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

[Icarium]

I’ve heard the coaching staff love Glass

A North American forward who can't score goals, of course they love him.

 

[tnnr]

Nah, not enough unless there was an additional deal in place to flip Knight for a 1st+.

Thems the breaks when you have Sid here for two more years. You can still do both. Like it's not a mandatory checkmark that you have to trade Rust and Rakell in order to rebuild.

We were less fine with Hextall because 4+ years ago they were still a playoff team that could have legitimately competed for the cup. But given the majority of the moves in the post-JR era, it's led us to being an old team with little in the cupboards. So yeah, I think most of us are fine packing it in now.

Nah, 2026 1st + decent prospect would be the minimum. If it's a 2025 1st, that prospect better be damn good or it needs to be a legit roster player.

Rakell+3rd for Mercer+1st could work
Moore+1st for Rakell is another I'd do
Rakell+4th for Bourque+2025 1st is something I'd consider.

Looking at our pool, I'd want a 2026 1st+Koivunen level of return. Or 2025 1st + McGroarty level (ignore draft pedigree).

Yeah, not sure what Karlsson's value ends up being.

The goal would be to flip Knight to a team like EDM or CHI

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

If Dubas has his way, this is going to be a boring-ass deadline apparently lol…

Fitting, as we’ve been a boring team for years…

 

[Randy Butternubs]

For all the hand wringing about holding onto Rust, I feel like he'd return more in a trade in a few seasons. Maybe at the 27 or 28 deadline to a team looking for a veteran with Cup experience. Fewer seasons left on his contract, less of a cap %, and all that...

 

[Freeptop]

San Jose only got the Granlund, Rutta, Hoffman and the Penguins 1st for Karlsson and the Penguins 1st was projected to be around 20th overall after adding Karlsson.

To be fair, the Sharks then turned Granlund into a 1st round pick, so the value turned out reasonably well for them, after all.

That said, I don't think that means the Pens will really get any great offers for Karlsson, just figured I'd point that out!

We are clearly rebuilding.

At the same time:

View attachment 982661

I mean, that quote is from Yohe, and it's even phrased as his own opinion, so...

 

[DesertedPenguin]

While I like Yohe more than most on here, he doesn't exactly break news.

I think someone like Chris Johnston - and certainly Friedman and LeBrun - is more tapped in to trade rumors.

And he now has Rakell at No. 2 on his trade board for the Athletic. Beauvillier and Karlsson are two of the last three on the list, by the way.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6157029/2025/02/25/nhl-trade-board-rantanen-schenn-jones/

Here's what he said about Rakell:
Well on his way to topping 30 goals and 60 points this season, Rakell may be the most productive offensive player available ahead of this deadline. The right-shot winger is an above-average finisher who has a history of holding his own when playing alongside highly skilled linemates. With three years remaining on his contract after this one, the usual caveats apply: The Penguins do not have to move Rakell now, but they’d be willing to do it if the return helped them push along their organizational goal of getting younger. He’s signed to an extremely reasonable contract in a rising cap environment.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

If Dubas trades Karlsson, that is a firable offense. You don't trade a player of his caliber when his value is this low. That is just dumb. Also, HE is the guy who brought him to Pittsburgh. He should not be the guy to trade him away.

Can Dubas stick to one lane or is he going to continue to race down the autobahn of suckitude?

Geeses f^#@ing crist!

While I like Yohe more than most on here, he doesn't exactly break news.

I think someone like Chris Johnston - and certainly Friedman and LeBrun - is more tapped in to trade rumors.

And he now has Rakell at No. 2 on his trade board for the Athletic. Beauvillier and Karlsson are two of the last three on the list, by the way.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6157029/2025/02/25/nhl-trade-board-rantanen-schenn-jones/

Here's what he said about Rakell:
Well on his way to topping 30 goals and 60 points this season, Rakell may be the most productive offensive player available ahead of this deadline. The right-shot winger is an above-average finisher who has a history of holding his own when playing alongside highly skilled linemates. With three years remaining on his contract after this one, the usual caveats apply: The Penguins do not have to move Rakell now, but they’d be willing to do it if the return helped them push along their organizational goal of getting younger. He’s signed to an extremely reasonable contract in a rising cap environment.

If I hear the words, "organizational goal of getting younger" one more time...

 

[DesertedPenguin]

If Dubas trades Karlsson, that is a firable offense. You don't trade a player of his caliber when his value is this low. That is just dumb. Also, HE is the guy who brought him to Pittsburgh. He should not be the guy to trade him away.

