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

[IcedCapp]

Lol, poor IC...you silly, silly man. Here, let me explain it to you. You see, if you fire Mike Sullivan, you have to look for a Mike Sullivan. So why fire Mike Sullivan? Mike Sullivan is the best Mike Sullivan you're going to get.

You understand?

there is only Mike Sullivan. I understand now

 

[Sideline]

So they went from basically in the 8th spot, to blowing multiple leads in tragic fashion, to getting absolutely destroyed on a nightly basis by mid teams. Again, I’m not mad about losses that help us get better draft picks, but someone from the organization needs to explain why the Penguins are the only team in North American sports history that is basically in a free fall, well below stated expectations and they make no drastic changes to the roster or coaching.

My probably delusional take is the Dubas sees no important prospects having their development ruined by Sullivan. Since the sensible goal is to lose games and tank there's no reason to pay two coaches to do it.

If Sullivan starts benching a James Hagens for Acciari or Hayes next year I think that's the only thing he could do to get fired.

But I am ready to be disappointed.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Kypreos (yeah yeah I know) just posted an article talking about trade bait and he mentioned that Zegras is available and Verbeek has been trying to find him a new home.

He also mentioned Karlsson and Ottawa and Dallas as potential options.

 

[Sideline]

Kypreos (yeah yeah I know) just posted an article talking about trade bait and he mentioned that Zegras is available and Verbeek has been trying to find him a new home.

I have never understood the appeal of Zegras.

 

[wej20]

I'm not sure they'd call up Bemstrom because Bemstrom is on their L1 and seems to be a major piece for them. Ponomarev is on L3 so he's having a lesser role.

It wouldn't surprise me but I'd call up Ponomarev before Bemstrom just to give Ponomarev a long look.

I'm much more for giving Ponomarev a look over any of the other prospects given his age and next year is NHL or waivers for him. I'd call up Puustinen over Bemstrom for the reason you've outlined above plus I'm a Puusty truther.

 

[SEALBound]

there is only Mike Sullivan. I understand now

Welcome to the fold. I will get your lobotomy scheduled right away. You'll be a lot happier. Trust me.

My probably delusional take is the Dubas sees no important prospects having their development ruined by Sullivan. Since the sensible goal is to lose games and tank there's no reason to pay two coaches to do it.

If Sullivan starts benching a James Hagens for Acciari or Hayes next year I think that's the only thing he could do to get fired.

But I am ready to be disappointed.

Unless we are seeing legitimate reasons to bench a guy like Misa or Hagens (perhaps like Shane Wright in Seattle a season or two ago), I think that's a line that if crossed, it does get Sullivan canned.

Kypreos (yeah yeah I know) just posted an article talking about trade bait and he mentioned that Zegras is available and Verbeek has been trying to find him a new home.

I'd love to have him here, I just don't know what would really interest Anaheim. I'd probably do the Rangers 1st and a prospect as was discussed but I can't see why that would appeal to Anaheim when they need to start adding legit players.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I have never understood the appeal of Zegras.

Extremely high talent, has put up 70 points in the past and could be a long-term solution for their 2C.

 

[K Fleur]

I have never understood the appeal of Zegras.

Young, and a fun player to watch.

We haven’t had one of those in 10 years so I can see why you’d struggle to see the appeal.

 

[enviSAGE]

Hard to see a better suitor than Dallas for Karlsson. They could make it work out even with their RFAs getting paid over the next 2 years. This year though, gonna have to give Seguin the 'ol Kucherov treatment if he gets better.

That 6'7" D-man they have is intriguing. But I'd be happy to just gtfo Karlsson.

there is only Mike Sullivan. I understand now

There is only Mikes, and he's the best Mike there is on the market. Unless you want to go back to that Johnston?

 

[Jag68Sid87]

as long as sully is here, do you think his value is going to increase?

No, no I don't. But after seven seasons of absolute nothingness you would think there would be an easy solution to this problem...you know, instead of salary retention for multiple years and trading our best playmaker for pennies on the dollar.

Nothing this team does matters so long as Mike Sullivan remains head coach. They can bring in both Marner and Rantanen this off-season and luck into the first pick in the draft, and it won't mean shit if Sullivan is still behind the bench.

there is only Mike Sullivan. I understand now

There is actually a ref named Mike Sullivan in the league now. I am sure he could give this team a lift if placed behind the bench instead of in zebra stripes.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Extremely high talent, has put up 70 points in the past and could be a long-term solution for their 2C.

Jack Hughes was awful in the 4 nations. Highly skilled player with speed, but not much in the form of grinding potential. Kyle Connor was a healthy scratch for the final. Highly skilled with great speed but not much grinding potential.

