Rumor: Dubas has told other teams "everyone is available, except 87."”

[Le Magnifique 66]

you can have the picks back, just return the two cups

What do the 2 Cups won in 2016-17 have to do with GMJR wanting to trade Letang in 2021?

 

[Barsky]

Who is claiming a new coach would make them a playoff team?

The previous 2 years where we missed out by a point we 100% likely make it with a different coach.

Sullivan he’s been here way too long. 31 other teams would have fired him by now, and a lot of them many years ago.

We want our pound of flesh and to not have to look at his smug smirking face any more. We want him fired because he deserves to be fired and this organization needs to move on.

He is buddy buddy with the new ownership because they were all hatched in Boston. That is the reason he is still here and no fan wants an old boys club running their team because it always ends badly.

Empoleon seems to think it's all Sullivan's fault, but again, I'm not defending him, just saying he is irrelevant to them making the playoffs or not. Whether he gets fired today, tomorrow or in 5 years, don't matter, this team is going into the tank, so sure, fire him if it makes the fans happy, cause the on ice product won't make them happy for a long time

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Dubas the Delusional. Sounds like a MCU villain.

Sounds like a Yu-Gi-Oh card.

 

[oconnor9sean]

Would be so down for Malkin to Dallas. About a decade after the "rumors" lol

 

[Stickpucker]

The Hurricanes stick out as an obvious example. They were one of the finalists for him in 2023 and Burns and Orlov are both FAs after the year. Getting Karlsson with retention to play with Slavin seems like the kind of move they'd make. Same exact move they made with Burns.

Edmonton also makes a lot of sense if Bouchard prices himself out of there.

Nikishin will replace Orlov on the 3rd pair and the Canes have Morrow in the AHL.

Likely resign Burns for another season on the cheap.

No cap to fit Karlsson.

 

[FlameChampion]

What’s the difference between the retool Washington is doing and what Pittsburgh wants to do

I think it’s because Pittsburgh “core” is too many players. Crosby, Malkin, Letang etc. Then they went and added expensive pieces like Karlsson that they probably didn’t need. They haven’t brought in much younger talent.

I think in some ways Washington got lucky. They might of been similar with Backstrom, Kunetsov, Oshie, Carlson etc. They used Backstrom and Oshies cap on younger players. Kunetsov probably being a head case helped them walk away. Carlsson has aged pretty well.

I think Washington has kept more picks and drafted much better. Washington also done a good job with not making crippling mistakes and some of their poor long term decisions went on LTIR.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Nikishin will replace Orlov on the 3rd pair and the Canes have Morrow in the AHL.

Likely resign Burns for another season on the cheap.

No cap to fit Karlsson.

I don't think Burns would be much cheaper than Karlsson at 50% would be, which was the context of this discussion.

But yeah, mentioning Morrow and Nikishin is definitely valid. I know they have Slavin, Chatfield, Walker and Gostisbehere under contract going forward but I'm not sure they'd just default to putting Morrow and Nikishin in those spots to fill out the top-6. Doesn't seem like the kind of move they'd make.

 

[Vukotal Recall]

Pens fans, one question I have never seen fully answered: Exactly why is Sullivan so untouchable, no matter who owns/runs the team? Is it because Sid is a loyalist above all, or is that not the case? I get the cup(s) halo, but many other coaches have won and still gotten canned.

And contract aside, how is Karlsson playing? I have always been a huge fan of his game, have injuries and/or age finally caught up? He has always had a lot of pride/arrogance, so I don't think he would slack off, but maybe the team culture is so bad it is infecting everyone. Or is it, again, a Sullivan issue?

Thanks.

 

[McHelpus]

What would Erik Karlsson 50% @ the deadline cost?

 

[Stickpucker]

I don't think Burns would be much cheaper than Karlsson at 50% would be, which was the context of this discussion.

But yeah, mentioning Morrow and Nikishin is definitely valid. I know they have Slavin, Chatfield, Walker and Gostisbehere under contract going forward but I'm not sure they'd just default to putting Morrow and Nikishin in those spots to fill out the top-6. Doesn't seem like the kind of move they'd make.

On the left it is

Slavin
Ghost
Orlov

Will be easy for Nikishin to step into Orlovs minutes.

On the right is

Burns
Walker
Chat

Morrow isn't going to get Burns minutes so that is a bit of a ?

I think Burns comes back for 2m for one last crack at it.

How much retention are you talking about for EK?

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think it’s because Pittsburgh “core” is too many players. Crosby, Malkin, Letang etc. Then they went and added expensive pieces like Karlsson that they probably didn’t need. They haven’t brought in much younger talent.

I think in some ways Washington got lucky. They might of been similar with Backstrom, Kunetsov, Oshie, Carlson etc. They used Backstrom and Oshies cap on younger players. Kunetsov probably being a head case helped them walk away. Carlsson has aged pretty well.

