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

[Jag68Sid87]

Currently 8OA. Looks like the furthest we can get to is 4OA. Doobie needs to make moar trades asap.

Are we sure that more trades would hurt the team? They look more or less the same even after trading Marcus Pettersson. If anything, they look more stable on defense because they are not trying to put a square peg in a round hole by playing Joseph or Pickering on the right side.

More trades would mean what? More future assets and more bad contracts? Most of this roster is replaceable, if not hurting this team, so more trades would spark the team. The Guentzel deal happened too late last season, because we looked better without him.

So yeah, more trades please. We might actually sneak into the playoffs with more trades "for the future".

 

[Ulf5]

And the Rangers could easily make the playoffs and go the conference finals like they have multiple times in recent years.

Getting a 1st and out of a 32 year old with 3 more years’ contract gives us cap flexibility. Acquiring Moore gives us another asset we can flip.

Would be a great move.

Moore 82 game average
18G- 24A- 42P 15:3× atoi
Rakell 82 game average
24G- 29A- 52P 17:15 atoi
Rakell picked the perfect time to match his near career highs in gpg and apg. If you trade him now. But Moore has some good value. Could probably get a quality pick if moved down the line.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Everything hinges on what they do with Sullivan IMO.

If they keep him, I'm fully on board with selling everything they can get a good return on, sucking, and hoping to land McKenna/Dupont.

If they fire Sullivan, though, I think it's a sign that they are going to try to compete. If they are going to try to compete, they are going to sign some talent. With some talent and a new coach, McKenna/Dupont are probably long shots anyway. So if they are going to do it, I'd rather them shoot for the moon and land Marner than half-ass it and sign some middle 6 wingers to surround the aging core.



...but as you said, not sure why Marner would be willing to come here. I guess maybe if they make multiple big time adds they could sell him on it? Kinda like Minnesota did with Suter and Parise. That worked out well didn't it?

Nobody can look into the future. We might already be long shots for McKenna and DuPont. Or maybe we get both. This team has a magical history of passing the torch, so I believe it really clouds people's judgement when it comes to the post-Crosby/Malkin era.

A player like Marner is the perfect bridge between 87/71 and the next wave. Does adding Marner mean we are out on the first pick in 2026/2027? Perhaps. One thing is certain, we should definitely try to keep acquiring other teams' picks. The draft is not like RFA offer sheets: you don't need your own pick to get the player you want.

I would much rather have Mitch Marner helping the next wave of Penguins into the future, while also helping the current superstars end their careers in style, instead of getting the next Bedard and seeing him wallow in the mire for years and years.

The key is and has always been, DRAFT WELL. Everybody here wants the freebie. The no-brainer. How about our scouts actually do their jobs? That is how you become successful. San Jose and Chicago will never win until they figure out how to actually build a team around the young talent. Buffalo is still figuring that out.

So for me, whether Mike Sullivan is here or not, Mitch Marner makes too much sense for this team at this time. And make no mistake, Mike Sullivan will be here because nobody can fire him. But hey, at least Mitch Marner is one of the best penalty-killing forwards in the NHL. Even Mike Sullivan cannot hate this player, so it's literally a win-win situation. An absolute no-brainer. If we don't get him, then I don't know where to go next.

But until we hear news that Marner re-signed with Toronto, I will continue to hope that Dubas can pull this rabbit out of his hat.

 

[chethejet]

Dubas will make trades for prospects and picks. The picks are not necessarily for the draft. I suspect a couple offers will be make for younger players that require pens picks. Cap space will change the level of interest as players will want more AAV and spending to the cap will not be done for the majority of teams. Teams may want to move off players wanting a larger contract for picks and cheaper alternatives.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I would much rather have Mitch Marner helping the next wave of Penguins into the future, while also helping the current superstars end their careers in style, instead of getting the next Bedard and seeing him wallow in the mire for years and years.

The key is and has always been, DRAFT WELL. Everybody here wants the freebie. The no-brainer. How about our scouts actually do their jobs? That is how you become successful. San Jose and Chicago will never win until they figure out how to actually build a team around the young talent. Buffalo is still figuring that out.