Trevor Zegras would be worse (much much worse) than Erik Karlsson as a Penguin.

Frankly, I am tired of this bullshit.

 

[IcedCapp]

Hard to see a better suitor than Dallas for Karlsson. They could make it work out even with their RFAs getting paid over the next 2 years. This year though, gonna have to give Seguin the 'ol Kucherov treatment if he gets better.

That 6'7" D-man they have is intriguing. But I'd be happy to just gtfo Karlsson.


There is only Mikes, and he's the best Mike there is on the market. Unless you want to go back to that Johnston?

I’d rather go back to MJ cuz at least they were willing to fire him

 

[ChaosAgent]

There is actually a ref named Mike Sullivan in the league now. I am sure he could give this team a lift if placed behind the bench instead of in zebra stripes.

There's actually some dude on X/Twitter named Mike Sullivan that writes about the Bruins (of course he's Boston) When I search and try to see if popular sentiment will ever turn against our Sullivan, that cursed Michael Sullivan gets me.

 

[IcedCapp]

My probably delusional take is the Dubas sees no important prospects having their development ruined by Sullivan. Since the sensible goal is to lose games and tank there's no reason to pay two coaches to do it.

If Sullivan starts benching a James Hagens for Acciari or Hayes next year I think that's the only thing he could do to get fired.

But I am ready to be disappointed.

See my issue isn’t necessarily that they’re not firing Mike, so much as they keep publicly saying they’re trying to compete while not making major changes to the areas that can affect real change while also in a free fall.

If we’re not competing (my belief), just state it publicly so we can end the charade and move some major pieces. If you truly want to compete, you have to admit the current situation ain’t it and start firing people

 

[Sideline]

See my issue isn’t necessarily that they’re not firing Mike, so much as they keep publicly saying they’re trying to compete while not making major changes to the areas that can effect real change while also in a free fall.

If we’re not competing (my belief), just state it publicly so we can end the charade and move some major pieces. If you truly want to compete, you have to admit the current situation ain’t it and start firing people

I think part of the public claims about trying to compete is just shamelessly lying to keep yinzers renewing their season tickets.

So far Dubas' actions (after that first offseason where he actually tried to add players) are all consistent with a guy that knows it's time to rebuild. Jake and Pettersson got moved out for futures. He took on bad money with Hayes and Glass to get more draft picks. All the rumour guys have Rakell and Karlsson as available.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

See my issue isn’t necessarily that they’re not firing Mike, so much as they keep publicly saying they’re trying to compete while not making major changes to the areas that can effect real change while also in a free fall.

If we’re not competing (my belief), just state it publicly so we can end the charade and move some major pieces. If you truly want to compete, you have to admit the current situation ain’t it and start firing people

This is exactly my issue. This is why this team has basically broken me. I cannot remember the last time I skipped watching Pens-Flyers. Last night, I did not watch a single solitary second of the game. I was watching our other investment (NYR-NYI), and that one went just as well.

I am going to need therapy soon.

 

[IcedCapp]

This is exactly my issue. This is why this team has basically broken me. I cannot remember the last time I skipped watching Pens-Flyers. Last night, I did not watch a single solitary second of the game. I was watching our other investment (NYR-NYI), and that one went just as well.

I am going to need therapy soon.

Everyone should have therapy. It’s great

I think part of the public claims about trying to compete is just shamelessly lying to keep yinzers renewing their season tickets.

So far Dubas' actions (after that first offseason where he actually tried to add players) are all consistent with a guy that knows it's time to rebuild. Jake and Pettersson got moved out for futures. He took on bad money with Hayes and Glass to get more draft picks. All the rumour guys have Rakell and Karlsson as available.

Dang you right. Now I’m gonna sound like a dang hfb moron,

JUST MOVE EM ALREADY, FOR A MASSIVE PACKAGE (heheh hehe)

 

[SEALBound]

See my issue isn’t necessarily that they’re not firing Mike, so much as they keep publicly saying they’re trying to compete while not making major changes to the areas that can effect real change while also in a free fall.

If we’re not competing (my belief), just state it publicly so we can end the charade and move some major pieces. If you truly want to compete, you have to admit the current situation ain’t it and start firing people

This was my major complaint about Dubas last year. He sat on his hands while they reeled in the standings and only acted when it was too late. And even then, it was sending your 40g scorer out.

All the while, he had the likes of Harkins, Nieto, Acciari, and Carter in the bottom 6 providing absolutely nothing. I at least appreciated when JR was here that he would attempt to change something if things weren't going well.

