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

[Gurglesons]

I think the main issue is the system. Everybody talks about how hard the Carolina system is for players. I think Rantanen took one look at that system and was like, "nah, I'm good."

It is a structured, calculated system that yields great results despite holes in the lineup, questionable goaltending and a lack of elite talent. But come playoff time, you need elite talent. And if your preference is lineup balance, your players cannot be spent by the time you reach the playoffs.

I remember vividly watching last year's Carolina-NYR series. The Rangers were completely dead in the water. They were one period away from being done for the season. And then suddenly, they dominated the third period and won the game and series going away. Carolina looked gassed.

If they choose to continue down this path, they are wise to continue to target the Logan Stankoven's of this world. You need young legs to play that system, and young legs are cheap legs too, which Tom Dundon wants.

That said, there was talk pre-deadline that they were discussing a contract extension with Taylor Hall. Which for me is a head-scratcher, and I love Taylor Hall.

I think the issue is Rantanen was shocked to be traded from Colorado and didn't want to sign anywhere but two tax free markets after thinking about it in Florida and Dallas.

I don't think it's really that complicated. Jake did the same exact thing.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

By who? lol that’s not miller at all. He has a few season where he has got selke votes. Highest was 15th in voting. He also Pks and throws a bunch of hits.

He would have fit great on the canes

Pretty much anyone from the Athletic, TSN. I believe the high level commentary from anyone who reviews underlying analytics revolves around his ability to drive play (bad) vs convert on scoring chances (great).

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Meh are the canes really a defensive style team? They are agressive on the forecheck and generate a ton of shots. They constantly push the play. They grind down opponents.

Brindamour wants all of his guys buying into the system and dedicating themselves to playing 100% in all areas of the ice.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

They still have to convince players to sign there. Necas was a really good asset that they turned into 3 worse assets. Maybe one of those first turns out better or they put multiple first together in a trade but they went from quality to quantity.

I don’t know how you can say that so definitively. You don’t even know what those 1sts will turn into.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

They will have 30+ mil in cap next year.

They will likely make huge moves this summer.

Aho is a great player. But, he isn't a Sid or McDavid where you go all in every year with him.

Canes have a bunch of great prospects. They have as many 1st rounders as us in the next three years.

They have everything they need to be a very, very good team over the next three years.

I think the star players they need weren’t available this deadline. But they can use a couple of those 1sts in the next year or so to get elite talent when it pops up if they want to.

 

[Darren McCord]

I don’t know how you can say that so definitively. You don’t even know what those 1sts will turn into.

Late first rounders are meh. Dallas is a stud team they will be picking around 28-30. If any of them turn into Necas you’d be thrilled.

 

[Darren McCord]

I think you're really underrating Stankoven.

Also, they've convinced tons of players to sign there recently.

Maybe but he has 15 career nhl goals. He has potential but will see how it goes.

 

[Gurglesons]

Maybe but he has 15 career nhl goals. He has potential but will see how it goes.

He's 22 and was above a PPG in the A at 20.

He's a blue chip prospect. We have nobody comparable in our system.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Late first rounders are meh. Dallas is a stud team they will be picking around 28-30. If any of them turn into Necas you’d be thrilled.

Carolina has a solid draft history, and they may just end up flipping those picks for the star player they need.

 

[DesertPenguin]

OK I'm over the flurry of the trade deadline and ready to talk next season. I have to figure Jarry, Graves are bought out or traded with retention, but for now I'll just demote them. I sure hope they don't re-sign Gryzelcyk unless they move Karlsson. Both Karlsson and Letang need real solid, low event D partners to enable them. Maybe Pickering can be one of those but that's not Gryz at all. For now I assume Gryz walks and Karlsson stays, but it could easily go the other way.

Rakell seems to be staying, and I'm great with that. He'd be hard to replace. I think Koivunen is coming up out of camp and I'd like to see Ponomarev get a look. Broz and McGroarty are on their way but I'm not penciling them in just yet.

We need a top 6 F and a 1LD to be even passable. Marner is a dream, But what about 8m each at Sam Bennett and Vladislov Gavrikov? This looks pretty OK.

 

[Ulf5]

OK I'm over the flurry of the trade deadline and ready to talk next season. I have to figure Jarry, Graves are bought out or traded with retention, but for now I'll just demote them. I sure hope they don't re-sign Gryzelcyk unless they move Karlsson. Both Karlsson and Letang need real solid, low event D partners to enable them. Maybe Pickering can be one of those but that's not Gryz at all. For now I assume Gryz walks and Karlsson stays, but it could easily go the other way.

