Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - That Kasperi Kapanen contract is...not the best!

Episode Date: July 22, 2022

It didn't look like there would be much news for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday...until the Kapanen contract was announced. Hunter goes into that deal and how it makes very little sense for the Penguins both this upcoming season and next season. He looks at how Kapanen has declined as a player since coming to Pittsburgh and how it's too much money for someone who basically can't play above the third line. What does he have to do to make this deal worth it? He also tries to answer that question the best he can, while also looking at how Nino Nierrdeiter only got $800K more than him in free agency. Following that, he looks at how it affects the Penguins' salary cap situation going forward and what's next for the team before ending the show with a topic on how the Penguins won't use any of their buyouts this year. All that, plus much more on this episode of Locked On Penguins.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello, everyone. Obviously, it looks a little bit different here. I'm recording from my hotel room. So I guess we're going to call this the hotel cast. I know Elliot Freeman and Jeff Merrick, they have their little car casts and all that stuff. This will be a hotel cast. And the lighting is actually pretty freaking decent. I will gladly take this any day of the week.

But we've lot to get into today. Kisbury Kappan's New Deal with the Penguins 2 times 3.2. I'm going to get my thoughts on that. you know, what the rest of the off season would look like, and all that jazz coming up right after this drop. Your Locked-on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network,

your team every day. Hello and welcome back to a Thursday edition of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes, and are going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. also follow the shows, Twitter at L.O. Noseco Penguins. And, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first lesson of the day. So it looked like, you know, there wasn't going to be, you know, too much news today, I guess, for the Penguins, even though I was going to obviously be planning a show

no matter what, until Puckpedia actually was the first to report the Casbury Capitan and Contract. So two years, 3.2 million per, 3.2 million per. Sounds familiar to you all. Well, it should. made that in his last deal when he was in Toronto and in Pittsburgh. So he's not getting a raise. He's not taking less money to stay. He is going to be making the same exact amount of money for the next two seasons. He will be a UFA at the end of this deal, no matter where he is.

Even if it's in Pittsburgh, somewhere else if he gets traded, he will be a UFA no matter what. So when I saw the deal, you know, my mind immediately went to back when I think it was Bob McKenzie tweeted that Derek England signed. it was like for two or three times 2.9. And it was obviously that clip on Hockey Twitter. You know that that's per year. Yes. And they all just like laughed about it.

And you know, that's basically what I was doing. I'm like 3.2 million. I'm like, is that overall or is that per year? When I saw it was per year, I mean, my jaw dropped. I just, I couldn't believe and I still can't believe. How was he getting the same amount of money? after what we all just watched this past season. You know, we can look at the data all day long.

And I'm going to bring it up here for today's episode. You know, we can watch him play. Obviously, people have different eye tests. I totally understand that. But, you know, what this front office season him, I have absolutely no idea. You know, I think this is, you know, way too much for someone who cannot play above the third line. on a Stanley Cup contending team. We have seen him play with Evgeny Malkin.

Sure, he was fine in 2020, 2020, but he also shot 33%. I believe it was 33% higher than his hour. I'm just making sure. No, I'm just making sure that I'm getting this right here real quick. Yeah. So, you know, his shooting percentage was a lot higher that season. and I don't think enough people are talking about it. You know, sure, had 30 points and 40 games that year.

But, you know, this year, barely even 30 points. And he was playing at least half of the season or trying to with Evgeny Malkin. You know, I'm probably going to, you know, drink a shot every time he comes into the offensive zone, stops with a puck, button hooks back, looks for a pass instead of using his speed and his shot, to beat defensemen and goaltenders. He was not doing that at all a season, and I really don't understand why. You can look at the data right here, you know, compared to, you know, the 2020, 2020, 2021 season where he played in 40 games compared to the whole three-year data, 119 games, this is according to J-Fresh. So his wins of our replacement was in the 78th percentile for that

long season, 2020, 2021. if you combine that season a couple others it drops down to 46% even the strength offense 38% telf for 2020 2020 2021 22nd percentile for 2020 through 2022 10% for the first one 35 for the second one so went up a little bit there power play went up about 40% that's better but penalties was not you know that that's you know not really whatever but um his finishing here is a big one too for that 2020, 2020, season, he finished in the 93rd percentile among finishing. Outside of that, down to 68.

