Did Rutherford Rush to Plug the Penguins’ Holes?

Be forewarned. I’m breaking the promise I made in my previous article. Yes, I’m going to mention Dominik Kahun again. Bear with me.

Based on Kahun signing with Edmonton at a very reasonable rate and an article on Pittsburgh Hockey Now where an NHL scout pans recent free-agent addition Mark Jankowski, it begs a question.

Was Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford in too big of a hurry to flesh out his roster? Perhaps unnecessarily so?

Beginning with overpaying for Kasperi Kapanen (who I like) way back in August, I’d say the answer is resounding yes.

While other clubs are still making meaningful additions to their rosters, the Pens appear to have been set in terms of major moves since inking defenseman Cody Ceci to a one-year deal on October 17. Eight days after free agency began.

Indeed, the clang of the opening bell on free-agent season had scarcely faded when JR signed Jankowski and Evan Rodrigues, forwards of modest pedigree, to fill out the worrisome third line. Meanwhile, potential bottom-six impact players like Kahun, ex-Ranger Jesper Fast and former 29-goal man Erik Haula were still available. As of this article, Haula remains unsigned.

Perhaps it would have been prudent for JR to wait a bit before making his moves. Counter to his aggressive nature.

I fully realize he was working under serious cap constraints that restricted his options. And I’m certainly not trying to suggest Rutherford could’ve signed all three of the aforementioned players or even two of them.

But one?

Yeah, I think it was doable. Fast signed with Carolina on October 11 at a very reasonable cap hit of $2 million. Kahun with the Oilers on Monday at a bargain-basement rate of $975,000. Yes, that one still chafes me.

For the record, the Pens have $1.3 million of cap space left. Cushion for a rainy day in case something goes awry.

It goes without saying JR would need to do some creative financing. To my eye, the most obvious piece to jettison is Colton Sceviour, acquired from Florida in the Mike Matheson deal. Nothing against Sceviour, a gritty 31-year-old defensive forward who’s twice reached 11 goals in a season. But at a cap hit of $1.2 million, I think it’s money better spent elsewhere.

Shedding Sceviour’s salary or a portion of it, either via trade or by sending him to the minors, could help free up the requisite cap space to add a legit player for the third line.

Based on early reviews of Jankowski…tepid at best…we might need one. Calgary took quite a bit of heat for selecting him 21st overall in 2012…heat that may be warranted. When evaluating free-agent forwards that could help the black and gold, Pittsburgh Hockey Now listed Jankowski among the “No Thank You’s,” citing his precipitous decline in production and minus-12 rating on a good Flames team.

“He’s a soft center with a little bit of offense,” wrote Dan Kingerski.

A little bit is right (five goals, seven points in 56 games in ’19-20).

As Other Rick mentioned, heaven forbid if Jankowski has to slot up and fill in for Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin for any length of time. A very distinct possibility.

In the meantime, Haula’s still out there. He earned $2.75 million with Carolina and Florida last season while notching a dozen goals and 24 points in 48 games (54.1 percent on faceoffs). It’s estimated the 29-year-old Finn will fetch around $3 million.

I’d do whatever it takes to reel Haula in. It could mean the difference between icing a pretender or a contender.