Around the League - Pre-Season 2024-2025

[Leaf Rocket]

Just too sad ... so many ruined families

RIP Johnny Gaudreau - Stickied for now​

Such a senseless loss. Can't imagine what the parents/family are dealing with. Cruel.

forums.hfboards.com

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[PromisedLand]

LMAO Just need MacArthur joining them now

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808113133099122803

 

[Darcy Tucker]

 

[Peasy]

LMAO Just need MacArthur joining them now

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808113133099122803

Crazy how much more I like these dudes than the current group lol. Grabo played with heart and soul every night.

 

[Dreakmur]

Crazy how much more I like these dudes than the current group lol. Grabo played with heart and soul every night.

They weren't good enough, but at least you knew they gave it everything they had.

 

[PromisedLand]

They weren't good enough, but at least you knew they gave it everything they had.

I still remember this legendary night from Grabo
1) he gets hit by that oaf chara twice


2) then scores a beauty to win the game

 

[Sypher04]

View attachment 891799

I’m going to say no. Actually I think Stamkos’ stats go down across the board. Nashville has no Kucherov and like 3 guys who all want the same spot on the powerplay.

 

[ToneDog]

I’m going to say no. Actually I think Stamkos’ stats go down across the board. Nashville has no Kucherov and like 3 guys who all want the same spot on the powerplay.

Word is Trotz kicked the wheels on Marner. IMO they should have traded for Marner and used the $8m on Marner instead of Stammer.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Crazy how much more I like these dudes than the current group lol. Grabo played with heart and soul every night.

Grabbo was a fireball against the Habs. Loved him.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Tampa Bay lost in the first round twice in a row. They had to make some changes.

What a good point. They had two bad years and made a huge statement how unacceptable it was. Neither of their loses would even make our top 5

 

[Gabriel426]

Tampa Bay lost in the first round twice in a row. They had to make some changes.

Thought you need like 6-7 seasons first round exits to make changes.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

What a good point. They had two bad years and made a huge statement how unacceptable it was. Neither of their loses would even make our top 5

Florida had a 122 point season, won their first series since 1996, and got swept in round 2 (second time in a row losing to Tampa Bay). They traded their #1 defenseman, top scorer (by 27 points), fired their coach, and completely changed the way they played.

 

[Mess]

Sidney Crosby’s contract talks worsen following first days of free agency​

More frustration and questions for the captain…

When the calendar flipped to July on Monday, it was the opening of free agency in the NHL, but also the first day the Pittsburgh Penguins could re-sign captain Sidney Crosby to a new contract for the 2025-26 season and so forth. The superstar enters the last year of a 12-year deal he inked back in 2012 and fans simply want the confirmation that Crosby will stay put in Pittsburgh, lead the team to another championship before he hangs up the skates.

However, the first few days of free agency might have convinced Crosby otherwise. According to Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, the issue might be if the captain believes the Penguins truly have a shot moving forward, or with the insignificant signings done lately, Sid prefers to wait and see, and possibly end his career elsewhere.

The Penguins essentially substituted Kevin Hayes in for Reilly Smith, who was dealt to the New York Rangers this week, before signing forward Blake Lizzotte (LAK), defensemen Sebastian Aho (NYI) Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), Anthony Beavillier (CHI) and a handful of minor league players.

Kingerski adds that, as of now, “the 2024-25 roster is obviously not as good as last season’s roster. Or the year before. And both of those teams missed the playoffs.” That’s not a good sign if Crosby raises that in negotiations. However, Kingerski leaves the door open to the captain leading the young players and prospects, and staying put in Pittsburgh, no matter what.

“The evidence after two days of free agency shows that. The team can continue to slide, and perhaps Crosby is looking forward to being the mentor who instills the virtues of being a Penguin in the next generation. There are more questions, but you may want to brace yourselves for the answers.”

“No blame here if he doesn’t have the stomach for it.”​

 

[Sypher04]

Marner for Sid. Get her done. I don’t even care about the age difference lol

Edit: to be clear, this comment is a reflection of my huge desire to have Crosby on this team, not out of hatred of Mitch

 

[BayStBullies]

Marner for Sid. Get her done. I don’t even care about the age difference lol

Edit: to be clear, this comment is a reflection of my huge desire to have Crosby on this team, not out of hatred of Mitch

My pipe dream is Marner to Vegas for Pietrangelo. Then use the remaining budget for a forward. Berube would love to take him for another cup run.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

If Crosby leaves Pittsburgh some folks will tell you that they're doing a good thing.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

The only thing that makes sense is for Crosby to be traded to Colorado to chase a chip with his buddy MacKinnon.

 

[ACC1224]

The only thing that makes sense is for Crosby to be traded to Colorado to chase a chip with his buddy MacKinnon.

