Team: 2017-18 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 20, 2017

Published: Jul. 20, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I seem to have settled on these players. Please add to the conversation rather then shitting on it.

Add 3 C/W, 2 more physical defensemen, 1 wild card forward ... 5 capable PKers and 5 (if not all 6) can play PP. 5 out of 6 are RFA at contracts end. Each person fills the void of someone currently (creating no visible holes) or those left by future UFAs.

Lowry (@24) adds hits, net front on PP, which makes it easier to part with Hornqvist at seasons end. His skill set seems perfect for the 3 or 4C, with offensive upside and great size.

Haula (@26) adds face offs, PK, PP, skill and speed ... if he is not needed at C then he moves to W and his skills make Hagelin a little more expendable. Starts at 3C, but moves to wing if Rowney proves he can handle the job (if he hasn't proved it already).

Sceviour (@28) adds speed, grit, and PK. He's played C/W, though limited faceoffs make him seem like more of a W. 3 short handed goals last year (Pens had 5 total). Might be able to play PP in a pinch. Good for 25 pts, but has put up solid # is limited playoff games. UFA at seasons end.

Dano (@22) is the wild card. He's struggled to find a home most likely due to trades (3 different teams in 4 years), but has a very nice skill set that might fill in nicely for Sheary or add depth scoring somewhere along the way. Has solid hit stats as well.

Petrovic (@25) adds a right hander, size and physicality, as well as some offensive upside, which eases the potential loss of Cole at seasons end, but his salary should also allow for more money going to resign Cole.

Merrill (@25) is a 2-way puck moving Dman, who also offers some physicality. I can see him turning out to be another Schultz or Dumoulin in PIT. He's got solid size and experience on the PP and PK in NHL and he's a lefty which might make him idea pairing with Schultz on the 2nd PP. Salary should also allow for more money to resign players in off season. I think he replaces Maatta nicely.

I have 8 NHL quality Dman because I don't chase names with salaries. So my team is deep at all positions, including Hunwick who will play 60 games just filling in for injuries and also for anyone underachieving.

Reaves ... not a fan. I get he can skate pretty well and hit in addition to fight. That only leaves 85% of the game left to learn. I'd rather play a guy like Sceviour who will lose every fight he's in because he contributes far more to the team. Sceviour and Lowry can check their stars (Sceviour, Lowry, Petrovic have all thrown down when needed) ... but everyone was talking about the WPG situation, which was Malkin hitting their star (Wheeler) and not the other way around ... either way I find it silly to spend $1.2m in cap on a guy who can't play a complete game. Sestito looks to be more complete at half the cost.

Still have cap room and a bunch of assets to move to fill holes or replace players that aren't working out as the season goes on.

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