Salary Cap: 24-25 Salary Thread Crosbicles Volume MXVI: Sad Penguins, no Ploffs, got tariffed instead

[DesertedPenguin]

I'm so curious what the Rangers do with Lafreniere.

He'd be a perfect player for us to add.

Do you think GMs are going to go nuts with the raised cap? Because I kind of get this feeling that a bunch of youngish players who have either struggled to get footing in the NHL or who have had some success but haven't met expectations could be available. More than expected, anyway.

I think with the increased cap, GMs are going to go hog wild for sure bets. And a guy like Lafraniere - who shouldn't be available in a healthy organization - is going to be shopped so that the Rangers can go over Tavares or something.

 

[Ugene Magic]

If Dubas signs anyone over 30 this offseason, he's failed. That's why Marner - however unlikely - is appealing. He's in his prime.

It fits Crosby's window, so I would think it depends on the quality of the player. Age shouldn't matter on signing a UFA, that only comes into play for trading for someone. You are limited to what's available and willing to sign.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

It fits Crosby's window, so I would think it depends on the quality of the player. Age shouldn't matter on signing a UFA, that only comes into play for trading for someone. You are limited to what's available and willing to sign.

I think you're misunderstanding what Dubas has said.

The goal is to create a consistently competitive team again. Not one that has a final gasp before Crosby retires.

If the Pens can create that consistently competitive team while Crosby is here, that would be ideal. But if it takes longer to do it right, then that's the way it goes.

 

[Ulf5]

lol. go check out what eichel is doing this year.

Barely above mid

 

[JackFr]

I would really like to see Lafrenière be one of our targets, especially if NYR likes Rakell. Smart player, quite similar to Guentzel IMO. Plus the Rimouski connection. I think Crosby would enjoy playing with him.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I think you're misunderstanding what Dubas has said.

The goal is to create a consistently competitive team again. Not one that has a final gasp before Crosby retires.

If the Pens can create that consistently competitive team while Crosby is here, that would be ideal. But if it takes longer to do it right, then that's the way it goes.

It is to get the team back into competition as quickly as possible for Crosby before he's gone. Terms like not tanking, using assets accrued now to address needs.

It's an eye on the future. They can do both.

Marner doesn't fill the center need/help.

 

[eXile3]

It's Yohe, but he just posted an article that said Koivunen and McGroarty will be top-6 forwards for the Penguins next year (or more specifically, their top-7 forwards will be Crosby, Malkin, Rakell, Rust, McGroarty, Koivunen and Novak).

They'll probably be running with this top-9:

Koivunen/McGroarty-Crosby-Rust
McGroarty/Koivunen-Malkin-Rakell
Beauvillier type of UFA-Novak-Tomasino

I’m all for the two youngen’s in the top 6. McGroaty skating wasn’t even the biggest concern. It was his puck control which I think had a lot to do with rookie jitters.

 

[Ulf5]

A couple months ago, I would have said sure. Now? I think he gets POJ'd. They don't qualify him but still try to bring him back at something cheap.

Meh. I'd be surprised if they don't qualify him. Last year's figures would've bumped his $825k not even to $900k.
Can't see any arbitrer going bat shit crazy over his career stats or any individual season stats.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

On a completely different direction team. Why would he even consider signing with the Pens?

Like, he would be what the team needs in addition to the current team not a swap out for a slightly better player at a larger cost. The late 1st and prospect is the same garbage return people wanted at the TDL.

The Pens could easily take on 9.0 for Ehlers without trading Rakell.

But it all still comes down to why would he sign with them.

He just wouldn't, UFA top forwards never do. He would re-sign with the Jets.

are we definitely qualifying Tomasino? I’m not sure.

Idk probably? Not sure why they wouldn't.

He's not anything special, but he has 10 goals and 21 points in 49 games for the Penguins playing primarily 3rd line minutes. Not exactly sure why they wouldn't bring him back.

Meh. I'd be surprised if they don't qualify him. Last year's figures would've bumped his $825k not even to $900k.
Can't see any arbitrer going bat shit crazy over his career stats or any individual season stats.

I think so. I could see some sort of 2 year 1.1 million dollar contract.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Idk probably? Not sure why they wouldn't.

He's not anything special, but he has 10 goals and 21 points in 49 games for the Penguins playing primarily 3rd line minutes. Not exactly sure why they wouldn't bring him back.

Yeah but only 13 5v5 points in that time

Idk I can see it either way. Might be a guy you just let go and open up a contract slot and roster spot

 

[PamBallam]

I would really like to see Lafrenière be one of our targets, especially if NYR likes Rakell. Smart player, quite similar to Guentzel IMO. Plus the Rimouski connection. I think Crosby would enjoy playing with him.

I've always liked Laf. Despite some of his struggles, I think if you put him in the right situation, he could become a really solid first liner.

