Salary Cap: '24-'25 Salary Thread: Crosbicles Volume MMXXV - Poolman and Poolparty?!?

[Turin]

Yes please but maybe Rakell over Rust.

What's your hypothetical trade for EP40?

I'm not sure, I'm willing to put just about anything on the table that isn't Crosby or Malkin.

Getting a top six C is imperative sooner than later, whether we are going for it or tanking it's going to be a giant hole as early as next season with Malkin aging out. If a potential star C becomes available because of some BS, we gotta at least try to be all in on it.

 

[Mr. T]

Can someone go do an Inception on JR so he fixates on Noel Acciari or some other turd we have here.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Marner is almost 28, he's never won anything, this core is cooked, and realistically, anything competitive the Pens could put together is like six years away. What would his motivation be to sign here?

Maybe won't get offers from teams who can win? Cap has been a bitch (for teams not actively trying to skirt rules)

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I'm not sure, I'm willing to put just about anything on the table that isn't Crosby or Malkin.

Getting a top six C is imperative sooner than later, whether we are going for it or tanking it's going to be a giant hole as early as next season with Malkin aging out. If a potential star C becomes available because of some BS, we gotta at least try to be all in on it.

Can someone go do an Inception on JR so he fixates on Noel Acciari or some other turd we have here.

Maybe won't get offers from teams who can win? Cap has been a bitch (for teams not actively trying to skirt rules)

The Canadian dollar tanking likely doesn't bode well for the Canadian teams this offseason. Unless I don't understand economics which is very, very likely.

Now back to fantasy land --

Marcus Pettersson, Drew O'Connor, Tristan Broz, and miscellaneous to even it out

to VAN for​

Elias Pettersson, Nils Hoglander, Vincent Desharnais, and miscellaneous to even it out

Jarry for a goalie swap, somehow

Graves to LTIR

Marner signed for whatever

eh, I give up typing but don't feel like deleting

 

[Empoleon8771]

In theory, I think you could possibly turn something like Pettersson, a center, McGroarty and a 1st for Pettersson into a reasonable discussion, with using Rakell as the main trade chip to get that center. I'm just super unsure of what center you could get for Rakell.

If RNH was still a center, I'd throw out Rakell to Edmonton for RNH and then Pettersson, RNH, McGroarty and a 1st for Pettersson. I still don't think that gets it done, though. Honestly I think you can make an argument that it's easier to go after Miller due to his age.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

On Mitch Marner my money is Toronto figures something out.

If he does hit free agency I am prepared for Dubas to go after him hard.
Rather spend top dollar on Marner then be forced to fill the roster out with worse players.

2.7 ish million back from retentions
5 ish million cap rise.
If glass isn't working out that's 2.5 million to 1 million with 1.5 mill space.

Bunting with 1 year at 4.5 is very appealing. Can be given for free.

That's 13.7 million. Barely had to work hard to fit him in.

 

[Empoleon8771]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6040729/2025/01/07/penguins-trade-deadline-rakell-pettersson/?source=emp_shared_article

They're not trading Rakell, Edmonton and Vancouver are interested in Pettersson and the team loves Pickering. Nothing too notable here.

I'm fine with keeping Rakell because he is signed for a while, running with Rakell-Crosby-Rust is the best way to ensure Crosby puts up as many points as possible before he retires. That said, they need to give Malkin that same opportunity to do something similar.

 

[HandshakeLine]

If Sid really wanted to put up points, he'd get the coach fired.

 

[SEALBound]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6040729/2025/01/07/penguins-trade-deadline-rakell-pettersson/?source=emp_shared_article

They're not trading Rakell, Edmonton and Vancouver are interested in Pettersson and the team loves Pickering. Nothing too notable here.

I'm fine with keeping Rakell because he is signed for a while, running with Rakell-Crosby-Rust is the best way to ensure Crosby puts up as many points as possible before he retires. That said, they need to give Malkin that same opportunity to do something similar.

When you can take Pettersson's hit down to $2mil and then pro-rate from there at the TDL, he will be an attractive addition as the price tag won't be horrendous. 2nd+prospect or even a first if we add someone. I still think Pettersson+DOC for a 1st+ should be the basis Dubas pushes.

