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

[Epic Neal Time]

I have a feeling that Malkin to Colorado is a real possibility. Crosby is going nowhere, but if Malkin is really retiring after next season.... there's no chance we are contending next year, so he's staying for literally nothing but legacy.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I have a feeling that Malkin to Colorado is a real possibility. Crosby is going nowhere, but if Malkin is really retiring after next season.... there's no chance we are contending next year, so he's staying for literally nothing but legacy.

Malkin doesn't want to go anywhere. Crosby doesn't want to go anywhere.

How many times does this need to be repeated?

 

[Coastal Kev]

You answered your own question. He fits our 4th line like a glove.

Actually he doesn't. Sully hates anyone that has even the slightest signs of aggression. Imama will get 5 minutes and sent packing

 

[Gurglesons]

While Imama won't be up for long, looks like Pickering won't be back for a little bit. Get ready for more Ryan Graves:

“It’s our responsibility to make sure that we make the best decisions for Pick and his overall growth and development,” Sullivan said before Saturday’s game in Seattle. “He played very well for us for a period of time. His game has not been trending in the trajectory that he had been on for a number of games now.”

He added: “It’s not anything unusual when you look at a 20-year-old defenseman that is trying to find their way in this league. ... We’re ecstatic with where he’s at and where he’s come from. And we’re excited about where his game could go moving forward.”

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2025/01/25/owen-pickering-boko-imama-ahl/stories/202501250040

Mike Sullivan. Noted genius when it comes to player development.

 

[Turin]

I don’t agree that sending Pickering down is necessary, however I really don’t care because the team is going nowhere and this probably makes them worse. Which is fine.

 

[Icarium]

I can't believe they missed the opportunity to give Pickering the nickname Picky. This is so not the game I know and love!

 

[SomeDude]

Actually he doesn't. Sully hates anyone that has even the slightest signs of aggression. Imama will get 5 minutes and sent packing

His aggression is getting blown out of proportion as a way to justify calling up a mediocre non-skilled minor league player.

The Pens radio pre-game is acting like we called up Bob Probert. He’s an AHLer that has 5 fights this year.

 

[Coastal Kev]

His aggression is getting blown out of proportion as a way to justify calling up a mediocre non-skilled minor league player.

The Pens radio pre-game is acting like we called up Bob Probert. He’s an AHLer that has 5 fights this year.

Understood. But that's like a 1000 times too much aggression for Sully. He desires wuusy plugs on the 4th line.. that's what he was after all.

 

[Turin]

More I think on it the more it's absolutely paramount the Pens trade Rakell this season.

 

[SEALBound]

Look at it this way, we need better players at every position. So we can be open to nearly any trade proposal.

 

[Pancakes]

More I think on it the more it's absolutely paramount the Pens trade Rakell this season.

Eh I'm not sure he even returns more than like a second round pick so I don't see moving him as essential. I wouldn't object to it but it's not a big deal if he stays. If they can get a good NHL ready young player for him I'd probably pull the trigger, but I dunno if anyone is dealing that for Rakell.

MP should be on the next plane out though. No reason whatsoever to extend him.

 

[SomeDude]

This team has nothing left that is going to return anything that will move the needle. Jake was our shot at that.

If this team is going to avoid becoming the next Buffalo Sabres, it's going to take good drafting and development. I have little confidence this organization is currently capable of the latter unless we get the next Sid and Geno that can't be ruined. Also, smart signings/trades that we can flip for a bigger return, which I have even less confidence this GM is capable of doing.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Mike Sullivan. Noted genius when it comes to player development.

He turned Bryan Rust into the 49 point juggernaut he is today, buddy.

 

[Gurglesons]

This team has nothing left that is going to return anything that will move the needle. Jake was our shot at that.

If this team is going to avoid becoming the next Buffalo Sabres, it's going to take good drafting and development. I have little confidence this organization is currently capable of the latter unless we get the next Sid and Geno that can't be ruined. Also, smart signings/trades that we can flip for a bigger return, which I have even less confidence this GM is capable of doing.

Yeah, Dubas is gonna Chayka this shit.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

This team's been the Sabres for years imo. People just haven't been able to accept that. Between Mario's final years as owner (not doing anything after the Habs play-in re: JR and Sully), to Sullivan's common denominator, to FSG's terrible ownership, to Hextall's bumbling, leading into Dubas' bumbling... This team's been dead and buried for a long time.

 

[Pancakes]

This team has nothing left that is going to return anything that will move the needle. Jake was our shot at that.

