Penguins Update: What Now?

Now that the dust is settling on one of the most entertaining and rewarding, yet ultimately disappointing seasons in recent memory, all eyes are on Penguins POHO/GM Kyle Dubas. More specifically, how he plans to navigate the upcoming offseason. One rife with roster-altering decisions.

Including the likes of Sebastian Aho who toiled exclusively in the minors, no fewer than 14 players currently under contract are slated to become UFAs. Six more are pending RFAs.

Prominent among the UFAs, franchise icon Evgeni Malkin, top goal-getter Anthony Mantha, key fourth-liners Noel Acciari and Connor Dewar, port-side defenseman Ryan Shea and goalie Stuart Skinner.

RFAs include sniper Egor Chinakhov, goalie Arturs Šilovs, forward Ville Koivunen and goalie Joel Blomqvist.

So who do we keep?

That’s the million-dollar question. Or should I say, $45 million, which is roughly the amount of cap space Dubas is projected to have at his disposal.

The UFAs

IMHO, Malkin has done more than enough to merit another season. Geno tallied 61 points in 56 games while tying fellow Two-Headed Monster mate Sidney Crosby with a club-leading 1.09 points per game. In addition to seamlessly shifting from center to wing, he displayed great chemistry with Chinakhov.

Perhaps just as important, he doesn’t appear to be blocking any of the kids. Potential top-sixers like Will Horcoff and Bill Zonnon would figure to be at least a year or two away. At least for now, Rutger McGroarty has the feel of a third-liner.

I’ll admit, there’s more than a little nostalgia involved. Let the big guy have one more go-‘round wearing the black and gold and retire as a Penguin.

Whether or not Dubas feels the same way remains to be seen. I’m getting Jake Guentzel vibes.

I’d love to see Dewar return as well. A card-carrying member of our incredibly effective fourth-line, “Dewey” tallied a career-best 14 goals and 30 points and dished out 144 hits. The soon-to-be 27-year-old’s fast, scrappy and an excellent penalty-killer to boot.

Nor would I be averse to re-upping Acciari. The rock-ribbed, 34-year-old chunk of scrap iron racked up 13 goals and 25 points and was one of our most effective players against the Flyers. However, I’m guessing “Cookie” will be allowed to walk due to his age, paving the way for Avery Hayes to be promoted. The peppery 23-year-old scored a combined 29 goals this season, 24 for the Baby Pens and five more (in 16 games) with the Pens.

He’s ready.

I’d sure like to re-sign Shea as well. At age 28, the heretofore nondescript defender emerged as the team’s second-leading producer on the blue line (35 points), behind only Erik Karlsson, while registering a club-best plus-30 to boot. The fact that Ryan’s reasonably effective on his off side only adds to his value.

Now for the intriguing options. Mantha enjoyed a truly wonderful season, registering career bests across the board in goals (33), assists (31) and points (64) as well as games played (81). He performed so well, Dubas chose to hang onto “Moe” at the trade deadline rather than peddle him for a pick and/or prospects as expected. Prior to the start of the playoffs, the consensus seemed to be that we needed to make the big guy an offer.

Then came the playoffs and a largely flat-line performance that sent Mantha’s value plummeting as precipitously as the stock market crash of ’29.

Going on 32 years of age and coming off a season he’s unlikely to duplicate, I doubt if we bring him back.

Skinner appears to be in the same boat. Prior to the playoffs, there was talk in some circles that the veteran netminder, great guy and teammate that he is, would make the perfect partner next season and beyond for phenom Sergei Murashov.

That still may hold true. However, Šilovs’ stunning postseason performance against the Flyers (1.52 GAA, .939 SV%) may have may thrown a wrench into the proceedings. Which leads me to…

The RFAs

Do the Pens let Skinner go and re-sign Šilovs with the intent of alternating him in goal with Murashov? Man, that’s a tough one. While Skinner figures to be a mentor and stabilizing influence for the young Russian, Šilovs is—as so aptly described by Adam Gretz on Pensburgh—chaotic. The talent and athleticism is undeniable. But like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna’ get with the 25-year-old Latvian.

I’m also less-than-sure about what Dubas does with Koivunen and Blomqvist. The latter, who’s posted consistently strong numbers in the AHL, I think he signs. Or perhaps executes a sign-and-trade, since Joel’s path appears to be blocked by the present logjam of goalies.

Koivunen? Although obviously skilled (41 points in 34 games with the Baby Pens), based on what I observed this season I don’t think he has the physical tools (size, speed) to emerge as a bona fide top-sixer in the NHL. Nor is he cut out for a bottom-six role.

While it’s hard to imagine Dubas giving up on Ville at this stage, he has a quad-A feel about him. Too good for the minors, not good enough for the bigs.

In the no-brainer category? Re-signing Chinakhov, the sniper with the wicked shot and release, to say nothing of great wheels, who sizzled at close to a point-per-game clip (18 goals and 36 points in 43 games) following his fortuitous arrival from the CBJ.

In the Wind

As far as other moves Dubas may have up his sleeve? With all that projected cap space, there are rumblings (unsubstantiated at the present) he may attempt to swing a blockbuster involving a top-of-line star. Rumored to be on his radar? Stars scoring ace Jason Robertson and (gasp) Oilers supernovas Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Perhaps even old acquaintance and Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.

Add it all up? The summer may hold more thrills and chills than our wildly entertaining regular season.