Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Three Players
The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced three new contracts for pending free agents, agreeing to terms with Dominik Simon and Daniel Sprong, while re-signing Kevin Czuczman. Sprong and Simon have agreed on identical two-year deals that will carry a cap hit of $750K per season, while Czuczman has signed a one-year two-way deal worth $650K at the NHL level.
Getting Simon and Sprong under contract for such low salaries is a huge win for the Penguins, who plan on using both of them more frequently in 2018-19. At the end of the season, GM Jim Rutherford revealed that Sprong would be a “regular” on the team going forward, something that fans have been clamoring for for some time. Sprong jumped directly to the NHL in 2015-16 for 18 games, before returning to junior and then the minor leagues. He registered three points in eight games for the Penguins in 2017-18, but could be a potential candidate for a breakout in his first full season if given a regular spot next to one of Pittsburgh’s elite centers.
Simon got a taste of what it’s like to play with those elite centers, spending time with Sidney Crosby and scoring 12 points in 33 games with the Penguins this year. The 23-year old is a capable two-way player, and is valuable depth at this cap hit. The Penguins are always looking to squeeze cheap performance out of the bottom half of their roster, given that their star players take up so much of the cap. Simon and Sprong will be given the chance to do that, while still being cheap enough to come completely off the books if sent to the minor leagues.
Pittsburgh Made Rust, Sheary, Simon Available In Max Domi Negotiations
Josh Yohe of The Athletic has some of the best sources inside the Pittsburgh Penguins, and in a piece (subscription required) detailing the potential availability of Phil Kessel this summer—something Yohe confirms is possible, though takes the Arizona Coyotes out of the running for financial reasons—he reports some of the players made available in GM Jim Rutherford‘s recent pursuit of Max Domi. The Penguins were willing to talk about Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary and Dominik Simon, though what the exact offer for Domi was is unclear. The Coyotes would eventually trade Domi to the Montreal Canadiens instead for Alex Galchenyuk.
Rutherford is known as an executive willing to trade, and there has been no denying that he’d like to improve his club. As soon as Domi was rumored to be available many reports linked him to the Penguins, but it was never clear what kind of value the team would put on him. Now it’s clear, as all three of the mentioned players are important pieces to the Pittsburgh attack.
Rust may be the most interesting name, after a 38-point season that saw him become one of the most versatile and effective forwards on the roster. Contributing on the powerplay and penalty kill while putting up some of the team’s best possession numbers, Rust is a perfect fit for a club that wants to spread offense across three lines. He can play both wings and has bounced between several groups over the last two seasons. He also is 26 and a restricted free agent however, meaning he’s due for a raise and is closing in on UFA status. After earning an average of $640K in each of the last two seasons, he’ll cost the Penguins a lot more this time around. Any multi-year deal is buying out unrestricted free agent years, and should send his cap hit skyrocketing despite his pedestrian goal totals.
Sheary on the other hand is already signed for two more seasons at a $3MM cap hit, but could be replaceable for the team if they can find offense somewhere else. The 25-year old saw his ice time drop to under 14 minutes a night this season and without anything to offer on the penalty kill his role is limited to an offensive presence. That point production dropped significantly from the 2016-17 season, and while Sheary still scored 18 goals this year he recorded just 30 points.
Simon lands somewhere else on the value chart, as he’s both a restricted free agent this summer and hasn’t yet shown he can handle the NHL on a full-time basis. The 23-year old was good this year in his 33-game stint, scoring 12 points and recording solid possession numbers, but with just 38 NHL games under his belt since being drafted in 2015 it’s not clear yet what he can really become.
When presented with the choice of these players or Galchenyuk, it makes sense that Arizona would take Montreal’s offer. We don’t know though how the negotiations took place exactly, and instead can only take from this report that the Penguins would be willing to move each of the three for the right return. While that’s not very surprising given their GM’s propensity for trade, it gives us an idea of what to expect from Pittsburgh in the coming weeks.