If this team is going to avoid becoming the next Buffalo Sabres, it's going to take good drafting and development. I have little confidence this organization is currently capable of the latter unless we get the next Sid and Geno that can't be ruined. Also, smart signings/trades that we can flip for a bigger return, which I have even less confidence this GM is capable of doing.

The good news on that front is the Pens are creeping up the lottery standings. Won't catch the truly dreadful teams but might make their way into the top 5 by seasons end. Then it's up to Uncle Gary

 

[DesertPenguin]

The good news on that front is the Pens are creeping up the lottery standings. Won't catch the truly dreadful teams but might make their way into the top 5 by seasons end. Then it's up to Uncle Gary

I'm going to laugh, hysterically, for days if the Pens win the lottery. That's gotta be the goal now though. Any thoughts of sneaking in the playoffs are gone. Set the tank to overdrive.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

This isn't the draft to win the lotto for. It's the next two. I'd be happy with any of the top-4 guys though--best prospect on paper they'll have had since Staal was drafted. But McKenna and Dupont are the real prizes, and hopefully this team will have traded all of EK, Petts, Rakell, Bunting and Rust by next year to help make a run at those two.

 

[Pancakes]

I'm going to laugh, hysterically, for days if the Pens win the lottery. That's gotta be the goal now though. Any thoughts of sneaking in the playoffs are gone. Set the tank to overdrive.

I mean if they want to go on an improbable run and make the playoffs I'm fine with that too but there's a less than 1% chance of that happening.

If you look at the standings and point percentage it's conceivable the Pens could worm their way into the top 5 and maybe even top 3. I can't see them out tanking Chicago or San Jose but I feel like everyone else is on the table.

This isn't the draft to win the lotto for. It's the next two. I'd be happy with any of the top-4 guys though--best prospect on paper they'll have had since Staal was drafted. But McKenna and Dupont are the real prizes, and hopefully this team will have traded all of EK, Petts, Rakell, Bunting and Rust by next year to help make a run at those two.

While that's true and if given a choice I'd rather win the next two I'm not gonna complain about any lottery win because who knows if we even get lucky enough to win one at all

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I mean if they want to go on an improbable run and make the playoffs I'm fine with that too but there's a less than 1% chance of that happening.

If you look at the standings and point percentage it's conceivable the Pens could worm their way into the top 5 and maybe even top 3. I can't see them out tanking Chicago or San Jose but I feel like everyone else is on the table.


While that's true and if given a choice I'd rather win the next two I'm not gonna complain about any lottery win because who knows if we even get lucky enough to win one at all

Isn't there some "Oilers rule" where a team can't win the lotto more than twice in a five year period?

 

[HandshakeLine]

The good news on that front is the Pens are creeping up the lottery standings. Won't catch the truly dreadful teams but might make their way into the top 5 by seasons end. Then it's up to Uncle Gary

Can't wait to watch us ruin a middling top-6 prospect by benching him until he PKs like a man.

Isn't there some "Oilers rule" where a team can't win the lotto more than twice in a five year period?

Yes.

Canadian teams ruined it for everyone, thanks Ottawa and Edmonton.

 

[Pancakes]

Isn't there some "Oilers rule" where a team can't win the lotto more than twice in a five year period?

There is. But I mean if we get two lottery wins in 5 years regardless of what those years are we should be set.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Do the "lottery wins" count as winning any of the 1-3 picks or is it just the #1 pick? I'm not one to be picky about what year they're getting a #1 pick, but if getting 2 #3 picks in weak drafts invalidates them from being eligible for a #1 pick in a strong draft, I'd definitely be super bummed about that.

 

[Turin]

Eh I'm not sure he even returns more than like a second round pick so I don't see moving him as essential. I wouldn't object to it but it's not a big deal if he stays. If they can get a good NHL ready young player for him I'd probably pull the trigger, but I dunno if anyone is dealing that for Rakell.

MP should be on the next plane out though. No reason whatsoever to extend him.

I think they might be able to get something better than that if he continues his pace. He's got 42 points in 50 games, some team out there could really want him. His contract won't be crazy with the cap going forward.

But if there is no real market for him still after this season, then yea might as well keep him.

 

[SomeDude]

Do the "lottery wins" count as winning any of the 1-3 picks or is it just the #1 pick? I'm not one to be picky about what year they're getting a #1 pick, but if getting 2 #3 picks in weak drafts invalidates them from being eligible for a #1 pick in a strong draft, I'd definitely be super bummed about that.

"No single team can advance in the draft order by reason of winning a Lottery Draw more than two times in any five-year period."