Penguins Free-Agent Update: Where’s the Beef?

The Penguins made another free-agent signing Wednesday night, although it wasn’t the one expected. Rumors were swirling around Johan Larsson, a non-descript defensive forward who most recently skated for Washington.

Instead GM Ron Hextall forked over the Benjamins to another journeyman, 28-year-old winger Drake Caggiula, on a one-year, two-way deal worth $750,000.

I must admit, I don’t hate this signing. Although small in stature (5’10” 176), the former University of North Dakota star is a heart-and-soul type who plays with a bit of an edge. He’ll also drop the gloves if the situation calls for it.

Caggiula’s scored as many as 13 goals in a season (2017-18 for the Oilers) and notched nine in only 40 games for Chicago in ’19-20, roughly an 18-goal pace for a full season. However, his production’s tailed off over the past couple of seasons and concussions have been an issue.

Not ideal for a player whose calling card is sand and grit. But at this stage, I’ll take any dollop of aggression we can get.

Where’s the Beef?

Ever since Hextall and Brian Burke arrived we’ve been hearing rumblings about “long pants hockey” and being better equipped to play a physical game. They sorta kinda took us in that direction with the acquisition of Jeff Carter and last summer’s PTO signing of big Brian Boyle.

More recently, someone with ties to the team suggested RFA Danton Heinen didn’t receive a qualifying offer in part because our brain-trust wanted to be harder to play against.

At this stage, it appears to be lip service.

With Boyle, Nathan Beaulieu and Anthony Angello apparently out the door, there’s no one in the organization remotely capable of riding shot gun and providing any type of protection.

Perhaps it was a (lead) pipe dream, but I’d hoped we might sign feisty hit man Brendan Lemieux, who reupped with the Kings for $1.35 million. Among the other prominent heavies in play, ex-Pen Erik Gudbranson signed a four-year deal with Columbus for a whopping $4 million per season. (Sorry Guddy, but that’s way more than you’re worth.)

Across the Commonwealth, the Flyers signed slugger nonpareil Nicolas Deslauriers, once rumored to be ‘Burgh bound, for four years at an AAV of $1.75 million. Seems Philly’s planning a return to their Broad Street Bullies roots under new coach John Tortorella.

Speaking of bullies, there’s at least one on every block in the Metro. The Caps have Tom Wilson and Garnet Hathaway, the Rangers old friend Ryan Reaves and “Mr. Elbows” Jacob Trouba. The Blue Jackets boast Gudbranson and Boone Jenner, the Islanders hulking Ross Johnston and Matt Martin. The Devils re-signed Mason Geertsen. And Philly features Deslauriers and Rasmus Ristolainen.

Who’re we gonna call when the goin’ gets tough? Uh…Josh Archibald.

Making Sense of it All

I’m still trying to wrap my brain around Hextall’s latest flurry of moves. Frankly, the Jan Rutta signing stumped me. I’m not saying I don’t like it…he’s reputed to be a pretty solid d-man. But it forces GMRH’s hand to deal at least one of our well-paid defensemen.

It takes two to tango. Finding a willing partner with cap space to burn could prove problematic.

The Dustin Tokarski signing? A no-brainer. We needed a veteran No. 3 goalie for organizational depth, and Dustin fits the bill. Ditto Xavier Ouellet, this summer’s Taylor Fedun.

I like the type of players Archibald and Caggiula are. Just wish one of them came wrapped in a 6’3” 215-pound frame with the last name Kassian.

One thing I do know? This year’s batch of Filene’s Basement signings don’t match last year’s cache of Brock McGinn, Evan Rodrigues and Heinen. Not by a long shot.

I’m not faulting Hextall. He had very little cap space to work with. But some of those kids at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton better be ready…