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

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

Anyone else getting FOMO from all these college signings?

 

[DesertPenguin]

Pens will add 7-8 legit prospects (top 3 round picks or traded for) in ‘25 and ‘26 in addition to their 3 1sts.

And will have 9 more picks in the top 3 rounds in ‘27 and ‘28, if not more.

That’s 15-20 assets not counting their 3 first rounders in 2025/2026 and current prospects.

It’s not smart to burn the boats for a cup in July 2026 but I am fully onboard with “aggressive shift” if it means moving some of that massive volume for players that can play with the high picks and help them develop.

You can do that and retain your high 1st rounder.

I think this translates to using most of your draft picks, continuing to develop the prospects we have, and only parting with either for a mid 20s player who can help us before Sid retires

 

[PensFutures]

Pretty cool, Johnny Sins presenting Acciari with an award.

 

[BillyOcean]

Penguins are just the type of team that would randomly give away their top 8 pick this year for a 29 year old top 6 forward

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

What are the changes those prospects have core upside, though? The issue isn't that they won't have prospects, it's that they're not giving themselves enough time to actually develop a championship caliber core.

I know people have mentioned Washington a bunch, but I think Dallas is a better example of a team that built a championship caliber contender quickly and without a ton of high picks. But even with doing that, it took them from 3 drafts to get Hintz (2015), Heiskanen (2017), Oettinger (2017) and Robertson (2017), and that's basically the best example I can see for a team doing that quickly.

I’m a bit confused by the bolded tbh.

All I am saying is that after the 2026 draft you are going to have so many prospects that project as depth NHLers that you won’t really need even more 2nds/3rds in 2027, 2028, 2029 that will be used on prospects who also project as depth NHLers.

So you should turn some of those picks and prospects into current top 9/top 4 players. That should help the young guys on the roster and the future picks coming up. You can do that and keep the 2027 1st and 2028 1st to build out your core further.

I agree they would probably still be 2-3 years off but it’s not a bad thing to send out a 2nd+3rd for a 26 year old winger and he plays well with Frondell/OBrien/etc and then is 29-30 when you’re ready to compete.

 

[Jared Grayden]

Anyone else getting FOMO from all these college signings?

I'm getting FOMO from tanking teams.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Penguins are just the type of team that would randomly give away their top 8 pick this year for a 29 year old top 6 forward

I could see the NYR pick, if we get it this year, going in a package for someone like Byram or Peterka. Not a 29 year old.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I’m a bit confused by the bolded tbh.

All I am saying is that after the 2026 draft you are going to have so many prospects that project as depth NHLers that you won’t really need even more 2nds/3rds in 2027, 2028, 2029 that will be used on prospects who also project as depth NHLers.

So you should turn some of those picks and prospects into current middle 6/middle pair players. That should help the young guys on the roster and the future picks coming up. You can do that and keep the 2027 1st and 2028 1st to build out your core further.

I agree they would probably still be 2-3 years off but it’s not a bad thing to send out a 2nd+3rd for a 26 year old winger and he plays well with Frondell/OBrien/etc and then is 29-30 when you’re ready to compete.

Dubas even said at his post TDL presser that he doesn't see how all the picks we have aqcuired can end up making it into our system and up to the big club. Only so many spots available. So we will package some to make moves, but only in a quantity for quality/maturity type trade.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’m a bit confused by the bolded tbh.

All I am saying is that after the 2026 draft you are going to have so many prospects that project as depth NHLers that you won’t really need even more 2nds/3rds in 2027, 2028, 2029 that will be used on prospects who also project as depth NHLers.

So you should turn some of those picks and prospects into current middle 6/middle pair players. That should help the young guys on the roster and the future picks coming up. You can do that and keep the 2027 1st and 2028 1st to build out your core further.

I agree they would probably still be 2-3 years off but it’s not a bad thing to send out a 2nd+3rd for a 26 year old winger and he plays well with Frondell/OBrien/etc and then is 29-30 when you’re ready to compete.

But that doesn't solve the issue here. My concern with trying to rush a rebuild is them not getting enough top tier prospects that the team can build a championship caliber core with. I think they can turn into an effective team fairly quickly with your strategy, but I don't think you'll get the core you need to actually contend if you try to go that quickly.

Acquiring middle-6 or middle pair players isn't the issue, the issue is acquiring top players. That's why I think only 2 drafts isn't enough, you're likely not getting the 3-5 core pieces you need to be a top contending team in just 2 drafts. Dallas hitting on Heiskanen, Oettinger and Robertson in the same draft is one of a few cases where that actually happened, it's super rare and difficult to do.

 

[Andy99]

What are the changes those prospects have core upside, though? The issue isn't that they won't have prospects, it's that they're not giving themselves enough time to actually develop a championship caliber core.