That or the Habs but that would be a waste since they're terrible.

 

[TheShape]

The only thing that makes sense is for Crosby to be traded to Colorado to chase a chip with his buddy MacKinnon.

Yeah and they'll have the cap space with Nichushkin gone also. I could maybe see Edmonton, but Colorado definitely the frontrunner. Could see Sid signing an extension from there. No way he's coming to Toronto.

 

[Mess]

The only thing that makes sense is for Crosby to be traded to Colorado to chase a chip with his buddy MacKinnon.

The only problem is that Pittsburgh Management Fenway Sports brought in kid Clueless to be GM and President of the Pens with the ownership mandate to turn around the Pens and to allow Sid and Geno a few more runs at the Cup, ** With The PENS **.

After bringing in $10 mil Karlsson, once again putting himself in Cap Hell, while trading away his 1st and his second round picks he missed the playoffs finishing worst then the team he inherited that also missed the playoffs previously.

So now Sid after watching his GM fumble and stumble around this year again at the draft (without traded high picks) and free agency no wonder Sid is having doubt as his GM drives the Pens into the ground.

The Penguins essentially substituted Kevin Hayes in for Reilly Smith, who was dealt to the New York Rangers this week, before signing forward Blake Lizzotte (LAK), defensemen Sebastian Aho (NYI) Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), Anthony Beavillier (CHI) and a handful of minor league players.

Just look at this UFA haul both quantity and player SIZE and production and he thinks this improves the Pens into a Cup contender.

& he even brought in former Soo and Leaf prospect 5-9 Mac Hollowell as his big day 1 signing.

I feel bad for Crosby, but anybody that couldn't see this disaster coming wasn't paying attention to the train-wreck the GM was in Toronto.

 

[Gallagbi]

The best thing Pitts can do is move Crosby at the TDL.

Get a huge haul, open the door for moving Letang and Malkin to restock your system and rebuild. Their window closed and they were never getting it back open with that core.

 

[Fogelhund]

The best thing Pitts can do is move Crosby at the TDL.

Get a huge haul, open the door for moving Letang and Malkin to restock your system and rebuild. Their window closed and they were never getting it back open with that core.

They should move everything that isn't nailed down basically... They've got one player on their roster under the age of 25. They only have one retention spot left for this year though, so that could provide some challenges. It's going to take a long time to rebuild this team though... starting from scratch, with almost nothing of value in prospects. Hopefully, they allow a rebuild, and selling off of assets.

 

[ToneDog]

The best thing Pitts can do is move Crosby at the TDL.

Get a huge haul, open the door for moving Letang and Malkin to restock your system and rebuild. Their window closed and they were never getting it back open with that core.

Marner for Crosby+ makes sense. Pens get new face of the franchise. Leafs get a #2C who is a true leader and a beast in the playoffs and forces Tavares to wing or bottom 6.

 

[stats1]

My pipe dream is Marner to Vegas for Pietrangelo. Then use the remaining budget for a forward. Berube would love to take him for another cup run.

Rielly-Pietrangelo
Tanev-McCabe
Benoit-OEL

Liljegren as a #7 wouldn’t make sense especially at his cap number so I would assume he gets traded if we ever got Pietrangelo

Probably the best D-core we’ve had in the last 30 years

 

[stats1]

The only problem is that Pittsburgh Management Fenway Sports brought in kid Clueless to be GM and President of the Pens with the ownership mandate to turn around the Pens and to allow Sid and Geno a few more runs at the Cup, ** With The PENS **.

After bringing in $10 mil Karlsson, once again putting himself in Cap Hell, while trading away his 1st and his second round picks he missed the playoffs finishing worst then the team he inherited that also missed the playoffs previously.

So now Sid after watching his GM fumble and stumble around this year again at the draft (without traded high picks) and free agency no wonder Sid is having doubt as his GM drives the Pens into the ground.

The Penguins essentially substituted Kevin Hayes in for Reilly Smith, who was dealt to the New York Rangers this week, before signing forward Blake Lizzotte (LAK), defensemen Sebastian Aho (NYI) Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), Anthony Beavillier (CHI) and a handful of minor league players.

Just look at this UFA haul both quantity and player SIZE and production and he thinks this improves the Pens into a Cup contender.

View attachment 892215
& he even brought in former Soo and Leaf prospect 5-9 Mac Hollowell as his big day 1 signing.

View attachment 892217

I feel bad for Crosby, but anybody that couldn't see this disaster coming wasn't paying attention to the train-wreck the GM was in Toronto.

Dubas just goes after his recycled old scraps. Why even bother bringing in Hollowell lol he’s so fixated on depth moves for his minor league team that he’s totally forgotten about his aging superstar. The Penguins are a disaster. I wouldn’t be shocked if Crosby is traded to Colorado or signs with Montreal next summer