Salary Cap: Pens '23-'24 Salary Cap Thread: "But if you don't get the President of the Pittsburgh Penguins on that phone, you know what's gonna happen to you?"

[Honour Over Glory]

Imagine the core retiring and Sully still coach here…I’d not be in a hurry to catch many games. Only thing to be excited about is the draft for a few years, after that how they get developed.

We'd have the oldest rebuilding team in the NHL.

Tomlin made me stop watching football and Sullivan is very close to making me cancel my Center Ice subscription.

Me seeing more Pens fans joining me in wanting Sullivan fired...

I think I'm more disappointed that Dubas is letting this happen. I knew Sully was going to continue to f*** this team, no doubts there. But Dubas I thought was a smart lad, not one to follow any narrative by higher ups and why he left the Leafs in the first place. Yet here we are, this has to be enough already.

 

[mephisto1812]

As much as I despise Sullivan, Tomlin is just as bad.

I find that funny too. No clue where they got that Tomlin was a good coach.

I despise Tomlin far more that I do Sullivan. But standing back and objectively looking at it, I understand why you may see things in reverse.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

They over hauled the entire front office to hire all these smart people and yet they keep Sully on as a coach.

One of the most bizarre things I've ever seen with this franchise in 40+ years.

I despise Tomlin far more that I do Sullivan. But standing back and objectively looking at it, I understand why you may see things in reverse.

They both suck.

Neither should be a coach of a Pittsburgh sports franchise.

 

[mephisto1812]

We'd have the oldest rebuilding team in the NHL.


Me seeing more Pens fans joining me in wanting Sullivan fired...

I think I'm more disappointed that Dubas is letting this happen. I knew Sully was going to continue to f*** this team, no doubts there. But Dubas I thought was a smart lad, not one to follow any narrative by higher ups and why he left the Leafs in the first place. Yet here we are, this has to be enough already.

I hope Dubas has a set point in mind where he steps in.... and perhaps different set points for how he steps in. I'm holding on to hope that there is a plan behind the scenes, and it gets executed when certain metrics are hit, good or bad.

I just want a professional organization moving forward, that operates in good faith.

 

[Ginormousthumbs]

We'd have the oldest rebuilding team in the NHL.


Me seeing more Pens fans joining me in wanting Sullivan fired...

I think I'm more disappointed that Dubas is letting this happen. I knew Sully was going to continue to f*** this team, no doubts there. But Dubas I thought was a smart lad, not one to follow any narrative by higher ups and why he left the Leafs in the first place. Yet here we are, this has to be enough already.

My disdain for Sullivan started 2 seasons ago, but I was completely on board for him to get the boot last season. I already know the Steelers take pride in having so few head coaches, but that hasn’t been the Pens style, so I don’t know what’s going on. With FSG taking over I thought for sure he was a goner, but his salad tossing skills must be legit.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I do find it funny that Dubas is ignoring this while we read about how the Pens points in October match their worst season in the Sidney Crosby era, his rookie year when they won 22 games.

 

[molon labe]

What's also great - is knowing we could have rolled the dice on a ONE YEAR goalie this year - then had that 8M next year (TJ's money + Carter's money) to sign/trade for a real starter.

But hey, here's to 4.5 more years of un-clutch Jarry keeping us from ever being in the race.

 

[HandshakeLine]

There is no more race to run. Realistically we are finished.

 

[Pens1566]

There is no more race to run. Realistically we are finished.

Never trust a fart after mile 3.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

What's also great - is knowing we could have rolled the dice on a ONE YEAR goalie this year - then had that 8M next year (TJ's money + Carter's money) to sign/trade for a real starter.

But hey, here's to 4.5 more years of un-clutch Jarry keeping us from ever being in the race.

Who's that goalie that we can drop 8 million on?

I know we aren't happy with the situation and I'm not defending Jarry here but I truly saw no available option. It was running 1 or 2 million goalies or Jarry.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Who's that goalie that we can drop 8 million on?

I know we aren't happy with the situation and I'm not defending Jarry here but I truly saw no available option. It was running 1 or 2 million goalies or Jarry.

I don't want to speak for this poster, but there were thoughts Helle was going to command that much if he hit FA.

 

[IcedCapp]

we don't need Hellebuyck. If we had A LEAGUE AVERAGE GOALIE, we'd be undefeated right now.

Jarry is 58th in the league in goals-saved-above expected.

If you narrow it down to a minimum of 5 games played, he's 30th (out of 33). He is worse than Playoff MAF right now. He is actively costing this team games. A cardboard cutout would be more successful.

