Salary Cap: 24-25 Salary Thread Crosbicles Volume MXIIX: Rust out, Marner in, all part of the plan!

[Zirakzigil]

I think Kane is the guy you take back in a Rakell/Rust to Edmonton deal. He only has 1 year left and I figure he’d have value even if his production slips due to his physicality. He also has only a 15 team NTC, so he’s way more movable than most guys they have.

The much bigger issue is Edmonton can’t put together a package I’d deem acceptable for Rust or Rakell. They have no 1st either this year or next year, their best prospect is Savoie (who I do like but not enough to make him the centerpiece of a Rust or Rakell trade) and they have basically nothing in their prospect pool outside of that.

Yeah EDM not really worth discussing. I don't think they'll move Savoie, they don't have 1sts, and I cannot see Dubas rushing to add Evander Kane to the locker room

Kane has been very good in the postseason. Doubt Edmonton is looking to move him out.

I've heard this is a good/bad draft enough times to realize nobody really knows what they are talking about. But we'll see I guess.

Pagnotta also saying the Penguins are in on Hague. Like I’ve said, I’m good with trading a 2nd for him but that’s as high as I’d go.

As we should have learned from the last few years, no insider has any information on the Penguins. I would always take such rumors with a grain of salt.

On the one hand, Kreider to the Ducks means he's out of the Metro.
On the other hand, that gives the Rangers a bunch of cap space.
On the third hand, the Rangers are just going to blow that cap space on expensive UFAs, like they usually do

Or better yet, Sullivan forces Drury to trade for Pens players he loved

I find it interesting that the Pens and Flyers seem to be in on the same players at the moment...

- Shabanov
- Hague
- the centers in the draft, for the most part
- possibly Martone, too

Pierre LeBrun was on TSN radio a few minutes ago, and he mentioned that one of the fascinating things about the upcoming draft/frenzy is that there does not appear to be ANY sellers right now...he said, "there's Pittsburgh and then...nobody else."

He also said that by far the player generating the most interest in Bryan Rust.

Makes a lot of sense. Even cellar dwellers like the Ducks/Sharks/Hawks etc are at the point in their rebuilds where they need to start adding pieces to the team. Kind of surprised he just name dropped Rust like that. Man I need to stay occupied somehow until the draft

I'll miss you Bryan, and your aunt and uncle were really cool people when I bought their doghouse from them, but bye and thank you for the blue chip prospect.

Yep. There aren't enough decent free agents to go around, so if teams miss out on who they want, what do they do? I could see some teams being persuaded to sell if the prices get high enough, but as it stands, it's just us.

On the fourth hand… they are clearing that cap space to acquire Bryan Rust, Noel Acciari, Kevin Hayes, Matt Nieto and Danton Heinen

I mean, is 6.5 even all that much in the current cap environment? I'd probably rather have the space than Kreider but it's not like they're opening up space for some elite UFA or even 2 or 3 mid-levels.

If Dubas actually moves off Rust for value this summer, I'll be willing to give him a little bit more rope.

this is why we need to tank. nobody else in the league got the Gavin McKenna memo

Or maybe they are seeing what Bedard did for Chicago.

 

[JackFr]

I think we're just in a soft period where there's a big wave of teams that are finishing up rebuilds but the teams who are on the way down still have franchise-level talent locked up long-term - Nashville, New York Rangers, Boston.

The questionable ones are teams like Philadelphia and Seattle. Honestly, I think we are one of very few teams in the league that will not be trying to either make the playoffs or markedly improve this offseason.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I think we're just in a soft period where there's a big wave of teams that are finishing up rebuilds but the teams who are on the way down still have franchise-level talent locked up long-term - Nashville, New York Rangers, Boston.

The questionable ones are teams like Philadelphia and Seattle. Honestly, I think we are one of very few teams in the league that will not be trying to either make the playoffs or markedly improve this offseason.

I think it's also that the sharp increase in salary cap has some teams delusional that they're just a player or two away.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I think it's also that the sharp increase in salary cap has some teams delusional that they're just a player or two away.

Not only that but fans are delusional about prices. Top line players are going to be signing for 10mil+ a season. Top 4 defensemen and 2nd line forwards are going to be in the 6-8mil range easily. Thats why Bennett at 10mil isnt out of the world insane.

 

[Ulf5]

Deport Ogie said:
I mean, is 6.5 even all that much in the current cap environment? I'd probably rather have the space than Kreider but it's not like they're opening up space for some elite UFA or even 2 or 3 mid-levels.

