Development of prospects the key to maintaining a Cup Contender in Pittsburgh
With just under $42 million committed to 15 players for next season and Pittsburgh talking extensions with defensemen Kris Letang and Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh won’t be a major player in free agency anytime soon. The key to building around the Penguins core in the long run will be the development of their prospects. After giving up multiple draft picks to land Marian Hossa and Hal Gill in the winter of 2008, Pittsburgh is now focused on building through the draft. With concerns that the salary cap will drop $6-$7 million for the 2010-2011 season, management will have to get very creative next summer. What Pittsburgh has going for them is the fact that they have three to four prospects at