And that's not terrible, but it's still, you know, a quarter of a difference. You know, what he is at this point is probably what you are going to get. You know, for some reason, I've had, you know, I mean, I've been seeing some, I guess, some capon and Sims saying that, well, you know, that was just a down year from him. And he's going to be so much better next year and all this stuff. And it's like, I mean, is he that?

I'll be glad to eat my crow. But again, you know, the underlying numbers and accounting stats for him, they were not good. He looked lost playing in the penguin system last year. I know he drives Mike Sullivan crazy. And I'm sure he probably drives the farm office crazy. But it's like, you know, how are you then agreeing to bring him back? and not on a one year, prove a deal, on a two-year deal. They're expecting him to bounce back next year.

You know, it's just, again, it's too much money for someone who cannot play above the third line. You know, I would have spent my money elsewhere. Look what Nino Niederwriter got today. Two years times four million. I had someone in my mention and say, well, you know, you're not paying taxes in Tennessee. Sure. Okay.

I'm sure you also can probably get him two times four. Pittsburgh too. I really don't think for me to write on that case it makes that much of a difference. This isn't the Matthew Kachuk situation here where he's just you know talking about seven different seven different teams where you're not paying income tax. I think need a writer just took the best opportunity that was available to him no matter if it was in a state that doesn't have income tax or if it does. And the fact that he only signed for 800K more, man, you know, that that stings. It really does. I would much rather have him in this lineup compared to someone like Capon.

If I have to watch Malkin play over half a season with him on his wing, I might have to take matters into my own hands. I think some others will probably have to as well. And I think Hextall, he's had mostly a fine off season up until this point. But just a very curious move, a very confusing move. you know, he should not be taking up over three million of this team salary cap space. If you ask me, you know, I would have been more comfortable taking Danton Hine into arbitration at this point and say he gets three million there.

Okay, rather him have it than something like happening, you know. And I know I wasn't a fan of the Penguins qualifying Hinton because he probably would get a much bigger reward and the Penguins would like to give him. But, you know, the opposite here, the Penguins honestly should have gone to arbitration with Capita because there was no way the arbiter was going to rule in favor of Casperi because of how just how bad of a season he had. So I don't think this was good business. Why Hextall, I'm not a fan of this movie. It was taking them a while to announce this.

I'm like, do they have something else in the works here? But, you know, they announced it. I think, believe, like an hour after Poppeedia officially scooped it. And, you know, I mean, this is, now they officially have, if you look at their roster, 13 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders. So, you know, what they have right now, it's almost see, especially when you look at their salary cap situation, which I am going to get to from a little later on for the show. But again, you know, to wrap up this first segment, just definitely a very curious, weird decision by the Penguins. I really do not think you're going to see a better version of this player next year. And I would love to be wrong.

I mean, you know, again, I have no problem, you know, looking like a complete fool for, you know, a player outperforming my expectations. You know, I remember when I was on the podcast, I said Cody Cici was probably not going to be that good. He comes out, has a really good season and then gets paid by the opportunity owners. I said Mike Madison was, you know, probably not going to amount to that much. You know, he was shelter on the bottom here and he ended up having probably the best season of his career last year. So, you know, maybe that's in the cards for Casbury, but, you know, the penguins, they should have, they should have spent that money elsewhere is, I think, the main thing. What I'm trying to say. So coming up here in the next segment, we're going to get into the off season, the salary cap situation, all of that good stuff.

