Salary Cap: Pens 2024 Summer Thread: "Thus, knocking us out of these superior numbers when we emerge! Mr. President, we must not allow a non-playoff bound gap!"

[Mrs Crosby's Dryer]

Free Agency will bring the triumphant return of the prodigal son, Chad Ruhwedel, and probably not much else.

Thinking otherwise is borderline delusional and we’ll only be more disappointed than we truly deserve to be.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Must never have seen him play. They literally moved Hornqvist because they had him lol.



More cope. I highly doubt Dubas is here for the entirety of a rebuild unless Crosby and Malkin are both out of here after 25/26

Arvidsson was playing in Sweden when they traded Hornqvist lol.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

More cope. I highly doubt Dubas is here for the entirety of a rebuild unless Crosby and Malkin are both out of here after 25/26

Depends what you define as the "entirety of a rebuild". At what point is it over? When they're buyers at the deadline, willing to deal 1st and 2nd rounders again?
Yes, that's indeed a very long way away. That could easily be 2035 or beyond, at this rate.
But Dubas signed a 7Y x 5M deal. I don't think FSG are gonna fire him. Expectations with team results are gonna be low next year after missing twice, and will get lower as the core ages out completely.
So there's not gonna be much incentive to fire him.

So then if he stays for the full 7 years, I have to think that at least 3 of those entail real rebuilding, and 2 will be partial. Those are the years I care about the most, because those decisions are gonna seriously impact the foundation for the future.
These next few years are sorta whatever. They're mostly about pretending to be relevant for FSG's ego's sake and trying to make their investment look smarter. They also wanna honor Crosby.
Sure, you hope something comes of the 2025+26 1sts and 2026 2nd, but apart from that what are they doing that actually matters? There's no more Guentzel to trade. Who has value?
I guess maybe only Pettersson at the deadline, if the Pens are out of the race already then.

But after the team misses the playoffs the next 1-2 seasons, they'll have to admit the truth to themselves and pull the plug for real. That's when Dubas will have to roll up his sleeves and make the critical decisions. I am (not so patiently) waiting for that day.

 

[HandshakeLine]

But after the team misses the playoffs the next 1-2 seasons, they'll have to admit the truth to themselves and pull the plug for real. That's when Dubas will have to roll up his sleeves and make the critical decisions. I am (not so patiently) waiting for that day.

We already have missed the playoffs for 2 seasons. I just don't think Dubas is going to decide anything until either Sullivan leaves or Sid does and there's no longer the excuse of his legacy to hide behind.

 

[Andy99]

For those wanting to move Malkin to wing,I present this article…even if we get better options for a 2C, Geno should still be a 3C in minutes…

“Microstats show why Malkin can, should and will remain a center. He has no speed, he doesn’t forecheck or hit and wingers who don’t have any of that usually don’t succeed. Malkin’s strengths are a center’s game: setting up others and quality in-zone abilities. Overall, Malkin’s playmaking and passing game is probably a bit generally under-rated from living in the Sidney Crosby shadow, but it’s still very much there.”

2023-24 Season in Review: Evgeni Malkin

Maybe not the Malkin of old, but still a productive player at 37 years old.

www.pensburgh.com

 

[eXile3]

For those wanting to move Malkin to wing,I present this article…even if we get better options for a 2C, Geno should still be a 3C in minutes…

“Microstats show why Malkin can, should and will remain a center. He has no speed, he doesn’t forecheck or hit and wingers who don’t have any of that usually don’t succeed. Malkin’s strengths are a center’s game: setting up others and quality in-zone abilities. Overall, Malkin’s playmaking and passing game is probably a bit generally under-rated from living in the Sidney Crosby shadow, but it’s still very much there.”

2023-24 Season in Review: Evgeni Malkin

Maybe not the Malkin of old, but still a productive player at 37 years old.

www.pensburgh.com

Like a lot of aging superstars, Thornton, Jagr,
OV, once the legs start to go they need to be effective on the PP. Unfortunately our PP was a garbage heap. Yes some better line mates will help 5 on 5 but if we could fix the PP I honestly think he could score in the 70-80 point range.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799051123753669085

Not really shocked Guentzel will.be either testing the market or traded to a team for a 8 year deal.

