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!"

[Rudy Russo]

Sounds like he wants to stay if Dubas will resign…

Penguins rookie forward Valtteri Puustinen is eager for a return performance

In the Pittsburgh Penguins’ regular-season finale, a 5-4 road loss to the New York Islanders, on Wednesday, rookie forward Valtteri Puustinen scored his fifth goal of the season. Twice. At first, Puustinen got behind former Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo and snapped a wrister by the blocker...

triblive.com

Sign him and have him play against the Islanders!

 

[Rudy Russo]

Damn, 36 points, +16 from Heinen at 775k. But we gave that spot to Harkins hahahaha
Good lord I hate this coach.

Don't forget when Evan Rodrigues took a penalty in the playoffs against the Islanders and was in Sullivan doghouse afterwards.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

Todd Reirden has the tic tac dick.

 

[wheelz87]

You didn’t answer my question. What issues that caused the team to miss the playoffs last year will be solved by bringing back Guentzel?

Crosby doesn’t need him. Malkin would, but Sullivan won’t use him like that. He doesn’t help the powerplay or bottom-6 scoring. You’re basically throwing away an excess of $4 million on a needless player by bringing him back.

Being in the bottom half of goals per game isn’t an issue? Being near the bottom in finishing and losing a 40 goal scorer isn’t an issue? He doesn’t help the PP? What? The team missed the playoffs because they have a lot of crap players playing big minutes.

Should we do nothing because sully is the sucks?

 

[Andy99]

Being in the bottom half of goals per game isn’t an issue? Being near the bottom in finishing and losing a 40 goal scorer isn’t an issue? He doesn’t help the PP? What? The team missed the playoffs because they have a lot of crap players playing big minutes.

Should we do nothing because sully is the sucks?

The funny thing is our shooting % was much better with Bunting…our finishing was better probably because of what he did at the net front…that makes up for the better shooting talent of Jake…more than one way to skin a cat…we could pot more goals with the right replacement, not necessarily the better player

 

[Empoleon8771]

Being in the bottom half of goals per game isn’t an issue? Being near the bottom in finishing and losing a 40 goal scorer isn’t an issue?

Wasn't because of the production of the 1st line, which is where Guentzel would be playing. Crosby has never had issues producing without Guentzel on his line.

The team's lack of goal production came from their bottom-6. Adding Guentzel to L1 does nothing to address that, in fact it takes away money for the team to actually be able to address that ability.

He doesn’t help the PP? What?

Did we watch the same powerplay last year? We know that Guentzel isn't a good fit on the powerplay and we know the powerplay sucked with him.

The team missed the playoffs because they have a lot of crap players playing big minutes.

Should we do nothing because sully is the sucks?

No they did not. They missed the playoffs because:

1. The powerplay couldn't score.
2. The bottom-6 couldn't score.
3. The team was bad defensively.

Again, how does adding Guentzel solve any of those? Guentzel isn't improving the bottom-6 scoring. Guentzel isn't improving the powerplay. Guentzel isn't improving the team defensively. And even beyond that, there is mounds of evidence that the Crosby line will still be extremely productive even without Guentzel. So what does he add by bringing him back?

They likely need to sign a LWer for Crosby to push O'Connor to L3, but it's a comical overuse of money to pay Guentzel to be that guy. All evidence we have suggests that something like DeBrusk-Crosby-Rust would be no worse than Guentzel-Crosby-Rust, so why are they paying Guentzel an extra $5 million over someone like DeBrusk?

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

They could have gotten a higher quality winger or better prospects. Don’t get me wrong I like Bunting now but I don’t think he’s going to be putting up elite or even necessarily top 6 numbers next year. He’s a tweeter, like Rackell.

Not picking on you, but he’s definitely a top6 scorer (and not elite). Rakell and Smith averaged 0.53 points per game. The 192nd forward (32 teams x 6 forwards) scored 0.49 points per game. Coincidentally, ERod and Heinen scored 0.49 points per game.

 

[SEALBound]

Kris Letang should not have "toughed it out" this season. It's irresponsible for him to intentionally play through shit and not perform at 100% when that is what this team desperately needed. Get the f***ing surgery and start your rehab pronto so that next year you're GTG.

I get what Dubas was saying with NYR and LA. It was basically - let's stink now, get young players, and then at the end of Sid and Geno's career we can have a team that will compete. I think in order for that to work, they need to get incredibly lucky in the draft. Like Boldy, Robertson, Kaprizov level of luck. Would help to snag the 1-3 OV this year but realistically, we need to hope for the best with Yager, Pickering, Poulin, Koivunen, and Ponomarov.