Negotiation Notes: No. 2 Pick, Nelson, Simon
The Carolina Hurricanes and newly promoted GM Don Waddell are listening to offers on the second overall pick in the NHL Draft, but don’t expect them to make a move. Waddell spoke with the media at the NHL Draft Combine with week and said that if teams “want to present something to us, we’ll look at it” but, quickly added that “it’s going to be hard for us to move that pick.” After moving up nine spots in the draft lottery to #2, the Hurricanes are looking to make the most of their good luck. Although Carolina’s biggest need is a star center – something that isn’t available in this draft – they can still land a generational talent up front. Waddell stated that forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, and Brady Tkachuk are the most likely candidates, but there could also be a possibility that Jesperi Kotkaniemi could slide into the spot, as the Finnish center has reportedly been flying up draft boards. Waddell did say that he was impressed with several of the top defensemen in this class, but feels the Hurricanes are well-stocked on the blue line. That is an understatement for what is one of the deepest and most talented groups in the league with promising prospects still on the way. Forward is the big need and the ‘Canes seemed prime to make the pick, but Waddell will listen if another team is ready to blow him away with an offer or present him with an intriguing reason to move back in the first round.
- Entering a crucial off-season, New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson has decided to move on from his current representation, according to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple. Nelson has hired Ben Hankinson of Octagon Sports to handle his negotiations this summer as he enters restricted free agency. As Staple points out, Nelson’s last foray as an RFA did not go smoothly. Former agent Ron Salcer struggled in his dealings with the Islanders and talks grew contentious over the 2015 off-season. Nelson ended up finally re-signing with the Isles on the eve of training camp. Although Nelson has the benefit of arbitration rights this time around, he would still prefer a more civil negotiation with New York and new addition Lou Lamoriello in his new pursuit of an extension.
- Contrary to an erroneous report, the agent for young Pittsburgh Penguins forward Dominik Simon says that his client has no immediate interest in leaving North America. Agent Allan Walsh dismissed rumors that Simon could join Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL if the Penguins did not offer the part-time winger a one-way contract extension, reports Jonathan Bombulie of the Tribune-Review. Walsh states that Simon is focused only on playing in Pittsburgh in the future and that any talk with foreign teams would be originating from the teams themselves and not the player side. Simon is an RFA this summer and at 23 scored twelve points in 33 games as a rookie and impressed at the AHL level as well. It would be no surprise to see him land a one-way contract, but Walsh makes it sound as if that won’t make a difference in where he plays next season.
Injuries Piling Up For Pittsburgh Penguins
As the Pittsburgh Penguins march towards the playoffs and an attempt at a third straight Stanley Cup Championship, the injury list is beginning to crowd. The team announced today that Bryan Rust is dealing with a concussion, Dominik Simon is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, and that Zach Aston-Reese and Matt Murray are “making progress.”
Obviously there are other players on the Penguins whose absence would be more noticeable, but don’t underestimate the impact of losing several depth players at one time. Rust’s importance to the team is sometimes understated, but with 33 points this season and the ability to play in every situation, he’ll be missed over the last few weeks of the season.
Aston-Reese and Simon have taken turns on the top line at times this season, and will force the Penguins to insert Josh Jooris into the lineup should they not be able to make a quick recovery. Riley Sheahan might end up moving to wing to fill out the line with Phil Kessel and Derick Brassard.
Murray of course is a huge wildcard for the Penguins. The young goaltender has won a Stanley Cup in each of his first two postseasons, but has battled injury throughout his short career. This year he has just a .909 save percentage even when healthy, giving way to Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith to try and show that they could be relied upon in a postseason start. The idea of going through the playoffs with two goaltenders with such little experience is probably not what Jim Rutherford was hoping for, but it may be his only option if Murray isn’t able to come back and prove his health. Even if he does return before long, it will be interesting to see if he can ramp up his game once again for the chance to three-peat as Cup champions.
