Fansided

One free agent every NHL team should sign this offseason

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 31: Dan Hamhuis #2 of the Dallas Stars handles the puck against the Minnesota Wild at the American Airlines Center on March 31, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dan Hamhuis
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 31: Dan Hamhuis #2 of the Dallas Stars handles the puck against the Minnesota Wild at the American Airlines Center on March 31, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dan Hamhuis /

Pittsburgh Penguins: Dan Hamhuis, Defenseman

It’s almost hard to believe, but the Pittsburgh Penguins had a real shot at another Stanley Cup while giving away more than three goals a game. It’s the first time since 2006 that they’ve given up that many. That was also the first year that Sidney Crosby came into the NHL. If you want to date yourself with that tidbit.

The Pens were batted out of the postseason by the Washington Capitals (!), and rumors have swirled that changes could be made. General Manager Jim Rutherford has talked about offseason moves like trades. If the team wants to improve, they have to move some contracts somehow. Pittsburgh will only have $8 million to $10 million to make upgrades, . It also needs to sign five restricted free agents. Those choices might be as tough as any with Bryan Rust and Riley Sheahan a part of that deal.

Unless the Penguins make dramatic changes on offense, they can probably leave that area off of the free agency priority list. The big question is how they can get better defensively with three guys under contract through at least 2023 and Justin Schultz making $5.5 million until 2021.

The key to this is what they do for their roster before making a pitch to a free agent. How will they clear cap space and who will stay or go? Also, do they trust goaltender Matt Murray going into the new campaign? There are a lot of questions the Pittsburgh front office has to answer.

If it sticks with it’s current group on the blue line, that’s a pretty young core. Matt Hunwick and Kris Letang are the oldest at 32 and 31. But Jamie Oleksiak is 25, Olli Maatta is 23 and Brian Dumoulin is 26. The Pens could use more of a veteran presence to pair with Letang, and Hamhuis would be a solid choice. For one, he’s left handed while Letang shoots right. Second, he’s been a top defenseman his entire career.

If you look at just his plus/minus from this year, the minus-six isn’t impressive. But factor in that he was a top-pairing guy on a Dallas Stars club that gave up the seventh fewest goals against and the fourth fewest shots against. His $3 million salary probably won’t rise either as he’s 35.

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