Salary Cap: 2016-17 roster-building part IV | Contract chart, cap info in post #1

[Sidney the Kidney]

Remember when some folks on here wouldn't trade unproven Pouliot for unproven Drouin? Now maybe folks realize just how good Drouin is.

If Tampa was dumb enough to do that trade, Pens pull the trigger in a heartbeat and then change their phone number before Yzerman has a chance to change his mind.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

You're probably right, but Nash has a 12 team list he can be traded to. And we were on it last time around. And we have a surplus PMD to help NY move on from Yandle longterm.

It'd take quite a bit of salary retention because Nash isn't a star player anymore, but for around 5 mil? He's far better than any player we could realistically get our hands on for the cap space and assets we have to give up.

I agree, and I'm not a big Nash fan.

But again, can't see the Rags trading him within the division to a big rival. Safe to assume they'd rather trade him to almost anyone else.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Yeah, I would've traded Pouliot for Drouin.

I still think Drouin's a ****ing *****, but I didn't know he'd be this ****ing good already.

 

[mpp9]

I agree, and I'm not a big Nash fan.

But again, can't see the Rags trading him within the division to a big rival. Safe to assume they'd rather trade him to almost anyone else.

It'd have to be a combination of circumstances.

1) Rangers going mini-rebuild and Nash being a UFA by the time they're back being relevant. I doubt they care where they send him in that scenario.

2) Them moving on from Yandle and wanting an NHL ready PMD.

3) Their ownership being cool with retaining money on Nash. Like near 50%.

I'd say any single one of those things is likely. Not sure about all three of them.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Yeah, I would've traded Pouliot for Drouin.

I still think Drouin's a ****ing *****, but I didn't know he'd be this ****ing good already.

I think these playoffs are Exhibit A as to why demoting him to the AHL was an incredibly stupid move to begin with.

He's not an AHL player, not even close. He hasn't been since he turned pro. He's an elite talent who never should have been treated that way.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I think these playoffs are Exhibit A as to why demoting him to the AHL was an incredibly stupid move to begin with.

He's not an AHL player, not even close. He hasn't been since he turned pro. He's an elite talent who never should have been treated that way.

Seriously. What I've learned is that he was right. The approach may not have been smart, but he was right about his usage and career. I think we'll start to see more of it going forward.

 

[T1K]

Remember when some folks on here wouldn't trade unproven Pouliot for unproven Drouin? Now maybe folks realize just how good Drouin is.

If Tampa was dumb enough to do that trade, Pens pull the trigger in a heartbeat and then change their phone number before Yzerman has a chance to change his mind.

Yup, but Yzerman wasn't probably just asking for Pouliot. I'd wager he asked for Pouliot, Sprong, and a 1st. If it was just Pouliot or Pouliot+Sprong even, I feel like a team would've offered an equivalent package. If a handful of us on HF Pens knew how good he was, surely Tampa knew how good he was. FWIW I even said at the time I'd trade Sprong and Pouliot for Drouin if it came down to it. I still would obviously, but now we'd be lucky if we got Drouin for those two+our 1st. Drouin won't be going anywhere unless he wants out of Tampa. If Stamkos leaves they need a new face of the franchise and Drouin will probably become that if he wants to be.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Yup, but Yzerman wasn't probably just asking for Pouliot. I'd wager he asked for Pouliot, Sprong, and a 1st. If it was just Pouliot or Pouliot+Sprong even, I feel like a team would've offered an equivalent package. If a handful of us on HF Pens knew how good he was, surely Tampa knew how good he was. FWIW I even said at the time I'd trade Sprong and Pouliot for Drouin if it came down to it. I still would obviously, but now we'd be lucky if we got Drouin for those two+our 1st. Drouin won't be going anywhere unless he wants out of Tampa. If Stamkos leaves they need a new face of the franchise and Drouin will probably become that if he wants to be.

Oh, I don't think he was ever available, nor do I think the Pens ever made an offer for him. I'm just saying I recall on here when someone brought up Drouin (I think it was RRP), some Pens fans were quick with the "I wouldn't trade Pouliot straight up for Drouin" or some such nonsense. That was just silly.

Drouin showed how much of an impact player he is. Meanwhile, Pouliot hasn't even shown yet that he can be a consistent NHL player, let alone an impact one.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Oh, I don't think he was ever available, nor do I think the Pens ever made an offer for him. I'm just saying I recall on here when someone brought up Drouin (I think it was RRP), some Pens fans were quick with the "I wouldn't trade Pouliot straight up for Drouin" or some such nonsense. That was just silly.

