Salary Cap: 24 25 Salary Thread Crosbicles Volume Mmxxvii Retool over Time to Go for A Cup in 2026

[Gurglesons]

Pretty insane how much the caps are betting on this season not being a huge outlier. Now they've locked up Chychrun and their goaltending to big contracts

Chychrun contract is horrible and makes no sense.

The goaltending contracts make a lot of sense. Lindgren has been solid all three years of his current contract. Logan Thompson was always a good goalie.

 

[SomeDude]

I don’t understand why people are shocked by the Chychrun number. We all saw the cap numbers. That’s gonna be the rate for a good d-man. Elite ones are going to be getting like $15 mill.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don’t understand why people are shocked by the Chychrun number. We all saw the cap numbers. That’s gonna be the rate for a good d-man. Elite ones are going to be getting like $15 mill.

I'm fine with the cap hit. The term is the bigger issue for a player who has an extensive injury history.

 

[SomeDude]

I'm fine with the cap hit. The term is the bigger issue for a player who has an extensive injury history.

Sounds like a problem for whatever company was dumb enough to insure it.

 

[Duffy13]

I would be wary of signing big contracts this offseason, those tariffs start tanking the canadian dollar and that huge cap rise, is gone. Even if they get one yearly raise, it's not near what people are going to expect the next couple of years. Keep signing on the cheap, and trading for picks and prospects the next year or two.

just being a cautiously pessimistically optimist lol

 

[SEALBound]

I mean, I think it’s really easy to argue.

The Penguins are in the same position they were last year both in the future and in the now.

Dubas has acquired a bunch of magic beans that could potentially change the future outlook, but nothing he has acquired is anything that has changed our future outlook at this point.

Here's a good example of why people don't like you or your posts and why people like me go out of our way to call you out on your BS.

"Dubas has acquired a bunch of magic beans". That's a trash statement coming from someone who has developed an odd, cult-like devotion to the way Washington retooled. A ton of what they did was "acquire magic beans". Some worked and some have not. Arguably, they started this in 2021-2022 and only now is it manifesting result. Had not they not made several trades to acquire draft capital and young players, they wouldn't have been able to bring in the personnel that are contributing now. It's in the exact same mold as what Dubas is doing now, just 3 years later.

"Sully isn't the problem. He is one the great coaches in the league, and ideal for our retool." blah blah blah - Dubas.


That's a valid point. I personally could never be a hockey player. Can't play day-in day-out motivating myself on a team that doesn't have a chance.

I guess you are playing for stats, contracts, and because you enjoy it a ton?

I dunno, I still show up to my adult league stuff even though I know we are going to get wrecked. I pay to do that. Imagine being paid like $10k a day to go be motivated at the rink. I'd find a way.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Pretty much what I expected for Chychrun tbh, whether re-signing or in FA. Numbers are about to get silly in the next few years. McDavid's gonna get like $25M AAV.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don’t understand why people are shocked by the Chychrun number. We all saw the cap numbers. That’s gonna be the rate for a good d-man. Elite ones are going to be getting like $15 mill.

It's less the AAV and more the AAV plus the max term.

They didn't give him a restrictive NTC so I guess they paid extra to not have those clauses.

 

[SomeDude]

It's less the AAV and more the AAV plus the max term.

They didn't give him a restrictive NTC so I guess they paid extra to not have those clauses.

Someone was giving him max term. If the caps didn’t offer it, he’d get it July 1 from someone else.

As I said, these contracts are insured. When he gets hurt, he goes on LTIR and the Caps move on. They don’t care about term. They’ve already got Backstrom and Oshie on that train.

Like you said, it’s also pretty amazing they didn’t have to give him a full NMC.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

Even if this is to be believed- and it is debatable at best- being a "top General Manager" for a little over a year is not some massive achievement. He's the highest paid NHL executive so he should be among the best for many years to deserve his contract. No different than how a top paid player would be assessed.

Would you prefer him to be a bottom tier GM for the past year+?

You Dubi-harters just will never be happy.

 

[Jared Grayden]

Would you prefer him to be a bottom tier GM for the past year+?

You Dubi-harters just will never be happy.

Fittingly, on Pensburgh I'm labeled a Dubas lover. Was happy he was hired. He undoubtedly failed miserably with re-tooling the roster in 2023. He's done well when he has made moves for futures. His lack of long term commitment is where I take issue. Nuremberg defense fully applies. Pick a path and stick to it or the long term consequences will be dire.

 

[Gurglesons]

Here's a good example of why people don't like you or your posts and why people like me go out of our way to call you out on your BS.

