Salary Cap: '24-'25 Salary Thread: Crosbicles Volume MMXXVI: Sid is Still Goat

[Ulf5]

Lambert is the guy I really like from Winnipeg if they're sending Rakell to Winnipeg. Issue though is that I basically assume any player with a NTC has Winnipeg on their NTC. Same as Buffalo.



I think they're cap compliant with Kane off of LTIR. Not only that, but Frederic is also going to sit on LTIR for the rest of the year I believe.



Moore is a good middle-6 winger while Kane is pretty broken IMO. I also would probably want a prospect from LA in this deal too, but just a lesser one than Akey.

I still think Winnipeg has the best assets to pull off Rakell.

Kane remains on long-term injured reserve and has yet to play this season after undergoing two separate surgeries, but the team cannot use that cap space unless he's sure to remain out until the playoffs. Rishaug notes the Oilers situation will change if the team can find a deal to move Kane before the deadline.

Countdown to TradeCentre: Will the Florida Panthers spend Matthew Tkachuk's cap space? | TSN

The NHL's March 7 Trade Deadline is just days away and teams are making decisions on whether to buy or sell, and on which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out today's trade rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.

www.tsn.ca

I've read there's a possibility he comes back soon.

 

[canadianguy77]

What really irritates me is that he should’ve been playing Rakell with Sid the minute we got him. It would have spread the offense around a little more, and Rakell is one of the few guys we’ve ever had who actually learned and got better playing on a line with Sid.

But Sullivan jerked him around basically since he got here.

Remember how he had to get into “game-shape” even though he was already playing top 6 minutes in Anaheim?

It sucks that it took until Raks last year of his contract to build any real value because the coach is a terrible talent evaluator.

 

[Kasperi kapanen]

I'd imagine the team probably wants to get Murashov top time in WBS with how he's been dominating in the ECHL, and there seems to be a vibe that the Pens aren't really that high on Blomqvist.

Still though, if that’s all true, what is the plan with Blomqvist? Seems like something is brewing on that front.

 

[PamBallam]

What really irritates me is that he should’ve been playing Rakell with Sid the minute we got him. It would have spread the offense around a little more, and Rakell is one of the few guys we’ve ever had who actually learned and got better playing on a line with Sid.

But Sullivan jerked him around basically since he got here.

Remember how he had to get into “game-shape” even though he was already playing top 6 minutes in Anaheim?

It sucks that it took until Raks last year of his contract to build any real value because the coach is a terrible talent evaluator.

I think it was more because Guentzel was still here, and Sully was obsessed with Guentzel-Crosby-Rust.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Still though, if that’s all true, what is the plan with Blomqvist? Seems like something is brewing on that front.

No idea. Maybe he's an add in a bigger deal down the line. I don't think Blomqvist is a bust or anything like that, but Murashov's numbers kinda speak for themselves. He's been exceptional and it's probably the right call to prioritize his development.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Which accomplishes what, exactly?

I think some people here really need to come to reality that this team is totally spent at this point. Demanding a completely ridiculous return for Rakell that no team would ever pay is how you waste him as an asset. And for what, so he can put up 60 points for you as you're finishing 27th in the NHL?

We won't finish 27th with a different head coach next season.

 

[chethejet]

I would like to see a couple trades that the Pens can make and get a return on assets that will lose value. Karlsson will bring back a nice return with retention. I also have been in the camp Hextal structured his signings to move off of if the Pens were not that good by the end of year 3. So Rust, possibly Rakell fit into that category. Geno is done after next year the only LT contract is Letang who I believe will be moved in 2 years when Sid's contract is over. I don't think he agrees to any deal unless it is Montreal. Rising cap certainly helps to move Graves and or Jarry maybe next year.

 

[Empoleon8771]

We won't finish 27th with a different head coach next season.

This team could hire the best coach of all time and they're still not making the playoffs. This roster sucks ass.

I don't know why there are still people here who refuse to realize that this team's window is entirely shut and it's time for a rebuild.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

It's not impossible they get dealt, but it's highly unlikely imo. If talks were heating up at all those guys would be getting scratched to protect a potential trade. They're not being scratched, so clearly nothing is remotely close on them.

Although Dubas does have some protection in that all of our best trade chips have years remaining on their deals, so there is that. If EK or Rakell get hurt tonight it's not the end of the world as Dubas can still trade them in the off season. If either of them were UFAs they would 100% be getting scratched tonight. No question whatsoever.

And there is probably nothing close with Grz, and Mike Sullivan won't allow for NOT playing him until the day he is gone.

This team could hire the best coach of all time and they're still not making the playoffs. This roster sucks ass.