That also needs to be met with actual dedication to playing younger players. That starts with shipping out old players to open up spots. Nieto and Acciari should be gonezo. Smith traded out and if any younger dman shows a pulse, adios Graves. Those are 3-4 players where replacing them with existing players does not make this team any worse but it does provide a development path.

SEALBound's 5 Step Off-Season for Dummies (while to maintain a modicum of realism)
1. Fire ALL ACs, promote Sullivan to AGM. Hire new HC and coaching staff.
2. Trade Nieto and Acciari for anything. "Demote" Eller to 4C.
3. Trade Smith for a younger bottom 6 forward to who fits better.
4. Search for 3C via trade. If no realistic options are available, use Ponomarov.
5. Yager, Pickering, Pono, Poulin in. Koivunen gets first call.

DOC-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Trade-Pono-Yager
Poulin-Eller-Puljujarvi

POJ-Letang
Petts-EK
Pickering-JSI
Shea

Jarry-Blomqvist

 

[Rudy Russo]

Kris Letang should not have "toughed it out" this season. It's irresponsible for him to intentionally play through shit and not perform at 100% when that is what this team desperately needed. Get the f***ing surgery and start your rehab pronto so that next year you're GTG.

I get what Dubas was saying with NYR and LA. It was basically - let's stink now, get young players, and then at the end of Sid and Geno's career we can have a team that will compete. I think in order for that to work, they need to get incredibly lucky in the draft. Like Boldy, Robertson, Kaprizov level of luck. Would help to snag the 1-3 OV this year but realistically, we need to hope for the best with Yager, Pickering, Poulin, Koivunen, and Ponomarov.

That also needs to be met with actual dedication to playing younger players. That starts with shipping out old players to open up spots. Nieto and Acciari should be gonezo. Smith traded out and if any younger dman shows a pulse, adios Graves. Those are 3-4 players where replacing them with existing players does not make this team any worse but it does provide a development path.

SEALBound's 5 Step Off-Season for Dummies (while to maintain a modicum of realism)
1. Fire ALL ACs, promote Sullivan to AGM. Hire new HC and coaching staff.
2. Trade Nieto and Acciari for anything. "Demote" Eller to 4C.
3. Trade Smith for a younger bottom 6 forward to who fits better.
4. Search for 3C via trade. If no realistic options are available, use Ponomarov.
5. Yager, Pickering, Pono, Poulin in. Koivunen gets first call.

DOC-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Trade-Pono-Yager
Poulin-Eller-Puljujarvi

POJ-Letang
Petts-EK
Pickering-JSI
Shea

Jarry-Blomqvist

No thanks to Sullivan even being considered for the assistant GM job.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Wasn't because of the production of the 1st line, which is where Guentzel would be playing. Crosby has never had issues producing without Guentzel on his line.

The team's lack of goal production came from their bottom-6. Adding Guentzel to L1 does nothing to address that, in fact it takes away money for the team to actually be able to address that ability.



Did we watch the same powerplay last year? We know that Guentzel isn't a good fit on the powerplay and we know the powerplay sucked with him.



No they did not. They missed the playoffs because:

1. The powerplay couldn't score.
2. The bottom-6 couldn't score.
3. The team was bad defensively.

Again, how does adding Guentzel solve any of those? Guentzel isn't improving the bottom-6 scoring. Guentzel isn't improving the powerplay. Guentzel isn't improving the team defensively. And even beyond that, there is mounds of evidence that the Crosby line will still be extremely productive even without Guentzel. So what does he add by bringing him back?

They likely need to sign a LWer for Crosby to push O'Connor to L3, but it's a comical overuse of money to pay Guentzel to be that guy. All evidence we have suggests that something like DeBrusk-Crosby-Rust would be no worse than Guentzel-Crosby-Rust, so why are they paying Guentzel an extra $5 million over someone like DeBrusk?

You guys are convincing me on moving on from Guentzel , but your #3 is wrong. They were pretty average in GA. Maybe “bad defensively “ in that they inopportunely gave up leads on a regular basis?

 

[chethejet]

Dubas mentions younger meaning speed and grit. Pens need changes. Add size grit and most importantly a different emphasis on balance. Watching the playoff Pens just can't play the level of physicality needed to win.

 

[Genetic]

Having Jake with sid neutered rust. Trading Jake and getting bunting gave us a legit 2nd line and turned rust into the 2nd guy instead of a 3rd wheel. I miss Jake but he shouldn't come back.

If Rakell isn't with Sid then trade him.