"Dubas has acquired a bunch of magic beans". That's a trash statement coming from someone who has developed an odd, cult-like devotion to the way Washington retooled. A ton of what they did was "acquire magic beans". Some worked and some have not. Arguably, they started this in 2021-2022 and only now is it manifesting result. Had not they not made several trades to acquire draft capital and young players, they wouldn't have been able to bring in the personnel that are contributing now. It's in the exact same mold as what Dubas is doing now, just 3 years later.

None of this true.

And I don't care if you like me or my posts.

The reality is what I said. Dubas has done the easy part.

The actual player evaluation and decision making comes next.

I'm not going to call Dubas "a top GM in the league" because he traded some UFAs for picks.

Also...

Strome - UFA signing
Protas - 2019 draft pick
PLD - Acquired for UFA Darcy Keumper
Tom Wilson - 2012 1st
Ovechkin - 2004 1st
McMichael - 2019 1st
Chychrun - Acquired for Nick Jensen (traded for in 2019) and their own 2026 3rd.
Sandin - Acquired with the 1st from Boston.
Raddysh - UFA signing

One of their current top 9 point producers was acquired with assets from the period you are talking about.

As per usual you have no contextual knowledge of how other teams have built their team.

 

[Gurglesons]

Fittingly, on Pensburgh I'm labeled a Dubas lover. Was happy he was hired. He undoubtedly failed miserably with re-tooling the roster in 2023. He's done well when he has made moves for futures. His lack of long term commitment is where I take issue. Nuremberg defense fully applies. Pick a path and stick to it or the long term consequences will be dire.

I think the issue is his lack of swings.

He's just been very boring here outside of the EK65 deal which is largely in line with your criticism.

He's just letting the team die on the vine. Either commit to them being successful or get rid of Rakell and Rust as soon as you can.

Don't play the middle fiddle and act like 9th overalls and a bunch of 2nds are going to change the trajectory. That's what Yzerman did in Detroit and they are just now getting to be a mid ass team.

 

[SEALBound]

None of this true.

And I don't care if you like me or my posts.

The reality is what I said. Dubas has done the easy part.

The actual player evaluation and decision making comes next.

I'm not going to call Dubas "a top GM in the league" because he traded some UFAs for picks.

Also...

Strome - UFA signing
Protas - 2019 draft pick
PLD - Acquired for UFA Darcy Keumper
Tom Wilson - 2012 1st
Ovechkin - 2004 1st
McMichael - 2019 1st
Chychrun - Acquired for Nick Jensen (traded for in 2019) and their own 2026 3rd.
Sandin - Acquired with the 1st from Boston.
Raddysh - UFA signing

One of their current top 9 point producers was acquired with assets from the period you are talking about.

As per usual you have no contextual knowledge of how other teams have built their team.

Boy, what an abysmal reply. Thanks for referencing the 2004 and 2012 draft in a reply about how Washington rebuilt their team in 2025.

Protas - 2019 pick where Washington traded up using a 4th and 5th.
Chychrun - as you said, Acquired for Nick Jensen (traded for in 2019) and their own 2026 3rd. They got Jensen for their 2nd in 2020 and Bowey.
Sandin - as you said, Acquired with the 1st from Boston in that larger trade that resembles exactly what Dubas just did with Pettersson and DOC.
Mangiapane - brought in to be a top 6 wing but it hasn't worked out but they got him for a 2nd from Calgary using the 2nd they got from the Avs for Eller.

So they used a variety of picks that they collected in previous trades or had originally to trade up or draft the impact players they have now. All things Dubas is positioning himself to do right now. Like you proved half of what I was saying already, and you even miss MORE "context" in your post (not surprisingly) while trying to take a limp wristed shot at me.

The difference is, when Washington does it, it's smart. When Dubas does it, it's nothing more than "magic beans". Again, nothing you come here to say has any logical or rational sense, nor does anyone really care because it ALWAYS comes back to the same thing - "I don't like Dubas and I'm mad that Hextall got fired and they hired him".

Go be a fan of Washington. Seems like you'd be much happier over there.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I really wanted both Jensen and Sam Bennett at their respective deadlines.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

My issue with Dubas is multi-layered. Firstly, he is entirely enamored with Sullivan--that's pretty clear. I don't believe FSG is forcing Sully to remain, and I don't think they'd back Sully if it came down to Dubas wanting to fire him. Secondly, his "last big swing" was EK then a buncha total dogshit in that first off-season. Lastly, he's seemingly shifted approach to a more future-focused avenue, but he seems to still be half-assing it a bit too much for my liking; Rakell kept when his value was sky high and the prices for guys like him were insane (with reasoning being he's important for the near future, blah blah blah), etc. We'll have to wait and see if he moves anybody this summer, but I wouldn't be surprised if all of Rust, Rakell and EK were on this team come October.