I think Washington has kept more picks and drafted much better. Washington also done a good job with not making crippling mistakes and some of their poor long term decisions went on LTIR.

I think this is a good write-up, the Capitals got out of most of their long-term commitments for their old core and have traded, drafted and developed really well to replace those guys.

They drafted well to add McMichael, Protas, Lappiere and Fehervary. They made smart trades and free agent signings of young/prime aged players with adding Sandin, PLD, Strome and Thompson. Add that on to the core still remaining effective and it's not too hard to see why they're still a solid team right now.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Pens fans, one question I have never seen fully answered: Exactly why is Sullivan so untouchable, no matter who owns/runs the team? Is it because Sid is a loyalist above all, or is that not the case? I get the cup(s) halo, but many other coaches have won and still gotten canned.

Because we are run by FSG…a bunch of clueless Boston trust fund twats.

Sully’s from Massachusetts so they love him.

 

[Empoleon8771]

On the left it is

Slavin
Ghost
Orlov

Will be easy for Nikishin to step into Orlovs minutes.

On the right is

Burns
Walker
Chat

Morrow isn't going to get Burns minutes so that is a bit of a ?

I think Burns comes back for 2m for one last crack at it.

How much retention are you talking about for EK?

I honestly doubt the Penguins would be able to trade Karlsson at all if they're not retaining at least $4 million on his deal.

I think the likely outcome of the Karlsson time in Pittsburgh is exactly what happened with Burns in San Jose: they eat a bunch of money and trade him for a very small return. Don't know when that happens but Karlsson at $5 million for a 2nd and a meh prospect is about the best I'm expecting at this point.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Players i could realistically see moved and could be of use to a contender.

Pettersson (upcoming ufa)- steady top 4d - 2nd+b prospect or late 1st
Eller (upcoming ufa) - good 3c or ideally a great 4c on a contender that can also pk - 2nd or 3rd
Rakell (3 more years at $5M) - top 6 winger - 2nd and a cap dump
Rust (3 more years at $5M) - top 6 winger - 2nd and a cap dump
Puljujarvi (1 more year at $800k) - health issues seem to be over and could do well in a non dysfunctional organization - 3rd or 4th
OConnor (upcoming ufa) - bottom 6 winger - 3rd or 4th
Nedeljkovic (1 more year at $2.5M) - decent backup - 4th or 5th
Bunting (1 more year at $4.5M) - middle 6 winger - 4th or 5th and a cap dump

Think anyone else is either unmoveable (Jarry, Karlsson, Graves) or won't be moved due to legacy reasons (Crosby, Malkin, Letang).

 

[Antropovsky]

My read here is that for a POHO, Kyle Dubas doesn't seem to have much control.

Isnt that why he said he left Toronto? Too much stress over not having the control he wanted? So he goes to a new team, assumed president AND GM role.. but still has no power? Seems like and he decided to take a job that was even more "stressful".

 

[DaveG]

I don't think Burns would be much cheaper than Karlsson at 50% would be, which was the context of this discussion.

But yeah, mentioning Morrow and Nikishin is definitely valid. I know they have Slavin, Chatfield, Walker and Gostisbehere under contract going forward but I'm not sure they'd just default to putting Morrow and Nikishin in those spots to fill out the top-6. Doesn't seem like the kind of move they'd make.

Nikishin coming in immediately makes sense but I can see the FO being reluctant to break in 2 new defensemen in the same year.


Of course, I'm one of the few Canes fans that thinks EK at 5M would make sense here to close out his career unless they get Burns back on a bargain 1-year deal.

 

[Phil68]

87 is the only player on the team anybody would want!

I am very sure if 71 had a no movment claus all teams would want Malkin. Heck this year 71 is the Pens best player

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Sounds like a Yu-Gi-Oh card.

View attachment 929609

That is hilarious.

 

[Baksfamous112]

Wherever Dubas goes, chaos ensues!

Let’s not act like it was all rainbows and sunshine in Pittsburgh when he joined. Everyone knew this was the route they would eventually go

 

[Barsky]

Players i could realistically see moved and could be of use to a contender.

Pettersson (upcoming ufa)- steady top 4d - 2nd+b prospect or late 1st
Eller (upcoming ufa) - good 3c or ideally a great 4c on a contender that can also pk - 2nd or 3rd
Rakell (3 more years at $5M) - top 6 winger - 2nd and a cap dump
Rust (3 more years at $5M) - top 6 winger - 2nd and a cap dump
Puljujarvi (1 more year at $800k) - health issues seem to be over and could do well in a non dysfunctional organization - 3rd or 4th
OConnor (upcoming ufa) - bottom 6 winger - 3rd or 4th
Nedeljkovic (1 more year at $2.5M) - decent backup - 4th or 5th
Bunting (1 more year at $4.5M) - middle 6 winger - 4th or 5th and a cap dump

Think anyone else is either unmoveable (Jarry, Karlsson, Graves) or won't be moved due to legacy reasons (Crosby, Malkin, Letang).

