Cap Analysis: Pens in the market to move a big salary by the off-season?

LATEST BUZZ ON PENS CAP SITUATION

The Pittsburgh Penguins struck a 6 year, $30 million deal with 24 year year winger James Neal this morning. Although the Penguins have known for a while that it was likely going to cost at least $5 million per season to get something done with Neal during the season, Neal officially signed makes it a reality for the team that a big salary is likely going to have to be moved, and possibly as early as this off-season.

With the signing of Neal, Pittsburgh has $59.59 committed to 11 forwards, 6 defensemen and 1 goaltender on 1-way contracts for the 2012-2013 season.

Why are the Penguins possibly in cap trouble? Because there is a strong push from small market owners to lower the salary cap to at least the $60 to $62 million range. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reported this week that a temporary cap of $68-69 million will likely be put in place this summer until a new CBA signed but many GM's are preparing for the cap to go down once a new CBA is agreed upon.

Assuming Sidney Crosby is fully healthy and if the cap lowers by just by a few million, Pittsburgh will be forced to move some bodies for next season.

Pittsburgh also has to start preparing for the 2013-2014 season as Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal are eligible to sign new extensions starting July 1. The asking price for Staal is widely expected to start at $5 million per season.

Meanwhile, Kris Letang who is the most underpaid defenseman in the NHL at $3.5 million per season, is eligible to sign a new extension on July 1, 2013. He figures to see his cap hit possibly double.

Here's a look at the top three candidates to be moved if the Penguins have to shed salary, in addition to a 2012-2013 roster breakdown:

Top-3 Candidates to be Moved