This is a point I 100% agree with, and think people are taking the "be as bad as possible" too far. I understand that winning the draft lotteries is the best way to get a chance at elite talent (or future elite talent), but I think people are way too focused on that aspect over the other aspects required to build a consistently good team. You can't pull a Chicago or Buffalo (what they did for McDavid) and nuke the roster just to get the #1 pick, because it's a mess to absolutely climb out of that hole you put the team in. A couple of #1 picks aren't going to fix that alone.

This team needs to be selling while also focusing on creating the best environment possible for the young players in the system to develop. That involves keeping at least some good players to support the young guys as they go through growing pains in the NHL, and insurance in case those young guys need to return back to the AHL for more seasoning.

 

[Ulf5]

Are we sure that more trades would hurt the team? They look more or less the same even after trading Marcus Pettersson. If anything, they look more stable on defense because they are not trying to put a square peg in a round hole by playing Joseph or Pickering on the right side.

More trades would mean what? More future assets and more bad contracts? Most of this roster is replaceable, if not hurting this team, so more trades would spark the team. The Guentzel deal happened too late last season, because we looked better without him.

So yeah, more trades please. We might actually sneak into the playoffs with more trades "for the future".

More trades because you want one of the top 4 picks. At least according to some draft people.
MP trade isn't going to change anything. They gave up the 2nd most goals with him.
Trade Grizz, Bunting and Rakell so the power play and goals for suffer.
The extra draft capital is gravy that can be packaged for the young established players Dubas seeks.

 

[Empoleon8771]

More trades because you want one of the top 4 picks. At least according to some draft people.
MP trade isn't going to change anything. They gave up the 2nd most goals with him.
Trade Grizz, Bunting and Rakell so the power play and goals for suffer.
The extra draft capital is gravy that can be packaged for the young established players Dubas seeks.

The franchise upside players are only in the top-4, but the top-10 still does have some good players. It's just you'll be getting more mid round talents than top-10 talents with those top-10 picks.

Eklund is projected to go like #8 in the draft and I think he's about equal to McGroarty as a prospect.

 

[Ulf5]

The franchise upside players are only in the top-4, but the top-10 still does have some good players. It's just you'll be getting more mid round talents than top-10 talents with those top-10 picks.

Eklund is projected to go like #8 in the draft and I think he's about equal to McGroarty as a prospect.

So it sounds like you would want to try to guarantee a top 4 spot? And pray someone higher doesn't win the lottery.

 

[Empoleon8771]

So it sounds like you would want to try to guarantee a top 4 spot? And pray someone higher doesn't win the lottery.

I don't think there is a way that this team can guarantee a top-4 spot as long as Crosby is on the roster and healthy.

 

[Ulf5]

I don't think there is a way that this team can guarantee a top-4 spot as long as Crosby is on the roster and healthy.

87, you're out with Johnstone and Imama.

 

[pistolpete11]

Nobody can look into the future. We might already be long shots for McKenna and DuPont. Or maybe we get both. This team has a magical history of passing the torch, so I believe it really clouds people's judgement when it comes to the post-Crosby/Malkin era.

A player like Marner is the perfect bridge between 87/71 and the next wave. Does adding Marner mean we are out on the first pick in 2026/2027? Perhaps. One thing is certain, we should definitely try to keep acquiring other teams' picks. The draft is not like RFA offer sheets: you don't need your own pick to get the player you want.

I would much rather have Mitch Marner helping the next wave of Penguins into the future, while also helping the current superstars end their careers in style, instead of getting the next Bedard and seeing him wallow in the mire for years and years.

The key is and has always been, DRAFT WELL. Everybody here wants the freebie. The no-brainer. How about our scouts actually do their jobs? That is how you become successful. San Jose and Chicago will never win until they figure out how to actually build a team around the young talent. Buffalo is still figuring that out.

Nobody is saying if you land a McKenna/Dupont the work is over. You still need to build a good team round them, but 1) it's easier to land good pieces in FA and later in the draft to put around your franchise player than it is to land a franchise player to put around your collection of good players and 2) trading the likes of Rakell/Rust/Karlsson/Bunting gives you pieces to help build that collection of good players.

And to be very clear....I'm advocating for the scorched earth path IF, and ONLY if, they keep Sullivan. I'm all for signing Marner, but it needs to be in tandem with a new coach.

 

[The Old Master]

they are the stupidest organization on planet earth.

THAT'S US!

