So our roster is looking quite deep at defence, but with only 2.2 million left in cap, it looks as though DB is going to have to pull up from WBS to fill out the roster.

Right now our lineup looks something like this

Now we need to at least promote or find via free agency 2 forwards and 1 defenceman. Here's a quick look at what we have stocked in the WBS http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12146/penguins_ahlechl_prospects200910_review/

Dustin Jeffrey, C/W

Although he started the season playing center and posted three goals and 19 assists in his first 20 games, it was not until Jeffrey shifted to left wing that he became a goal-scoring threat for the Penguins. The biggest change was he started shooting the puck more. So much more that Jeffrey finished the season 10th in the league in shots on goal with 236. In 77 regular-season games, Jeffrey posted 24 goals, 47 assists, a plus-16 rating and registered only 16 penalty minutes. The 6’1 forward was also one of the top contributors on special teams, posting four goals and 15 assists on the power play and three goals and assists on the penalty kill. He is also among the team’s best penalty killers.

In four playoffs games, however, Jeffrey did not fare so well. Often matched against opponents' top lines, the forward finished with only one assist and a minus-five rating.

The switch to wing not only paid dividends for the 22-year-old forward but also for the Penguins organization, as it made parting with winger Luca Caputi at the NHL trade deadline less painful.

Jeffrey’s ability to play on the penalty kill as well as fill a variety of different roles at forward will increase the odds that he will eventually be an NHL contributor.

Mark Letestu, C 

It has been a breakout season for the 25-year-old center from Elk Point, Alberta. Despite missing training camp and the first couple games of the season due to arthroscopic knee surgery, Letestu started strong out the gates and at no point slowed, let alone faltered. His consistently strong play earned him multiple call-ups to the NHL, the first being on November 14th and the most recent being against the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

As a member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Letestu was the team’s No. 1 center and a key offensive contributor, finishing fourth on the team with goals (21) and assists (34) through 63 games. He was also second on the team with a plus-21 rating. In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s four playoff losses to Albany, Letestu posted three assists and registered 19 shots. 

Eric Tangradi, LW
 
Although he started his rookie professional season slowly, dislocating his shoulder in only his third game and missing a month of play, Tangradi has emerged as the Penguins prospect with the greatest NHL potential. He started out the season on a checking line with Joe Vitale and Tim Wallace. This allowed the 6’4 225-pound winger to develop his physical game and assimilate to the professional style of play without the added pressure of being depended on for offense. As his game matured and he learned to use his large frame to his advantage, the points started coming with regularity. By the beginning of January, Tangradi was one of the Penguins key contributors and started seeing regular time as a top-six forward and on the power play.

Tangradi would finish out the AHL regular season with 17 goals, including eight on the man-advantage, and 22 assists through 65 games. In his team’s four playoff appearances, Tangradi registered one goal and assist and a plus-two rating.

Nick Johnson, RW

At 6’2 and 202 pounds, Johnson has a prototypical hockey build. He is not afraid to battle in corners for loose pucks nor is he afraid to create havoc around the net. Johnson is also a competent defensive player, able to create turnovers in the neutral zone and has shown a willingness to block shots. He is also considered a calming locker-room presence.

Playing alongside Mark Letestu and Dustin Jeffrey on the Baby Pens top scoring line, Johnson posted 16 goals, 27 assists, a plus-19 rating, and two fights. He also saw regular duty on the man-advantage where he posted four power-play goals.

The 24-year-old’s package of skill, grit, and character make him a versatile forward who should not have any trouble one day finding work in the NHL

Brian Strait, D

The second member of the Baby Penguins shutdown defensive pairing, Strait posted a team-leading plus-22 rating to go along with two goals and 12 assists through 78 games. Like frequent defensive partner Robert Bortuzzo, Strait is known for blocking shots, shutting down passing lanes, and all-around sound defensive play. He is also a strong skater and a steady calming presence who rarely makes mistakes.

Along with increased ice time and responsibilities, expect the 22-year-old Strait to take on a greater leadership role with the team.

Ben Lovejoy, D

A player with size (6’2, 214 lbs), skill, and good on-ice awareness, Lovejoy has shown in his third season with the Penguins organization that he has little left to prove at the AHL level. Through 65 games, Lovejoy posted nine goals, 20 assists, and 92 penalty minutes including two fighting majors. More importantly, he started asserting himself physically in his own zone while still playing a steady defensive game.

After a 12-game stint in 2009-10 in which he at no point looked out of place, the 26-year-old defenseman will be expected to compete for a full-time spot for next season

who do you think we should pull up?

According to:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Cap-RaisedCBA-Extended-Horton-to-Bos-PlekanecCooke-Sign-Nieds-Retires/1/28927 

The NHL's cap has risen by 5% from what it was last year. This is great for the league and especially for the Pen's who finally have the chance to solve they're winger shortage and still have some cap space for a solid defenceman or two.

Just wanting to hear what people think the Pen's should be shopping for now that the cap will be roughly around 59.4 mill

Unfortunately the Pen's wont be adding Dan Hamhuis to roster this year, he was shipped to Philly along with a conditional 7th round pick in exchange for Ryan Parent. Also Jason Arnott has been moved back to NJ for Matt Halischuk and a 2nd round pick in 2011

Too bad, i would've loved to have added Hamhuis to the lineup, fortunately there are still a couple good defencemen out there for RS to look at. Wonder what RS is going to do now 

After reading several posts it is obvious the Pens are in need of a couple wingers to help out our centers, especially Malkin and Crosby. While I agree that going for 1 or 2 in the FA market would be a good idea, i think that there is no time like now to start making Staal and Malkin a unit.

Staal has been a solid 3rd line center for the team, and runs probably the best checking line in the nhl right now along side Cooke and TK, but i think for a player that were paying 4mil a year he needs to be seeing more ice time, and especially with the offensive talent we have we should have him at least on the second line.

Malkin and Staal should be hybrid centers for there line, Staal taking face offs, and then shifting to wing. Malkin has proven that he is dominate at center, and has shown that Staal and him have chemistry, although our teams 3rd line would suffer a little, I think we should focus on resigning Cooke and then either have Talbot center the 3rd line or promote Letestu who IMO did a good job of playing a shutdown role.

Kunitz - Crosby - FA

Dupuis - Malkin - Staal

Cooke - Letestu - Kennedy

Rupp - Talbot - Adams

Goddard/Tangardi

That right there would save us tons of cap room to go after the D we need for next year.

Whats everyones opinion?

I've been reading over the UFA's and RFA's and it doesnt seem that any of the high powered offense out there we will really be able to afford this year. I think Shero and Co. would be best by going with the usual patch work we have gone with in the past. Aging forwards or a player who needs a change of scenery. ie Svatos or Higgins for this year.

Our key problem is being unable to draft our own talented wingers. We have had some recent success which has caused our draft picks to be low and we have also traded away 1st rounders for playoff success.

I was thinking this year we address the lack of quality wingers in the system.

1st Round Pick 20th overall: Jeff Skinner RW Kitchener (OHL)

the guy is a pure shooter and is exactly what the system needs.

after the first round watch for any of these guys in the 3,4,5 rounds and hope to get a steal.

Kirill Kabanov

Petr Straka RW Rimouski (QMJHL)

Ivan Telegin RW Saginaw (OHL)

Austin Watson RW Peterborough (OHL)

Jordan Weal C Regina (WHL)

Ryan Spooner C Peterborough, (OHL)

lets here some thoughts               

After watching the poor display of defence in our series against montreal I felt that we needed to beef up our defense for 2010-11 season.

I was thinking Ray should be going for Hamhuis among other solid 2 way defense which we clearly need. I think it would be possible to sign a guy like Hamhuis for a reasonable contract of 3.5 million or in that range and he would do wonders for our defense unlike the spotty play of Leopold or Gonchar in the final round.

Whats everyones opinion on who we get?