March 1: Both players have cleared waivers and can be assigned to the minor leagues, giving the Penguins additional cap space.
Feb 28: The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to use the waiver wire to clear salary off the books, this time waiving Brock McGinn and Mark Friedman, according to Chris Johnston of NorthStar Bets. As the deadline approaches, clearing room could give the Penguins enough flexibility to pull off a more significant move.
McGinn, 29, was one of Ron Hextall’s first big moves when he took over as general manager in 2021. He signed a four-year, $11MM contract with the Penguins on the first day of free agency after several up-and-down seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. Almost immediately, it was clear that McGinn’s offensive production would never really materialize as he settled into a checking role in Pittsburgh.
In 2021-22, he scored 12 goals and 22 points in 64 games, numbers that he has yet to match this season. By placing him on waivers, the Penguins could bury $1.125MM of his $2.75MM contract in the minor leagues, or—perhaps hopefully—lose the entire contract to another team, as they did Kasperi Kapanen recently.
Cap space is more valuable for the team right now, especially if the team has something big in the works for the deadline. Reports have emerged several times about Hextall trying to trade McGinn, but it seems like they couldn’t find a taker before being forced into this move.
While Friedman certainly isn’t as expensive—he carries a cap hit of just $775K through next season—he is another asset that can be buried in the minor leagues to open up some room. His entire cap hit will be removed if he clears and is assigned to the AHL, though it isn’t much more than the league minimum.
Mom pick me up, I’m scared
I don’t blame you. This is the ominous music that plays right before someone does something truly desperate and stupid.
At this point I’m worried that if I drive too close to PPG Paints Arena that I’ll be placed on waivers.
Don’t worry, the construction will prevent that from happening.
I’m sure most here have forgotten more about hockey than I’ll ever learn. But maybe someone can enlighten me. Does it make sense to make wholesale trades and sneak into the playoffs, only to get wiped out by the best team in the league?
To a GM trying to save face to new ownership for paychecks sake, yes. To the fans, big no.
Hextall and Burke making room for trades …they need help for sure…
So McGinn was on waivers but able to play last night? Don’t think I’ve ever seen that before
JD GOAT. So true…Funny eh….