 

[Ryder71]

This core has far exceeded their expiration date. Doubling down on older players who have seen better days is not what this team should be doing. Nor does it fit with what Dubas said in regards to getting younger.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah but only 13 5v5 points in that time

Idk I can see it either way. Might be a guy you just let go and open up a contract slot and roster spot

I don’t really see anyone else in the system that I’d want replacing Tomasino and I’m not sure you’re going to get much better than his production at 5v5 with the crap he’s been playing with.

If you let him walk for nothing, he’s probably just being replaced by Heinen.

 

[Andy99]

Not announced but Filip Kral is now showing up on the Pens roster…looks like he was recalled…probably reward for the season lol

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

Not announced but Filip Kral is now showing up on the Pens roster…looks like he was recalled…probably reward for the season lol

You're ****ed now NHL!

 

[Ugene Magic]

Not announced but Filip Kral is now showing up on the Pens roster…looks like he was recalled…probably reward for the season lol

Shea had that blocked shot.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If you're pulling off Lafreniere, I think it would probably be the Penguins trading the Rangers 1st and more futures for Lafreniere and recovering some of those futures by trading Rakell. I've been vocal about supporting that method, but it largely depends on how much the Rangers would want for Lafreniere.

Feel free to massage the value around to make a "fair" set of deals, but what I'd try to do in that scenario is:

-NYR's 1st to the Rangers for Lafrneiere
-Rakell to LA for Clarke
-Karlsson to someone for a 1st

 

[chethejet]

Pens need young centers and the draft hopefully provides one. So Pens have Broz who probably can play LW. Add in Sid for another couple. Ponomarev is also a potential center and showed some burst on his breakaway. Play the young guys and start to develop the kind of roster than can be good. I want a LD who brings top 4 play and is physical in free agency or trade. NO to the Rangers and keep Rakell as no one out there with few exceptions can bring what he does. Rust to me is a trade winger with his year. So Karlsson and potentially Rust go for prospects and picks. Back of my mind Buffalo want to get to the playoffs next years as does Detroit. Rust to the Wings for the fist. Wings probably say no but give it a shot. Karlsson to Buffalo as a RD is what they dramatically need. Pens swap firsts with the Sabres if they finish say 5th. Pens get the young center they drafted last year from Finland. Pens retain 2,4 million per to do the deal.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I kinda think Lafreniere might be damaged goods at this point after Gallant and Laviolette's handiwork. I would throw out a line to gauge the price but I don't think the Rangers would entertain trading him to the Pens and risk having it blow up in their faces if he panned out. It'd have to be an overpay imo, and I'm not really interested in pursuing that. Especially since this org seems married to a coach that doesn't seem capable or willing to coach young guys through growing pains.

 

[Andy99]

I kinda think Lafreniere might be damaged goods at this point after Gallant and Laviolette's handiwork. I would throw out a line to gauge the price but I don't think the Rangers would entertain trading him to the Pens and risk having it blow up in their faces if he panned out. It'd have to be an overpay imo, and I'm not really interested in pursuing that. Especially since this org seems married to a coach that doesn't seem capable or willing to coach young guys through growing pains.

Yeah, no interest in Laf…we should be trying for young top six centers instead

 

[SEALBound]

I don't know if he's damaged good or if we are seeing just who he really is - a 40-50pt wing who may be capable of more if put on a top line with two top line players.

That's essentially what Rust was at that stage of their career. He might be capable of more. I thought the best he ever looked was on the line with Chytil and Kakko. I thought the Rags really had something there with that young line.

 

[Jared Grayden]

This core has far exceeded their expiration date. Doubling down on older players who have seen better days is not what this team should be doing. Nor does it fit with what Dubas said in regards to getting younger.

Disagree. I would love to see Dubas lie through his teeth about "competing" and target some UFA big name geezers like Marchand, Tavares, Giroux, Kane, etc. Those geezers should sell some tickets while they tank for McKenna.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I kinda think Lafreniere might be damaged goods at this point after Gallant and Laviolette's handiwork. I would throw out a line to gauge the price but I don't think the Rangers would entertain trading him to the Pens and risk having it blow up in their faces if he panned out. It'd have to be an overpay imo, and I'm not really interested in pursuing that. Especially since this org seems married to a coach that doesn't seem capable or willing to coach young guys through growing pains.

I would be willing to bet a significant amount of money that Sullivan would glue Lafreniere to Crosby's wing and make Lafreniere-Crosby one of his new "duos" that he likes.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah, no interest in Laf…we should be trying for young top six centers instead

No interest in a 23 year old former 1st round pick with this level of microstat profile...

 

[centipede2233]

Is the consensus in pens land that malkin will retire after he gets his 3.8 mil bonus on July 1? He would only have a 1 million salary for the 2025/26 season