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

[Khelandros]

Like, why even call up Blomqvist? Jarry could have just as easily rode the pine for weeks at a time while playing the second games of back-to-backs.

 

[Epic Neal Time]

Trade Boards from the Athletic and TSN today both have Rakell at #2. I'm a bit surprised, but it does sound like the Penguins may get an offer that's too good to refuse.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Pens won the Nylander trade.

 

[PensFutures]

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.

They are deep at F. Either Poulin slides up and Calvert goes to L3, or Pulju goes in depending on the vet lineup each game.

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

Some interesting tidbits. Sounds like Acklin left on his own accord, we won’t have an internal cap when the cap does rise and there’s speculation of possible offer sheet this summer.

 

[SEALBound]

This might be the worst trade proposal of the year. If the Penguins trade Erik Karlsson before firing the coaching staff, they are the stupidest organization on planet earth.

Jones is worth Graves, not Karlsson, at this point in his career.

I have something to tell you...Y-you might want to sit down for this...

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.

I will agree with this 99%. The 1% counter argument that I offer is, if you want to contend, you DO need high end talent. Every cup team of the cup era has a top 3 elite talent on it. STL had Pietro at #4 and Schenn at #5 with ROR being a monster. That's the rare exception. But everyone else, you're looking at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd overalls surrounded by other high-end talent they drafted (or traded for). Florida - Barkov at 3ov and got Tkachuk who was #6 but they got him for Huberdeau who was a #3ov. Ekblad was a 1ov too.

It's not enough to just "draft well". By most accounts, Detroit has drafted really well over the years but they are no closer to making the playoffs and competing for a cup than we are. The stars do have to align and you have to get the right picks and the right time. There is a certain amount of luck involved. In the cap era, no team has been able to buy or trade their way to a cup. It all comes down to having that core talent and hitting on a multiple draft picks. Tampa - Stammer at 1ov, Hedman at 2ov, then Kuch late in the 1st and Point in the 2nd. Vasi was a 1st rounder as well.

It's fine to want guys like Marner if your intention is one last run with Sid and Geno and then letting Marner take over after that. I think it's counter productive to bring him in to avoid bottoming out in the coming years. Now, to Emps point, there's a couple ways to go about it and it doesn't mean you have to sell off everything and tear it down to the studs into order to get that high pick. Regardless of where we finish, getting that 1ov - there WILL (read: MUST) be a certain amount of luck in it. And I mean, even while trying, we are at what, 7th ov? Take out 1-2 guys and we could easily be bottom 5 and have a legit chance at McKenna. Could even be easier with DuPont because Geno will be gone by then and we don't have the horses to replace him.

So I don't think we need to sell off everything in order to tank. If we are selling off assets, we are doing so because it's good asset management. And if we are gifted Misa, McKenna, DuPont, etc, we at least have SOME assets to be able surround them with.

Buffalo's problem was, a bunch of high picks were turds. Reinhart hadn't reached his potential yet, B Lemieux wasn't an impact player, Ristolainen was a 3rd pairing guy as was Zadorov, Compher and Hurly were meagher at best, Grigorenko is a bottom 6 guy, Nylander was a dud at 6ov, Mittelstadt is a low end 2C. And as much as I like Dahlin and Power, I don't think they are game breakers. When they DID get those high end picks, they got good players but not elite talent. Edmonton only got good once they got Drai and McDavid. THEN they could start to build a team around them.

My worry is that adding Marner puts us in the 5-10ov slot draft for several years which gets us to the level of the Detroit Red Wings. If Misa, McKenna, and DuPont weren't available in the coming drafts, I'd be all for it. But the fact is, generational talents are available in two consecutive drafts. You want to get back to competing? History shows us that is the way.

 

[SEALBound]

With the cap going up, reports of Dubas getting more calls on guys with extra years on their deals, and with Tampa wanting Tuch - I truly wonder if there is a market for Kevin Hayes. Although he's been a HS a decent amount, he's at a 20g pace averaging 11:35 in ice time. He's center and a wing and is still a big body.

Part of me wonders if a team wouldn't want to add him as a bottom 6 depth piece? Trying to play a similar role to what Maroon or Perry did.

 

[cookthebooks]

sid missing 4 or 5 games purely out of precaution works for me

 

[chethejet]

Pens may be active at the TDL. My guess is the most work will be done at the draft as to moving a couple forwards and Karlsson. Yes retention on EK but not as much needed. Still think Ottawa would like to bring him back and see what they are willing to offer. Rust NMC is over, and he will certainly be shopped. Graves contract is still an issue as to term. I think him and Jarry will be trade pieces in 2026 at TDL or after next year. Pens need a young center to develop and need to draft one this year. Move up if needed. But a couple trades at the draft should be done with two things in mind, a top 6 center and RW.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If we're talking a potential offersheet, the guy that sticks out as a super obvious option is Wyatt Johnston. Only 21 years old, 45 points in 51 games this year and is a pending RFA. The issue though is I figure Dallas matches, since Benn's deal is up and they'll have plenty of money.

 

[Gurglesons]

If we're talking a potential offersheet, the guy that sticks out as a super obvious option is Wyatt Johnston. Only 21 years old, 45 points in 51 games this year and is a pending RFA. The issue though is I figure Dallas matches, since Benn's deal is up and they'll have plenty of money.

