Penguins UFA Targets: 4 Potential Replacements for Jason Zucker
The Pittsburgh Penguins have undergone just a few changes this offseason. Ownership cleaned house at the top and the team could see its goalie, longtime top-pairing defenseman, and energetic left winger leave via free agency. The new Penguins front office, led by Kyle Dubas, got a late start, and we’re down to the final week.
At the risk of reading too much into the lack of new contracts, it seems that Jason Zucker, Brian Dumoulin, and Tristan Jarry are headed for free agency to peddle their wares on the open market and see what’s over the hockey horizon.
We’re just looking for answers from the great beyond.
There isn’t a realistic internal option, so the Penguins must replace Zucker’s top-six ice time from outside the organization. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the left-wing class is top-heavy. Some legitimate scoring threats will be available on July 1, but depth is not a friend in this class.
Last season, Zucker was finally healthy. After three seasons of injury-plagued frustration, Zucker ripped 27 goals as the nightly side-saddle to Evgeni Malkin. His speed and energy were a bright spot in a dreary Penguins season.
However, his contract, with a $5.5 million annual cap hit, expires June 30, and he will be free to test the market. His injury history presents a significant risk to whoever signs him, just as his 27 goals represent significant potential when he’s healthy.
If the Penguins are not that team, there are four — and only four — potential replacements on the UFA market.
Pittsburgh Penguins UFA Targets:
1. Tyler Bertuzzi
“Bert” is believed to be asking for six years, $36 million. Considering that Zucker made $5.5 million, that seems to be a good deal and independent of inflation.
Bertuzzi, 28, battled fluke injuries over the past couple of seasons, including getting hit by the puck on the hand and missing four weeks, then returning and getting hit on the other hand, which required surgery and forced him to miss six weeks.
When healthy, he has a 30-goal pedigree and filled the net during the Boston Bruins’ Round One upset loss to the Florida Panthers. The winger had 10 points, including five goals, in seven games.
Of course, the Bruins are attempting to re-sign Bertuzzi.
He’s a gritty, energetic, scoring LW who likes to play near the net. If $6 million is the price, Dubas may want to set up camp on Bertuzzi’s front lawn to be first in line at noon on July 1.
2. Alex Killorn
Killorn is a winner. He’s filled numerous roles and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He can play with the elite talent or in the bottom-six.
He’s a 20-goal scorer who will do many of the little things, but perhaps not as many of the big things.
At 33 years old, he probably won’t exceed his expiring $4.45 million AAV, but he’ll be in that ballpark on a new deal that probably stretches three, maybe four years. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound LW plays a bigger game, so he could fit well digging pucks out of the corners for Malkin.
3. Michael Bunting
This is the tricky one on the board. Bunting can be a gritty wall player with a nose for the net and good offensive production. He can also disappear. The streaky winger has fought from the ECHL to the NHL, first through the Arizona system. He was Arizona’s fourth-round pick in 2014 but didn’t hit the NHL regularly until Dubas brought his former Sault St. Marie player to Toronto in 2021.
In Toronto, Bunting posted consecutive 23-goal seasons, but was a scratch in the series-ending, Game 5 Round One loss to Tampa Bay. Bunting was suspended for three games after a Game 1 match penalty in which he launched into defenseman Erik Cernak’s head, drawing a match penalty for interference.
Correction: Bunting was scratched in Game 5, Round One.
Bunting, 27, made $950,000 last season and will get a substantial raise, but just how much is a very good question. In summers past, that would put him in the $4 million range. He should be easily affordable to the Penguins there, but perhaps not as the number climbs.
The Dubas connections are undeniable, but is he the right guy?
4. J.T. Compher
Does Compher, 27, have the offensive skills to skate with Evgeni Malkin nightly? There’s not an obvious answer. Last season, Compher posted 52 points (17-35-52) in 82 games. He played center and left wing, and even spent time at right wing.
In Colorado, he was primarily a center. He’s on the list as a reach because the list is paper thin, and it’s not implausible the Penguins could see a player with skills to fill the role. His inclusion on our list underscores the difficulty Dubas will face in filling the slot.
The good is that he’s fast, a relentless forechecker, and offers lineup versatility. The bad is that he’s not a high-scoring LW guaranteed to generate those 27 goals.
Compher might be the best answer to the Penguins’ third-line center need.
Compher’s cap hit was $3.5 million. His 52 points and versatility probably put him in the $5 million range.
Honorable Mentions:
Tomas Tatar. Evan Rodrigues. Jonathan Drouin. Max Pacioretty.
You can see why we limited the list to four. The drop is steep. That is also something Dubas will be forced to weigh when he negotiates with Zucker or any of the above.
Categorized:Penguins Penguins Free Agent Targets Penguins Offseason Analysis
Kyle go to Barbashev place first..6@6
I think Barbashev has found a home and Vegas will resign him. Too much for Pens money belt unless they pull off some more cap space
Barbashev would be my #1 target for the Pens.
Dan, I agree with the first two commenters. Why no mention of Ivan Barbashev in your story? Although he will probably resign with Vegas and will most certainly be a high priced addition, he seems to be the perfect LW/C fit for the team.
