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

[Empoleon8771]

I still think Acciari has some usefulness as a righty faceoff guy and PKer on L4, I think you'd ideally be replacing him that brings pretty much the same skillset but just better. Same way that this team had Cullen-Fehr and then Cullen-Rowney on L4 back on those cup teams.

I think Glass can probably serve that same role but I don't like Glass on RW. I think you'd run with Lizotte-Glass-XXXX as L4, and I'm not entirely sure who would be filling that RW spot. I don't know that Ponomarev has played RW in the past, and I'd probably have Ponomarev as the 3C anyway if Glass and Lizotte are both on L4.

I think you either run with Lizotte-Ponomarev-Acciari with Glass as your 3C or Lizotte-Glass-XXXX (open RW spot since you don't need Acciari anymore) with Ponomarev as 3C. Honestly I kinda like Lizotte-Glass-Puljujarvi on paper.

 

[Andy99]

Just a hunch that Dubas will be trying to add a younger, skilled center soon or in the summer. Yeah, wild thought.

He really should try Broz first…I have a feeling we have someone better than the likes of Dach or Cozens, who are the ones who spring to mind as available…

 

[Ulf5]

He really should try Broz first…I have a feeling we have someone better than the likes of Dach or Cozens, who are the ones who spring to mind as available…

I'm not sure where Buffalo stands. I've read many rumors that they want to accelerate their rebuild or whatever the hell they are in. And that they've been looking at younger, established players such as EP.

 

[Gurglesons]

He really should try Broz first…I have a feeling we have someone better than the likes of Dach or Cozens, who are the ones who spring to mind as available…

Broz isn't going to be an impact top six C. I don't want Dach or Cozens, but just saying.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think Broz tops out as a 2-way 3C and that's only if he develops his defensive game enough to be suitable in a 3C role. I'm not completely buying the comments Wheeler made about his defense, but I definitely think it's not the strong part of his game.

 

[Peat]

If you're trading the Rangers 1st for a young guy, you're most likely to get someone similar to what Newhook was when the Habs traded a 1st for him. Which didn't really work out for them but I understand the thought process.

Ironically the Habs have tried that numerous times with Newhook, Dach and Dvorak and every single one of them have ended up duds. You could definitely attribute it to the Habs being both a tirefire team and a high pressure environment, but the Habs failing so often definitely makes me more hesitant with the idea.

The Islanders did benefit really well when they made that move though, I believe they traded pick #13 for Romanov and Romanov is a mainstay on their defense. +44 in 3 years while playing over 20 minutes a night from ages 23-25? That's a good player.

Another counterpoint would be look at the Caps.

I suspect that looking around the league would say it's not much riskier or safer than just making the pick, and it mostly comes down to execution.

If they're serious about this trying to be a quick reload and giving Sid one last chance, I think they pretty much to have to try and flip some picks for high risk high reward youngsters. Hell, even if Dubas just wants to make good on the idea of having Sid guide the next generation.

 

[Icarium]

Yohe's latest article includes this gem "Ruhwedel is great". Also praises Dubas to high heaven but at least that can be defensible if we get really lucky and most of our prospects pan out. Praising a nobody like Ruhwedel though...

 

[Empoleon8771]

Another counterpoint would be look at the Caps.

I suspect that looking around the league would say it's not much riskier or safer than just making the pick, and it mostly comes down to execution.

If they're serious about this trying to be a quick reload and giving Sid one last chance, I think they pretty much to have to try and flip some picks for high risk high reward youngsters. Hell, even if Dubas just wants to make good on the idea of having Sid guide the next generation.

The Caps are a good example, they got a haul for Orlov (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and then flipped that 1st for Sandin. That was a really good move on their part.

Honestly, what these kind of moves tell me is that you're more likely to hit on a defenseman (like Sandin and Romanov) than you are to hit on a forward (like Newhook and Dach). That's probably coincidental more than anything, but that plus the Penguins need (I think they desperately need a top end LD prospect or young NHLer) would make me inclined to shop that pick for a defenseman.

Which brings up an interesting name to me. He's older than I'd like (I'd like to look at the 20-22 year old range), but what about Bowen Byram?

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

The Caps are a good example, they got a haul for Orlov (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and then flipped that 1st for Sandin. That was a really good move on their part.

