Salary Cap: Dr Dubas Cap Thread: He wants the Nurse

[Jag68Sid87]

Letang doesn’t have a full NTC, it’s a 10 team trade list. So it depends if Edmonton is one of those 10 teams.

I am confident in saying Edmonton is not.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I am confident in saying Edmonton is not.

I mean I wouldn’t be confident in saying that whatsoever. Edmonton made back to back cup finals in 2024 and 2025 and absolutely a top-10 contender in hockey today. If Letang would set up his NTC to only go to to cup contenders, the Oilers would almost definitely be on his allowable trade list.

 

[plaidchuck]

We did that with Brassard. Worst idea ever.

Actually pretty sure we did that with Ek too...

Kessel too! Actually worked out that time.

 

[BrookswasHere44]

Girard for Nurse is a hockey deal.

What sense does that make?

 

[Koivunsons]

He costs you a wasted roster spot in the top 4 for the next 4 years, when defense is the area of the team that needs the most improvement.

Nurse is the 10th highest paid defenseman in the league. If we're going to be taking on an albatross like that in terms of both per annum and term, he better at least fill a need.

He’ll fill a need within one year when Girard and EK65 are traded and likely Wotherspoon too.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Pieniniemi is gone.



Seems like a contract dump, Okuliar went back to Sweden after a mediocre AHL season and I doubt he’s coming back. Curious if this is a precursor to anything.

 

[Darren McCord]

What? The exploding cap makes it more likely he’d have value. Why would a higher cap hurt his value?

Because retention won’t be needed anymore. Retention increases value

 

[Peat]

Seems like a contract dump, Okuliar went back to Sweden after a mediocre AHL season and I doubt he’s coming back. Curious if this is a precursor to anything.

I dunno about him not coming back. If Dubas just wanted to dump the contract, he could have done future considerations. If he wanted the player instead, there's probably a reason, and Dubas would have got a pretty good look at him between Olympics and Worlds. 41 in 69, top 5 in scoring on the team, isn't that mediocre for the AHL either; probably not NHL material, but not completely out of the question and wouldn't be bad to have in the AHL if you like the guy and want to tempt him back for one last shot. Wouldn't be much different to giving Aidan McDonough an NHL contract, which has been thrown around by some guys.

edit: And as noted a few times around the forum, WBS doesn't have a lot of forwards under contract next year.

Okuliar wanting a second crack at America feels like the big point of doubt here but if he's decided he does, which seems feasible, feels like there's a good chance he comes over.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Okuliar pat down

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Pieniniemi is gone.



Seems like a contract dump, Okuliar went back to Sweden after a mediocre AHL season and I doubt he’s coming back. Curious if this is a precursor to anything.

He's also 26.

This is freeing up a contract space. Something else is in the works. May not materialize, but Dubas must've felt he needed the contract.

 

[Jacob]

Guys it’s just a depth LD for a depth C.

 

[Peat]

Okuliar pat down

It's just a patdown?

Ok u liar.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

It's just a patdown?

Ok u liar.

-_-




Anyway, I feel like the people complaining about acquiring Nurse for the cap hit & minutes played will be the same ones complaining that the Pens are signing 3rd pairing players for $6M+ in a year or two.

 

[eXile3]

Pieniniemi was struggling to beat out AHL defenders and it’s not like we’re deep there.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Guys it’s just a depth LD for a depth C.

Maybe. But the depth C just signed to go overseas and likely isn't coming back.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Okuliar called the Tkachuks scumbags, so great guy to have in the org even if he doesn't come over.

Like Randy or someone else in the trade thread said, Livanavage takes his spot in WBS.

 

[plaidchuck]

Was Panini under an nhl contract?

 

[BillyOcean]

You are making a lot of assumptions regarding the defense pairings. You are assuming Nurse and Letang would play together; Girard would still be here after a Nurse acquisition, AND that he would play with either Brunicke or Pickering (two lefties). And that we would keep the top pairing together under such a scenario. I mean, we might keep Wotherspoon-Karlsson together but we might decide to balance things out more if we are leaving a spot or two open for rookies. And I think Nurse is an upgrade over Shea. Shea will make too much money in free agency for what he is, IMO.




Dubas DID complement the right defense prospects at his presser, and that was before the AHL playoff run. SO I think things have changed. He also said they absolutely have to upgrade the defense, so we will see what happens.




Letang says no. End of trade talks.




Seasons are LONG. Players are susceptible to injury, not to mention inconsistency. Being reliable is extremely valuable in pro sports. Availability is the best ability, and all that. So in the NHL, being a minute muncher is extremely valuable. We as Penguins fans should understand this.

Being reliably bad. Got it.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Was Panini under an nhl contract?

Yes

 

[plaidchuck]

Yes

Making room for someone then

 

[eXile3]

I’m kind of hoping we get Nurse now just so I can do the gurgs thing and tell everyone how right I was later when they realize how bad this player is.

 

[deakka]

Guys it’s just a depth LD for a depth C.

Weit either way since Pienniniemi is only 21 and still has time to develop. Was a PPG player last season in juniors.
And aren't WBS defense lacking as far as offense goes? Maybe Livanavage when i think anout it fills that role next season tho.

Okuliar is what he is and he wasn't even a top player in Skellefteå this season, my dad watch almost all their games. I doubt he comes back to NA. so feels like a contract dump?

But I'm not while about it. Maybe the relationship are damaged after he didn't report to Wheeling, no matter what they say about it now.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Should probably be its own thread.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I dunno about him not coming back. If Dubas just wanted to dump the contract, he could have done future considerations. If he wanted the player instead, there's probably a reason, and Dubas would have got a pretty good look at him between Olympics and Worlds. 41 in 69, top 5 in scoring on the team, isn't that mediocre for the AHL either; probably not NHL material, but not completely out of the question and wouldn't be bad to have in the AHL if you like the guy and want to tempt him back for one last shot. Wouldn't be much different to giving Aidan McDonough an NHL contract, which has been thrown around by some guys.

edit: And as noted a few times around the forum, WBS doesn't have a lot of forwards under contract next year.

Okuliar wanting a second crack at America feels like the big point of doubt here but if he's decided he does, which seems feasible, feels like there's a good chance he comes over.

Yeah the reason I think it’s mostly a contract dump is this. I find it very unlikely that a guy came to the AHL last year, then left to go back to Europe and then would come back to the AHL next year. Just not something you see players do very often.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Seems to be some rumors going around that McTavish to Montreal is close.