Penguins need help
Phil Kessel in a pre-game skate for the Leafs.
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
With the NHL Draft taking place this weekend the Penguins are shopping for help. The Penguins fell flat during the postseason due to discipline issues and inexperienced talent. The Penguins need a top six winger who is a sniper, young, and able to compliment their speed. With cap space being a key issue it will be difficult to find someone who fits that description and keep the team together.
Phil Kessel meets the requirements. But how could they acquire such a valued commodity? The Toronto Maple Leafs hired former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock and the Leafs are looking to rebuild. One of their plans is to possibly trade Kessel. The leafs are looking for draft picks and prospects. The Leafs have a problem though, Kessel's huge contract. The 27 year old winger has seven years left on his contract worth $8 million per season. The only way the Leafs could deal Kessel would be if they take on the financial responsibility of his contract. The Penguins General Manager, Jim Rutherford, has inquired about acquiring Kessel. according to Dejan Kovecevic.
When Jim Rutherford was the GM for the Hurricanes he was fleeced by then Penguins GM, Ray Shero, in a one sided trade. Jussi Jokinen was traded for a conditional draft pick because he suffered a broken jaw earlier in the season. Rutherford also gave up Brand Sutter and Derrick Pouliot for Jordan Staal. The Canes have floundered since those disappointing trades and Rutherford was relieved of his duties. It did not make sense why the Penguins decided to hire someone who seemed to be taken advantage of in 2012 and failed at his job. The Penguins did benefit from the additions and have capitalized on Sutter's production. Even though the Penguins are happy with Sutter's production; however he may be a piece of the trade negotiation if they decide to pursue Kessel. The Penguins have $13.5 million in cap space and if they take on Kessel's contract themselves that will reduce the space to $5.5 million. The Penguins are still required to pay three restricted free agents, Bennett, Cole and Dumoulin which total at least $4 million which would leave sparse cap space and no room to add prospects.
The Penguins did not attack the net very well towards the end of the season and inexperience began to rear its head in the playoffs. The young defensive core was taken advantage of and was not very physical. The one physical component of the Penguins defensive core in Robert Bortuzzo was traded to the Blues. Then Simon Despres was traded to the Ducks, who made it all the way to the Western Conference finals. They may not have been very offensively productive but they were stalwarts in the Penguins defensive zone. Goals are needed to win games but if you do not have a defense to stop the opposition then you do not have a chance to win games. When goalies face over 40 shots a game that pressure will eventually play a factor and a few careless rebounds will easily become goals, even if you have Marc-Andre Fluery in net.
Rutherford wants to make a push to improve the wingers and their speed, The Penguins offense need extra tenacity on the front lines because the cute plays around the perimeter were not working. The Penguins showed they were capable of scoring by winning races to loose pucks and getting the ugly goals. Then they would come out in the next game and completely forget what worked before, chip chase and check hockey. They were able to use their speed to knock defenses on their heels and forced them to make mistakes. Phil Kessel's tenacity and his 520 points total would be a welcomed addition to the Penguins offensive unit if the cost is not too high.