I know people have mentioned Washington a bunch, but I think Dallas is a better example of a team that built a championship caliber contender quickly and without a ton of high picks. But even with doing that, it took them from 3 drafts to get Hintz (2015), Heiskanen (2017), Oettinger (2017) and Robertson (2017), and that's basically the best example I can see for a team doing that quickly.



Rakell looks like a better 2C than Malkin at this point tbh

No he doesn’t, sorry…not since the 4 Nations break…

 

[HandshakeLine]

Sure glad we tried that experiment for far longer than we needed to.

 

[Andy99]

lol…



Apparently Acciari voted “unsung hero” for the team…

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Sure glad we tried that experiment for far longer than we needed to.

I really doubt anyone claims him, he is going to WBS for the playoffs since Koivunen and McGroarty are here to stay until the end of the season ..

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

But that doesn't solve the issue here. My concern with trying to rush a rebuild is them not getting enough top tier prospects that the team can build a championship caliber core with. I think they can turn into an effective team fairly quickly with your strategy, but I don't think you'll get the core you need to actually contend if you try to go that quickly.

Acquiring middle-6 or middle pair players isn't the issue, the issue is acquiring top players. That's why I think only 2 drafts isn't enough, you're likely not getting the 3-5 core pieces you need to be a top contending team in just 2 drafts. Dallas hitting on Heiskanen, Oettinger and Robertson in the same draft is one of a few cases where that actually happened, it's super rare and difficult to do.

you are missing my point. We are still drafting high in ‘27 and ‘28 in my example. That is 5 high 1sts over four drafts.

I am saying take some of our ten million 2nds & 3rds and using them to get guys we think can be the next Verhage, Bennett, Forsling (aka take a leap in bigger roles).

We add those types and still won’t be contending until after 2028 prob. But we won’t be a cesspool like Chicago is for the young talent to develop.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Acciari sucks but Shirley is just outing himself as never being a part of a hockey team (or any sort of sport team) with that tweet.

Acciari leads the team in blocked shots and hits, eats shitty defensive minutes and plays hard (even though his talents are limited). Players in those kind of roles get respect from the other players and coaches, even if they're not that talented.

you are missing my point. We are still drafting high in ‘27 and ‘28 in my example. That is 5 high 1sts over four drafts.

I am saying take some of our ten million 2nds & 3rds and using them to get guys we think can be the next Verhage, Bennett, Forsling (aka take a leap in bigger roles).

We add those types and still won’t be contending until after 2028 prob. But we won’t be a cesspool like Chicago is for the young talent to develop.

That's the thing though, will they still suck in 2027 and 2028 if the start aggressively adding in the 2026 off-season? I'm not sure of that.

I'm not saying "they need to tank and be as bad as possible", but if they slip into a playoff spot and end up picking 18th in 2027 and 2028 due to the aggressive adds in the 2026 off-season, is that enough to get the remaining other needed franchise pieces? I'm skeptical of it.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Anyone else getting FOMO from all these college signings?

No. Not in the slightest. All reports have indicated that this class of UDFA is lean. Why sign a 22-year-old AHL 4th-liner just because another team did? An empty reserve list spot is more valuable.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

That's the thing though, will they still suck in 2027 and 2028 if the start aggressively adding in the 2026 off-season? I'm not sure of that.

I doubt it. The Pens suck with Rust Rakell Crosby Karlsson. Blackhawks added a lot of established guys and stink.

I don’t see how getting aggressive with 2nd/3rd round picks and B prospects to land guys you think can compliment/insulate youth is going to lead to a 25-30 point swing in the standings.

But playing along- if things accelerate that much why is that bad? Would mean the guys they drafted are crushing it and are the 3-5 core players you say we need. And you need another? You have the assets for the malcontent superstar if things accelerate that much.

I think rebuilds take way too long. Like trade Granlund/Ceci for a 1st? Ok. But wtf are the Sharks doing trading Zetterlund for yet another 2nd? You got Celebrini, Smith, Eklund man. More on the way. It should be go time after this draft for that team. They should be trading extra 2nds and prospects for more Zetterlunds and other solid players. Not the other way around.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Acciari sucks but Shirley is just outing himself as never being a part of a hockey team (or any sort of sport team) with that tweet.

Acciari leads the team in blocked shots and hits, eats shitty defensive minutes and plays hard (even though his talents are limited). Players in those kind of roles get respect from the other players and coaches, even if they're not that talented.



That's the thing though, will they still suck in 2027 and 2028 if the start aggressively adding in the 2026 off-season? I'm not sure of that.

