The Penguins Migration Situation

Story by Yinzer Crazy contributor Kuljit Parmar

After a thrilling two and a half months of playoff hockey was completed with an Avalanche win over the Lightning, the Penguins and their fans know the situation: they need to get more talented. Watching these finals you could notice skill that pivoted around pillars of gods, and speed that put on a chase from wolves, were the reasons Colorado was able to hoist the cup.

Indeed, it was a doozy. And yes, the best team won it all, in a grueling battle.

But moving on to the better of the days in Pittsburgh now that the season is officially over and we are getting into gear for the 2022 draft on the 7th and 8th of July, as well as Free Agency. Teams’ are expected to make a bang to improve their core. Either with depth players or marquee players that will take them deep into the playoffs next season.

After reading the comments made by President of Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Operations Brian Burke on the “Jeff Marek Show” on “Sirius XM’' it's safe to say he didn't hide much when expressing his feelings on his thoughts on free agents. 

His comments showed that he may be in favor of spending less to acquire more depth - and less of a star-studded name to compliment Sidney Crosby or the second line and special teams.

If Letang and Malkin do in fact walk,  the team can muster up to 34 million dollars in cap space to clean house at the free agency by acquiring key level players that would systematically balance out the lineup with speed – accompanied with skill and young talent. 

In a favourable course however, a drastic change would be in order if the two big guns are not able to be signed, let alone one.

And in that manner, to help Crosby settle for retirement, it would make sense to utilize the draft pick and maneuver in many ways to try to form a solid team in the coming years, but a threat in the meantime to play against.

For that, this would have to be strategized well by management – and to do this well like no other and to learn from General Manager Ron Hextall is the almighty Brilliant President Brian Burke.

In the famous words of Brian Burke in the late 90’s “You do not need to spend much money on star players to form a contender worthy team.”

It sounds like that motto may carry on 30 years later.