I don't know why there are still people here who refuse to realize that this team's window is entirely shut and it's time for a rebuild.

well, for one thing, if we don't listen to you and don't trade any of the core pieces, we still have a playoff core.

Then you add a new coach and bring up ALL of the kids we want, and lose all of the Sullivan clones we have on this roster...sounds pretty good to me.

Oh yeah, I need to see this for myself before I declare this carcass dead. Sullivan has ruined these last seven years, but as long as Crosby is a top-10 player in this league, I will not declare anything until we move on from the No. 1 reason we suck balls.

 

[Freeptop]

I didn't think Acciari would be appealing to Edmonton so not sure that's really an issue.

Tanev @ 50% presents an issue with Acciari if all they are looking for is a 4th line energy guy. Only + Acciari has is being a center.

I mean, I'm not sure who all Acciari would be appealing to in the first place, so if there's actually a market for him, I couldn't have ruled out Edmonton any more than any other team

More buyers then sellers.

Sometimes it's a buyer's market so every player sold hurts. In this case for us I am unsure.

I mean, I said it was mixed news, not bad news. It may be a seller's market, but a player moving still reduces the total number of buyers as well.

To take a hypothetical scenario: if you've got 10 teams looking for a bottom six forward and 5 players available, after a trade there are now there are 9 teams looking at 4 players. Either way, you end up with 5 teams missing out in the end.

I guess there's possibly a psychological aspect where teams could start getting worried they'll miss out entirely, but it also takes one more team out of the bidding.

Basic economics is about supply and demand, but once a trade goes through, both supply and demand go down by 1 each, which is why I'm not so sure that it really affects the market all that much.

 

[Empoleon8771]

well, for one thing, if we don't listen to you and don't trade any of the core pieces, we still have a playoff core.

Then you add a new coach and bring up ALL of the kids we want, and lose all of the Sullivan clones we have on this roster...sounds pretty good to me.

Oh yeah, I need to see this for myself before I declare this carcass dead. Sullivan has ruined these last seven years, but as long as Crosby is a top-10 player in this league, I will not declare anything until we move on from the No. 1 reason we suck balls.

No they don't.

Some people are super off with where this team is at. Malkin isn't a 2C on a playoff team anymore. Letang isn't a top pair D on a playoff team anymore. Karlsson has major flaws and hasn't been a top-4 D on a playoff team in years. This team's core is Crosby and a bunch of at best 2nd liners, middle pair D or heavily flawed players. That core doesn't come close to a playoff team.

I don't know how you can seriously look at this roster and think it's anything even close to playoff caliber. They're a 1 line team, that's it. 2nd through 4th line suck. Defense sucks. Goalies suck.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

No idea. Maybe he's an add in a bigger deal down the line. I don't think Blomqvist is a bust or anything like that, but Murashov's numbers kinda speak for themselves. He's been exceptional and it's probably the right call to prioritize his development.

Weren't Blomqvist's AHL numbers great last season? Murashov's numbers are mostly ECHL.

I think it is too early to tell here.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Weren't Blomqvist's AHL numbers great last season? Murashov's numbers are mostly ECHL.

I think it is too early to tell here.

I mean, personally I'd run Murashov/Blomqvist in WBS for the foreseeable future, trade Ned for future considerations, and use Jarry as a tank commander.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

well, for one thing, if we don't listen to you and don't trade any of the core pieces, we still have a playoff core.

Then you add a new coach and bring up ALL of the kids we want, and lose all of the Sullivan clones we have on this roster...sounds pretty good to me.

Oh yeah, I need to see this for myself before I declare this carcass dead. Sullivan has ruined these last seven years, but as long as Crosby is a top-10 player in this league, I will not declare anything until we move on from the No. 1 reason we suck balls.

OK, let's purge the roster and do what you suggest.

McGroarty - Crosby - Rust
Rakell - Malkin - Koivunen
Puustinen - Broz - Tomasino
Gruden - Ponomarev - Poulin

Pickering - Karlsson
Kolyachonok - Letang
Shea - Deshairnais

Murashov
Blomqvist

That's not a playoff team even with prime Scotty Bowman coaching them.

For one, the defense is terrible. Pickering is a rookie still figuring things out, yet he's easily the top defenseman available on the left side. Kolyachonok is unproven and Shea is a fringe NHLer. Karlsson isn't a No. 1. Letang has clearly lost a step.

Murashov and Blomqvist might be the best goalie options, but they're still very green.

The biggest thing is that Malkin is not the play driver he once was. He can still contribute, but he's clearly slowing.

