Salary Cap: 24-'25 Salary Thread: Crosbicles Volume MMXXVII: Retool over! Time to go for a cup in 2026!

[AuroraBorealis]

I think Karlsson is more valuable to the tank than you realize. He can boost some guys' numbers all while helping the Penguins allow the second most goals in the NHL. But if they can get a 1st for him they should trade him, although I don't think that is all that likely.

There's something to that, but I don't think that value exceeds what we get back in trade.
On the flipside, he drags players' defensive analytics/numbers down.
And I think he's also a negative influence for D prospects with his apathy in his own end. Actually it's not healthy for the team mindset in general.

It's likely that they would get a 1st if they tried, at 50%. Only 2 years left on the deal and there's a rising cap. Plus he's healthy, still fast, and playing all the games.
But I agree that it's unlikely that they do the smart thing here.

They're gonna prioritize their weird hyper-rushed re-tool experiment. Dubas is gonna trade picks this summer.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

They're gonna prioritize their weird hyper-rushed re-tool experiment. Dubas is gonna trade picks this summer.

Enh, I think its the following summer.

This summer they'll make some short term signings and low risk trades with picks for younger assets like they did with Tomasino, but no adds that will require long-term commitments or high end futures.

Doesn't make sense to going into win now mode when there's still dreck like Heinen and Hayes eating up cap space on top of Graves and Jarry, and Karlsson and Letang both playing riverboat gambler.

 

[chethejet]

Karlsson will get a bice prospect/pick back. Pens retain some and with cap heading up no question teams now have room to add. Karlsson at 8AAV with less than 10 million is actual salary for next 2 years is very attractive. Rust and Rakell also have declining salaries. I said if when Hextal signed these guys this was a 3 years sans Karlsson as to when the players will be moved.

 

[eXile3]

I see Glass is being added to the long list of players that do well after leaving Sullivan.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I see Glass is being added to the long list of players that do well after leaving Sullivan.

Glass is on his 4th team and he is what he is

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Rust will be the first one traded this summer. Dubas will probably do him a solid and send him to Detroit before or at the draft.

I'll believe it when I see it. This coach and organization are Rust Cucks

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Enh, I think its the following summer.

This summer they'll make some short term signings and low risk trades with picks for younger assets like they did with Tomasino, but no adds that will require long-term commitments or high end futures.

Doesn't make sense to going into win now mode when there's still dreck like Heinen and Hayes eating up cap space on top of Graves and Jarry, and Karlsson anda Letang both playing riverboat gambler.

This team does a lot of things that doesn't make sense. They're in a rush to give Sid 1 more shot.

But I hope you're right, for the team's sake. It would be crazy to actively avoid the McKenna sweepstakes.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Glass is on his 4th team and he is what he is

Small sample size and sometimes players start off quite hot after a trade.

But I wouldn't be surprised if he puts it together in Jersey.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

We kept Rakell because Dubas wants to support Sid's line and because Raks wants to be part of the solution here. Dubas is looking for those types. He said this very clearly.

The same will apply to Rust. He's Mr Penguin, and is on record saying he wants to be here until they start winning again. Dubas respects his leadership a lot to.
He's staying.

Karlsson is a little murkier, because he hasn't really stated his long-term intentions. All he said is that he wasn't approached to waive his NMC.
But the way Dubas was talking about him at the presser makes me think he's staying too.
He seems happy here. Maybe he doesn't care about getting a Cup that much? It's not like he requested a trade. Or maybe he feels he can join a contender after this contract expires?

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

We kept Rakell because Dubas wants to support Sid's line and because Raks wants to be part of the solution here. Dubas is looking for those types. He said this very clearly.

The same will apply to Rust. He's Mr Penguin, and is on record saying he wants to be here until they start winning again. Dubas respects his leadership a lot to.
He's staying.

Karlsson is a little murkier, because he hasn't really stated his long-term intentions. All he said is that he wasn't approached to waive his NMC.
But the way Dubas was talking about him at the presser makes me think he's staying too.
He seems happy here. Maybe he doesn't care about getting a Cup that much? It's not like he requested a trade. Or maybe he feels he can join a contender after this contract expires?

At the end of the day, if we are to be aggressive in the off season regarding UFA and also trades ( moving picks for bodies ) like KD said at his presser, than I'm ok with keeping and starting the season with Raks and Rust. EK I'm sure is as good as gone, he will want out in my opinion. The hardest thing will be telling Letang that going forward, he is a #5-6 defenseman on this team at best!

 

[eXile3]

Glass is on his 4th team and he is what he is

While probably true that doesn’t mean another coach might get more out of him with better usage.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Idk to me some of you just seem miserable and are looking for things to complain about

I liked Glass more than most here, but he's a pure defensive 3C/4C that they got a pretty decent return for as a rental. What exactly does pointing at a 2 game sample size to dunk on Sullivan accomplish exactly?

 

[eXile3]

Idk to me some of you just seem miserable and are looking for things to complain about

I liked Glass more than most here, but he's a pure defensive 3C/4C that they got a pretty decent return for as a rental. What exactly does pointing at a 2 game sample size to dunk on Sullivan accomplish exactly?

I don’t disagree with you, it’s a reach. But it supports my narrative.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don’t disagree with you, it’s a reach. But it supports my narrative.