Karl is moveable at %50, doubt Dubas does it though

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Let’s not act like it was all rainbows and sunshine in Pittsburgh when he joined. Everyone knew this was the route they would eventually go

True Dubas hasn't been good so far but he will ultimately be judged by how the rebuild goes. He's in year two of a seven year contract.

 

[OVO16]

Drew Oconner to the leafs for Nick Robertson. Sent that fax in fammm

 

[SEALBound]

The reality of the matter is, the Penguins are old. Their core is old and they don't have a stud supporting cast of young players because they used those assets to try to win. It happens. This is the cycle. We've seen this with several teams over the years. Everyone knew the Penguins wouldn't be immune from getting old.

They have some decent assets though that I think would be appealing in a trade. Mind you, these aren't high-profile blockbusters like a Hanifin or Stone but most teams make trades for the types of players the Penguins have:

1. Eller. VERY solid 3C for us this year. As I've said before, I think he's playing like a guy who wants to be traded to a contender. Was scoring at a 30g pace for awhile but has cooled a bit. Plays center, could go on the wing, PKs, can do the PP, and he makes $2.45mil. No doubt he's playing for another contract as well, so the team will get a bump from that I think in addition to him being on a cheap expiring deal. I say a 2nd easily or if you package him with someone like DOC, I could see a 1st and that's based on the Henrique deal at last year's TDL.

2. Pettersson. Top 4 LD. Top pair capable. $4mil. Expiring deal. He's been a very reliable dman for the Penguins for several years now. Based on Chiarot, I'd say a late 1st or a 2nd+prospect. One Pens fan suggested Pettersson+2nd from Vancouver which is spot on in my opinion.

3. Jarry. You could probably get him for a song and send back an equally bad contract.

4. Grzelcyk. He's had good and bad games. Tough to know when your partners are Letang and Karlsson and they are having down years as well. I'd say at best, he's a good fill in on a 2nd pairing with a strong partner or a solid bottom pairing upgrade. Cheap and on an expiring deal. A 3rd or a 4th would do.

5. Beauvillier. I liked his work early in the year. Dude was a shot machine. Dropped off a bit and once he was taken off the top line, he's fallen. But he's a decent bottom 6 wing making $1.1mil on an expiring deal so it's really hard to complain too much. I thought the Avs should have been all over him when they had the injuries but what do I know. Could be had for a 4th I imagine. If that.

6. Hayes. Has the extra year on the deal just above $3mil but I've been very happy with him. As a 4W or 4C, he's exceeded my expectations this year. I think he'd be a solid depth add if the team has the cap space and are willing to take the extra year.

7. Karlsson. Yeah, I imagine he's available. You know the story. I don't think he's a "dump by any means" player but I imagine he could be had on the cheap. Don't forget, in the trade Dubas made, he dumped three cap dumps. That trade was as much about cleaning up Hextall's mess as anything. Dubas did "pay a lot" but it wasn't JUST to get Karlsson.

8. Rust and Rakell. Solid top 6 RWs making just slightly below market value. Longer term deals. I imagine that if one is going out, a similar player is coming back. One of similar age and ability as well, which is honestly why I don't see either getting traded.

9. Drew O'Connor. Young. Gritty. Speedy. Makes $925k. He'd be a great addition to anyone's bottom 6. Can do spot duty in the top 6 when needed. Hard to peg his value honestly. He's got speed, size, and he forechecks really well. He has shown in the past an ability to score but it's sparse now. I thought he would be the next Dakota Joshua. So it could be a good player to take a chance on. I probably wouldn't take less than a 3rd or otherwise we just keep him. Or you package him with Pettersson or Eller to get the 1st.

10. Bunting. Gritty LW. Can score and agitate. I think the league pretty well knows who he is at this point. Not having a great year but I don't think it's a new baseline or anything. While he's got another year at $4.5mil, it's not a super likely that he'll be traded this year but certainly not a terrible option next to Rust or Rakell.

11. Acciari and Lizotte. Bottom 6 centers/wings. Cheap with an extra year. Could probably have either for a 4th or 5th.

So yeah, I think there's lot of reasons team might like a few players from Pittsburgh depending on needs. Sure, there aren't any megastars to do blockbuster trades with but there's certainly some good players to trade for to bolster nearly every position.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Malkin to Canes could be interesting if he’d waive

 

[Gilmour1996]

What would Erik Karlsson 50% @ the deadline cost?

Nic Petan, Denis Malgin and a 5th.