Edit: oh also please yeet Rielly Smith and Todd rierden to the moon via trebuchet

 

[Jacob]

I think we should re-sign Neds to like 2x2.5 or something. I don’t think Jarry will be easily tradable right away but we should then try to move him during the season or at the end of next season when Blomqvist is ready. Right now I think his value is quite low, but midseason when he inevitably bounces back it’ll be better. GMs in this league have a short memory and right now everyone views Jarry as the 6 million goalie that lost his starting job down the stretch.

I wouldn’t trust a Jarry / Blomqvist tandem yet. Blom, who I’m high on, is still very inexperienced and I think needs more time in the AHL and less pressure. If we were a better team in front of our goalies I’d be less cautious. You can still give him some NHL starts next season, and starter minutes in the AHL, and go from there.

Do a Jarry / Neds tandem again.. Ideally you move Jarry but, if you can’t, Neds at 2.5 is very movable.

 

[Rudy Russo]

PULJUJARVI TO PLAY FOR FINLAND IN PRE-WORLDS TOURNAMENT​

The Finnish Ice Hockey Association on Saturday announced that Jesse Puljujarvi will play for Finland in the Euro Hockey Tour, an annual tournament between the Finnish, Swedish, Czech and Swiss men's national teams that serves as preparation for the World Championship.
Finland plays Sweden on April 23 and 24. They'll then play Czechia on May 2, Switzerland on May 4, and Sweden on May 5.
The World Championship begins May 10 in Czechia.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Being in the bottom half of goals per game isn’t an issue? Being near the bottom in finishing and losing a 40 goal scorer isn’t an issue? He doesn’t help the PP? What? The team missed the playoffs because they have a lot of crap players playing big minutes.

Should we do nothing because sully is the sucks?

Is Guentzel worth 9M until he's 38?
If yes, you re-sign him. If no, you sign guys who will play up to or better than their cap hits with that 9M.
It's very simple.

We already used 4.5M of that on Bunting, and he has fairly good odds to outplay his AAV. Use the other 4.5M on something wise and you've fully replaced Jake, without taking on giant AAV NMCs until guys are washed.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Owen Pickering just turned 20 a couple months ago and he's 6'5" 185.

If an average-height player weighs 185, you still want him to gain muscle weight. 185 spread over that lanky frame.. there's nothing to him. He's a rail.

Facing an NHL forecheck would at best torpedo his career and at worst kill him.

 

[Turin]

Owen Pickering just turned 20 a couple months ago and he's 6'5" 185.

If an average-height player weighs 185, you still want him to gain muscle weight. 185 spread over that lanky frame.. there's nothing to him. He's a rail.

Facing an NHL forecheck would at best torpedo his career and at worst kill him.

Actually impressive to only be 185 at that height. Guy needs to somehow put on 20 lbs to reach lanky.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Edit: oh also please yeet Rielly Smith and Todd rierden to the moon via trebuchet

For me, Smith was better and more useful than Rakell this year. Based on their respective career averages, he's likely to be that again next year.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I think the dumbass contract this team handed him inflated his head a bit and he thinks he's the guy, now. Maybe he just isn't very smart? Especially considering he very well might be thinking he's the dude while two league journeymen have largely matched his play for several years, now in CDS and Ned.

I recall many years ago, when Jarry was first drafted, he honestly asked Shero if the pucks were smaller in the NHL because they seemed to be so much faster in camp. Shero thought that was hilarious. Might be on to something there with Jarry not being all that bright.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Crosby's also gonna be turning 37 next year. I'm leery of saddling him with DOC and Rust and assuming everything will work out.

I know that's not what you're advocating since you want Bertuzzi. That would be fine. They do need someone there though whether Bert or whoever.

My ideal off season involves unloading Smith/Jarry, grabbing a top six winger, and then using the remaining funds to bolster the bottom six.

I think the defense can be as is. Let POJ and St Ivany run with it on the third pairing. Let Ludvig compete for playing time as well. There's absolutely zero need to bring in another defenseman. Maybe bring in some cheap vet to also push for a spot if needed, but no more than that. Someone on a $1mil or less deal a la Ruhwedel.

Graves stinks but the Pens have little choice but to hope for a rebound from him.

I agree on getting rid of Smith and Jarry if at all possible, and adding a top 6W. I'm coming around to the idea of it being a RW, with Rakell either going to LW with Crosby or playing L3. Go get a stud winger to help Geno. You've got quite a bit of cap space to do that actually.