Drouin showed how much of an impact player he is. Meanwhile, Pouliot hasn't even shown yet that he can be a consistent NHL player, let alone an impact one.

I still really like Pouliot's skills and potential, but yeah, moving him for Drouin was a no-brainer because he's a gamebreaking talent and has been for some time. He didn't develop this skill between January and now, he simply got the opportunity.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

I wonder if anybody last night spoke to Stamkos at the handshake line and said something to the effect of, "come to Pittsburgh, Stammer."

I know speculation is he's already got a deal with Toronto but I don't believe that. And I know the speculation is he really doesn't want to play wing and prefers to be a center.

But playing right wing next to Sidney Crosby isn't a bad gig. Especially since he's likely to be placed there in September at the World Cup.

 

[YeeYee]

I wonder if anybody last night spoke to Stamkos at the handshake line and said something to the effect of, "come to Pittsburgh, Stammer."

I know speculation is he's already got a deal with Toronto but I don't believe that. And I know the speculation is he really doesn't want to play wing and prefers to be a center.

But playing right wing next to Sidney Crosby isn't a bad gig. Especially since he's likely to be placed there in September at the World Cup.

Do yourself a favor and don't even let your mind think about it. Not going to happen.

 

[Shady Machine]

I dunno... if the cost was just Kunitz and a meh prospect (say Blueger) and a mid pick, I'd probably do it. Move Fehr and the cap increase is minimal.

That said, I think there's better ways to spend 8m, but it would be interesting to see Nash and Malkin together.

How many 7+ million players can this team realistically afford? Sure we could fit him in for 1 year but then Dumo's extension, decision on Bones and Daley, etc. Not to mention Matt Murray isn't going to be cheap forever. I'd much prefer finding more Hagelin types (40ish point ES players that can skate and cost 4MMish)

 

[Shady Machine]

I'm not paying a D-man whose greatest attribute is clearing the net and hitting people 4.5+ mil when we should be paying players that help us play our style of game.

But I'm a Mark Cuban follower and believe diversification in your investments is dumb as well.

You think asset diversification is dumb? I hope your 401K isn't filled with 100% foreign stocks.

 

[Shady Machine]

I'm fascinated with how they handle their roster going forward if that's true. There's not any easy way to keep what they have while reinforcing the D (Mitchell retiring, Kindl and Kulikov expiring soon, Campbell getting old) unless they jack the payroll up to max. Even then, it'll be tough.

Wow you're right. Matheson is the only Dman they have signed past next year. Ekblad and Kulikov are going to cost a pretty penny.

 

[Shady Machine]

Yeah, I would've traded Pouliot for Drouin.

I still think Drouin's a ****ing *****, but I didn't know he'd be this ****ing good already.

I still think you are way too quick to judge and overreact to people you don't know

Drouin was a young kid who thought he was good enough to be a contributor in the NHL and was frustrated he was being yo-yo'd around. He handled it poorly along with the help of his agent, but it looks like he was right in his assessment of himself.

 

[Shady Machine]

It'd have to be a combination of circumstances.

1) Rangers going mini-rebuild and Nash being a UFA by the time they're back being relevant. I doubt they care where they send him in that scenario.

2) Them moving on from Yandle and wanting an NHL ready PMD.

3) Their ownership being cool with retaining money on Nash. Like near 50%.

I'd say any single one of those things is likely. Not sure about all three of them.

That's a very specific set of circumstances that seem highly unlikely. My Nash playoff flop comment was for him being a star player. As a 5MM or under guy, hell yeah I'd take him. I just don't think that's remotely likely.

 

[IcedCapp]

You know, I'm Trevor Daley's second biggest fan (shoutout to vabm8), but his skating is his first, second, and third biggest strength, and now he has a broken ankle. I'd definitely be proactive about finding a legit top-4 guy this summer.

 

[Shady Machine]

I wonder if anybody last night spoke to Stamkos at the handshake line and said something to the effect of, "come to Pittsburgh, Stammer."

I know speculation is he's already got a deal with Toronto but I don't believe that. And I know the speculation is he really doesn't want to play wing and prefers to be a center.

But playing right wing next to Sidney Crosby isn't a bad gig. Especially since he's likely to be placed there in September at the World Cup.

If they did, he probably responded with "Do you have 10MM in cap space a year to spare?"