 

[Andy99]

Wow, they really don’t want to bring up the kids lol…

 

[Empoleon8771]

Wow, they really don’t want to bring up the kids lol…

Bemstrom is WBS's leading scorer, his play has absolutely warranted him getting a shot.

 

[Andy99]

So it sounds like you would want to try to guarantee a top 4 spot? And pray someone higher doesn't win the lottery.

Yes, Sid better not play this weekend…and start trading Rakell, EK and Rust if you’ll find a spot he’ll waive for…then we’ll profit…

Bemstrom is WBS's leading scorer, his play has absolutely warranted him getting a shot.

Not saying he doesn’t…just that they have several candidates for a recall and they chose to go with the older retread….says a lot

 

[PensFutures]

Would love to see Bemstrom with Bunting and Malkin, or at least get a shot on the LW wall on the power play.

 

[Khelandros]

 

[Ulf5]

Yes, Sid better not play this weekend…and start trading Rakell, EK and Rust if you’ll find a spot he’ll waive for…then we’ll profit…


Not saying he doesn’t…just that they have several candidates for a recall and they chose to go with the older retread….says a lot

While I don't agree with it, I can see the value in keeping the prospects together in a winning environment. Because as we all know any of them that would get a callup are only getting 7 minutes a night on the 4th line.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Would be kind of funny if Bemstrom ends up scoring 6 goals and the Pens have to cough up the 2026 3rd to the Jackets

Edit: Nevermind the condition was only valid for last season

 

[Andy99]

Good…

Would be kind of funny if Bemstrom ends up scoring 6 goals and the Pens have to cough up the 2026 3rd to the Jackets

Is that still a thing? I thought the goal totals were just for the year we acquired him…

 

[eXile3]

Would be kind of funny if Bemstrom ends up scoring 6 goals and the Pens have to cough up the 2026 3rd to the Jackets

Pretty sure it doesn’t work like that

 

[Malkinstheman]

Is that still a thing? I thought the goal totals were just for the year we acquired him…

Ah yeah, nevermind. Capwages still shows the pick as conditional so I thought it was valid for this season as well

 

[Turin]

With Sid and Geno out it’s time to let EK fly

 

[DesertPenguin]

Nobody can look into the future. We might already be long shots for McKenna and DuPont. Or maybe we get both. This team has a magical history of passing the torch, so I believe it really clouds people's judgement when it comes to the post-Crosby/Malkin era.

A player like Marner is the perfect bridge between 87/71 and the next wave. Does adding Marner mean we are out on the first pick in 2026/2027? Perhaps. One thing is certain, we should definitely try to keep acquiring other teams' picks. The draft is not like RFA offer sheets: you don't need your own pick to get the player you want.

I would much rather have Mitch Marner helping the next wave of Penguins into the future, while also helping the current superstars end their careers in style, instead of getting the next Bedard and seeing him wallow in the mire for years and years.

The key is and has always been, DRAFT WELL. Everybody here wants the freebie. The no-brainer. How about our scouts actually do their jobs? That is how you become successful. San Jose and Chicago will never win until they figure out how to actually build a team around the young talent. Buffalo is still figuring that out.

So for me, whether Mike Sullivan is here or not, Mitch Marner makes too much sense for this team at this time. And make no mistake, Mike Sullivan will be here because nobody can fire him. But hey, at least Mitch Marner is one of the best penalty-killing forwards in the NHL. Even Mike Sullivan cannot hate this player, so it's literally a win-win situation. An absolute no-brainer. If we don't get him, then I don't know where to go next.

But until we hear news that Marner re-signed with Toronto, I will continue to hope that Dubas can pull this rabbit out of his hat.

Was listening to the Steve Dangle podcast (yes, I know, don't flame me) and they had an interesting idea. With the cap going up 10m a year here, any long term deal signed this summer will quickly turn into an underpayment. As such players might opt to pass on the 7 or 8 year deals like Gavrikov did, take shorter term and get paid again when the cap has gone up 30%-40%. Pittsburgh is a way more appealing destination on a 3 year deal than 7, when we will most certainly be in rebuild hell.

 

[eXile3]

Bernstrom is 3rd in the AHL in scoring. He deserves a shot more than guys that are currently in the lineup.

It will be interesting how Wilks scores without him.