McGroarty and Koivunen are the only top six guys close to being ready and it's a lot to ask them to be significant contributors. And there is no guarantee that they'll ultimately be true top six wingers.

Broz isn't ready. Gruden gets love here but he's the next Noel Acciari at best. I like Poulin but he has difficulty staying in the lineup and looks more like a fourth liner with a bit of offense.

By the way, the above lineup completely exhausts WBS of all NHL talent, except for maybe Avery Hayes (who is on an AHL deal and can't be promoted.

That's why there are only two paths forward for this team - either you bring in high profile free agents/trade acquisitions to pivot quickly, all while still adding youth to the system through the draft, or you embrace sucking for a few more years.

 

[Ulf5]

Changing the topic a bit, what’s up with the goalie situation. Blom isn’t even the backup in Wilkes tonight. Even if it’s a travel thing, why bring up Murashov just to backup for 1 game?

DesertedPenguin touched on 2 points in the WBS thread. Wheeling doesn't play until Friday. The deadline to be on an AHL roster to qualify for the AHL playoffs is coming up soon.
Another point Taylor Haase mentioned that could come into play is WBS' schedule. They have games Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun.

 

[Empoleon8771]

For me to think this team even has a chance at being a playoff team next year, you need to somehow end up with a lineup like this for next year:

Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Koivunen-Malkin-Marner
Bunting-Laughton-Tomasino
Lizotte-Ponomarev-Glass
Heinen-Hayes

Pettersson-Karlsson
Chychrun-Letang
Pickering-Fabbro
Desharnais

Vejmelka-Blomqvist

I can't even begin to think of ways to put together a lineup like this. It's miles off from where this team is at right now, and that bottom-6 still doesn't look very good to me. To me, this team still looks more like a wildcard caliber team.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

On top of all of those moves, you'd also need to excise Sullivan and for some bewildering reason, that just doesn't seem to be a realistic option.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Trust in the glasses

 

[Empoleon8771]

On top of all of those moves, you'd also need to excise Sullivan and for some bewildering reason, that just doesn't seem to be a realistic option.

Yeah, to become a playoff team, it's basically:

1. Fire Sullivan
2. Pull off Mitch Marner in UFA, because they don't have the assets to do it via trade
3. Completely rebuild the defense in UFA, because they don't have the trade assets to do it via trade
4. Find a starting goalie in UFA or trade
5. Add at least 2-3 good bottom-6 players in UFA or trade

It's just not realistic anymore.

 

[Andy99]

Yeah, to become a playoff team, it's basically:

1. Fire Sullivan
2. Pull off Mitch Marner in UFA, because they don't have the assets to do it via trade
3. Completely rebuild the defense in UFA, because they don't have the trade assets to do it via trade
4. Find a starting goalie in UFA or trade
5. Add at least 2-3 good bottom-6 players in UFA or trade

It's just not realistic anymore.

I think we need another goal scorer too for the top six, like Boeser…

 

[IcedCapp]

I’m fine with them attempting to compete next season, but if Letang and EK are both on the roster, I consider that a failure.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’m fine with them attempting to compete next season, but if Letang and EK are both on the roster, I consider that a failure.

Yeah with Karlsson's flaws and Letang's decline, I really don't see how you can make a playoff caliber top-4 D with both of them. Even a Provorov-Karlsson and Chychrun-Letang top-4 just seems fine while being insanely expensive.

You need either a clear #1D with Karlsson's salary or you need a super reliable #3 RD with Letang's salary. You can't have both Karlsson and Letang.

 

[IcedCapp]

Yeah with Karlsson's flaws and Letang's decline, I really don't see how you can make a playoff caliber top-4 D with both of them. Even a Provorov-Karlsson and Chychrun-Letang top-4 just seems fine while being insanely expensive.

You need either a clear #1D with Karlsson's salary or you need a super reliable #3 RD with Letang's salary. You can't have both Karlsson and Letang.

In my way of thinking, you keep EK if you’re trying to talk yourself into competing and you keep Letang if you’re just trying to tank without trading the core.

I don’t even know if Letang is realistically moveable. This could all be moot.

 

[Malkinstheman]

If the Devils arent able to get a C I wonder if theyd be interested in Rakell. They need to make a deep playoff run at some point and have guys like Palat and Tatar playing in their top-6 right now. 2026 1st + Hameenaho?

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

1. Hes good.
2. Theyre not doing a tear down to the studs rebuild. They're attempting an on the fly retool with the increasing cap supplemented by the handful of interesting prospects they have.
3. Rackell WILL still be on this contract when they plan to be competitive.

If the return doesnt further that goal more than his production you dont move him.

I dont think the 25th ish pick in a below average draft accomplishes that by itself.