If you are going to blame the Penguins defense or structure for a goalie letting in 2-more-goals than expected, if you're going to blame the Penguins defense or structure for a goalie having sv% in the 890s, please just put me on ignore and save me from the infraction from the names i call you.

 

[Andy99]

The problem is that they do have Jarry and they have no backup…so what to do? They have no choice but to play a defense-first system that tries to protect Jarry…they have no one back there making critical saves…has to be done…if they continue to play their aggressive offensive system, they will continue to lose…

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Yeah I mean I think they should fire Sully because clearly something is off with the team’s killer instinct. But goaltending is the real issue.

Fully believe this team can be legitimately good if the goaltending comes along. It’s too inconsistent right now with zero timely saves.

we don't need Hellebuyck. If we had A LEAGUE AVERAGE GOALIE, we'd be undefeated right now.

Jarry is 58th in the league in goals-saved-above expected.

If you narrow it down to a minimum of 5 games played, he's 30th (out of 33). He is worse than Playoff MAF right now. He is actively costing this team games. A cardboard cutout would be more successful.

If you are going to blame the Penguins defense or structure for a goalie letting in 2-more-goals than expected, if you're going to blame the Penguins defense or structure for a goalie having sv% in the 890s, please just put me on ignore and save me from the infraction from the names i call you.

Even crazier- he has 2 shutouts baked into all of that. Shows you how bad it’s been outside of those games.

 

[Andy99]

Yeah I mean I think they should fire Sully because clearly something is off with the team’s killer instinct. But goaltending is the real issue.

Fully believe this team can be legitimately good if the goaltending comes along. It’s too inconsistent right now with zero timely saves.



Even crazier- he has 2 shutouts baked into all of that. Shows you how bad it’s been outside of those games.

It’s not the killer instinct…it’s “the process” lol…I mean look at the stupid quotes from Carter…it’s not going to “come around,” we have a year’s worth of data at least regarding the Pens finishing problems…they need to change the way they play

Forward Jeff Carter isn't worried about the Penguins' struggles

A mere 19 years into his existence as an NHL player, Jeff Carter has seen plenty of good and bad in his career. Be it his promising start with the Philadelphia Flyers in the mid-2000s, which came to a dysfunctional conclusion, or his brief and awkward fit with the Columbus

triblive.com

 

[Josey Wales]

Real hockey people Called Alexis Lafreniere the best prospect since McDavid.

Real hockey People drafted Nail Yakupov and Patrik Stefan 1st overall

Real hockey people signed Jarry to a 5 year contract

Real hockey people gave Dan Bylsma the Jack Adams

I can keep going

who else were you going to sign or Trade for other than Jarry ?
Bylsma deserved it, he also deserved to be fired
& Gurglesons still Thinks Yakupov is gonna be great

Tomlin made me stop watching football and Sullivan is very close to making me cancel my Center Ice subscription.

Good Lord what would you have done when the Pens Sucked way back when, when there were only 4 Ganes on TV

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

It’s not the killer instinct…it’s “the process” lol…I mean look at the stupid quotes from Carter…it’s not going to “come around,” we have a year’s worth of data at least regarding the Pens finishing problems…they need to change the way they play

Forward Jeff Carter isn't worried about the Penguins' struggles

A mere 19 years into his existence as an NHL player, Jeff Carter has seen plenty of good and bad in his career. Be it his promising start with the Philadelphia Flyers in the mid-2000s, which came to a dysfunctional conclusion, or his brief and awkward fit with the Columbus

triblive.com

Tbh the process is fine. Every stat and game I’ve watched they have outplayed the opponents.

They can’t capitalize on opportunities and love to have mental breakdowns at the wrong times. For instance the missed check from Ruhwedel in the DRW game. The lack of opportune saves at those moments further compounds the issue. It’s the same story as last year and the year before. Thats the killer instinct I’m talking about.

How do you have a near full time 5v3 and not only fail to score, but give up a breakaway, and don’t get a save from your goalie?… all in a game you played fantastic in. A microcosm of what this team has become.

That’s the part that is probably best served with a coaching change- but IMO the way they are playing is more than ok. I think that’s why I’m frustrated, this team has shown it can be good.

 

[Coastal Kev]

It’s not the killer instinct…it’s “the process” lol…I mean look at the stupid quotes from Carter…it’s not going to “come around,” we have a year’s worth of data at least regarding the Pens finishing problems…they need to change the way they play

Forward Jeff Carter isn't worried about the Penguins' struggles

A mere 19 years into his existence as an NHL player, Jeff Carter has seen plenty of good and bad in his career. Be it his promising start with the Philadelphia Flyers in the mid-2000s, which came to a dysfunctional conclusion, or his brief and awkward fit with the Columbus

triblive.com

He thinks he’s hot shite….. never liked the guy…hated him in Philly, same with LA, hated we acquired him….