But before I get to that, from the people who invented healthy and tasty comes the latest gift here, taste buds. You're probably already tried the amazing coconut browning chunked bill part, but guess what? Your friends at Bilt have given coconut brownie chunk the puffs treatment. That's right. Coconut Brownie chunk Billap Bar flavor you love and deliciously chewy marshmallow covered in 100% real chocolate. It's like a fluffly cloud of coconut brownie goodness. But stop drilling and listen. They are good for you, low calorie, low sugar, high protein, and they are all delicious.

All Bill Bars are made with protein, which your body absorbs more efficiently and provides tons of health benefits, eat something that tastes good and is good for you. You can go to Bill.com. He's promo code lock 15 and get 15% off your order. That's promo code lock 15 for 15% off at built.com. All right, I'm back in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. You're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes.

You can also follow the show's Twitter at L.O.N.S.4 Penguins. You know, before I do get into the Saturday Cap thing, I did notice something that I did want to talk about on the show. And, you know, it's someone, you know, I followed him on. penguin's Twitter for a long time, Vinnie Batts. Shout out to him for this. But, you know, he also basically sums up how I feel. You know, on this podcast, I said, letting Heinen and Rodriguez walk, especially with the raises they were probably going to get was the right call.

Originally, I think, you know, Heinen was going to take the Penguins to arbitration, probably get three to three point five million. The Penguins weren't sure in doing that. Now, again, seeing what considering happened and got, I probably would have preferred what Heine would get in arbitration. Rodriguez, he had, you know, an up and down season, but, you know, he's definitely someone that I think could make, you know, three to three point five million per year as well to be a contending team's third line center. He is still not signed either. I'm okay with that. But as Vinny

tweets, you know, the Penguins, they didn't really sign anyone who could be the next season's version of them. And right now, even though it's July, I'm making sure of the day, July 21st, late July 21st, you know, that is inexcusable. You know, Hextal, you know, he made a living with those bargain deals last year. And those are the kind of deals. That is how you build a competent, good contending bottom six. Dan Hining comes in one year, barely even making a million, has 18 goals still on sign.

Evan Rodriguez comes back for what? I don't even think he got a million on that contract. Comes back, puts up 40 points, explodes in the first half, not as going to the second half, but then has a really good playoff series. No, there's also maybe sold an outside chance that he could come back. But, you know, two players that signed for cheap

that well outperformed their expectations from the fan base. That is how you build a contending bottom six. And so far, what do we have this year? Drake Cajula and Josh Archibald to probably be in the minors at this point. It's just, it's weird because, like, you know, you've had the space to do some of these moves. What changed in the philosophy? I mean, has Ron, you can do.

seen those two players play because they have not really been good at the NHL level compared to someone like a Rodriguez, like a Hunan, who have had, you know, experience scoring double-digit goals, you know, as NHL players, you know, so it's just really weird. And, you know, when Ron was building, you know, the roster last year, he didn't really wait to sign Hinen and Rodriguez. Remember, Rodriguez signed day one of free agency. He signed back with a team after he was traded for happened when Jim Rutherford was there and then oh Hinen a couple days later out of the blue signed a cheap one year deal so you know and I know there's a lot of free agents still out there but you know I just like what what would the philosophy for the bottom six change because you know

again I'm a fan of everything else I think he's done you know the top six is pretty freaking good I think on a contending team, Zucker is a third liner, in my opinion. The defense, I think, is pretty solid, even though the Jan Ruda signing, like the player, after seeing all these moves and trading out some of the defensemen for other defensemen, it's looking a little more confusing right now, especially because he's making $2.75 million for the next three years, even though I do think he's going to play him. He's going to strengthen that right side. Just definitely a little bit weird after seeing what they were doing with the defense.