I highly doubt that's Drury's only move(s). If it ever crosses the finish line.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Yeah, I mean, the solution to the Bryan Rust thing is staring everybody in the face. I really hope Dubas does the smart thing and waits until the dust settles on FA and teams that missed out on Marner, Bennett, Boeser, Ehlers, etc. get desperate and overpay for Rust. Could be a genuine haul coming back of a 1st++ with how insane the roster arms race is lately.

Rakell should already be gone, but he's not, so hopefully he can stay healthy and productive this season and be flipped for a boon at the TDL.

These next 12 months could end up being really good for the long term outlook if the team knows their shit and gets lucky with draft picks/lotto panning out.

 

[Duffy13]

teams have to sell tickets too, expansion means not having as many gate drawing players on each team, there's literally not one player I would pay the money they are asking for to see playing on Seattle, Nashville, NYI, and other teams like Detroit I would go see just because they are a historic franchise or some other niche reason personal or historic, but they don't have the players I would give a crap about paying to watch.

So for a hockey sense, it doesn't make sense to keep certain players, but for a financial and marketing sense, teams need to have something to draw fans in. Only 1 cup to win every year and more teams playing for it, some franchises are going to have to have that hard serious stare into the mirror and decide if they have legitimate shots, and then what can they do to not lose money.

The Pens, are really lucky to still have gate draws, even after trading Rust, Rakell, and Karlsson, but if injuries hit.... welp who wants to pay to watch 1st line Kevin Hayes in person?

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Sid and Geno are your draws. Nobody's going to games to see Rust or Rakell. Attendance is already slipping at PPG isn't it? Shit's gonna be grisly once Sid retires regardless, unless they luck into one or both of McKenna and Dupont. Even then, probably gonna be some slim years before the team's built back up to relevance.

 

[Duffy13]

Sid and Geno are your draws. Nobody's going to games to see Rust or Rakell. Attendance is already slipping at PPG isn't it? Shit's gonna be grisly once Sid retires regardless, unless they luck into one or both of McKenna and Dupont. Even then, probably gonna be some slim years before the team's built back up to relevance.

Sorry, yes, Sid and Geno are definitely the draws for the Pens, I was thinking out loud about why teams may not be considered sellers, and it may not be a purely hockey reason. If Pasta was traded from Boston, they still have the O6 history and the fanbase to still support. But teams that are not going to have a shot at winning, suddenly dump all their name players, they will start losing money. Like I said above, if they can't be the 1 teams that wins, they have to still entertain their fanbase enough to have them come out and pay to watch them.

 

[chethejet]

pens are going through the transition here and will have young players to sell to the fan base. That is not the worst thing if they can play and become the next playoff caliber roster. Just not any superstars out there so roster talent and roster management/development is the only way to get back on the beam. Still have Rakell, although I think Rust and Karlsson will be moved and Dubas can add a young RW back and adding a higher end LD. So add maybe Hague, go from there.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I dunno if it's just spitballing or whatever, but Lebrun's pretty damn reputable and him saying the Pens are the only team that are definitely selling is good news to me.

These long summers for the past 7ish years suck, but hopefully they'll start to be productive in working toward a goal now.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Yeah, I mean, the solution to the Bryan Rust thing is staring everybody in the face. I really hope Dubas does the smart thing and waits until the dust settles on FA and teams that missed out on Marner, Bennett, Boeser, Ehlers, etc. get desperate and overpay for Rust. Could be a genuine haul coming back of a 1st++ with how insane the roster arms race is lately.

Rakell should already be gone, but he's not, so hopefully he can stay healthy and productive this season and be flipped for a boon at the TDL.

These next 12 months could end up being really good for the long term outlook if the team knows their shit and gets lucky with draft picks/lotto panning out.

I don't mind to be honest, but the way I see it is that if trades are made after the draft, we are looking at picks for 2026 ( very unlikely ) so pretty much 2027 + It's not a bad thing to have, but it will make this rebuild/retool whatever we want to call it that much longer in my opinion. That's the way I see it

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Booooo tomato tomato tomato

f*** you, Anaheim.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Anaheim bringing in vets from the NYR who totally know how to win in this league.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I don't mind to be honest, but the way I see it is that if trades are made after the draft, we are looking at picks for 2026 ( very unlikely ) so pretty much 2027 + It's not a bad thing to have, but it will make this rebuild/retool whatever we want to call it that much longer in my opinion. That's the way I see it

I can see top 10 protected 2026 picks.
Will be curious to see what happens even if they are 2027s at least it is assets just a longer wait.