Minor Transactions: 03/02/18
As always, we’ll keep track of all the moves teams make between their NHL and minor league clubs right here. Check back throughout the day to see if your favorite team has made a transaction.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Dominik Simon from the AHL, bringing him back up after just a few days in the minor leagues. Simon was sent down on trade deadline day in order to be eligible for the AHL playoffs, but hadn’t played a game with the club as they were off all week. Instead, Simon will return to the NHL where he has 11 points in 28 games this season.
- Ty Rattie has been returned to the AHL by the Edmonton Oilers, after a call-up last week. Rattie is one of the Oilers four post-deadline recalls after he was “papered” on Monday to be eligible for the AHL playoffs. He can move up and down the rest of the year, unless his waiver clock is reset by spending enough time in the NHL. Rattie originally cleared back in September, and spent almost the entire season in the minor leagues.
Minor Transactions: 01/01/18
The 2018 portion of the season is underway, and with it teams can try to turn the page on whatever problems they faced last year. In places like Edmonton and Ottawa, perhaps the new year will bring success. As always, we’ll keep an eye on the minor transactions around the league and report them right here.
- Zac Dalpe has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets on emergency conditions. With Sonny Milano and Jordan Schroeder already up on emergency loans, the Blue Jackets find themselves facing injuries all throughout their lineup. If Dalpe’s recall is due to another long-term injury, Columbus will have to decide whether they need to look outside the organization for help up front. After three straight losses in which they allowed 15 goals, their lead on several Metropolitan teams is starting to disappear.
- Though he was just recently sent down, the Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Dominik Simon from the minor leagues. To make room, the club has re-assigned Casey DeSmith, Andrey Pedan and Garrett Wilson. That could mean good news on the injury front, but we’ll likely have to wait until tomorrow’s morning skate to confirm any returns.
- The Florida Panthers have recalled Maxim Mamin from the minor leagues, giving the 22-year old forward a promotion for his solid play in the AHL this year. Mamin has 15 points in 23 games as a rookie for Springfield, after coming over from the KHL this season.
- The New York Islanders have sent both Anthony Beauvillier and Steve Bernier to the minor leagues, while recalling Tanner Fritz from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Fritz has never played in an NHL game, but is having quite the season with 35 points in 29 AHL games.
- Peter Cehlarik has been sent to the AHL now that he’s healthy and ready to play again, as the Boston Bruins don’t want to mix things up. The team is on a long hot streak and seem to have found a good recipe up front. Cehlarik, who has played in just five games for the Bruins this season, will head back to the minor leagues where he’s been extremely effective since coming over from Sweden.
- The Colorado Avalanche have called up A.J. Greer from the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. With Sven Andrighetto day-to-day with a minor injury, Greer provides another option if he is unable to go. Greer, the Avs’ 2015 second-rounder, has just one point in six games with Colorado in 2017-18, but has ten in sixteen with San Antonio, on pace to set a new career-high in points in his second pro season. It may only be a matter of time before the power forward is a regular in Denver, with this promotion his newest opportunity to make his case.
Penguins Recall Daniel Sprong, Assign Dominik Simon To AHL
In a move that has been anticipated for a while now, the Penguins announced that they have recalled winger Daniel Sprong from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. To make room for him on the roster, Pittsburgh has sent center Dominik Simon back to the minors.
Sprong’s first full professional season has certainly been a success. In 29 games at the AHL level this season, he has 18 goals and 10 assists; his goal total slots him second league-wide. However, management had said earlier in the season that they wanted him to work on his all-around game before giving him a look with the big club and it appears they’re pleased with the progress he has made there.
This won’t be Sprong’s first stint with Pittsburgh. He made the team out of training camp back in 2015-16, just months after they drafted him in the second round (46th overall). He got into 18 games that season, scoring twice before being returned back to junior.
It will be interesting to see where Sprong slots into their forward unit. As a gifted offensive talent, it stands to reason that it would make sense to use him in an offensive role right away but many teams still start their recalls on the fourth line and ask them to work their way up.
[Related: Penguins Depth Chart]
As for Simon, he has played in six games with Pittsburgh this season, recording two assists while averaging 11:28 per night. He has been much more productive in the AHL though, tallying three goals and 13 helpers in 20 games.