Nah Johnston makes no sense. Future piece for them.

Vilardi is who I think you could see Dubas target tbh.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I wouldn't exactly say he's a #3, but that's just quibbling over middle pairing guys.

Can you name 96 better D in the NHL. I am unsure if I Can

With the cap going up, reports of Dubas getting more calls on guys with extra years on their deals, and with Tampa wanting Tuch - I truly wonder if there is a market for Kevin Hayes. Although he's been a HS a decent amount, he's at a 20g pace averaging 11:35 in ice time. He's center and a wing and is still a big body.

Part of me wonders if a team wouldn't want to add him as a bottom 6 depth piece? Trying to play a similar role to what Maroon or Perry did.

I can see it. Id shoot him to the moon for a 4th or 5th. Keep Glass and now we have a. c spot for a young guy.

 

[Turin]

They won’t offer sheet Dallas. I could see Knies or McTavish though

 

[SEALBound]

I could see Dubas taking a run at Knies. In the midst of getting Marner and possibly Tavaras resigned while needing to sign several others to round out the roster.

Problem is, with how much the cap is going up, there's really no one that is cap strapped with high quality RFAs. The Holloway+Broberg situation isn't happening this year. The only option is to OVERPAY value wise for a guy to the point where the other GM says "look, we like the guy but not THAT much".

We can't use our 1st either and we don't have our 2nd. That restricts it pretty heavy to the point where if a team is willing to balk at an offer sheet, you might be better off just trading for the guy you want.

 

[Ulf5]

Some interesting tidbits. Sounds like Acklin left on his own accord, we won’t have an internal cap when the cap does rise and there’s speculation of possible offer sheet thiser summer.

I was going to post that question earlier about offer sheets. But with the cap going up that much how many teams aren't going to be able to match an offer?

 

[Ulf5]

Some interesting tidbits. Sounds like Acklin left on his own accord, we won’t have an internal cap when the cap does rise and there’s speculation of possible offer sheet this summer.

I found this interesting.

• I get asked every now and then how modified no-trade clauses work, if there's a set time players have to submit their list of teams they wouldn't accept a trade to, or if it's when the team asks. The answer: It could be either, it depends on the language in the contract. The Penguins do have some players whose contract specifies "upon request," and the Penguins have made those requests in some cases, just to have that clarity as they explore options.

 

[SEALBound]

I found this interesting.

• I get asked every now and then how modified no-trade clauses work, if there's a set time players have to submit their list of teams they wouldn't accept a trade to, or if it's when the team asks. The answer: It could be either, it depends on the language in the contract. The Penguins do have some players whose contract specifies "upon request," and the Penguins have made those requests in some cases, just to have that clarity as they explore options.

I think it depends on the GM too. I remember one GM (Dorion, maybe?) who askes for the NTC list upfront at the beginning of each season.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I think it depends on the GM too. I remember one GM (Dorion, maybe?) who askes for the NTC list upfront at the beginning of each season.

I think that's the best way to do it.

Start of season I want everyone's NTC list.

Also Dobson being shocked. I imagine Dubas is on the call

 

[eXile3]

Why would more cap mean more offer sheets? Wouldn’t the other teams have more money to match?

 

[Ulf5]

I think that's the best way to do it.

Start of season I want everyone's NTC list.

Also Dobson being shocked. I imagine Dubas is on the call

He must be eavesdropping. Cause Uncle Lou ain't gonna be listening to the trash Dubas would be peddling.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

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.

That is the problem, and it is never going away as long as Dunkin Donuts University is running the show.

That being said, it's not like Sullivan likes Bemstrom either. So why not recall someone who actually has a future with this franchise (regardless of the head coach)?

Without Crosby in the lineup, it may not matter. But the symbolism does speak volumes. We are the only team in the NHL allergic to its own prospects.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

All avenues need to be explored to improve this roster, to be sure. A young center is really, really critical. I don't know if they can make it happen, but it is a great idea to try. Wyatt Johnston would be an unreal acquisition, well worth the cost as an RFA offer sheet. Johnston kills penalties, too.

It feels stupid to continuously look at that aspect of the player (whether he kills penalties or not), but until we hear something about a possible coaching change then we will have to always look at it. I don't want Dubas to screw up, and chances are a lot greater that he will if he acquires a forward who cannot kill penalties.

Sullivan is the antithesis of coaches who place players in a position to succeed.

 

[TimmyD]

With Rust I can see this, he is what he is. I just do not agree with Karlsson, the dude put up a 100 point Norris season 2 years ago. Him even just running up half a season at a PPG would very likely increase interest in him around the league.

As long as Mike Sullivan is the coach and continues to neuter him, Erik Karlsson isn’t popping off at any point in a Penguin uniform.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

He must be eavesdropping. Cause Uncle Lou ain't gonna be listening to the trash Dubas would be peddling.

Idk man. Hes focused on signing a 35 year old v Dobson. Anything is possible.

 

[Ulf5]

Idk man. Hes focused on signing a 35 year old v Dobson. Anything is possible.

Only reason I'm saying that is Dobson's name was being thrown around in connection with Elias Pettersson. Dubas has nothing approaching that level to offer.