 

[Andy99]

McKenna, here we come! lol…

 

[Darren McCord]

Yeah, I mean, the solution to the Bryan Rust thing is staring everybody in the face. I really hope Dubas does the smart thing and waits until the dust settles on FA and teams that missed out on Marner, Bennett, Boeser, Ehlers, etc. get desperate and overpay for Rust. Could be a genuine haul coming back of a 1st++ with how insane the roster arms race is lately.

Rakell should already be gone, but he's not, so hopefully he can stay healthy and productive this season and be flipped for a boon at the TDL.

These next 12 months could end up being really good for the long term outlook if the team knows their shit and gets lucky with draft picks/lotto panning out.

Easy Pens just Sign Marner and Bennett for free so no one else can. then trade Rust and Rakell for a bunch

 

[Jared Grayden]

McKenna, here we come! lol…

From LeBrun's lips to the Hockey Gods' ears. Make it so please. Sell and tank.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

One thing we need to keep in mind here: Pittsburgh is playing Nashville in Sweden to open the regular season in 2025-26.

The Preds are not going to trade Filip Forsberg. Erik Karlsson is the main draw for that game. And if it comes down to trading Rust or Rickard Rakell, perhaps the default option is to trade Rust.

I highly doubt the Penguins are going to Sweden with Sebastian Aho or some other token Swede. Filip Hallander is not exactly a draw.

I know people will say this is not a factor at all but everything is a factor when it comes to pro sports.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

If this rapidly sinking team holds on to Erik Karlsson like grim death for what is essentially an exhibition game then maybe Dubas should re-start his GM search and not land on himself this time.

 

[JackFr]

One thing we need to keep in mind here: Pittsburgh is playing Nashville in Sweden to open the regular season in 2025-26.

The Preds are not going to trade Filip Forsberg. Erik Karlsson is the main draw for that game. And if it comes down to trading Rust or Rickard Rakell, perhaps the default option is to trade Rust.

I highly doubt the Penguins are going to Sweden with Sebastian Aho or some other token Swede. Filip Hallander is not exactly a draw.

I know people will say this is not a factor at all but everything is a factor when it comes to pro sports.

The draw is Sidney Crosby! Good lord. Dubas is not going to jeopardize our rebuild for a few ticket sales in Sweden!

 

[Andy99]

If this rapidly sinking team holds on to Erik Karlsson like grim death for what is essentially an exhibition game then maybe Dubas should re-start his GM search and not land on himself this time.

I mean I don’t think we’re going to get much back, even with heavy retention, or have teams interested in taking EK…but if we did and Dubas nixed a trade bc of that trip to Sweden, whether EK or Rakell, that should be grounds for immediate termination of his GM card lol

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I mean I don’t think we’re going to get much back, even with heavy retention, or have teams interested in taking EK…but if we did and Dubas nixed a trade bc of that trip to Sweden, whether EK or Rakell, that should be grounds for immediate termination of his GM card lol

I honestly don't care about the return at this point. This team is at the part of the program where they should have been tossing everything overboard LAST year nevermind moving forward.

It sucks for Crosby but not only was this always part of the deal but he's clearly fine sticking around a sinking ship so whatever.

This team has exactly one thing going for it and one thing only: a near-40 Sid Crosby. That is not near enough. It's actually hilariously far off of ANYTHING frankly.

 

[deakka]

One thing we need to keep in mind here: Pittsburgh is playing Nashville in Sweden to open the regular season in 2025-26.

The Preds are not going to trade Filip Forsberg. Erik Karlsson is the main draw for that game. And if it comes down to trading Rust or Rickard Rakell, perhaps the default option is to trade Rust.

I highly doubt the Penguins are going to Sweden with Sebastian Aho or some other token Swede. Filip Hallander is not exactly a draw.

I know people will say this is not a factor at all but everything is a factor when it comes to pro sports.

The games are 14 and 16 november. Thats like a month after season starts?

 

[HandshakeLine]

If this rapidly sinking team holds on to Erik Karlsson like grim death for what is essentially an exhibition game then maybe Dubas should re-start his GM search and not land on himself this time.

Excuse me, it's hard to do a search, especially when you are the only candidate who applied to your own job posting!