With what is sure to be an eventful offseason already entering full-swing, Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford and Head Coach Mike Johnston are sure to be faced with a number of perplexing decisions, difficult questions and seemingly impossible hurdles. The team’s disappointing finish to the regular season, and ultimately the playoffs, highlighted a number of problems with the team’s structure, a number of which could be found in the form of poor contracts.
While a great deal of space will be opened by players whose contracts expired, including Craig Adams and Thomas Griess, the Penguins will still find themselves handicapped by a series of incredulous contractual obligations.