Based on figures at CapWages, the Pittsburgh Penguins have roughly $249,229 left in cap area, with a finances that has ballooned to $87,750,771.
Nonetheless, solely seven gamers within the present lineup carry a cap hit over $5 million. So, the place do these skaters rank amongst their friends throughout the NHL?
Effectively, the reply is kind of stunning since Pittsburgh’s prime 5 highest-paid gamers barely crack the highest 150 highest cap hits within the NHL.
Kris Letang – $6.1 million (142nd)
Veteran defenseman Kris Letang is the one participant on this record with probably the most years left on contract. In July 2022, he agreed to a six-year extension, with 4 seasons left and an annual worth of $6.1 million.
Since Letang is 37 and has had his honest of accidents, no one is aware of if he’ll end out his contract and nonetheless be a member of the Penguins at age 41.
However, as one of many veterans with an abundance of expertise, there is not any denying he’d have a spot within the lineup, however relying on how the subsequent season goes, Pittsburgh might be in a rebuild and now not a contender.
Evgeni Malkin – $6.1 million (141st)
Evgeni Malkin has spent his whole profession with the Penguins. This upcoming season would be the second to final marketing campaign of a four-year extension he signed with former normal supervisor Ron Hextall in July 2022.
At 38, there isn’t any assure that followers will see Malkin end his professional hockey profession in Pittsburgh, as rumors surfaced this summer season about him returning to Russia to play within the KHL.
Malkin has been wholesome during the last two seasons and hasn’t missed a recreation, however he’s not the 100-point participant he as soon as was.
Kevin Hayes – $7.1 million (98th)
Kevin Hayes signed a seven-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in June 2019. He is on the second to final yr of the contract, valued at $50 million, and carries an annual common worth of $7.1 million.
Hayes is about to make his Penguins debut in October. He’s one other veteran, and present normal supervisor Kyle Dubas acquired him to get the workforce out of its postseason hunch, which has lasted two seasons.
Sidney Crosby – $8.7 million (forty fifth)
Nobody may ever argue that Sidney Crosby is a grasping particular person, nonetheless enjoying at a Corridor of Fame stage regardless of making $8.7 million a yr.
Because the longest-tenured captain in franchise historical past, Crosby may grow to be a free agent in 2025 when his 12-year $104 million contract expires on July 1.
Though he hasn’t inked an extension, he’ll undoubtedly take one other “hometown” low cost to assist administration proceed to construct a contender round him.
Erik Karlsson – $11.5 million (Sixth)
The Penguins acquired three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in a commerce with the San Jose Sharks in August 2023. His present deal, valued at $92 million, was signed in 2019, and he has three seasons left.
Karlsson’s annual common worth is $11.5 million, with a $1.5 million cap hit because of a $1 million signing bonus and $10 base wage.
The one gamers making more cash than the Swedish defenseman are Auston Matthews ($13.2 million), Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million), Connor McDavid ($12.5 million), Artemi Panarin ($11.6 million) and Elias Pettersson ($11.6 million).
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