Chicago may be a name. Playing beside Bedard would be pretty Narly. They will just need a player on the right side to do dirty work for them.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Like a lot of aging superstars, Thornton, Jagr,
OV, once the legs start to go they need to be effective on the PP. Unfortunately our PP was a garbage heap. Yes some better line mates will help 5 on 5 but if we could fix the PP I honestly think he could score in the 70-80 point range.

There's a good chance they don't even put Malkin on the top unit again next season. Which is dumb but so is this team. Split units have proven over and over again to be dook but they keep... on... trying.

I think Malkin is a like 50 point player next season. And that's if he can stay healthy. I doubt he gets much help.

EDIT: So-so return or not... Carolina really did get absolutely nothing out of the Jake trade.

 

[Malkinstheman]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799051123753669085

Not really shocked Guentzel will.be either testing the market or traded to a team for a 8 year deal.

Chicago may be a name. Playing beside Bedard would be pretty Narly. They will just need a player on the right side to do dirty work for them.

I feel like Marner and the Hawks would be a really good match. He could be a Hossa-like signing for them. Guentzel doesnt really seem to fit Chicagos age range imo. Last thing you want is Guentzel dropping off in 4 years when Bedard is entering his prime.

 

[chethejet]

Yes I see Jake a Blackhawk with Bedard. Dubas can put together a good roster this season moving Smith and getting Stephenson and keep playing ST Ivany as 3rd pairing RD. Moving Smith gives Dubas cap space here. Fourth line of Acciari and young center starts the younger adds to the mix. Healthy Rakell, Letang, a better Graves and Jarry with a PP that actually scores will go along way here.

 

[SEALBound]

For those wanting to move Malkin to wing,I present this article…even if we get better options for a 2C, Geno should still be a 3C in minutes…

“Microstats show why Malkin can, should and will remain a center. He has no speed, he doesn’t forecheck or hit and wingers who don’t have any of that usually don’t succeed. Malkin’s strengths are a center’s game: setting up others and quality in-zone abilities. Overall, Malkin’s playmaking and passing game is probably a bit generally under-rated from living in the Sidney Crosby shadow, but it’s still very much there.”

2023-24 Season in Review: Evgeni Malkin

Maybe not the Malkin of old, but still a productive player at 37 years old.

www.pensburgh.com

The article is spot on. But I think the reasons people want him at wing are also why they need to keep him at center - he's slowing down. In this system, at center, you can be a bit slower and be okay. As long as you have two fast wings, you'll be fine (think Bonino with Hagelin and Kessel). But if they move him to wing, you're putting Malkin and the entire line in a much worse position.

When I go back and think about it, I think the "Malkin to the wing" thing arises out of our desire to find a younger 2C that will eventually fill the gap when Sid and Geno are injured or when they retire. I'm not sure that it's solely a strategic roster move make to improve current outcomes. If they must move him to wing, I'd prefer it be on Sid's wing. DOC-Sid-Malkin would have the makings of a good line. DOC's straight-line speed and forechecking grit would certainly help out.

Of course that all depends on who they could find to be the new 2C. That's a tough ask at the moment. The biggest names available are: Lindholm, Roslovic, Domi, Stephenson, Monahan, and Wennberg. Outside of Stephenson, I'm not sure any of those guys are worth moving Malkin to wing for. The trade market would be even tougher, IMHO because I'm not sure we have a 2C asset. MAYBE a deal with Ottawa on Josh Norris and then you have to hope and pray the duct tape on his shoulder holds it in place long enough to get a 1/4 season in.

I feel like Marner and the Hawks would be a really good match. He could be a Hossa-like signing for them. Guentzel doesnt really seem to fit Chicagos age range imo. Last thing you want is Guentzel dropping off in 4 years when Bedard is entering his prime.

I don't see a match in Chicago at all outside of "we need a 1LW and we have deep pockets". Bedard needs a playmaking wing not a goalscoring wing. Marner would make a lot more sense.

 

[Gurglesons]

...he was in Sweden when we made that trade. Then he spent the majority of following season in the AHL...