Honestly, what these kind of moves tell me is that you're more likely to hit on a defenseman (like Sandin and Romanov) than you are to hit on a forward (like Newhook and Dach). That's probably coincidental more than anything, but that plus the Penguins need (I think they desperately need a top end LD prospect or young NHLer) would make me inclined to shop that pick for a defenseman.

Which brings up an interesting name to me. He's older than I'd like (I'd like to look at the 20-22 year old range), but what about Bowen Byram?

Makes sense but the last thing Buffalo wants is picks. They've been in rebuilding hell for 12 years.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Another counterpoint would be look at the Caps.

I suspect that looking around the league would say it's not much riskier or safer than just making the pick, and it mostly comes down to execution.

If they're serious about this trying to be a quick reload and giving Sid one last chance, I think they pretty much to have to try and flip some picks for high risk high reward youngsters. Hell, even if Dubas just wants to make good on the idea of having Sid guide the next generation.

The caps retool also came with a coaching change. Carbery replacing Laviolette is just as responsible for their success as anything else the GM has done.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Watched a bit of the Dubas presser from yesterday. He mentioned that the moment the cap numbers were made public by the NHL, they started getting an uptick from teams calling about Pens players signed long-term. He said theyre not in a rush to do anything with those guys but interest has definitely increased

 

[Peat]

The Caps are a good example, they got a haul for Orlov (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and then flipped that 1st for Sandin. That was a really good move on their part.

Honestly, what these kind of moves tell me is that you're more likely to hit on a defenseman (like Sandin and Romanov) than you are to hit on a forward (like Newhook and Dach). That's probably coincidental more than anything, but that plus the Penguins need (I think they desperately need a top end LD prospect or young NHLer) would make me inclined to shop that pick for a defenseman.

Which brings up an interesting name to me. He's older than I'd like (I'd like to look at the 20-22 year old range), but what about Bowen Byram?

See, I was thinking more of Strome so it can definitely work with forwards.

But, well, whatever's out there that works.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Makes sense but the last thing Buffalo wants is picks. They've been in rebuilding hell for 12 years.

Yes it would need to be a 3 team trade or the Sabres flipping picks for win now help.

I wouldn’t make any trades with that pick until the draft, though. If they end up with the #1 pick and taking Schaefer, they don’t need to also trade for Byram.

 

[Andy99]

Broz isn't going to be an impact top six C. I don't want Dach or Cozens, but just saying.

Too early to tell…give him half season in the nhl..

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Watched a bit of the Dubas presser from yesterday. He mentioned that the moment the cap numbers were made public by the NHL, they started getting an uptick from teams calling about Pens players signed long-term. He said theyre not in a rush to do anything with those guys but interest has definitely increased

Interesting, I'd have thought that most teams kept track of ......

Lol, oh, the future cap numbers.

 

[The Old Master]

Hard to miss on the draft if you own every draft pick

there are some years, even that won't help

 

[The Old Master]

If you're trading the Rangers 1st for a young guy, you're most likely to get someone similar to what Newhook was when the Habs traded a 1st for him. Which didn't really work out for them but I understand the thought process.

Ironically the Habs have tried that numerous times with Newhook, Dach and Dvorak and every single one of them have ended up duds. You could definitely attribute it to the Habs being both a tirefire team and a high pressure environment, but the Habs failing so often definitely makes me more hesitant with the idea.

The Islanders did benefit really well when they made that move though, I believe they traded pick #13 for Romanov and Romanov is a mainstay on their defense. +44 in 3 years while playing over 20 minutes a night from ages 23-25? That's a good player.

with us needing a new core, that only come from very high draft picks (almost always) so we need higher picks not more picks. imo

 

[HandshakeLine]

Yohe's latest article includes this gem "Ruhwedel is great". Also praises Dubas to high heaven but at least that can be defensible if we get really lucky and most of our prospects pan out. Praising a nobody like Ruhwedel though...

Chad gave Yohe the best night of his miserable life and he'll never forget it.

 

[Pancakes]

I still think Acciari has some usefulness as a righty faceoff guy and PKer on L4, I think you'd ideally be replacing him that brings pretty much the same skillset but just better. Same way that this team had Cullen-Fehr and then Cullen-Rowney on L4 back on those cup teams.

I think Glass can probably serve that same role but I don't like Glass on RW. I think you'd run with Lizotte-Glass-XXXX as L4, and I'm not entirely sure who would be filling that RW spot. I don't know that Ponomarev has played RW in the past, and I'd probably have Ponomarev as the 3C anyway if Glass and Lizotte are both on L4.