And now, getting to my next point, which was the big topic for this second. segment. Penguins are now over the cap by almost two million. I believe it's 1.5 to 1.8. I did say that there's probably means of move is coming, but no, also, which might be more likely, they may try to send some bodies down to Wilkesbury. I know Ty Smith is waiver exempt. He will not have to be, he will not have to clear waivers to go down. I think Drake Cujula, I believe he is waiver exempt. He can go down. He's on a two-way deal. Archibald is one way, so I think he would have to clear waivers, but no, right there. that's 900k if he doesn't make the team out of camp.

So I think at most you're only 900K over the cap. And then, you know, if, say, Ty Smith doesn't make the team, and I think he will make the team. He probably, I mean, they didn't get him to probably spend the minors. You know, you can send him down. And then I think you are under the cap in that situation. So, you know, but I think another big thing here with this, even though they can, you know, get out of cap.

trouble by not they can trade is, you know, if they want to improve other areas of the roster, to get that impact winger for Evgeny Malkin, I do think it's going to make that a bit tougher now. And I'll get to something in a little bit when it comes to opening up more cap phase. That's also from Frank Sarawali. I reached with something from Mike DeFable. I'll get to that in the last second. Actually, you know, it makes it even harder to move, you know, money in and money out, especially with, you know, teams in a standstill right now.

You all are very much seeing the effect of a flat cap during the soft season. It didn't affect it too much last year because a franchise coming in, millions of dollars of revenue, you know, teams were more than willing to, you know, spend some money, even though you saw a bunch of it spent on day one or free agency. But after that, been very quiet. I mean, Nazan Khadu is still in Sachon, Klingberg, all these other players just because, you know,

teams that I think want those two players and other players that are unsigned, they haven't been able to move money yet. And I think for the Penguins, you know, I do think they want to make a trade to bolster their top six, but they probably haven't been able to do that because I think other teams just don't want to take on some of their contracts, you know, maybe like a Marcus Pedersen, you know, maybe say like a Jason Zucker, if he's able to get traded,

though I do think he's probably going to stay. Brock McGam, Brian Dumlin, you know, maybe POJ for like a young forward in the same spot. And I'd be curious to see if Edmonton would ever do like a, a yes, Epoor RV for P-J deal. Don't think Ken Holland would be that dumb, but, you know, it's also Ken Holland, after all. But, you know, I just, I'm not as confident right now that they're going to make a move before training camp just because, you know, again, A, they're over the cap and B, you know, teams, I just don't think they're going to want to, you know, add money at this point. you know, could be wrong.

I do think, you know, he's probably not done tinkering with the team. That's why I'm not really fully freaking out right now. I know the bottom six is really bad. But, you know, again, he saw as a couple of months to change that here, even though I think it's definitely going to be a bit tougher than some might expect. That wraps up this small segment on just, you know, the cap situation, the Penguins trying to make maybe another move to get that top. I talked about Vladimir Terranco.

You know, he plays mainly right wing, but, you know, I think he can also play left wing as well. You can also move Raquel to left wing. He's played that before, too. So even if it's Raquel Malch and Teresenko, I mean, that's just a beautiful wine to me.

But that's yesterday's episode. Of course, you have to listen to that. You can go check that out on the YouTube page or whatever you get your podcast. Coming up in the final segment, I'm going to get to something that I saw was thrown around today. for the Penguins to potentially create cap space, though I'm going to give my thoughts on why you shouldn't expect a move like this to happen.

So that's all coming up right after this commercial rate. All right, I'm back here in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hoddies. You can also follow the show's Twitter at Eleanor for Penguins. So this was interesting today. I did not know this when Frank Saravali tweeted this. I'm going to try to find the tweet here real quick. So, Cyril Bolly says with Kaepen and re-signed, the Penguins are over the cap.

There are options in October with Ty Smith. Drew O'Connor, I didn't forget to mention him. He is also waiver exempt, though, in my opinion, I think he's going to make the team. But he said with Kaepinandins, arbitration resolved, Penguins now have a 48-hour buyout window opening in three days. Zucker, Pedersen, something to consider. At my opinion, Frank, and for all you all listening out there, is not something to consider. no reason to buy out Marcus Pedersen or Jason Zuckerman. And I'm going to give you this suite.

