There are a few issues that would need to be determined before I could make my decisions:
1. Need to see how everyone performs in the playoffs.
2. Need to have a better understanding of what the 2014-2015 salary cap will be, as that is actually more important.
For #1, if the Pens win the cup or have a deep run, and the new players have an impact, then I would be inclined to try and keep most of the players here for next season.
For #2, I have been doing some research on projected cap for future years. I've sent tweets to capgeek and NHL Agent Allan Walsh, but the best info I have found to date is the following article from James Mirtle:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/how-the-nhls-salary-cap-could-hit-90-million/article7029575/If his assumptions are correct, then 2013-2014 AND 2014-2015 will most likely both have the 64.3mil cap, which is not good for the Penguins. Also, if you are looking to do this very detailed
http://www.capgeek.com/penguins/cap-calculator/ is a great tool that lets you adjust salary, sign players, and see the affect on the cap.
Taking a step by step approach, there are really 4 items that need to be considered:
1. The increase in salary for Malkin and Letang for 2014-2015 and beyond.
2. Jarome Iginla
3. Pascal Dupuis
4. Morrow/Cooke
Up first, Malkin/Letang contracts. I hear a lot about Malkin wanting/looking/deserves 10mil+. I don't see it. His injury history, and more important, wild production swings, can't justify me giving him a huge raise. Malkin gets offered 8.7mil again, and a max of 9mil. 8 years, 9mil is my offer to Malkin. For Letang, I'm using Erik Karlsson as my baseline, 7 years at 6.5mil per season. That adds 3.3mil in salary for 2014-2015, which may have same 64.3mil salary cap as 2013-2014. Something to keep in mind.
Jarome Iginla. Does he truly want to stay? If yes, he needs to come down in contract considerably. I think the Max pens could go would be 4mil a season for 2 years. If he signs, it is the end of Pascal Dupuis in Pittsburgh. If he doesn't, the Pens look to retain Dupuis for 3mil or less for 2 years.
Matt Cooke or Brendan Morrow. Both 34 (Cooke will be 35 before season starts). Both play a gritty game, but I think Morrow has more upside. I offer Morrow 2 years at 2.5mil.
While not a good skater by any means, Doug Murray has a much needed physical presence. Resign him for 1 year at 2.8mil.
Time to free up some money and regain some draft picks. I ship Paul Martin and the rights to Tyler Kennedy to Edmonton for a 1st or 2nd rounder (not good at estimating the return), provided Martin approves the trade. If not, I trade them out seperately before the draft to get some picks. Worst case, I don't qualify Tyler Kennedy.
I also sign Jerred Smithson, UFA, from Edmonton to help 4th line. Tall, good on PK, hits, blocks shots. 3 years, 850K.
I do not resign Adams, Dupuis (unless I can't sign Iginla), Cooke, Eaton, trade Martin and Kennedy to free up room and get back some draft picks. My lines look like this, with 1.2mil in space still available
FORWARDS
Chris Kunitz ($3.725m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Jarome Iginla ($4.000m)
James Neal ($5.000m) / Evgeni Malkin ($8.700m) / Beau Bennett ($0.900m)
Jussi Jokinen ($2.100m) / Brandon Sutter ($2.067m) / Brenden Morrow ($2.500m)
Tanner Glass ($1.100m) / Jerred Smithson ($0.850m) / Joe Vitale ($0.550m)
Dustin Jeffrey ($0.688m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Douglas Murray ($2.750m) / Brooks Orpik ($3.750m)
Kris Letang ($3.500m) / Matt Niskanen ($2.300m)
Simon Despres ($0.840m) / Deryk Engelland ($0.567m)
Robert Bortuzzo ($0.578m) /
GOALTENDERS
Marc-Andre Fleury ($5.000m)
Tomas Vokoun ($2.000m)
Eric Hartzell ($0.874m)
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SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,087,458; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (24-man roster): $1,212,542