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!"

[Darren McCord]

Don't worry the Russian Gretzky will save us.

Did we figure out how to sneak Ilyin out of Russia yet? I bet Malkin knows a good secret route

 

[Tom Hanks]

I’m one of the ones enjoying watching my favorite player of all time finish up his career and seeing where he can wind up in all time points. He won us 3 cups. If he wants to ride it out with Geno and Letang while the team tries to add whatever they can, youth wise, to those guys, I’m fine with it.

The absolute bottom is coming and I’m not so hard up that I need to see a complete scorched earth. It’s much easier to just chill, haha.

Dubas probably likes his job too

 

[Gurglesons]

He nearly dragged the Pens to the playoffs last year with a lot working against them.

No he didn’t.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don't agree with that at all.

And most certainly the ORG would receive significant backlash and criticism if they did. Remember, image to this outfit is of the utmost importance. So, While Crosby from the perspective of bettering the team long term should be traded for a kings ransom, we both know it isn't going to happen.

I assume it’d be sold as a mutual decision tbh

I’m one of the ones enjoying watching my favorite player of all time finish up his career and seeing where he can wind up in all time points. He won us 3 cups. If he wants to ride it out with Geno and Letang while the team tries to add whatever they can, youth wise, to those guys, I’m fine with it.

The absolute bottom is coming and I’m not so hard up that I need to see a complete scorched earth. It’s much easier to just chill, haha.

I’m not sure it’s “complete scorched earth”.

We’d still have Malkin and Letang unless they ask out. I just don’t see the point in re-signing Sid if we aren’t going to focus on trying to make the playoffs.

 

[Andy99]

I assume it’d be sold as a mutual decision tbh



I’m not sure it’s “complete scorched earth”.

We’d still have Malkin and Letang unless they ask out. I just don’t see the point in re-signing Sid if we aren’t going to focus on trying to make the playoffs.

Because he and G and Letang apparently want to ride it out here, playing together for the club where they won 3 Cups…that’s their decision and their right and they’re not owed a Cup contending lineup…the front office needs to be clear about that…to them and to the fans, that’s the annoying part, not that Sid wants to stay here…

 

[Gurglesons]

Because he and G and Letang apparently want to ride it out here, playing together for the club where they won 3 Cups…that’s their decision and their right and they’re not owed a Cup contending lineup…the front office needs to be clear about that…to them and to the fans, that’s the annoying part, not that Sid wants to stay here…

Well, that’s my point. If they aren’t going to try to make the playoffs, why would Sid re-sign?

 

[Jag68Sid87]

I cannot get behind the idea that getting younger HURTS our playoff chances. Sorry. The Capitals have been getting younger for a few seasons now, and they made the playoffs last year. I still have no idea how, but you know what? They never ask how you did it, just whether or not you did it.

For THIS team, we need youth. We simply cannot ask our old core to carry the offense anymore. Injecting Erik Karsson into the core was not enough. The bottom six needs young, fresh legs. The roster needs players with upside. Players who might be one thing today, and perhaps something different (better) by the end of the season.

This team caught a spark late last season. For whatever reason. It is everybody's job to figure out why, and how we can build upon that.

So, I will remain positive until Dubas gives me a reason to get off the train. If he signs more Matt Nieto's, Vinnie Hinostroza's and Jansen Harkins-types, I am done.

However, if he acquires that sniper we need for the PP and the top 6 (regardless of age), and adds more future assets by moving out Smith, Jarry (at least) et al, then I will be even more encouraged. I also want to hear something about Yager A S A P.

A lot of people believe you can ONLY do one of two things: go for it or rebuild.

Pro sports, like life, is a lot less black and white.

 

[Gurglesons]

I cannot get behind the idea that getting younger HURTS our playoff chances. Sorry. The Capitals have been getting younger for a few seasons now, and they made the playoffs last year. I still have no idea how, but you know what? They never ask how you did it, just whether or not you did it.

For THIS team, we need youth. We simply cannot ask our old core to carry the offense anymore. Injecting Erik Karsson into the core was not enough. The bottom six needs young, fresh legs. The roster needs players with upside. Players who might be one thing today, and perhaps something different (better) by the end of the season.

This team caught a spark late last season. For whatever reason. It is everybody's job to figure out why, and how we can build upon that.

So, I will remain positive until Dubas gives me a reason to get off the train. If he signs more Matt Nieto's, Vinnie Hinostroza's and Jansen Harkins-types, I am done.

However, if he acquires that sniper we need for the PP and the top 6 (regardless of age), and adds more future assets by moving out Smith, Jarry (at least) et al, then I will be even more encouraged. I also want to hear something about Yager A S A P.