But okay teach.

I’ve been wrong many times. I’ll admit it!

Depends what you define as the "entirety of a rebuild". At what point is it over? When they're buyers at the deadline, willing to deal 1st and 2nd rounders again?
Yes, that's indeed a very long way away. That could easily be 2035 or beyond, at this rate.
But Dubas signed a 7Y x 5M deal. I don't think FSG are gonna fire him. Expectations with team results are gonna be low next year after missing twice, and will get lower as the core ages out completely.
So there's not gonna be much incentive to fire him.

So then if he stays for the full 7 years, I have to think that at least 3 of those entail real rebuilding, and 2 will be partial. Those are the years I care about the most, because those decisions are gonna seriously impact the foundation for the future.
These next few years are sorta whatever. They're mostly about pretending to be relevant for FSG's ego's sake and trying to make their investment look smarter. They also wanna honor Crosby.
Sure, you hope something comes of the 2025+26 1sts and 2026 2nd, but apart from that what are they doing that actually matters? There's no more Guentzel to trade. Who has value?
I guess maybe only Pettersson at the deadline, if the Pens are out of the race already then.

But after the team misses the playoffs the next 1-2 seasons, they'll have to admit the truth to themselves and pull the plug for real. That's when Dubas will have to roll up his sleeves and make the critical decisions. I am (not so patiently) waiting for that day.

I feel like FSG will hold Dubas accountable if we miss the playoffs for 5 years.

I don't think they are in the business of sitting on their thumbs and losing playoff revenue after spending a billion.

The idea behind signing Dubas was to get a GM that was smart enough to bridge the eras while still making money.

At this point Hextall did a better job at that.

 

[Andy99]

The article is spot on. But I think the reasons people want him at wing are also why they need to keep him at center - he's slowing down. In this system, at center, you can be a bit slower and be okay. As long as you have two fast wings, you'll be fine (think Bonino with Hagelin and Kessel). But if they move him to wing, you're putting Malkin and the entire line in a much worse position.

When I go back and think about it, I think the "Malkin to the wing" thing arises out of our desire to find a younger 2C that will eventually fill the gap when Sid and Geno are injured or when they retire. I'm not sure that it's solely a strategic roster move make to improve current outcomes. If they must move him to wing, I'd prefer it be on Sid's wing. DOC-Sid-Malkin would have the makings of a good line. DOC's straight-line speed and forechecking grit would certainly help out.

Of course that all depends on who they could find to be the new 2C. That's a tough ask at the moment. The biggest names available are: Lindholm, Roslovic, Domi, Stephenson, Monahan, and Wennberg. Outside of Stephenson, I'm not sure any of those guys are worth moving Malkin to wing for. The trade market would be even tougher, IMHO because I'm not sure we have a 2C asset. MAYBE a deal with Ottawa on Josh Norris and then you have to hope and pray the duct tape on his shoulder holds it in place long enough to get a 1/4 season in.

I don't see a match in Chicago at all outside of "we need a 1LW and we have deep pockets". Bedard needs a playmaking wing not a goalscoring wing. Marner would make a lot more sense.

I think if we get a younger 2C, you still don’t move Malkin to wing except for spot duty with Sid…he can be the 3C as he played 3C minutes at times last season…of course that assumes Sullivan gets his head out of his ass and stops with the two defensive lines bottom six…our third line should have scorers on it and play the same way as the top two lines and get nearly equal O zone starts…

We should be pursuing a 2C like Pinto or even Neces plays center…a RFA or younger…maybe Yager is ready lol…we shouldn’t be looking to sign any older prominent center in FA…we would have to severely overpay and it’s not worth it…

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

People desperately want to punt Malkin to wing but then put up guys like Chandler Stephenson as who they'd use to replace him lol

 

[Gurglesons]

Evgeni Malkin is a fine 2C. No issues with him being 2C and using microstats to analyze his forechecking is bizarre.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Evgeni Malkin is a fine 2C. No issues with him being 2C and using microstats to analyze his forechecking is bizarre.

I mean he HAS been despite some weird grousing. But I think next season is where he starts needing some real, consistent help. He won't get it so he's gonna struggle IMO.