I'm not saying "they need to tank and be as bad as possible", but if they slip into a playoff spot and end up picking 18th in 2027 and 2028 due to the aggressive adds in the 2026 off-season, is that enough to get the remaining other needed franchise pieces? I'm skeptical of it.

One guy in that role is fine. Half a lineup is not. If Acciari is the last plug standing, then so be it.

 

[Gurglesons]

Acciari sucks ass. Shirey is smarter than Kelsey who has exposed herself as a Penguin lackey the last few months. Her takes have gotten worse and worse, defending Noel Acciari on top of it is insane.

I say this as someone who liked that signing a ton.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I doubt it. The Pens suck with Rust Rakell Crosby Karlsson. Blackhawks added a lot of established guys and stink.

I don’t see how getting aggressive with 2nd/3rd round picks and B prospects to land guys you think can compliment/insulate youth is going to lead to a 25-30 point swing in the standings.

But playing along- if things accelerate that much why is that bad? Would mean the guys they drafted are crushing it and are the 3-5 core players you say we need. And you need another? You have the assets for the malcontent superstar if things accelerate that much.

I think rebuilds take way too long. Like trade Granlund/Ceci for a 1st? Ok. But wtf are the Sharks doing trading Zetterlund for yet another 2nd? You got Celebrini, Smith, Eklund man. More on the way. It should be go time after this draft for that team. They should be trading extra 2nds and prospects for more Zetterlunds and other solid players. Not the other way around.

But that's just the thing, they don't need that level of swing to be going from picking say 6th versus 20th. Finishing with 80 points has them picking around 6th-8th overall, finishing with 95 points has them in a playoff spot picking in the 16th-20th overall range. That difference could be the difference between getting a core piece and just getting another middle-6 guy.

I think adding aggressively before they have their core lined up would be a mistake. What San Jose is doing is silly because they have that core already, but only getting half of the prospects for that core and then shifting to adding is just going to prevent the core from being good enough after Crosby retires.

 

[Gurglesons]

But that's just the thing, they don't need that level of swing to be going from picking say 6th versus 20th. Finishing with 80 points has them picking around 6th-8th overall, finishing with 95 points has them in a playoff spot picking in the 16th-20th overall range. That difference could be the difference between getting a core piece and just getting another middle-6 guy.

I think adding aggressively before they have their core lined up would be a mistake. What San Jose is doing is silly because they have that core already, but only getting half of the prospects for that core and then shifting to adding is just going to prevent the core from being good enough after Crosby retires.

Is it? San Jose has missed the playoffs for six seasons.

Penguins only tanked for 3 years and then immediately added a ton of players heading out of the lockout.

San Jose currently has Smith, Celebrini, and Eklund who are all top ten 1sts. They are adding another top talent and then have Dickinson and Musty still coming.

They utilized assets into Askarov.

They are doing exactly what every rebuilding team should do. Clear focused plan on getting things flipped as quickly as possible.

 

[wej20]

One guy in that role is fine. Half a lineup is not. If Acciari is the last plug standing, then so be it.

Exactly. Acciari's 7th on TOI for forwards who have played more than 50 games. Dewar - Lizotte - Acciari isn't a terrible 4th line but the problem is Sully will play them like they're Cooke - Staal - Kennedy.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Is it? San Jose has missed the playoffs for six seasons.

Penguins only tanked for 3 years and then immediately added a ton of players heading out of the lockout.

San Jose has Celebrini, Smith, Eklund and Dickinson that all look really good, plus another top-4 pick this year.

Yes, they have the core set up where they should be adding to make the team better, not trading away young players like Zetterlund.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Rorabaugh said this a few weeks ago, I didn't notice it mentioned. He's been talked about a bunch, but I just learned that Hallander actually broke the record for most points in a season with Timra and finished 2nd in the SHL scoring.

If he's being brought back, it's 100% as a NHLer. You're not getting him to sign without guaranteeing him a NHL chance.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

But that's just the thing, they don't need that level of swing to be going from picking say 6th versus 20th. Finishing with 80 points has them picking around 6th-8th overall, finishing with 95 points has them in a playoff spot picking in the 16th-20th overall range. That difference could be the difference between getting a core piece and just getting another middle-6 guy.

I think adding aggressively before they have their core lined up would be a mistake. What San Jose is doing is silly because they have that core already, but only getting half of the prospects for that core and then shifting to adding is just going to prevent the core from being good enough after Crosby retires.

bro I’d be pretty pumped if the current prospects developed so well, and they killed the 2025 draft/2026 draft so hard that adding 2-3 decent NHLers took them to 95 points in 2026-27.

You’d have a young, 95 point team with a ton of prospects in the pipeline and assets going forward. That is not bad.

More realistically we still are top 10 bad. But idk how the above is a bad thing if it were to happen.