Can Dubas stick to one lane or is he going to continue to race down the autobahn of suckitude?

Geeses f^#@ing crist!


If I hear the words, "organizational goal of getting younger" one more time...

What do you want the Penguins to do? They're rebuilding. They're going to trade decent players. They're going to get younger.

They may try to pivot from that quickly, even as soon as this summer, but it's happening.

 

[Pancakes]

What do you want the Penguins to do? They're rebuilding. They're going to trade decent players. They're going to get younger.

They may try to pivot from that quickly, even as soon as this summer, but it's happening.

I think this summer is too early to pivot from that unless something crazy happens like Marner signing here. Even then I'm not sure a retooled Pens + Marner is even a playoff team lol.

Also with McKenna and Dupont coming up I think the Pens would be well advised to rebuild for at least two more years and then hopefully go all in after that.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Boy it's super crazy how EK looked like the player he is away from this team.

Baffling. Truly a mystery for the ages. Must be Ron Hextall's fault.

It's not that difficult. When you're an older player, it's harder to 'get up' for every game in the regular season. Game #46 against the Anaheim Ducks just isn't worth playing through creaky bones for.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is.

It's the same mushy middle that they have been trying for years, though. It's not a rebuild. When this team goes right back to the well and signs 3-5 vets this upcoming offseason to fill out the roster instead of this mythical "youth movement" maybe you'll believe me then?

Ya'll hated it with the last GM. With this guy it's cool and fine.

That doesn't make any sense.

In addition to the fact that the window wasn't closed when Hextall was doing it (it actually was, but not officially, and it could've been opened back up if he'd made the right moves), there's also the fact that he chose the wrong players as pieces to try to build around in the present. Furthermore, he was just in the process of acquiring young players who might be able to have careers in the NHL, so there were no younger players to build around in the future yet.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

It's not that difficult. When you're an older player, it's harder to 'get up' for every game in the regular season. Game #46 against the Anaheim Ducks just isn't worth playing through creaky bones for.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is.

In addition to the fact that the window wasn't closed when Hextall was doing it (it actually was, but not officially, and it could've been opened back up if he'd made the right moves), there's also the fact that he chose the wrong players as pieces to try to build around in the present. Furthermore, he was just in the process of acquiring young players who might be able to have careers in the NHL, so there were no younger players to build around in the future yet.

It seems to me that the stated goal of both GMs was/is to "build assets while contending."

Honestly it doesn't much matter, now. Hextall was a poor GM and I'm not trying to defend him. I haven't been impressed with Kyle's work so far (though that MP deal was slick) but as others have stated above he has a chance to do some good things this TDL and offseason. It will be interesting to see if he just does a gut job or tries to go after some talent in FA especially with the cap rising. I suppose that will actually tell us what direction they are going in.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If Dubas trades Karlsson, that is a firable offense. You don't trade a player of his caliber when his value is this low. That is just dumb. Also, HE is the guy who brought him to Pittsburgh. He should not be the guy to trade him away.

Can Dubas stick to one lane or is he going to continue to race down the autobahn of suckitude?

Geeses f^#@ing crist!


If I hear the words, "organizational goal of getting younger" one more time...

How is his value going to be much higher? The Penguins got him for a 1st and a bunch of cap dumps. When they trade him now, they'll probably get some cap dumps and some high picks/prospects. He's not going to magically bring back more value than what he brought back coming off a 100 point season and a Norris win.

People here really need to adjust their expectations for what a Karlsson trade will look like. At best, it's probably a cap dump, a late 1st and a meh prospect with the Penguins retaining salary.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I think this summer is too early to pivot from that unless something crazy happens like Marner signing here. Even then I'm not sure a retooled Pens + Marner is even a playoff team lol.

Also with McKenna and Dupont coming up I think the Pens would be well advised to rebuild for at least two more years and then hopefully go all in after that.

Personally, I agree that this summer is too early to pivot. While a full teardown does not offer guaranteed success, I think it's much tougher to thread the needle and pivot quickly. It's doable, but difficult.

I think a quick pivot can be successful ONLY IF Dubas gets very, very aggressive. This summer is one of those opportunities with players like Marner and Rantanen potentially available. If those big ticket players end up signing, then that window closes. But if they make it to July 1, I think it's at least a plausible path.

But, again, Dubas would have to be aggressive and potentially do some things he wouldn't normally do (like retention).