This comes courtesy of Mike DeFabo. So Zucker obviously is in his last year of his deal, 5.5 million cap hit. Buying him out now. So he would have a 2 million cap hit this year and then a 1.7 3 dead. So yeah, okay, you save 3.5 million, but you know, what are you going to do with that cap space and then also next year he's still on your cap for almost two million that just doesn't make any sense to me it doesn't i mean and then for marcus peterson he has three years left and it's four million a 80 if you buy him out he would add a 1.34 million cap hit on the books

until 2027 28 yes you heard you heard me right he will have that cap hit until i am checks notes um 30 to 31 years old i'm going to be 25 this year that that is that is not an option like they are not going to buy out i don't know especially you know peterson even cap kit you know he's still one of your best defensive defenseman on his team why why why why why would they even consider uh buying him out you know maybe if you can, I guess, get a four for him in return, you know, that's fine. But if you're buying him out for the sake of losing him for nothing, that's just bad asset management. Because then your left side looks even weaker.

You know, you're going to be thrusting who into a top full role. Is Ty Smith ready for that even though he wasn't good in New Jersey last year? I mean, is POJ ready for that? Is Mark Friedman going to be that player? you know, it's just, I just, I very much disagree with that kind of stuff. And then again, for Zucker, you know, you know, sure, you know, you say three and a half million, but he's still on your cap it for this year and next year. And as I put on my Twitter account, you know, it's just, you know, why would you, if you

want to get rid of one of them, just, you know, do it via trade, get something in return, you know, like a top six four, top nine four, something like that. it makes absolutely no sense to have dead money on your cap for years to come, especially in Marcus Pedersen's case if you're just trying to open up salary cap room. And in case anyone forgot, excuse me, Jack Johnson is still on this team's payroll. Yes, I'm sorry I have to remind everyone, but I believe it is trying to make sure here. I got that right from Josh Carney. Yeah.

So 1.90 million this year for Jack Johnson. 900k about in the final two years after the penguins will be paying for that contract for the next three seasons that is how bad by out screw you yeah it's great that the player you know like that is not on your team anymore but the fact that you're still paying that player actual money to not even play for you is what really stinks because i'm sure the penguins could be using almost $2 million in salary cap space right now. Heck, if Johnson's buyout wasn't right there, they would be compliant if you go to Cap Family.

It'd be right around there, at least that's for sure. So very much disagree with that sentiment thrown around by Frankson or all. Yeah, sure, it's open, but do I expect the Penguins to use it inns? No. I would expect both Jason Zilker and Marcus Pedersen to remain members of the Penguins. After that's up, if one of them is going to go, I expect it to be via a trade. So that will do it for today's episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. Definitely a busy one, especially with Kisbury Kappen, the salary cap, what this means going forward,

you know, looking at the bottom six and everything. And I'm going to share this with you all right here before I go. So you all can have a nice good night sleep on Thursday for this late at night, Friday morning when you wake up from Danny Shari at least. Frank McGinn, Jeff Carter, Kusbury, Kappen on your third line, Drew O'Connor, Ryan Payling, Teddy Blueger, Josh Archibald for your fourth line. Hope you all sleep with one eye open. After listening or watching me say that, that is just a, that's the Jurassic Park meme when,

you know, Jeff Goldblum is just looking at that dinosaurs poop, basically. And it's just like, yep, that is one big pile of you know what. So, yeah, that would do it for this episode of the Locktime Penguins podcast. Thank you all so much for listening. We'll hope we do another one of these on Friday. as this that will be again looks like the final daily episode before we switch to three a week next week so thank you also much for listening again love when you all comment on the youtube

page and sending me DMs and all that if you want to keep doing that obviously please do i'll try to like and respond to as many as i can but thank you so much for listening i'll talk with you all