A lot of people believe you can ONLY do one of two things: go for it or rebuild.

Pro sports, like life, is a lot less black and white.

Dubas said he is focused on acquiring picks and prospects. Not sure how that helps our playoff chances.

 

[Ulf5]

Dubas said he is focused on acquiring picks and prospects. Not sure how that helps our playoff chances.

Early 20s players are still prospects even if they have a few/several games in the NHL.

 

[Andy99]

Well, that’s my point. If they aren’t going to try to make the playoffs, why would Sid re-sign?

I just told you why…maybe it’s more important to him to finish his career as a Pen and play with his friends and he’s realistic about that

 

[Tom Hanks]

Dubas said he is focused on acquiring picks and prospects. Not sure how that helps our playoff chances.

He can still do that and also make other moves. It’s not one or the other.

We’re at the point where we aren’t good/young enough to go all in and trade all our futures but still good enough where we can make the playoffs with some good strategic moves while keeping an eye on the future.

 

[Darren McCord]

Dubas said he is focused on acquiring picks and prospects. Not sure how that helps our playoff chances.

It helps if they use them. Koivunen, Pono, Poulin, Doc as cheap players in the bottom 6 allows them to spend money on a better top 6 player than smith.

But that relies on Sullivan being not Sullivan so it won't happen. But older prospects coming in do help.

 

[Gurglesons]

Early 20s players are still prospects even if they have a few/several games in the NHL.

When UFA settles. Let me know how many early 20s players we have with a chance of making this roster.

I just told you why…maybe it’s more important to him to finish his career as a Pen and play with his friends and he’s realistic about that

I don't see it. Sid isn't Mario. July 1st will tell us what we need to know though. At this point, I'm with some of the other posters and would rather just see Sid cut bait. Would suck, but our method of "retooling" is awful.

He can still do that and also make other moves. It’s not one or the other.

We’re at the point where we aren’t good/young enough to go all in and trade all our futures but still good enough where we can make the playoffs with some good strategic moves while keeping an eye on the future.

Dellandrea and PLD were just moved for pieces we could've given up and would've got us younger. I think it's obvious Dubas is over his head at this point. He's not equipped to be a creative GM. Maybe he does something over the next week to change my mind, but I see us making a minor move for a pick, and then signing a couple of one year deals akin to what we did last year in UFA, but more proven NHL players. Maybe something like Kylington or Arvidsson. Probably players even potentially worse.

It helps if they use them. Koivunen, Pono, Poulin, Doc as cheap players in the bottom 6 allows them to spend money on a better top 6 player than smith.

But that relies on Sullivan being not Sullivan so it won't happen. But older prospects coming in do help.

Well that's the issue. You can say you want to get younger, but when you have a coach who won't play younger players unless forced it makes it a little difficult. I see talk of us acquiring a powerplay specialist. Does Dubas really think Sullivan is going to change Sid, Rust, EK65/Letang and Malkin off the powerplay consistently? And if you acquired Bunting he will be up there too right?

 

[Darren McCord]

Dellandrea and PLD were just moved for pieces we could've given up and would've got us younger. I think it's obvious Dubas is over his head at this point. He's not equipped to be a creative GM. Maybe he does something over the next week to change my mind, but I see us making a minor move for a pick, and then signing a couple of one year deals akin to what we did last year in UFA, but more proven NHL players. Maybe something like Kylington or Arvidsson. Probably players even potentially worse.

I dont really care about missing out on them if he has been working to move Jarry. They set themselves up to do it.

Ned
Blomqvist

AHL
Larsson
Gauthier

That's fine depth for me but they have to move Jarry for any of it to matter. So I am with you that they need to do more. We will know exactly what his team is by next week.

 

[Gurglesons]

I dont really care about missing out on them if he has been working to move Jarry. They set themselves up to do it.

Ned
Blomqvist

AHL
Larsson
Gauthier

That's fine depth for me but they have to move Jarry for any of it to matter. So I am with you that they need to do more. We will know exactly what his team is by next week.

It'll be an interesting few days.

 

[Ulf5]

When UFA settles. Let me know how many early 20s players we have with a chance of making this roster.

Dubas was quoted and part of the Jake trade showed his hand. He said the picks acquired maybe gets them in on conversations for some yonger players they couldn't get in on before. Whether that comes to fruition who knows.
And Ponomarev and Koivunen should be here this season and next. Whether they contribute anything at all only time will tell.
Dubas also has reportedly been interested in younger players such as Kayilev and Robertson. And probably others.
Whether he has the assets the others teams are attracted to is the $64 million question.
Last year with EK and the vets, it was apparent Dubas was giving it one more go with the roster intact. He saw it wasn't working and cut loose part of the core.
Obviously he's not going into full rebuild with what was paid for the franchise. But at least he recognized that changes were needed.