I think you either run with Lizotte-Ponomarev-Acciari with Glass as your 3C or Lizotte-Glass-XXXX (open RW spot since you don't need Acciari anymore) with Ponomarev as 3C. Honestly I kinda like Lizotte-Glass-Puljujarvi on paper.

I don't. Acciari is such a blackhole offensively that even his pk skills don't make up for it.

 

[Jacob]

I don't. Acciari is such a blackhole offensively that even his pk skills don't make up for it.

Not just that but he’s so slow. It’s like he bogs his whole line down. Hayes is slow too but I don’t get the same impression. I guess he at least makes quick decisions while he’s stuck in the mud.

 

[SEALBound]

If you're trading the Rangers 1st for a young guy, you're most likely to get someone similar to what Newhook was when the Habs traded a 1st for him. Which didn't really work out for them but I understand the thought process.

Ironically the Habs have tried that numerous times with Newhook, Dach and Dvorak and every single one of them have ended up duds. You could definitely attribute it to the Habs being both a tirefire team and a high pressure environment, but the Habs failing so often definitely makes me more hesitant with the idea.

The Islanders did benefit really well when they made that move though, I believe they traded pick #13 for Romanov and Romanov is a mainstay on their defense. +44 in 3 years while playing over 20 minutes a night from ages 23-25? That's a good player.

I think that's my immediate worry about this first and Dubas's comments. Young, impact players aren't usually available. The ones that are available are the scratch and dent versions you mentioned, none of which are of any impact to Montreal. Romanov is clearly the exception to the rule. I've been scouring CW this morning and I don't see a ton of options. I see some good players you COULD trade for but I don't think it moves the needle for us. I'm thinking Pinto or Norris from Ottawa and you stick them at 2C and move Malkin to wing. Then you look to FA to fill a major role. It's not the best long-term solution given where we are at but neither is trading that pick for a young player to "urgently restore our contender status".

Watched a bit of the Dubas presser from yesterday. He mentioned that the moment the cap numbers were made public by the NHL, they started getting an uptick from teams calling about Pens players signed long-term. He said theyre not in a rush to do anything with those guys but interest has definitely increased

The poker face Dubas must have. Hopefully not a video chat, lol.

While I want it to be Hayes, Acciari, Heinen, Desharnais, Graves, and Jarry, I'm sure it's Rust, Rakell, and Karlsson.

Yes it would need to be a 3 team trade or the Sabres flipping picks for win now help.

I wouldn’t make any trades with that pick until the draft, though. If they end up with the #1 pick and taking Schaefer, they don’t need to also trade for Byram.

If they get #1 and get Schaefer, they might may both Byram and Powers available. I'd be looking to land a 2C with Powers going the other way. Then you can push Cozens to 3C or combine him and Tage more permanently.

That said, Byram would be a nice addition but I don't think he moves the needle for us.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Not just that but he’s so slow. It’s like he bogs his whole line down. Hayes is slow too but I don’t get the same impression. I guess he at least makes quick decisions while he’s stuck in the mud.

Acciari is like late stage Craig Adams except like 10 years younger than Adams was at the time Geno tuned him like a second hand piano.

 

[SEALBound]

Mainboard trade discussion:

2026 1st
Rodrigues - 2 years left @ 3 million
D or F prospect - B level

For

Karlsson - 2 years left, retained to 7 million
Lizotte - 1 year left @ 1.85 million

I said yes.

Adding ERod as 2C with Malkin to the wing or at 3C would be a nice bump for the roster. Sucks to retain that much for that long on Karlsson but that opens up a ton of cap. If we can add Misa, I think a deal like this gets us closer to contention status than hanging on to Karls and Lizotte.

 

[Sideline]

Watched a bit of the Dubas presser from yesterday. He mentioned that the moment the cap numbers were made public by the NHL, they started getting an uptick from teams calling about Pens players signed long-term. He said theyre not in a rush to do anything with those guys but interest has definitely increased

Players with term that are probably getting interest: Rakell, Bunting, Rust and maybe EK65 and Ned.

Players with term I hope someone is dumb enough to take: Acciari, Hayes, Graves.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Any other former pens we could acquire? Maybe someone we would drastically over pay for?