The bottom 6 shouldn't need all that much help. One of DOC or Rakell will end up on the 3rd. Puustinen might be back. Ponomarev and Poulin should get looks. Eller was solid and will be again either on the 3rd or 4th. Gruden wasn't bad as a 4th line penalty killer and Acciari will be better once healthy, especially if he plays wing. Don't forget we still have Puljijarvi and Nieto. That's nine names for 6 spots, plus scratches. I'm not seeing room for more than maybe one guy, and if we added no one in order to let the young guys fight it out, I'd be ok with that too.

 

[Pancakes]

I agree on getting rid of Smith and Jarry if at all possible, and adding a top 6W. I'm coming around to the idea of it being a RW, with Rakell either going to LW with Crosby or playing L3. Go get a stud winger to help Geno. You've got quite a bit of cap space to do that actually.

The bottom 6 shouldn't need all that much help. One of DOC or Rakell will end up on the 3rd. Puustinen might be back. Ponomarev and Poulin should get looks. Eller was solid and will be again either on the 3rd or 4th. Gruden wasn't bad as a 4th line penalty killer and Acciari will be better once healthy, especially if he plays wing. Don't forget we still have Puljijarvi and Nieto. That's nine names for 6 spots, plus scratches. I'm not seeing room for more than maybe one guy, and if we added no one in order to let the young guys fight it out, I'd be ok with that too.

I'd mainly like to grab another 3c quality player and let Eller be the 4c. Then we'd really be able to roll four solid lines.

I like the thought of Henrique even though he's old. He's still effective. I could see giving him a 2 year Eller type deal and having it work out.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Not picking on you, but he’s definitely a top6 scorer (and not elite). Rakell and Smith averaged 0.53 points per game. The 192nd forward (32 teams x 6 forwards) scored 0.49 points per game. Coincidentally, ERod and Heinen scored 0.49 points per game.

No, it's a good debate. Let me try to reframe it, I like Bunting, he serves a need. But if someone told me we were going to get ERod or Heinen level offensive production for trading Jake last year, I would think that would be a bit on the low side.

Sure Jake not negotiating with other teams hurt the value some (something which might have been remedied by Dubas agreeing to it), but I still think that you can get players like Bunting in other avenues and that if you're trading the best goal scorer on the team, you should get a bit more of a top-end return. Go for a high 1st or a legit bluechipper. Bunting makes sense if we were in the postseason, but we missed again.

So, while Bunting's a fine player, I just don't think he's what we should have gotten back for Jake.

 

[Ulf5]

I agree on getting rid of Smith and Jarry if at all possible, and adding a top 6W. I'm coming around to the idea of it being a RW, with Rakell either going to LW with Crosby or playing L3. Go get a stud winger to help Geno. You've got quite a bit of cap space to do that actually.

The bottom 6 shouldn't need all that much help. One of DOC or Rakell will end up on the 3rd. Puustinen might be back. Ponomarev and Poulin should get looks. Eller was solid and will be again either on the 3rd or 4th. Gruden wasn't bad as a 4th line penalty killer and Acciari will be better once healthy, especially if he plays wing. Don't forget we still have Puljijarvi and Nieto. That's nine names for 6 spots, plus scratches. I'm not seeing room for more than maybe one guy, and if we added no one in order to let the young guys fight it out, I'd be ok with that too.

Personally I like Rakell LW with Rust and Sid.
On main page, there's a thread about each team's current lines and whatnot. DeBrusk has mostly been RW on the 2nd line, that's why I've mentioned a couple times to sign him. Put him RW with Bunting and Geno.

 

[Andy99]

This is for MrBrightside…lol

Comparing Penguins to Playoff-Bound Capitals; What Caps Did Better

Despite the air of optimism that came from building on the season’s stretch run which almost earned them a playoff berth, the Pittsburgh Penguins joined the bottom half of the league in watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs on television Saturday night. The team the Penguins couldn’t catch was the...

pittsburghhockeynow.com

 

[Andy99]

I'd mainly like to grab another 3c quality player and let Eller be the 4c. Then we'd really be able to roll four solid lines.

I like the thought of Henrique even though he's old. He's still effective. I could see giving him a 2 year Eller type deal and having it work out.

What I’d like to do is move Geno to 3C, which he sometimes was this season because certain games he got fewer minutes than Eller lol…but ideally we try to snag someone like Pinto (offer sheet!) or bring in another young center (is Yager ready?) to center the second line…we ditch the Sullivan approach and play 3 scoring lines with nearly equal OZ starts and one checking L4…

LW/DOC - Sid -Rust
LW/Bunting - 2C - RW
Bunting/LW -Geno - RW/Rakell
Young player - Eller - young player/Acciari