TIOPS DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions*
.....4. The talk of the Penguins wanting to add a Russian for Evgeni Malkin isn't going away, now they feel it's important to add local players? Jim Rutherford has been given a directive from his bosses to add local players if the opportunity presents it self. “(My bosses) have shared with me the disappointment that we don't have a local player,” Rutherford told Jason Mackey of the Tribune-Review. “I keep that in mind, not only if it's the draft but also if one comes up in the league who's local.” This sounds so silly and even crazy but did some checking today and it's absolutely true and is so David Morehouse. 5. Speaking of local players, all this talk of the Penguins going after Brandon Saad, a legitimate scenario that's been discussed internally among Rutherford and his closest confidants is J.T. Miller in New York. The Penguins love the shot, size, instincts, where they feel Miller is a potential 30 goal scorer down the road who can impact a game in a lot of ways. This is one of those bold, gutsy moves Rutherford is going to mull and with the pressure to add a local player, who knows where it goes, those close to the situation said today as even those who work with Rutherford feel he's going to be aggressive and do something surprising over the next couple weeks. Those around the league feel the Rangers could be vulnerable to keeping Miller if a team like the Penguins goes and pays for potential as in an offer sheet over $3.6 million per that would net the Rangers a first, third round pick in 2016. The Rangers are tight against the cap, have several key RFA's to resign and Miller isn't a favorite of Alain Vigneault. The Rangers are going to be looking to keep him on a cheap, short-term bridge deal. OFFER SHEET COMPENSATION $1,205,377 or below — None $1,205,377 to $1,826,328 — Third Round $1,826,328 to $3,652, 659 — Second Round $3,652,659 to $5,478,986 — First Round and Third Round $5,478,986 to $7,305,316 — First Round, Second Round, and Third Round $7,305,316 to $9,131,645 — Two First Rounds, Second Round, and Third Round $9,131,645 — Four First Rounds
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