 

[DegenX]

You know, I'm Trevor Daley's second biggest fan (shoutout to vabm8), but his skating is his first, second, and third biggest strength, and now he has a broken ankle. I'd definitely be proactive about finding a legit top-4 guy this summer.

That is a concern. I wonder if it changes anything with regards to Schultz? Getting him for a 3rd seemed like a depth move at the time, and his usage seemed to bear that out ... especially when they signed Bengtsson.

Määttä - Letang
Dumo - Schultz
Pooh/Cole - Bengtsson

I still think Schultz is going to price himself out of Pittsburgh, though.

 

[Shady Machine]

You know, I'm Trevor Daley's second biggest fan (shoutout to vabm8), but his skating is his first, second, and third biggest strength, and now he has a broken ankle. I'd definitely be proactive about finding a legit top-4 guy this summer.

I agree with this. I think he can come back and be fine, but there's no guarantee his skating is back to 100% next year, if ever.

Demers or Gogo are the UFA targets I'd look at, but trades are a possibility too. Or I suppose they decide that Schultz can be an on the fly top 4 promotion during the season with Pouliot as full time 3rd pair. A lot can happen between now and next year, but I'd certainly explore top 4 upgrade.

 

[wgknestrick]

You know, I'm Trevor Daley's second biggest fan (shoutout to vabm8), but his skating is his first, second, and third biggest strength, and now he has a broken ankle. I'd definitely be proactive about finding a legit top-4 guy this summer.

We need to make room for Shultz and especially DP IMO. Shultz has proved that he is very lucrative project to invest in. He will probably be scary good in 1-2 years with this coaching staff and I don't see many better options than the ones we currently have on the roster. PIT was in that "Top 4 UFA Dman" mode before (Z-Michalek, PaulMart, Scuderi) and it got them nowhere. PaulMart was the only one we didn't regret signing and he still was constantly on trade suggestions to move that 5mil/year contract.

NHL is certainly a young man's game now, and that means keeping UFAs to a min. Just look at all the buyouts and horrible contracts given. So much at risk with signing UFA contracts of any term or cost.

 

[Shady Machine]

That is a concern. I wonder if it changes anything with regards to Schultz? Getting him for a 3rd seemed like a depth move at the time, and his usage seemed to bear that out ... especially when they signed Bengtsson.

Määttä - Letang
Dumo - Schultz
Pooh/Cole - Bengtsson

I still think Schultz is going to price himself out of Pittsburgh, though.

Daley will still be an NHL player next year and Bengtsson shouldn't be counted on to make the team. Remember when we had Andersen penciled into number 7 spot?

I think the question with Daley is can he still be a top 3-4 guy that plays 20+ minutes? If his skating isn't what it used to be, then the answer is no. He still has very good offensive instincts, a good shot, active stick, etc. I think it just changes the calculation as to the make up of the blue line.

I can't see how Schultz prices himself out of Pittsburgh unless he just wants the most money possible.

 

[Winger for Hire]

Schultz is a RFA, correct?

 

[Shady Machine]

We need to make room for Shultz and especially DP IMO. Shultz has proved that he is very lucrative project to invest in. He will probably be scary good in 1-2 years with this coaching staff and I don't see many better options than the ones we currently have on the roster. PIT was in that "Top 4 UFA Dman" mode before (Z-Michalek, PaulMart, Scuderi) and it got them nowhere. PaulMart was the only one we didn't regret signing and he still was constantly on trade suggestions to move that 5mil/year contract.

NHL is certainly a young man's game now, and that means keeping UFAs to a min. Just look at all the buyouts and horrible contracts given. So much at risk with signing UFA contracts of any term or cost.

The tough part with Pouliot is LD vs RD. Maatta and Dumo seem to be exclusively LD and Letang, Daley, Schultz are exclusively RD. Cole is the only one that has played both sides. Pouliot was a top 10 pick 4 years ago and still hasn't established himself. Plus, let's be realistic. Pouliot isn't getting top PP time and Schultz and Daley, if both are around, are going to get 2nd PP minutes.

If that's the case, how valuable is Pouliot to your lineup? To me, he's probably much more valuable as a trade chip for Geno or Sid's left winger.

 

[Shady Machine]

Schultz is a RFA, correct?

Yes but his qualifying offer is 3.9MM which the Pens certainly won't match. Once they don't match, he becomes UFA. I suspect he knows he's not worth 3.9 and will negotiate with the Pens on a short term low money "prove it" deal and it will be announced right after he becomes UFA.