Barbashev will want a longterm deal for as much as $6 mill/season. That’s way too much pay a guy who comes off the only solid season of his career.
I would go with Zucker or Bertuzzi. Barbashev will probably be out of their price range after his playoff performance.
Sorry not another 4-5 year deal to a oft injured 30 plus player like Zucker
Zucker started to slide in production the last quarter of the season. Good guy to have on the bench or locker room but it’s on the ice that counts and can he stay healthy. Like Crosby and Malkin and if they stay healthy too all year again?
i also agree if available go after Barbeshev, other guys I would also look at JT. Miller, Bunting and Bert keep in mind they have multiple needs 3rd line center and bottom 6 guy’s defense and Goalie I start there. I would figure out the goalie situation first is the most important 2nd I make the changes to Defense 3rd a 3rd line center and lastly addressing the bottom 6. Always build a team from the crease to the blue line and out. I believe the best way to get a lot of needs is to give to get I… Read more »
Again with this Guenztel trade crap. Say they do who’s playing on Sid’s Wing? You cannot name 5 wingers that fit the game that Sid plays? Don’t touch the BEST WINGER SID HAS EVER HAD. Hey I got and idea for ya Jason. Trade the Entire franchise to Arizona for there’s and let’s see who comes out the winner on that front.
We are a little dramatic aren’t we? Sid can make any winger good and well I agree Jake has been the best winger for Sid has had he is not the only one that can play with him. got to give to to get Jake is going to slow way down at some point he is not a big guy has a small frame those guys don’t last long and on top of that they have lots of team needs. you kind have to know when to sell while the stock is high on some guys or else the pens… Read more »
You’re right about Crosby making other players look good. Look at Heinen and how he’d was producing. Just like Mario making Warren Young a 40 goal scorer and then he signs a big contact with Detroit and it was down hill from there.
Sullivan wants speed and, unfortunately, that usually means smaller players which again, unfortunately, means more injuries, man games lost, and getting bullied. Sullivan needs to come into today’s NHL and realize you need size and toughness.
Thats BS. Anybody who thinks the way Vegas and Florida structured there rosters can be replicated is either living under a Rock or is blind as bat.
You do know that Duby agrees with him, right?
Really any winger? Hey what about David Perron and Alex Galchenyuk? Why couldn’t they produce when they were here? I defy anybody to answer these 2 questions and I’m curious to see if the answers that are given are of there own belief or foolish nature. Name 5 Wingers you believe can legitimately mesh with Sid and then name 5 Wingers who do mesh with Sid and not end up like HQ? For those who don’t understand that last part allow me to sum it up: Sid and Geno wanted no part of HQ on either of there lines and… Read more »
I would dangle #17 over #59…just saying
Bunting is the kind of combination of skill/energy/sandpaper that this team desperately needs at the moment. He averaged 56 points the last two seasons even though he played barely 15 minutes/game. Pair him with Crosby on the first line, and he’s a point-per-game player. He also led the league in penalties drawn (42) last season, which enhances his value greatly. He gets an unfair whistle too often, but the trade-off is worth it. BTW, Bunting was not scratched in the final game against the Panthers contrary to what the story claims. He sat out Game 5 against the Lightning in… Read more »
Thanks for the correction of the round. Keefe made the decision to sit him.
Thanks, King. Wasn’t clear if Keefe discussed the situation the Duby beforehand, but I assume they did. Do know that they were concerned that Bunting had been targeted by the referees, though.
Mighty Quin, check out PPP’s review of Bunting. In summary, bad shot, cycles well, defensive liability, going to make way more as UFA than he’s worth. Of the top of my head, I think Knies played in those playoff games when Bunting was out, and Knies is the better player.
I trust my scouting report more. To say a kid who has one goal in 10 career games is better than a veteran who has 46 goals, 170 hits and is +48 in 161 games is just plain stupid.
Always liked and wanted Tatar to come a few years ago but age is catching up with him now.
I think the heart starts with the goaltender and defensive moves first. Isn’t there any good goalies out there sitting on the bench that’s a free agent and can be a good starter and a chance to prove himself?
Dan Vladar Calgary…..IF THE PENS TRADE AT All look at Calgary…Hanifin and Vladar
The pitt media keeps telling all of us the pens are old and slow but they keep suggesting signing over 30 year old guys past their prime…Pac with his injuries and Killorn has played way too much hockey.
Pens shouldn’t even be looking at anybody over 30
Well okay then find Top 6 Wingers who are under 30 and won’t command a High Price Tag. No you cannot mention guys like Poulin, Nylander or Puustinen as neither of those 3 would be able to handle playing a Top 6 Role for a whole season plus playoffs.
Ding-ding-ding-ding!
re-sign Josh Archibald and move him up there. He’s played successfully with Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid (the only player I can think of to do so). Yes he’s smaller, but relentless and tricky.
Jake, Barbashev, Bunting, and DOC will be the left-wingers next season. Vegas has no money to re-sign Barbashev and I would make him my number one get. Six to seven years at $5.25M to 5.5M per. Dubas will sign Bunting because he can. When Jake prices himself out of Pitt the remaining three move up a line.
So they might sign a 3rd line center for 5 mil when they already have Grandlund at 5 mil? 10 mill for 2 3rd line Centers a bit much?
: