The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another defenseman, and this one comes with a Stanley Cup pedigree. Jan Rutta has signed a three-year contract with the Penguins worth a total of $8.25MM. That means an average annual value of $2.75MM, likely more than the Tampa Bay Lightning could afford.
While he likely doesn’t regret his time in Tampa Bay–he did win the Stanley Cup twice, after all–it’s been hard for Rutta to really show what he was capable of on the powerhouse squad. During 158 regular season games with the Lightning, he averaged fewer than 16 minutes a night and that number actually went down in the postseason.
The team’s heavy reliance on its top four left little for Rutta and others to cover, though when he was on the ice he was quite effective. Now in Pittsburgh, he currently projects in basically the same situation.
The Penguins have five defensemen that carry cap hits of at least $4MM, meaning Rutta’s signing only gives more credence to the idea that someone will be moved out in the coming days and weeks.
Rutta is a good player and this is a good price.
Are we trading Marino? Or just pushing Ruhwedel back to the press box?
Marino and Kapanen to VAN for Miller? I think the Pens have to move a defenseman to get an impact winger at this point. Cap room is drying up quick.
We’d have to offer way more than that for Miller. Don’t think we can pull it off.
But..for fun…
Marino, Zucker and Kapanen for Garland, Pearson and Schenn, who says no?
Everyone knows a defenseman is going. Could be one of Dumoulin, Pettersson or Marino. Not enough cap to keep them all.
Actually, a Marino for Pearson and Schenn and maybe like a 3rd would be a reasonable deal.
Dumo Letang
Matheson Rutta
Pettersson Schenn
I was going to say that Pearson can push Zucker down to the third line, then I remembered Pearson and Carter have some history…so…
Jake Sid Rust
Zucker Geno Rakell
Pearson Carter Kapanen
Zohorna Blueger McGinn
That’s not bad at all.
Then why sign POJ if you’re not givin him a real chance
Asking a guy to beat out Marcus Pettersson is as real a chance as one could ask for…
Or maybe they just try to use Sam Poulin with Carter and keep a very strong 1-8 D corps…
Dumoulin Letang
Matheson Rutta
Pettersson Marino
POJ Ruhwedel
this is a really good pickup as far as adding needed grit and size to the blue line.
will be interesting to see if this inspires a trade of Marino or Petts , or if they’re just going to have excellent depth on D and have flexibility at the trade deadline