 

[Empoleon8771]

So, I will remain positive until Dubas gives me a reason to get off the train. If he signs more Matt Nieto's, Vinnie Hinostroza's and Jansen Harkins-types, I am done.

Hell, you don't even need to be positive or negative, you just have to be patient.

It's silly to throw a hissy fit that this team hasn't done anything yet because they didn't trade for PLD's atrocious contract. Why not actually wait until what Dubas actually does to criticize him for what he did/didn't do?

 

[Gurglesons]

Dubas was quoted and part of the Jake trade showed his hand. He said the picks acquired maybe gets them in on conversations for some yonger players they couldn't get in on before. Whether that comes to fruition who knows.
And Ponomarev and Koivunen should be here this season and next. Whether they contribute anything at all only time will tell.
Dubas also has reportedly been interested in younger players such as Kayilev and Robertson. And probably others.
Whether he has the assets the others teams are attracted to is the $64 million question.
Last year with EK and the vets, it was apparent Dubas was giving it one more go with the roster intact. He saw it wasn't working and cut loose part of the core.
Obviously he's not going into full rebuild with what was paid for the franchise. But at least he recognized that changes were needed.

I'm not impressed at all by this line of thinking.

It's lazy and nobody trades fringe prospects for good prospects.

Dubas will get props from me if he somehow pulls off this method. I just don't see it and nothing about his moves so far this summer makes me believe he's actually going to be focused on that.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Oh boy we're at the "Crosby won't re-sign" portion of the off-season now when the cup hasn't even been awarded yet. Lovely.

 

[Gurglesons]

Hell, you don't even need to be positive or negative, you just have to be patient.

It's silly to throw a hissy fit that this team hasn't done anything yet because they didn't trade for PLD's atrocious contract. Why not actually wait until what Dubas actually does to criticize him for what he did/didn't do?

I'm not throwing a hissy fit.

I'm not having faith in a GM who has consistently failed to do the right thing to create a successful team for the entirety of his career.

I'm criticizing his methodology, his moves, and his general career as a GM which has largely been a failure.

But, yeah I should be patient because last year he signed so many great deals and then sat on his ass and didn't do anything all season as we pissed away our playoff chances and his reaction so far has been to hire the worst coach in the league last year and re-sign our back-up goalie.

It's going to be hilarious when in like 8 - 10 months you are regurgitating the exact opposite of what you are doing right now.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Just to keep doomin...

If Sid DOES leave, why would Geno or tanger stay? They should all be out at that point

 

[Tom Hanks]

It'll be an interesting few days.

We all know what the plan is. It’s just the execution then more importantly if the moves worked.

I don’t have any anxiety about when things are done but you’d expect some things to be done in the next week.

I’m at the point where I’m almost unemotional about if we make playoffs or not. I just wanna watch Sid and some young players.

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

Oh boy we're at the "Crosby won't re-sign" portion of the off-season now when the cup hasn't even been awarded yet. Lovely.

Sid won’t re-sign on July 1st, members of this board will meltdown and say how he isn’t re-signing and then he’ll re-sign on like July 17th or something. Calling this now.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Sid won’t re-sign on July 1st, members of this board will meltdown and say how he isn’t re-signing and then he’ll re-sign on like July 17th or something. Calling this now.

Nah Crosby is re-signing the second it turns to July 1st, without a doubt.

I'm not throwing a hissy fit.

I'm not having faith in a GM who has consistently failed to do the right thing to create a successful team for the entirety of his career.

I'm criticizing his methodology, his moves, and his general career as a GM which has largely been a failure.

But, yeah I should be patient because last year he signed so many great deals and then sat on his ass and didn't do anything all season as we pissed away our playoff chances and his reaction so far has been to hire the worst coach in the league last year and re-sign our back-up goalie.

It's going to be hilarious when in like 8 - 10 months you are regurgitating the exact opposite of what you are doing right now.

It's not up to you to decide if other people think you're throwing a hissy fit lmao

You can have whatever opinions you want, but everyone else can also have the opinion you're going completely unhinged for freaking out that they didn't trade for Ty Dellandrea's 2 goals last season or didn't take on that albatross PLD contract before the cup has even been awarded.

This isn't even "have faith in Dubas and be patient", it's "freaking out about them not bringing in some shitty players before the cup has even been awarded is silly".

 

[Tom Hanks]

Sid won’t re-sign on July 1st, members of this board will meltdown and say how he isn’t re-signing and then he’ll re-sign on like July 17th or something. Calling this now.