Similar things seem to be happening this year but at the same time I think the expectations are lower.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

I think part of the public claims about trying to compete is just shamelessly lying to keep yinzers renewing their season tickets.

So far Dubas' actions (after that first offseason where he actually tried to add players) are all consistent with a guy that knows it's time to rebuild. Jake and Pettersson got moved out for futures. He took on bad money with Hayes and Glass to get more draft picks. All the rumour guys have Rakell and Karlsson as available.

The problem is, when Dubas says we are going to continue to compete for the sake of our core, and then brings in nothings like Heinen, Hayes, Beauvillier, Glass et al, he winds up looking like a complete and utter tool. Which is further accentuated when his prized acquisitions from his seller's trades wind up buried in the AHL with no signs of a recall because his moronic czar of a head coach prefers players that remind him of himself.

This is not the way to gain the faith and trust of your fan base. But maybe it's just me.

 

[Sideline]

The problem is, when Dubas says we are going to continue to compete for the sake of our core, and then brings in nothings like Heinen, Hayes, Beauvillier, Glass et al, he winds up looking like a complete and utter tool. Which is further accentuated when his prized acquisitions from his seller's trades wind up buried in the AHL with no signs of a recall because his moronic czar of a head coach prefers players that remind him of himself.

This is not the way to gain the faith and trust of your fan base. But maybe it's just me.

Dubas signed a 7 year deal and if he is being honest with the people that pay him nothing you described matters to his job security. Ownership wants revenue. It's entirely possible FSG told Dubas he's allowed to rebuild, but he's not allowed to say anything publicly that might discourage ticket sales.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Jack Hughes was good in the final IMO, just falls a lot

Anyway I’d kill for Jack Hughes on this team. Or Mitch Marner.

Phil Kessel was once “not a playoff guy”

 

[Victor Z]

Dubas signed a 7 year deal and if he is being honest with the people that pay him nothing you described matters to his job security. Ownership wants revenue. It's entirely possible FSG told Dubas he's allowed to rebuild, but he's not allowed to say anything publicly that might discourage ticket sales.

Exactly. FSG cares only about butts in seats -- regardless of how little attention those butts are paying to the actual game in front of them, or how they practically had to give away those tickets in the first place. FSG will never admit the truth of the situation because it would hurt their bottom line. We all know how wealthy they are and how they are therefore all about the winning and not about the money. Bullshit.

Dubas may have been clued in on the poorly-kept secret that we are tanking but it is both hilarious and sad that Sully undoubtedly believes we are NOT tanking. Despite the fact that his deplorable lineup decisions and his coaching "philosophy" -- which is inflexible and totally unsuited to his personnel -- is the main factor in AIDING that tank job.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

So they went from basically in the 8th spot, to blowing multiple leads in tragic fashion, to getting absolutely destroyed on a nightly basis by mid teams. Again, I’m not mad about losses that help us get better draft picks, but someone from the organization needs to explain why the Penguins are the only team in North American sports history that is basically in a free fall, well below stated expectations and they make no drastic changes to the roster or coaching.

Because they're f***ing delusional when it comes to Sullivan. That's basically the answer. This absolutely moronic ownership group believes Sullivan is a great coach and refuses to ever fire the fraud. Everything else basically spreads out in a widening puddle of diarrhea from that.

 

[Rudy Russo]

I'm much more for giving Ponomarev a look over any of the other prospects given his age and next year is NHL or waivers for him. I'd call up Puustinen over Bemstrom for the reason you've outlined above plus I'm a Puusty truther.

Ponomarev and Bemstrom should be called up after the trade deadline.

 

[Empoleon8771]

This is the minimum for what I'd call a "good" deadline for Dubas:

-Rakell to LA for Moore and a 2026 1st
-Beauvillier to Minnesota for a 2025 4th
-Grzelcyk to Tampa for a 2026 3rd
-Glass to Winnipeg for Heinola and a 2026 5th
-Send down Blomqvist to start for WBS, call up Jarry

After the deadline, run with:

Moore-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Bemstrom
Ponomarev-Hayes-Tomasino
Heinen-Lizotte-Acciari
Imama

POJ-Letang
Heinola-Karlsson
Kotya-Desharnais
Graves-Shea

Nedjelkovic-Jarry

I would like to see ways to move out some of their more expensive depth guys, but I'm skeptical you'd be able to move many (if any) of them. But as is, you're setting up WBS to be in a good spot to go on a run this year by leaving all of the top young guys in WBS while also giving some other young guys a chance to show what they can do in the NHL.