Here's a theoretical route forward that would be an aggressive pivot. The proposed deals are largely placeholders discussed on HFB and that weren't hated, or are just random projections for the hell of it because they only include picks.

DEADLINE DEALS

• Matt Grzelcyk & Noel Acciari to Florida for a 4th round pick
• Anthony Beauvillier to Ottawa for a 5th round pick
• Erik Karlsson ($3 million retained) to Dallas for a 2026 1st round pick, D Lian Bischel, and D Matt Dumba
• Rickard Rakell to LA Kings for a 2026 1st round pick, F Francesco Pinelli, and F Trevor Moore
• Danton Heinen to Columbus for a 6th round pick

DRAFT DEAL

• Either Dallas' or LAK's 2026 1st round pick to Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt

FREE AGENCY

• Sign Mitch Marner to 7-year, $14.5 million per year deal
• Sign Jakob Chychrun to 7 year, $6.5 million per year deal
• Sign Jonathan Kovacevic to a 3-year, $2.5 million per year deal
• Allow Glass and POJ to go to free agency after non-tendering them as RFAs
• Re-sign RFAs Tomasino, Hallander, and Ponomarev, among other AHL guys
• Buy out Ryan Graves
• Demote Jarry to the AHL again

PROJECTED LINEUP
Ignore the projected cap space. That's a PuckPediaGM error.

You have five forwards under 24 on the roster in McGroarty, Koivunen, Ponomarev, Poulin, and Tomasino, with Broz, Hallander, Pinelli, and Hayes in WBS, plus potential draft picks.

You have two defensemen 21 and under in Pickering and Bichsel, both of whom have already played NHL games.

The only players over 30 are Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Letang, Dumba, and Hayes.

You still have flexibility to continue adding young assets thanks to the number of picks you have AND the eventual expiration of the contracts for Bunting, Dumba, Deshairnais, Lizotte, and Hayes.

This would be a huge step forward with the potential to do more the following year.

That said, it's a hell of a lot of moving parts and it is all dependent on guys like Marner and Chychrun being available in free agency.

 

[Ulf5]

How is his value going to be much higher? The Penguins got him for a 1st and a bunch of cap dumps. When they trade him now, they'll probably get some cap dumps and some high picks/prospects. He's not going to magically bring back more value than what he brought back coming off a 100 point season and a Norris win.

People here really need to adjust their expectations for what a Karlsson trade will look like. At best, it's probably a cap dump, a late 1st and a meh prospect with the Penguins retaining salary.

That $20 million cap hit for the final 2 years with only $16.5 million actual salary minus the $5 million bonus paid by the Penguins could add value on top of EK himself.
Not everyone is going to want to spend to the cap.

 

[sauce66871]

My dream at this point is that the Rangers pick is for ‘26… Sully resigns from the Penguins to coach the Rags after they fire Laviolette only to coach them into a lottery, and we end up with McKenna thanks to Sully.

 

[Empoleon8771]

This team is such liquid shits at this point that it genuinely makes me not want to sign anyone like Marner or Chychrun. This team needs an absolute reset and to nuke literally everything.

 

[Gurglesons]

This team is such liquid shits at this point that it genuinely makes me not want to sign anyone like Marner or Chychrun. This team needs an absolute reset and to nuke literally everything.

I’d fire the coach. But, apparently that isn’t possible.

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

Personally, I agree that this summer is too early to pivot. While a full teardown does not offer guaranteed success, I think it's much tougher to thread the needle and pivot quickly. It's doable, but difficult.

I think a quick pivot can be successful ONLY IF Dubas gets very, very aggressive. This summer is one of those opportunities with players like Marner and Rantanen potentially available. If those big ticket players end up signing, then that window closes. But if they make it to July 1, I think it's at least a plausible path.

But, again, Dubas would have to be aggressive and potentially do some things he wouldn't normally do (like retention).

Here's a theoretical route forward that would be an aggressive pivot. The proposed deals are largely placeholders discussed on HFB and that weren't hated, or are just random projections for the hell of it because they only include picks.