If you would have asked me two months ago if Rakell was available, I would have said absolutely and even pushed for the trade, just as a means to get assets back and speed up our demise. But today, with them being close to the WC2 slot and Raks-Sid-Rust is working so well, I don't think they trade him. If nothing else, to save Sid from getting another productive winger ripped from him.

Rakell's contract is fine too. A little long but it's market value for a top 6 wing of his talent. He would have monster value if he's contract was up this year at the TDL. But given that Rakell's existence on the roster doesn't materially change our overall performance that much, I'm fine if they elect to keep him until Sid is gone. That's one extra season so likely a TDL bait assuming he keeps a decent level of play up.

 

[SEALBound]

With the lines the way they are currently, I see some parallels between 2015 and now, Marner just being the new Kessel.

Raks-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Marner
DOC-Lizotte-Tomasino
Poulin-Acciari-Glass

being the opening day lineup but it evolves to:

McGroarty-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
Rakell-Lizotte-Marner
Poulin-Acciari-Gruden

or something line that. Catch the NHL off guard, Murashov channels in inner Matt Murray and stops everything in existence, and we win the Cup with head coach Kirk MacDonald. Dubas becomes Penguins legend. Toronto fans on suicide watch.

Piece of cake.

 

[eXile3]

With the lines the way they are currently, I see some parallels between 2015 and now, Marner just being the new Kessel.

Raks-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Marner
DOC-Lizotte-Tomasino
Poulin-Acciari-Glass

being the opening day lineup but it evolves to:

McGroarty-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
Rakell-Lizotte-Marner
Poulin-Acciari-Gruden

or something line that. Catch the NHL off guard, Murashov channels in inner Matt Murray and stops everything in existence, and we win the Cup with head coach Kirk MacDonald. Dubas becomes Penguins legend. Toronto fans on suicide watch.

Piece of cake.

What’s the THC level on your stuff because I want some.

 

[Turin]

With the lines the way they are currently, I see some parallels between 2015 and now, Marner just being the new Kessel.

Raks-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Marner
DOC-Lizotte-Tomasino
Poulin-Acciari-Glass

being the opening day lineup but it evolves to:

McGroarty-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
Rakell-Lizotte-Marner
Poulin-Acciari-Gruden

or something line that. Catch the NHL off guard, Murashov channels in inner Matt Murray and stops everything in existence, and we win the Cup with head coach Kirk MacDonald. Dubas becomes Penguins legend. Toronto fans on suicide watch.

Piece of cake.

That roster would go really hard if Malkin and Crosby were still top 5 players lol

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'd just run with Rakell-Crosby-Rust and Bunting-Malkin-Marner and just have young guys and cap dumps they're paid to take in the rest of the forward lineup. Just put Crosby and Malkin in a spot to put up as many points as possible and screw the rest.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

With the lines the way they are currently, I see some parallels between 2015 and now, Marner just being the new Kessel.

Raks-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Marner
DOC-Lizotte-Tomasino
Poulin-Acciari-Glass

being the opening day lineup but it evolves to:

McGroarty-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
Rakell-Lizotte-Marner
Poulin-Acciari-Gruden

or something line that. Catch the NHL off guard, Murashov channels in inner Matt Murray and stops everything in existence, and we win the Cup with head coach Kirk MacDonald. Dubas becomes Penguins legend. Toronto fans on suicide watch.

Piece of cake.

What’s the THC level on your stuff because I want some.

That roster would go really hard if Malkin and Crosby were still top 5 players lol

Mitch Marner would be the best teammate Crosby or Malkin have ever had skill wise.

Yes even above Kessel or Guentzel.

I still could see us missing but Marner is that type of guy that could get us in.

 

[Turin]

Mitch Marner would be the best teammate Crosby or Malkin have ever had skill wise.

Yes even above Kessel or Guentzel.

I still could see us missing but Marner is that type of guy that could get us in.

I agree he’s about the level of a Hossa.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I agree he’s about the level of a Hossa.

Honestly Hossa would probably be a good comparable.

