In the upcoming 2013-2014 NHL season the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the second oldest team in the league, behind only the New Jersey Devils. It might not be long, however, until the Penguins have the most aged roster in all of hockey. This summer, General Manager Ray Shero decided to keep Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams, and extend Chris Kunitz, as well as bring back Rob Scuderi, a key member of the 2009 Stanley Cup team. In all, the Penguins gave these men a combined $40 million dollars in contracts that will keep them in Pittsburgh until they are all 37 or 38 years old. Looking at these contracts individually, it’s hard to complain at first glance. Dupuis and Kunitz both signed for less than what they could have received in the open market. And when you look at the contracts handed out this summer to guys like Ryan Clowe, Dave Clarkson, and Tyler Bozak, it would be easy to argue Scuderi might have been the only big name free agent who wasn’t overpaid in July’s free agent frenzy. While individually all these deals are of great value, the fact remains that the Penguins failed to win the Stanley Cup this year with an aging all star caliber lineup. Aside from the core of Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Letang, the group of Penguins signed for the future is going to get old—-fast. I would love to see Shero and company add some youth to the Penguins lineup. It may seem like the team doesn’t have much cap to work with when you consider that the aforementioned core plus Marc-Andre Fleury consume about 50% or more of the Penguins salary cap. But when you look at all the other contending teams in the NHL, most of them have this issue. Consider this year’s Stanley Cup champions. The Chicago Blackhawks had around 47% of their salary cap going to their top 5 paid players. What made the Blackhawks a better team than the Penguins, however, wasn’t their top players. It was the depth they had on their 3rd and 4th lines with players like Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg, Andrew Shaw, and Bryan Bickell. Locking up so much money and so many years with veterans like Scuderi, Kunitz, and Dupuis can be risky business. Adding to the risk is that the organization hasn’t had much inexpensive, productive talent coming through its farm system lately. Hopefully Beau Bennett and Simon Despres can change that this year. There is still plenty of time left over the next 3 months for Ray Shero to infuse some youth into next season’s lineup. All indications point to Matt Niskanen’s days in the black and gold being numbered when you consider he is set to make more than $2 million next season. Guys like Jussi Jokinen, Deryk Engellend, and Tanner Glass could also be dealt. If the Penguins could deal any of these players for a young, fast, and inexpensive forward, I think they would be foolish not to make a move.
Podcasts
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week: South Park 05-18-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week, Corey Fischer of South Park.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week: South Park 05-18-2024
Don Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week, Corey Fischer of South Park.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Team of the Week: Latrobe 05-18-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Softball Team of the Week, Bob Kovalcin of Latrobe.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Team of the Week: Latrobe 05-18-2024
Don Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Softball Team of the Week, Bob Kovalcin of Latrobe.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Player of the Week: Alivia Lantzy of Avonworth 05-18-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Softball Player of the Week, Alivia Lantzy of Avonworth.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Player of the Week: Alivia Lantzy of Avonworth 05-18-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Softball Player of the Week, Alivia Lantzy of Avonworth.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 28, Pt 1: Catching Up with Former Pirates Outfielder Adam Hyzdu and Multi-State Golf Hall of Famer and 5 Time Winner on Tour Jim Gallagher Jr 05-16-2024
nextgolfIn Part 1 of Episode 28, I'm thrilled to be joined by two incredible guys: former Pirates and Red Sox outfielder Adam Hyzdu, and 5-time winner on Tour, now outstanding broadcaster Jim Gallagher Jr.
What is going on at the Westmoreland\'s register of wills - A discussion with Rich Cholodofsky 05-16-2024
In Westmoreland, county commissioner Ted Kopas called for the resignation or removal by impeachment of the Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton. TribLive reporter Rich Cholodofsky explains what led to this call for removal and the consequences Hamilton could face.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Player of the Week: Brock Cornell of West Allegheny 05-12-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Baseball Player of the Week, Brock Cornell of West Allegheny.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Player of the Week: Brock Cornell of West Allegheny 05-12-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Baseball Player of the Week, Brock Cornell of West Allegheny.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 05-12-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week, Phil McCarren of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 05-12-2024
Don Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Baseball Team of the Week, Phil McCarren of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 27, Pt 2: From Walk On To Hall of Famer & How Does TaylorMade Make Golf Equipment Better Every Year... 05-10-2024
nextgolfI chat with Wake Forest and Georgia Golf Hall of Famer Joe Inman and TaylorMade's President & CEO David Abeles.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Team of the Week: Penn-Trafford 05-12-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Softball Team of the Week, Denny Little of Penn-Trafford.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Team of the Week: Penn-Trafford 05-12-2024
Don Rebel chats with the head coach of the WPIAL Softball Team of the Week, Denny Little of Penn-Trafford.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Player of the Week: Addison Deal of Laurel 05-12-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Softball Player of the Week, Addison Deal of Laurel.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Player of the Week: Addison Deal of Laurel 05-12-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Softball Player of the Week, Addison Deal of Laurel.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 27 Pt 1: They Could Play A Major Here & The Confidence Doctor Is In... 05-09-2024
nextgolfIn Part 1 of Season 11, Episode 27 I'm joined by 2017's Top 10 Most Innovative People in Golf, Bill Bergin, and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters.
From the Newsroom: A look at the student protests at Pitt 05-09-2024
fromthenewsroomOver the past few weeks, universities and colleges across the country have seen unrest tied to the growing public sympathy for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war. The University of Pittsburgh also saw a version of this national protest with its own Schenley Plaza as the site of students’ pro-Palestine encampment. TribLive’s higher education reporter Bill Schackner joined host Zac Gibson to talk about his reporting covering this story and explain the Pitt student protests.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Player Of The Week: AJ Verdi 05-04-2024
Don Rebel is joined by Mohawk high school senior catcher, AJ Verdi.