Rakell seems to be staying, and I'm great with that. He'd be hard to replace. I think Koivunen is coming up out of camp and I'd like to see Ponomarev get a look. Broz and McGroarty are on their way but I'm not penciling them in just yet.

We need a top 6 F and a 1LD to be even passable. Marner is a dream, But what about 8m each at Sam Bennett and Vladislov Gavrikov? This looks pretty OK.

LA Kings provide update on extension negotiations with Vladislav Gavrikov

At the time of the NHL Trade Deadline, players currently in the final year of their contracts could be made available. The thought process for teams like the Lo

rinkroyalty.com

 

[DesertPenguin]

LA Kings provide update on extension negotiations with Vladislav Gavrikov

At the time of the NHL Trade Deadline, players currently in the final year of their contracts could be made available. The thought process for teams like the Lo

rinkroyalty.com

Well nuts. Let's see if I had the AAV right. The cap going up as much as it is, and projected to continue to rise, is going to result in some eye popping contracts given out this summer.

I'm not seeing much of quality out there at LHD on the UFA market after Gavrikov, at least not under 30. There's ironically more RHD available.

Provorov or Chychrun, but neither of them really fits what I think we need.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I think this off season, one of the first blokes that will be fired should be Andy Chiodo. There is no way a bloke survives after the shit show the goalies turn into at the NHL level the last two seasons, if Tisi is promoted or Dubas has another bloke in mind, fine. But Andy Chiodo definitely has to be done at the end of this season.

And if we're lucky - Sully, Quinn, and Vellucci are also gone.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Well nuts. Let's see if I had the AAV right. The cap going up as much as it is, and projected to continue to rise, is going to result in some eye popping contracts given out this summer.

I'm not seeing much of quality out there at LHD on the UFA market after Gavrikov, at least not under 30. There's ironically more RHD available.

Provorov or Chychrun, but neither of them really fits what I think we need.

Mate if Sullivan is still here as the coach, why even bother wanting any of those players?

Also why the f*** would any player come to the Pens? Pens are, at this stage, a team that has to over pay to bring free agents like that or they're taking reclamation projects galore that are more grinder types Sullivan gets a fat chubby dunkin donut in his Boston themed budgie smugglers. This isn't a team you even want to sign a 1yr deal with like they used to under Shero and Disco, then go and earn a better deal after a reboot to their careers.

If you're a player that gets to pick his spot. Are you seriously choosing the Pens where the coach will misuse you and you'll end up being blamed for his mistakes and take all the heat while he doesn't? Lol, f*** no. Pens have missed the playoffs the last 2 seasons, are missing this year and don't look like they're going to learn any lessons.

Look at the free agent the Pens drew the interest of this last off season....

Anthony "traded 4 times in 2 seasons and played for 6 different teams in 2 seasons " Beauvillier.

Then there's Lizotte who probably is super bummed he didn't get moved at the deadline to escape this shit show. Grzelcyk knew he was gonna get glazed by two beantown dipshits. Poor Heinen, he was probably like "Wow my hometown team is a real shit show this year..." To being traded back to the Pens and is like "Wow I thought Vancouver was in a bad spot."

 

[Honour Over Glory]

No. We’re still paying Jack Johnson. Buyouts are awful.

Aren't you glad the almighty Mike Sullivan petitioned for signing Jack Johnson and presenting a plan on how to utilize him?

Also 916k for another year after this isn't that bad. It's a drop in the can for the team and the cap space they have next year.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Would you consider using a buyout for Graves? Is it possible someone would take him in a trade? I believe a buyout would look like this...

Current cap hit of $4.500 for 4 more years

Buyout cap hit of $2.400, $3.400, $3.400, $3.650, $0.646, $0.646, $0.646, $0.646

I wonder if the Islanders would be willing to swap Engvall for him. Their coach hates Engvall.

Speaking of Dallas. Dubas should be all over offer sheeting Bourque.

If you give him 4.5 mil it costs a 2nd round pick. Dallas has around 5ish mil next year.

Unfortunately, a Tyler Seguin buyout is an obnoxiously easy buyout for them to absorb. He must've gotten a lot of signing bonuses earlier in the contract.