It would be like signing a prime Hossa to a 7 year deal

 

[pistolpete11]

I don't know why Marner would do it, but getting him would make me interested again.

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Marner

Is a damn fine top 6 even at Crosby and Malkin's ages. Force Sullivan's hand to play young guys like Tom, Groats, Pono, etc. in the bottom 6 with just a few of the usual plugs like DOC and Lizotte. Maybe you get lucky and a few of those guys make a jump.

 

[DesertPenguin]

On Mitch Marner my money is Toronto figures something out.

If he does hit free agency I am prepared for Dubas to go after him hard.
Rather spend top dollar on Marner then be forced to fill the roster out with worse players.

2.7 ish million back from retentions
5 ish million cap rise.
If glass isn't working out that's 2.5 million to 1 million with 1.5 mill space.

Bunting with 1 year at 4.5 is very appealing. Can be given for free.

That's 13.7 million. Barely had to work hard to fit him in.

I keep saying we have plenty of role players up front but need one more truly impact F. Marner fits the bill there if somehow Dubas could sign him. A top 6 next year of

Rakell Crosby Rust
McGroarty Malkin Marner

Assuming McG puts it together, would be pretty nice. Then you've got a bottom. 6 that looks like

Bunting Lizotte Tomasino
Hayes Glass Acciari

With room for some kids to come up like Broz, Pono, Koivunen, Gruden

I'd ride with that. D is still going to be a cluster though, especially if we trade Petts as expected.

Pickering Letang
No Clue Karlsson
Graves St Ivany

 

[SEALBound]

What’s the THC level on your stuff because I want some.

The hopium-copium combo I'm on is illegal in all 50 states and Canada. Got it in Mexico. Pretty good stuff. Tastes like strawberries.

 

[HandshakeLine]

"Blowin' cookie, never coughin' like a rookie."

 

[Andy99]

According to a poster on another site…lol

“
TIOPS indicates that a package that includes Pettersson and DOC is being floated out there and that teams are interested in acquiring both.

Other tidbits to be taken with a grain of salt:
- they're growing more pleased with Grzelcyk and may be leaning on bringing him back.
- Beauvillier is likely to be dealt and there was an offer on the table from a western conference team that would return an AHL forward.
- They like Glass and see him being around into next year.
- Koivunen, McGroarty and Broz are lumped together as being decent bets to be on the team next season. Management views them as the top tier potential wise.”

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'm not crazy about Grzelcyk but he's produced a good bit for the Penguins this year and can eat minutes. I think he likely brings back enough to trade him, but I'd be totally fine with re-signing him if you're not satisfied with the trade offers coming back for him. He's not particularly good but you need some guys to eat minutes with this team.

 

[Gurglesons]

According to a poster on another site…lol

“
TIOPS indicates that a package that includes Pettersson and DOC is being floated out there and that teams are interested in acquiring both.

Other tidbits to be taken with a grain of salt:
- they're growing more pleased with Grzelcyk and may be leaning on bringing him back.
- Beauvillier is likely to be dealt and there was an offer on the table from a western conference team that would return an AHL forward.
- They like Glass and see him being around into next year.
- Koivunen, McGroarty and Broz are lumped together as being decent bets to be on the team next season. Management views them as the top tier potential wise.”

I think I have a better chance hooking up with Charlize Theron than all three of those being on the team next season.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I think the only thing TIOPS was right about/had the scoop on was our boy Janne Pesonen signing with the Pens.

 

[Coastal Kev]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6040729/2025/01/07/penguins-trade-deadline-rakell-pettersson/?source=emp_shared_article

They're not trading Rakell, Edmonton and Vancouver are interested in Pettersson and the team loves Pickering. Nothing too notable here.

I'm fine with keeping Rakell because he is signed for a while, running with Rakell-Crosby-Rust is the best way to ensure Crosby puts up as many points as possible before he retires. That said, they need to give Malkin that same opportunity to do something similar.

why do you want to delay getting better, only to serve the purpose of Sid getting more points??? I really don't understand the mindset of PGH sports fans these days. Maybe I have been away too long and the city has changed too much, just don't get it. Keeping the status quo that has zero chance of winning is obtuse, at least to me it is.