DEADLINE DEALS

• Matt Grzelcyk & Noel Acciari to Florida for a 4th round pick
• Anthony Beauvillier to Ottawa for a 5th round pick
• Erik Karlsson ($3 million retained) to Dallas for a 2026 1st round pick, D Lian Bischel, and D Matt Dumba
• Rickard Rakell to LA Kings for a 2026 1st round pick, F Francesco Pinelli, and F Trevor Moore
• Danton Heinen to Columbus for a 6th round pick

DRAFT DEAL

• Either Dallas' or LAK's 2026 1st round pick to Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt

FREE AGENCY

• Sign Mitch Marner to 7-year, $14.5 million per year deal
• Sign Jakob Chychrun to 7 year, $6.5 million per year deal
• Sign Jonathan Kovacevic to a 3-year, $2.5 million per year deal
• Allow Glass and POJ to go to free agency after non-tendering them as RFAs
• Re-sign RFAs Tomasino, Hallander, and Ponomarev, among other AHL guys
• Buy out Ryan Graves
• Demote Jarry to the AHL again

PROJECTED LINEUP
Ignore the projected cap space. That's a PuckPediaGM error.

You have five forwards under 24 on the roster in McGroarty, Koivunen, Ponomarev, Poulin, and Tomasino, with Broz, Hallander, Pinelli, and Hayes in WBS, plus potential draft picks.

You have two defensemen 21 and under in Pickering and Bichsel, both of whom have already played NHL games.

The only players over 30 are Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Letang, Dumba, and Hayes.

You still have flexibility to continue adding young assets thanks to the number of picks you have AND the eventual expiration of the contracts for Bunting, Dumba, Deshairnais, Lizotte, and Hayes.

This would be a huge step forward with the potential to do more the following year.

That said, it's a hell of a lot of moving parts and it is all dependent on guys like Marner and Chychrun being available in free agency.


View attachment 982852

I applaud the creative approach here but I think if they're going to be super aggressive then they also need to be aggressive about the goaltending. Ned can't be the #1 if you're going out and making those moves. And can't rely on Blomqvist.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I applaud the creative approach here but I think if they're going to be super aggressive then they also need to be aggressive about the goaltending. Ned can't be the #1 if you're going out and making those moves. And can't rely on Blomqvist.

I understand, but there are real no good options in goaltending. They're going to have to see what they have with the youngsters, and Ned is fine to keep around because he won't be a cancer like Jarry.

 

[Pancakes]

I’d fire the coach. But, apparently that isn’t possible.

Let him get us a top 5 pick first and then go from there. No reason to do it now.

But they also won't do it even in the summer sadly.

 

[Rudy Russo]

I'm ready!

 

[Pancakes]

This team is such liquid shits at this point that it genuinely makes me not want to sign anyone like Marner or Chychrun. This team needs an absolute reset and to nuke literally everything.

I mainly just don't particularly want big signings knowing that McKenna and Dupont are looming.

Getting even one of those guys could set the Pens up for 20 years again. Why ruin that by signing Marner? Marner isn't getting us back into the playoffs unless they also fire Sully and do more retooling, and we know that ain't happening.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Let him get us a top 5 pick first and then go from there. No reason to do it now.

But they also won't do it even in the summer sadly.

I'm pretty afraid of them picking someone like Martone and Sullivan getting his hands on him. Guys like Misa or Hagens will ultimately be fine but I think anyone with physical tools that requires development will be f***ed

 

[cygnus47]

I'd take a 2025 1st and meh-to-decent prospect for Rakell. That's probably all you're gonna get tbh, but that's fine. I'd hope for a 2026 1st, though I don't imagine a ~25th overall in a year is gonna be much different when it comes to the odds of the kid turning into an impact NHLer down the line.

I think you can get a 2026 1st and prospect of some distinction for EK if you retain 50% in a trade this summer. He gets to pick his landing spot and he's not gonna want to waste away his final years as an NHLer on a bottom feeder, so again, you're probably looking at like a 20th+ pick there.

Ned, who like Rakell *should* be gone by the TDL, probably snags you like a 3rd. Maybe. But whatever, the real reasoning behind dealing him is bringing up Jarry to tank with, and giving Murashov a spot in the AHL.

Rakell will produce more in the next 3 years than any 25th overall is likely to in their entire career. And he is on a great contract and plays a style that helps his linemates. Thats why I wouldn’t move him for to the first team that offers a late 1st and whatever. He has more value than that and we’ve got a good year to make sure we get the value. I’ve got no problem moving Rak for his value, but throwing guys away is how JR f***ed the team. There’s no way his value is worse than what you would take a year from now. Why rush?

 

[Rudy Russo]

I'm pretty afraid of them picking someone like Martone and Sullivan getting his hands on him. Guys like Misa or Hagens will ultimately be fine but I think anyone with physical tools that requires development will be f***ed

Penguin fans can only hope that by the time the 2025 NHL draft starts both Mike Sullivan and the penguins come to an agreement to part ways.