Hey I can't criticize if you're being honest about it

One thing I'll definitely give NJ credit for with Glass though is that they've put together a Glass-Sprong duo and I think that duo complements each other fantastically. I wouldn't be surprised if that duo can work out in the long run because Glass and Sprong have skillsets that mesh really well with each other.

 

[JRS91]

I'm not sure why some of you guys think Marner wants to come here.

The Penguins are an old team that's in the middle of a rebuild and are more than a Mitch Marner away from being competitive. It's not like the weather in Pittsburgh is super enticing either, versus some other places.

 

[Trade]

I hope Dubas does his best Doug Armstrong and uses some of our newly acquired draft capital on an offer sheet or two.

A LOT of interesting options out there.

Dubas should go full heel and offer sheet Knies.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I hope Dubas does his best Doug Armstrong and uses some of our newly acquired draft capital on an offer sheet or two.

A LOT of interesting options out there.

Dubas should go full heel and offer sheet Knies.

If Dubas is going that route, I really want him to focus on bringing in some finishing talent. Both the NHL team and prospect pool have a lack of elite finishing talent and I really think they need to address that in the long run.

Rakell in the NHL and Koivunen in their prospect pool seem like the only real "finishers" in their system.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

I'm not sure why some of you guys think Marner wants to come here.

The Penguins are an old team that's in the middle of a rebuild and are more than a Mitch Marner away from being competitive. It's not like the weather in Pittsburgh is super enticing either, versus some other places.

I heard he is a huge Pirates fan!!

Jokes aside, I'm sure he would love to play with Sid for the next 2 seasons. He get's to be apart of the transition here and a big part of it being a leader assuming Sid retires or leaves. I really think he can play another 3-4 seasons at this rate...

Anyway, we have the cap space and KD and him seem to be close from the Toronto days. Should be interesting, I'm not saying he is signing here 100% but I seriously think we have a shot!

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Reminder, the draft picks to be used in offer sheets have to be the Penguins own. And they'd be for the 2026 draft.

 

[Trade]

If Dubas is going that route, I really want him to focus on bringing in some finishing talent. Both the NHL team and prospect pool have a lack of elite finishing talent and I really think they need to address that in the long run.

Rakell in the NHL and Koivunen in their prospect pool seem like the only real "finishers" in their system.

Knies or Voronkov would be a dream, but CBJ has an insane amount of cap.

He's a little older, but Villardi from Winnipeg fits that mold pretty well. Almost the perfect age of player to give Sid/Geno "one last shot at a Cup."

Villardi would likely be in that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd range for compensation, though.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Another reminder on offer sheets, the player would actually want to be in Pittsburgh.

 

[Gurglesons]

Knies or Voronkov would be a dream, but CBJ has an insane amount of cap.

He's a little older, but Villardi from Winnipeg fits that mold pretty well. Almost the perfect age of player to give Sid/Geno "one last shot at a Cup."

Villardi would likely be in that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd range for compensation, though.

Knies is a product of Matthews and Marner. Wouldn't touch him. Currently rocking a 22% SHPCT.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Knies is a product of Matthews and Marner. Wouldn't touch him. Currently rocking a 22% SHPCT.

Well he would be playing with Marner here (obviously) so your concern is void.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I refuse to miss Cody Glass. It was beyond just a Sullivan thing.

Though it's worth considering that more and more players seem to find at least some level of success elsewhere from a developmental standpoint. Mike Sullivan is going to be handling the next batch of actual real prospects with pedigree within this jank-ass system. And we can't keep them in WB/S forever.

I know that's not exactly the same as teasing something out of a project player like Glass but it's in the same ballpark IMO.

 

[Epic Neal Time]

2025 Offseason

• Trades
  • Karlsson traded for futures + short cap dump w/ ~25% retention
    • Karlsson @ 7M to DAL for Dumba, Bourque, 2027 1st, 2028 2nd
  • Another Hayes/Glass-type trade. Useful but expensive player on a short deal attached to an asset
    • Future Considerations to FLA for Mikkola + 2028 3rd
  • Rust or Rakell traded for futures (money is on Rakell), including a young player
    • Rakell + 5th to LA for Clarke + 3rd
  • Jarry + 2026 2nd to DET for Mrazek
  • Acciari to Buffalo for 2027 3rd
• Signings
  • Legitimate scoring option signed (Boeser/Ehlers etc.)
    • Boeser (6 x 8.5M)
  • Re-signings
    • Bourque (1 x 1.5M)
    • Timmins (1 x 950k)
    • Ponomarev (1 x 950k)
    • Tomasino (2 x 1.5M)
• Full-time rookies
  • Owen Pickering
  • Vasily Ponomarev
  • Ville Koivunen
  • Rutger McGroarty

Koivunen - Crosby - Rust
McGroarty - Malkin - Boeser
Hayes - Novak - Bourque
Ponomarev - Lizotte - Tomasino
Heinen

Pickering - Letang
Mikkola - Clarke
Graves - Dumba
Timmins

Nedelkovic
Mrazek

~20M in cap space

Minus the goaltending and the bottom D-pair, I think this would be a fun team to watch develop and likely lands us a top-5 pick in 2026 too. After the season, maybe the next wave of prospects (Brunicke/2025 pick/etc.) are ready and Dumba, Mikkola, Hayes, Lizotte, Ned, Mrazek all are replaced.