The Pittsburgh Penguins had a disappointing exit in the first round of the Playoffs this year, and that could lead to some questions about the roster in the offseason. They currently have three very expensive stars on their roster, and it will be up to Ray Shero if they elect to move any of the three to make room for some better support players. If any player moves, it will almost assuredly be Jordan Staal. According to Dejan Kovcevic of the Tribune-Review, the Penguins would be wise to wait on a Staal trade.
They’re profitable at Consol Energy Center and always will be able to spend up to the NHL’s salary cap. The question they’ll need to deliberate, with Staal eligible for free agency next summer, is whether it’s wise to pay half of a $60 million-plus payroll to three centermen.
I don’t envy Shero. Any GM with a Crosby/Malkin roster must contend every year, but Shero can’t ignore the long-term financial ledger. If he ever does, the roster will be filled out with AHL All-Stars.
Staal is the most expendable of the three, which is not to say that he is a bad player at all. He just isn't as important to the team as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. So if the Penguins elect to move somebody to clear up some salary, it will be Staal.
For more on the Penguins, check out PensBurgh.