DETROIT — ‘Tis the season for big names in free agency to be associated with the Penguins, and the clock on the NHL’s open market as a whole strikes at noon Wednesday. Here’s what I’ve learned in the past few hours, but please keep checking throughout the night, as this will be updated:
• The Penguins are interested in Alexander Semin, but only on their terms. It is well known that Jim Rutherford has been previously seduced by Semin’s talent, having signed him to a five-year, $35 million extension in Carolina in 2013. He certainly wasn’t worth that, producing only 41 goals in three seasons and just six in 2014-15, which is why Ron Francis today announced the Hurricanes will buy out Semin’s remaining three years at a still-heavy cost of $14 million. The Penguins, like everyone else, have the opportunity to sign him at a greatly reduced rate. And they are considering it, but only on a short-term basis. If Semin is willing to play cheap — the Penguins would prefer a one-year deal, giving him a chance to prove himself without giving him a chance to destroy another team’s cap situation — it could happen. One member of the Penguins’ organization told me interest in Semin is “so-so.” In other words, if he’ll play cheap, he’s a maybe. The Penguins would likely play Semin on a line with Evgeni Malkin.
• The Penguins haven’t given up on the possibility of re-signing Blake Comeau. It appears Comeau will enter unrestricted free agency and see what is available. The Penguins have made it clear to him that they remain interested in his services. They like that he can be an effective bottom-six scorer, and they also like that he clicked with Malkin last season. He isn’t the guy they want playing regularly with Malkin, but he can do so, which is noteworthy.
• Don’t expect the Penguins to pursue Martin St. Louis, a future Hall of Famer and one of the biggest names on the market. Two items have the Penguins hesitant to make an offer: He scored only one goal in 19 postseason games this spring, and at 39, obviously, isn’t the player he once was. Many in the Penguins’ organization thought St. Louis looked noticeably slower this spring, which is likely going to stop them from making an offer, even though they’d like as much skill at wing as possible. The other problem? St. Louis’ attitude. Some in the organization have heard through the grapevine that St. Louis became a problem in the Rangers’ locker room during the playoffs, as he apparently wasn’t pleased with the lack of playing time he received. You’ll also recall that St. Louis’ departure out of Tampa Bay didn’t exactly come across as flattering. Put it all together, and it appears quite likely the Penguins will pass.
• The Penguins remain casually interested in free agent Jiri Tlusty, who Rutherford knows well from their days together in Raleigh. Tlusty isn’t their primary target by any stretch, but if they are unable to sign a guy like Michael Frolik, Tlusty remains an option.
• Matt Beleskey remains way out of the Penguins’ price range, as he continues to demand something in the ballpark of $6 million per season.
• Viktor Tikhonov, along with Sergei Plotnikov, one of the two KHL wingers the Penguins are pursuing, told the Russian site Sports.Ru that he will narrow his field of NHL teams to five by Wednesday night. It’s expected the Penguins will be among them.
• Rutherford continues to engage in trade talks with a number of teams. It remains possible that he will strike a deal — even a significant one — before the free agency period begins tomorrow. His ability to make a trade will play a significant role toward what the Penguins do in free agency.
Alexander Semin scored six goals while the Hurricanes paid him $7 million last season. -- GETTY
June 30, 2015
On Penguins and Semin, Comeau and more
by Josh Yohe • Coverage • Penguins
DETROIT — ‘Tis the season for big names in free agency to be associated with the Penguins, and the clock on the NHL’s open market as a whole strikes at noon Wednesday. Here’s what I’ve learned in the past few hours, but please keep checking throughout the night, as this will be updated:
• The Penguins are interested in Alexander Semin, but only on their terms. It is well known that Jim Rutherford has been previously seduced by Semin’s talent, having signed him to a five-year, $35 million extension in Carolina in 2013. He certainly wasn’t worth that, producing only 41 goals in three seasons and just six in 2014-15, which is why Ron Francis today announced the Hurricanes will buy out Semin’s remaining three years at a still-heavy cost of $14 million. The Penguins, like everyone else, have the opportunity to sign him at a greatly reduced rate. And they are considering it, but only on a short-term basis. If Semin is willing to play cheap — the Penguins would prefer a one-year deal, giving him a chance to prove himself without giving him a chance to destroy another team’s cap situation — it could happen. One member of the Penguins’ organization told me interest in Semin is “so-so.” In other words, if he’ll play cheap, he’s a maybe. The Penguins would likely play Semin on a line with Evgeni Malkin.
• The Penguins haven’t given up on the possibility of re-signing Blake Comeau. It appears Comeau will enter unrestricted free agency and see what is available. The Penguins have made it clear to him that they remain interested in his services. They like that he can be an effective bottom-six scorer, and they also like that he clicked with Malkin last season. He isn’t the guy they want playing regularly with Malkin, but he can do so, which is noteworthy.
• Don’t expect the Penguins to pursue Martin St. Louis, a future Hall of Famer and one of the biggest names on the market. Two items have the Penguins hesitant to make an offer: He scored only one goal in 19 postseason games this spring, and at 39, obviously, isn’t the player he once was. Many in the Penguins’ organization thought St. Louis looked noticeably slower this spring, which is likely going to stop them from making an offer, even though they’d like as much skill at wing as possible. The other problem? St. Louis’ attitude. Some in the organization have heard through the grapevine that St. Louis became a problem in the Rangers’ locker room during the playoffs, as he apparently wasn’t pleased with the lack of playing time he received. You’ll also recall that St. Louis’ departure out of Tampa Bay didn’t exactly come across as flattering. Put it all together, and it appears quite likely the Penguins will pass.
• The Penguins remain casually interested in free agent Jiri Tlusty, who Rutherford knows well from their days together in Raleigh. Tlusty isn’t their primary target by any stretch, but if they are unable to sign a guy like Michael Frolik, Tlusty remains an option.
• Matt Beleskey remains way out of the Penguins’ price range, as he continues to demand something in the ballpark of $6 million per season.
• Viktor Tikhonov, along with Sergei Plotnikov, one of the two KHL wingers the Penguins are pursuing, told the Russian site Sports.Ru that he will narrow his field of NHL teams to five by Wednesday night. It’s expected the Penguins will be among them.
• Rutherford continues to engage in trade talks with a number of teams. It remains possible that he will strike a deal — even a significant one — before the free agency period begins tomorrow. His ability to make a trade will play a significant role toward what the Penguins do in free agency.