I don't despise the guy, but I'm not ready to give him his flowers yet. I like what he's done since Jake forced his hand, but keeping Rakell was a significant flub imo. He'll be judged ultimately on how he navigates the final years of the Sid era, and the post-Sid rebuilding effort more than anything though, in my eyes. I talk a bit of shit now and then about the here and now Penguins, but this team's been dead in the water for half a decade at this point. Shit doesn't matter anymore. Only the future.

 

[Gurglesons]

Boy, what an abysmal reply. Thanks for referencing the 2004 and 2012 draft in a reply about how Washington rebuilt their team in 2025.

Protas - 2019 pick where Washington traded up using a 4th and 5th.
Chychrun - as you said, Acquired for Nick Jensen (traded for in 2019) and their own 2026 3rd. They got Jensen for their 2nd in 2020 and Bowey.
Sandin - as you said, Acquired with the 1st from Boston in that larger trade that resembles exactly what Dubas just did with Pettersson and DOC.
Mangiapane - brought in to be a top 6 wing but it hasn't worked out but they got him for a 2nd from Calgary using the 2nd they got from the Avs for Eller.

So they used a variety of picks that they collected in previous trades or had originally to trade up or draft the impact players they have now. All things Dubas is positioning himself to do right now. Like you proved half of what I was saying already, and you even miss MORE "context" in your post (not surprisingly) while trying to take a limp wristed shot at me.

The difference is, when Washington does it, it's smart. When Dubas does it, it's nothing more than "magic beans". Again, nothing you come here to say has any logical or rational sense, nor does anyone really care because it ALWAYS comes back to the same thing - "I don't like Dubas and I'm mad that Hextall got fired and they hired him".

Go be a fan of Washington. Seems like you'd be much happier over there.

"Dubas has acquired a bunch of magic beans". That's a trash statement coming from someone who has developed an odd, cult-like devotion to the way Washington retooled. A ton of what they did was "acquire magic beans". Some worked and some have not. Arguably, they started this in 2021-2022 and only now is it manifesting result. Had not they not made several trades to acquire draft capital and young players, they wouldn't have been able to bring in the personnel that are contributing now. It's in the exact same mold as what Dubas is doing now, just 3 years later."

Every move you mentioned was made with assets prior to "starting" in 2021-22.

Keep shifting the argument though.

 

[Turin]

I think that Chychrun contract is fair.

But there’s still a lot of glazing for a team that has made it past the 2nd round once since W Bush was President around here.

 

[molon labe]

Toronto is going to make it out of the first round again - go 6 games in the 2nd round - and re-sign Marner to 15M a season.

Call this a PRO of being mediocre right now... if this were our 2017 window we'd be re-signing both goalies to 8M a year and chasing some horrible depth piece with awful term and money. Paying to play right now with this guaranteed rising cap is going to make things interesting.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I think that Chychrun contract is fair.

But there’s still a lot of glazing for a team that has made it past the 2nd round once since W Bush was President around here.

They won’t do shit this year either

 

[Turin]

They won’t do shit this year either

I’m not sure given how weak the East is this year, but I hope so. The Florida teams and Carolina still probably beat them.

 

[Jared Grayden]

I think that Chychrun contract is fair.

But there’s still a lot of glazing for a team that has made it past the 2nd round once since W Bush was President around here.

Re-tooling like Washington is the flavor of the month in this copycat league. If this Washington re-tool ends up being a flash in the pan, it will all be memory holed.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I’m not sure given how weak the East is this year, but I hope so. The Florida teams and Carolina still probably beat them.

They are a true team and I mean that in a complimentary way. Really have found pieces that fit together.

But I can’t remember a team with worse top dogs than them winning a cup or even making serious noise in the playoffs. I guess that Isles team that went to 7 games in the ECF? But Barzal was on that team.

I see a lot of WSH in person, forget superstar. They legitimately do not even have a star. Idc what numbers guys are putting up. Which makes their season more impressive but I struggle to see a run.

 

[SEALBound]

Re-tooling like Washington is the flavor of the month in this copycat league. If this Washington re-tool ends up being a flash in the pan, it will all be memory holed.

Playoffs against Florida and even Toronto are gonna be telling. Maybe they're legit but I could see them losing in the first round just as well as them winning the cup.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

The Caps have been really impressive and they play a strong, complete game, but yeah--I'll wait and see what they do when the games really matter before crowning them a successful retool. Who gives a shit about the President's Trophy if you can't make a deep run in the playoffs.