When the start of NHL free agency was approaching last month, Ron Hextall made it clear that the Penguins weren't likely to be major buyers.
No so much because his team couldn't benefit from a few personnel upgrades -- it has, after all, lost four consecutive playoff series -- but because Hextall's top priority was getting under the NHL's salary-cap ceiling of $81.5 million for the coming season.
The Penguins weren't the only team caught in a cap squeeze, of course, which is why it was a low-risk move for Hextall to predict that some established NHL contributors still would be looking for work weeks after the league's annual free-agent Spendapalooza got underway.
"I suspect there will probably be players in August who aren't signed," Hextall said.
He was correct. Whether it's because so many teams have limited salary-cap space available or because no club sees the players still on the market as a good fit for them, more than a few accomplished veterans have yet to receive a new contract.
Barring a significant move or two to clear some cap space, it's hard to see how the Penguins would be adding any of them to the payroll.
Per CapFriendly.com, the Penguins have $121,975 of space remaining, based on a 23-man roster. That means they'd have to come up with nearly $630,000 more, simply to sign a guy for the league minimum.
So while there's no reason to believe the Penguins will be shopping for another free agent, there are some out there capable of being an asset for them -- and a lot of other teams.
Here's a sampling of guys who remain unsigned nearly a month into free agency:
ERIK GUDBRANSON
Age: 29
Position: Defense
Size: 6-5, 217 pounds
2020-21 teams: Ottawa, Nashville
2020-21 stats: One goal, three assists, 59 minutes in 43 games
2020-21 salary-cap hit: $4 million
How he could help Penguins: He would provide some badly needed size and muscle and, because he plays the right side, he could be slotted into Cody Ceci's old spot alongside Mike Matheson or paired with Marcus Pettersson, allowing John Marino to take over as Matheson's partner.
TRAVIS ZAJAC
Age: 36.
Position: Center
Size: 6-2, 185 pounds
2020-21 teams: New Jersey, New York Islanders
2020-21 stats: Eight goals, 12 assists in 46 games
2020-21 salary-cap hit: $5.75 million
How he could help Penguins: The biggest plus for the Penguins might be that they no longer would have to play against him, since Zajac always has been very effective against them. But his solid two-way game, including strong work on faceoffs, would be a nice addition to the bottom six if the Penguins didn't already have enough capable bodies there.
JASON DEMERS
Age: 33
Position: Defense
Size: 6-1, 195 pounds
2020-21 team: Arizona
2020-21 stats: No goals, four assists in 41 games
2020-21 salary-cap hit: $4.5 million
How he could help Penguins: Demers can join the rush and moves the puck well, which is always a big plus in Mike Sullivan's system (and that of many other coaches). He'll play the body now and then, as well.
ALEX CHIASSON
Age: 30
Position: Right wing
Size: 6-4, 208 pounds
2020-21 team: Edmonton
2020-21 stats: Nine goals, seven assists in 45 games
2020-21 salary-cap hit: $2.15 million
How he could help Penguins: He would bring some size and physicality, as well as the offensive potential flashed during a 22-goal season in 2018-19, his first of three with the Oilers.
SAMI VATANEN
Age: 30
Position: Defense
Size: 5-10, 185 pounds
2020-21 teams: New Jersey, Dallas
2020-21 stats: Two goals, four assists in 39 games
2020-21 salary-cap hit: $2 million
How he could help Penguins: Despite coming off a miserable season with the Devils and Stars, Vatanen moves the puck well and has a strong overall offensive game. He wouldn't be the answer to their toughness issues on the blue line, though.
MICHAEL STONE
Age: 31
Position: Defense
Size: 6-3, 210 pounds
2020-21 team: Calgary
2020-21 stats: Two goals, two assists in 21 games
2020-21 salary-cap hit: $700,000
How he could help Penguins: A right-handed shot who would make the Penguins bigger on defense, but wouldn't necessary be able to lock up a spot on the top three pairings.
