A look at Penguins top trade candidates with holes still need to be filled, cap tight

PENGUINS FREE AGENCY BUZZ

Word is the Penguins have told Thomas Greiss that he will come in and compete for time. A source says Greiss didn’t sign here just to come in and play 20-25 games. Penguins pro scouts see starter potential in Greiss.

With the signings of Christian Ehrhoff (1 year, $4 million), Blake Comeau (1 year, $700,000), and Thomas Greiss (1 year, $1 million), the Penguins have just around $8.9 million in cap space with 17 players signed.

The team still has to sign RFA’s Brandon Sutter, Nick Spaling and Simon Despres, along with filling other holes. The three RFA’s will cost the Penguins over $6 million against the cap as Sutter and Spaling each seek raises over their qualifying offers respectively of $2.7 million and $1.5 million.

The Penguins have several trade candidates. Among them:

Paul Martin – Penguins officials believe he is not very happy and might want a change of scenery and has his eye on free agency next summer. Interest is significant with the Detroit Red Wings at the top of the list. He has one year left on his deal with a $5 million cap hit.

Rob Scuderi – Three years left on his deal with a $3.375 million cap hit. A declining player who is a bad fit for the Penguins system and struggled to establish a leadership role. Problem is Scuderi can block a trade to 15 teams.

Marc Andre Fleury – Jim Rutherford could get bold and completely change the dynamic in goal and move Fleury who is entering the final year of his deal. Would be extremely risky but some higher up’s in the organization want to see a change in goal.

Jeff Zatkoff – Likely odd-man out but does little to cap situation as he makes just $600,000.

PENGUINS UPDATED DEPTH CHART

FORWARDS

Chris Kunitz ($3.85 million ) – Sidney Crosby ($8.7 million) – Pascal Dupuis (3.75 million)

Beau Bennett ($900,000) – Evgeni Malkin ($9.5 million) – Patric Hornqvist ($4.25 million)

Blake Comeau ($700,000) – Brandon Sutter (RFA) – Nick Spaling (RFA)

– Jason Megna (RFA) – Craig Adams ($700,000)

Holes: Pittsburgh covets at least one more 4th liner. Ben Holmstrom among the targets. Adding a top six forward would lead to Blake Comeau being more properly placed on fourth line.

DEFENSEMEN

Christian Ehrhoff ($4 million) – Paul Martin ($5 million)

Olli Maatta ($894,167) – Kris Letang ($7.25 million)

Rob Scuderi ($3.375 million) – Robert Bortuzzo ($625,000)