Penguins/NHL
Decrease in Salary Cap will lead to difficult negotiations with NHLPA on new CBA
The salary cap for the 2009-2010 season will be in the range of $55-$57 million but league projections currently have the salary cap decreasing to $49.7 million for the 2010-2011 season.
These projections could obviously change, which they hopefully do but the Penguins will be in a tough position.
With concerns over the salary cap, it should not come as any surprise that the Penguins have been in strong pursuit of college prospects Matt Gilroy and Tyler Bozak.
This may give some insight into how Penguins General Manager Shero is looking to fill some holes for next season
The Penguins currently have about $46.5 million committed to
14 players for the 2009-2010 season. This does not count the status of Alex Goligoski who will be a RFA.
The Penguins will be looking to fill 3rd/4th line holes with young players making the minimum salary.
Pascal Dupuis will be actively shopped in the hopes of moving his $1.4 million salary. Giving a player who is now playing a 4th line role a three year deal, will backfire on the Penguins.
With Evgeni Malkin’s salary going up to $8.7 MM for next season, the Penguins will have about $10 million to spend.
They will still try to find some wiggle room for another long-term winger in the $3-$4 million range.
Petr Sykora can keep dreaming that he will get a three year deal from the Penguins. It’s just not going happen.
The Penguins will look to resign Bill Guerin. Prepared to offer him a one year deal worth $3.2 million per season.
For a player like Rob Scuderi, he’s going to get a much bigger deal from elsewhere. The Penguins would like to sign him but can they?
Sources tell me the Rangers are prepared to offer Scuderi a deal in the $2 million range. The Islanders are also expected to be interested, among others.
For the Penguins and the entire National Hockey League, let’s hope the league’s revenue will be higher for the 2009-2010 than what is currently being projected.