 

[Lustaf]

we don't need Hellebuyck. If we had A LEAGUE AVERAGE GOALIE, we'd be undefeated right now.

Jarry is 58th in the league in goals-saved-above expected.

If you narrow it down to a minimum of 5 games played, he's 30th (out of 33). He is worse than Playoff MAF right now. He is actively costing this team games. A cardboard cutout would be more successful.

If you are going to blame the Penguins defense or structure for a goalie letting in 2-more-goals than expected, if you're going to blame the Penguins defense or structure for a goalie having sv% in the 890s, please just put me on ignore and save me from the infraction from the names i call you.

The one game he played above these vs the Avs... They won.

Commical if it wasn't tragic.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

It’s not the killer instinct…it’s “the process” lol…I mean look at the stupid quotes from Carter…it’s not going to “come around,” we have a year’s worth of data at least regarding the Pens finishing problems…they need to change the way they play

Forward Jeff Carter isn't worried about the Penguins' struggles

A mere 19 years into his existence as an NHL player, Jeff Carter has seen plenty of good and bad in his career. Be it his promising start with the Philadelphia Flyers in the mid-2000s, which came to a dysfunctional conclusion, or his brief and awkward fit with the Columbus

triblive.com

I don't think the 4th line is hurting us that much. No goals, yes, but only 1 against through 9 games.
If they break even by the end of the year, you take that all day, with guys getting buried in D-zone usage.

Right now a bigger issue is that the top lines are close to breaking even...not that all goals against are within their control to prevent...

 

[Empoleon8771]

Taking out Sullivan, I feel like this issues on this team are (in order):

1. Powerplay
2. Jarry






3. Graves and Letang having a bad start
4. Bad defense from the top-6
5. Bad production from the 4th line

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think it's understandable (not saying acceptable, to be clear, but understandable) that the top-6 is pretty much dogshit defensively. First, Sid and Geno aren't exactly young anymore so they've gotta make sure they pace themselves for an 82 game season. Second, Jake's so f***ing awful defensively that it makes Phil Kessel blush. Third, the top-6 is the entirety of the team's offensive ability, so they've gotta kinda go all-in offensively if this team's got any hope of making a game competitive or winning.

I wish the top-9 had a bit more size and snarl to lean on the opposition and, to use a cliche from a moronic coach, grind 'em down. But I think we're years past being able to do that with how locked up everybody is with term and clauses.

 

[Sideline]

Taking out Sullivan, I feel like this issues on this team are (in order):

1. Powerplay
2. Jarry






3. Graves and Letang having a bad start
4. Bad defense from the top-6
5. Bad production from the 4th line

Bottom pair needs to find a spot on this list.

 

[molon labe]

Who's that goalie that we can drop 8 million on?

I know we aren't happy with the situation and I'm not defending Jarry here but I truly saw no available option. It was running 1 or 2 million goalies or Jarry.

The entire argument was for not locking up garbage because 'nothing else is available'...that's a horrible position on logic in any area of life.

Welp, no houses are available in our price range might as well go for the 7 figure option. Welp, no cars are on sale right now and I need a car so instead of looking used I'll pay 10k over msrp.

The logic of signing Jarry was the logic of 'there's zero other goalies available who can wear pads for 50+ games a year, therefore we must sign him. To sign him, he requires 5 by 5 with trade protections.' - utter disgrace to a world full of goalies. ANYONE else would have done fine. Platoon 5 different 1 million dollar goalies and save yourself 4M on a nightly basis which might have improved - hmm idk - the bottom 6? Add 4M to the bottom 6 and ice any other goalie in the league and it's an improved team.

The problems with signing Jarry are countless. The decision to sign Jarry is one from bad logic and rash decision-making.

My point of dropping 8 million is one point - because next year we'd have been better financially. But this YOLO and FOMO shit is/has/will always ruin GMs in the NHL. Nothing - I mean not a single NHL game - in Jarry's body of work dictated that he's the guy you HAVE to sign or the season is a failure. Quite the opposite should you require a side to pick.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Bottom pair needs to find a spot on this list.

I debated adding them but I just don't think they've had a large enough impact. Ruhwedel has been on the ice for only 4 goals against in 8 games.

Their rate numbers aren't good because they're not playing a ton, but I don't think they're having a large enough negative impact to seriously be a major factor in why the team is losing.