Salary Cap: 24 25 Salary Thread Crosbicles Volume Mmxxvii Retool over Time to Go for A Cup in 2026
- Thread starter Hangman009
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Empoleon8771
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The plan does seem to be being bad again next year, getting another high pick and then having an aggressive retool starting in the 2026 off-season and trying to compete before Crosby retires. I've said a couple of times that I wonder if they're trying to rush the rebuild for Crosby's sake when they shouldn't be doing that, but it seems like that's what they want to do.
I figure they get a 2026 1st back in the Karlsson deal this off-season and end up with 4 1sts between 2025 and 2026, and the hope is that those 4 picks plus their current prospect pool and remaining picks is enough to have a championship caliber core in the future. Not sure it works but that appears to be the plan.
I figure they get a 2026 1st back in the Karlsson deal this off-season and end up with 4 1sts between 2025 and 2026, and the hope is that those 4 picks plus their current prospect pool and remaining picks is enough to have a championship caliber core in the future. Not sure it works but that appears to be the plan.
HandshakeLine
A real jerk thing
I don’t think they’ll trade Karlsson or Rust or Rackell FWIW. I think they see that as the reason they flirted with a playoff spot instead of a historic Crosby performance. I’d be glad to be wrong.
Icarium
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- Feb 16, 2010
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It's so hard to distinguish between Johe's "journalism" and The Onion these days.
If that's the plan, they're going to absolutely need to sign a Marner level free agent...or three. No way 40 year old Sid and a bunch of 18 - 22 year olds are making a run at a cup
Big Friggin Dummy
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- Feb 22, 2019
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It's so very obvious to everyone but the people in charge of making decisions and the blind homer yinzers that this "we're gonna be competitive before Sid retires" bullshit is a fool's errand. 
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I'd be shocked if Karlsson is still here to start next year. I think it's just about viewing Karlsson as a failed project and them wanting to move on from it.
Karlsson hasn't lived up to his contract or acquisition cost for the Penguins and it seems pretty evident that the entire defense basically needs to be rebuilt from scratch. I think Rust and Rakell could be kept based on them having success with the team, but I don't think Karlsson has that and won't be kept in large part due to that.
Mr. T
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- Feb 15, 2003
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It's Jared Leto Joker, no need to worry
HandshakeLine
A real jerk thing
I hope you’re right Emp, I take no solace in being correct and having to watch this slop.
Dipsy Doodle
Rent A Barn
- May 28, 2006
- 76,542
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Prop up? How about not bury?
Malkin currently sits tied for 48th among centers in p/g - 2C production by any measure - while not only being removed from PP1 but objectively, comfortably, playing with worse linemates than anyone ahead of him.
Give Malkin Rakell and Rust next season and watch how his production magically improves. Don't forget to give Sid Dewar and Tomasino.
DesertedPenguin
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- Mar 11, 2007
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I'm 90% certain that the Pens acquired Desharnais and Heinen just to make the money and total contracts work in the Petts trade. They were able to flip Desharnais but Heinen sucks, so he's stuck until maybe this summer.
Darren McCord
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- Dec 15, 2015
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If a 1 year 900k contract guarantees him a spot than thats a joke. That contract can be buried. There is not reason that should make it a guarantee he is on the team.
Darren McCord
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- Dec 15, 2015
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I think a lot depends on guys McG, Koivunen, Pickering, Pono and Blom/Murashov.
I think if Dubas has a hint that hey can have a few young guys be effective players by next year, he moves no one. They have a ton of money this offseason to spend. If you can have like 3-4 guys making under 1 mill for a couple years they might try to spend big and retool faster if they can overpay for decent players in UFA.
I don't particularly agree with the philosophy but I also think Dubas will not hesitate to pivot.
“He’s so cool, the kids would say he’s got rizz.“From Yohe’s story on Koivunen and McG lol…in case you need another reminder to drink heavily:
“Rust gets it. So does Rakell. And no one gets it more than Crosby.
Those three fully intend on being in Pittsburgh when the Penguins return to glory. So does coach Mike Sullivan.”
Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen fitting right in as Penguins embrace youth movement
The arrival and development of Pittsburgh's two prospects is a big deal — for now and the future.www.nytimes.com
That’s some great journalism there.
I struggle between how easy it is to get in the playoffs and how bad this team is. You literally just have to be mediocre to get in. Half the damn league gets in.
Ryder71
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- Nov 24, 2017
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We aren't near mediocre either. And Sid and Geno will fall off the cliff at some point. Even Sid can't defeat father time. Geno gets crappy linemates though so that exacerbates matters. In any case I myself am not interested in sneaking into the playoffs only to get trounced either. We've lost five consecutive playoff series.
Big Friggin Dummy
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- Feb 22, 2019
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What a terrible day to know how to read.
Jared Grayden
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- Mar 23, 2025
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I'm sure they could get in. However, I don't think most fans care about just making the playoffs in getting humiliated out like Washington did last year. Fans want to see a competitive team that has a chance to win in the playoffs which I don't see how is happening with Crosby on the roster unless he's playing past his age 40 season.
Darren McCord
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Blom .885
Jarry .888
Ned .892
Not hard to understand. Also not explicitly blaming goaltending most of it is the system and awful defense.
Ugene Magic
EVIL LAUGH
This is what living in denial looks like.
You do realize he had Rakell and Smith last season. But you all blame the wingers and not Geno.
God forbid the bigger player has a natural decline or anything. I'm mean, he's the one telling you all he is old. I guess you don't see why he was pulled from PP1. He rarely was in or took advantage of his shot always overplaying the puck to the point, his slowness hanging out at the RW wall and having passes picked off. How about trying to chase younger players back after the giveaways?
He was giving his all playing 82 games...
Be happy it has lasted this long.
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I've got bad news for you, it's a guarantee that he's going to be on the team.
I don't know why people can't separate what they want to see versus what the team will actually do.
farscape1
Registered User
Jag68Sid87
Sullivan gots to go!
It feels like a long shot to be sure. The ONLY chance we have to land Marner is...
- his relationship with Dubas and Spezza. If he felt comfortable with them in the past, and his agent/father like them as well, this gives the Pens a shot.
- Pittsburgh is not that far from Toronto, so IF Marner and his wife want to be close to home, Pittsburgh offers that option.
- Sid. There are few places where Marner can go that will provide a center as good as he is used to playing with in Toronto. Pittsburgh is one of those places, at least for the early portion of his next career. Sure, he could opt to play with Celebrini in SJ or Bedard in Chicago, but those guys are not there yet.
Dubas would have to sell Marner on the idea of being the transitional player between the 87/71 era, and the next wave. Can he pull it off?
Ryder71
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- Nov 24, 2017
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