 

[Gurglesons]

I mean he HAS been despite some weird grousing. But I think next season is where he starts needing some real, consistent help. He won't get it so he's gonna struggle IMO.

Well good thing we have 12 million dollars and some young prospects to improve out forward depth and add another LHD.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Well good thing we have 12 million dollars and some young prospects to improve out forward depth and add another LHD.

lol yeah right.

They'll spend that all on some overinflated LD and another goaltender and sign some turds for the bottom six to roadblock youth. They'll hold their shiny new prospects... they just got them after all and haven't had a chance to exile them to the minors for three years before they get any kinda shot, yet.

 

[SEALBound]

I think if we get a younger 2C, you still don’t move Malkin to wing except for spot duty with Sid…he can be the 3C as he played 3C minutes at times last season…of course that assumes Sullivan gets his head out of his ass and stops with the two defensive lines bottom six…our third line should have scorers on it and play the same way as the top two lines and get nearly equal O zone starts…

We should be pursuing a 2C like Pinto or even Neces plays center…a RFA or younger…maybe Yager is ready lol…we shouldn’t be looking to sign any older prominent center in FA…we would have to severely overpay and it’s not worth it…

100%, IF...you can furnish that third line with capable wings. I wouldn't want to run "Harkins-Malkin-Acciari". That would be a waste. But as you said, if Sullivan removes his head from his disgusting ego-inflated asshole and you build a third line around actually being productive and having a positive impact on the team, then you absolutely figure out something that works.

Sticking with Stephenson:

DeBrusk-Sid-Rust
DOC-Stephenson-Rakell
Bunting-Malkin-Yager/Poulin/Puustinen/Koivunen/Pono
Poulin-Eller-Acciari

With Debrusk at $5.5 and Steph at $6mil. POJ at 1.7, promote Poulin, Blomqvist, and Pono - we still have $2.4mil in space which as I discussed prior, would be incredibly smart for us to do. Poolparty is the 13F here.

 

[Darren McCord]

At this point Hextall did a better job at that.

I get the digs at Dubas but Hextall was awful. I don't understand even the point of bringing him up.

 

[MayorofWBS]

100%, IF...you can furnish that third line with capable wings. I wouldn't want to run "Harkins-Malkin-Acciari". That would be a waste. But as you said, if Sullivan removes his head from his disgusting ego-inflated asshole and you build a third line around actually being productive and having a positive impact on the team, then you absolutely figure out something that works.

Sticking with Stephenson:

DeBrusk-Sid-Rust
DOC-Stephenson-Rakell
Bunting-Malkin-Yager/Poulin/Puustinen/Koivunen/Pono
Poulin-Eller-Acciari

With Debrusk at $5.5 and Steph at $6mil. POJ at 1.7, promote Poulin, Blomqvist, and Pono - we still have $2.4mil in space which as I discussed prior, would be incredibly smart for us to do. Poolparty is the 13F here.

Kinda a big assumption that we can move Reilly Smith for a pick/prospect with no cap coming back

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I get the digs at Dubas but Hextall was awful. I don't understand even the point of bringing him up.

I think he's driving at this idea that Hextall got utterly skewered by fans and media for some of the things Dubas seemingly has also done.

But I don't really get this crusade, either. Hextall is like... the definition of mediocrity. Hell maybe Dubas is, too.

 

[eXile3]

What was the South Park episode? Choosing between a douche and a tird sandwich? That’s Hextall and Dubas.

NHL teams just keep hiring the same failed FO guys over and over again.

 

[SEALBound]

Kinda a big assumption that we can move Reilly Smith for a pick/prospect with no cap coming back

Fair. All about perspective. Do I think you could move him for a 7th or FC with no cap back, yes. Is that in our best interest...maybe, maybe not.

 

[Darren McCord]

I think he's driving at this idea that Hextall got utterly skewered by fans and media for some of the things Dubas seemingly has also done.

But I don't really get this crusade, either. Hextall is like... the definition of mediocrity. Hell maybe Dubas is, too.

I get it but Hextall was given a year in a half before being crapped on. People were generally fine with Hextall until after his second offseason. Dubas barely hit a year.