He will likely be re-signed. If either Laraque or Ruutu do not sign, look for Stone to make a strong push.

Jonathan Filewich, RW
Luckily for Filewich, he shoots right-handed. This is big, since the Pens are lacking in right-handed shooters with a scoring touch. Filewich will be re-signed, but things may go sour if he does not make the team out of camp.

Defensemen

Brooks Orpik
Orpik is on the fence. Though the Pens are in need of hard-hitting defensemen, Therrien seems to dislike Orpik. Sadly, Orpik will likely move on.

Goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury
Fleury will be re-signed as he is still viewed as the future of the team in goal

Pending Level VI UFAs¹

Forwards

Connor James, LW
James showed that he is able to compete at the NHL level. He will be re-signed, but do not be suprised if he is sent back to AHL at the beginning of the season. He is a good player to have waiting in the wings.

Defensemen

Ryan Lannon
Lannon could be a good seventh defensemen and will likely get a shot if Eaton and Nasreddine both go. However, he will not be a solid NHL contributor and at age 25 the Pens may decide that it is time to move on.
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Rotoworld
Penguins salary cap information
2008 Free Agents
¹ Group VI — The players marked (VI) qualify for unrestricted free agency, having met the requirements for Group VI free agency. These players, whose contracts have expired, are age 25 or older, have completed three or more professional seasons, and (i) in the case of a player other than a goaltender have played fewer than 80 NHL games (regular-season and playoff), or (ii) in the case of a goaltender have played fewer than 28 NHL games (regular-season and playoff).