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?"

[McGroarty2]

I thought he was mishandling a lot of pucks early on and making questionable turnovers but I think he's starting to settle in and play solid now. Haven't noticed much of that the past few.

Probably nerves/adjusting to a new system.

One of the issues I have with the Pens is their lack of physicality. Pettersson, Graves, Zohorna, big bodies but little nastiness.

 

[Pancakes]

One of the issues I have with the Pens is their lack of physicality. Pettersson, Graves, Zohorna, big bodies but little nastiness.

It would be nice to have someone who bangs bodies for sure.

Maybe Ludvig can slot in and prove to be that if he can manage to not concuss himself again lol

 

[Headshot77]

Still, if Karlsson hadn't forced his way onto the Pens this summer, Dubas' first off season would've been doooooogshit.

This is revisionist history. Karlsson did not force himself on the Penguins. Karlsson forced himself out of San Jose and was willing to go to just about any contender. If you remember during Karlsson watch, the Canes and one other team were in on him too. Dubas worked his ass off to get this trade over the finish line. Dubas essentially wanted to make a big splash and he "got his guy" so to speak.

 

[Super Duper]

I think Graves' play warranted a lot of the criticism in the first few games, but much like the rest of the Pens, he's been finding his game the last few games and has been fairly solid for what's expected of him.

He does struggle with clearing pucks out of the d-zone though.

 

[cygnus47]

I think Graves' play warranted a lot of the criticism in the first few games, but much like the rest of the Pens, he's been finding his game the last few games and has been fairly solid for what's expected of him.

He does struggle with clearing pucks out of the d-zone though.

He has the Brooks Orpik-esque ability to put the wrong amount of force on every broken puck play.

 

[66-30-33]

This is revisionist history. Karlsson did not force himself on the Penguins. Karlsson forced himself out of San Jose and was willing to go to just about any contender. If you remember during Karlsson watch, the Canes and one other team were in on him too. Dubas worked his ass off to get this trade over the finish line. Dubas essentially wanted to make a big splash and he "got his guy" so to speak.

Imagine Canes got him?

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

This is revisionist history. Karlsson did not force himself on the Penguins. Karlsson forced himself out of San Jose and was willing to go to just about any contender. If you remember during Karlsson watch, the Canes and one other team were in on him too. Dubas worked his ass off to get this trade over the finish line. Dubas essentially wanted to make a big splash and he "got his guy" so to speak.

No it's not. There were several teams who called to kick the tires on a deal but had no genuine interest; Seattle, Toronto, Edmonton. Then there were two teams who called with any interest in making a deal; Pittsburgh and Carolina. Carolina was never seriously interested because they'd have A. needed San Jose to retain a ton of money, B. they'd have needed to trade Pesce, and C. they had their eyes on a much cheaper DeAngelo. The only horse in the race was Pittsburgh, and Grier wasn't going to chance Karlsson's play dropping off or the dude getting hurt by dragging it out for months.

Dubas worked his ass off, sure, but in finding a taker for Petry. Dude was a soon to be 36 year old middle pairing blueliner making north of $6 million AAV for a couple more years--nobody wanted him. That was the hurdle the entire time. He wasn't sweating it out and trying to up the ante to beat out an offer from the Canes, he was trying to clear the space to acquire Karlsson. It was never gonna be the Canes, it was Pittsburgh or nothing.

 

[DearDiary]

Karlsson is constantly looking for players to be an immediate outlet for him, but the Pens players are trying to get to places where they can be open to make a play once they get the puck. Constantly I notice him getting ready to pass or look for a tip but instead has to stop and gets pressured by the other team. The more I watch Karlsson the more I think that he's too set in his ways of having teammates cater to his play.

 

[Turin]

Karlsson is constantly looking for players to be an immediate outlet for him, but the Pens players are trying to get to places where they can be open to make a play once they get the puck. Constantly I notice him getting ready to pass or look for a tip but instead has to stop and gets pressured by the other team. The more I watch Karlsson the more I think that he's too set in his ways of having teammates cater to his play.

I'm sure it's an adjustment he can make, and one that would be expected going from San Jose to Pittsburgh.

 

[Gurglesons]

Karlsson is constantly looking for players to be an immediate outlet for him, but the Pens players are trying to get to places where they can be open to make a play once they get the puck. Constantly I notice him getting ready to pass or look for a tip but instead has to stop and gets pressured by the other team. The more I watch Karlsson the more I think that he's too set in his ways of having teammates cater to his play.

Karlsson has been phenomenal for us and him and Pettersson have been arguably the second best defensive pairing in the league this season.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

It's actually insane how good analytically Zohorna has been with the Penguins. He has a 61.5% CF% and a +6.8% CF%Rel while only having a 35% offensive zone start%, that's insanely effective for his usage. He has by far the best xGF% on the team with a 68.17% xGF% and a +14.88% xGF%Rel.

I was certainly hesitant to put Zohorna as anything more than a 13th forward entering the year, but the dude has been a downright monster for the Penguins this year. This isn't just what he was in the past with the Penguins, he looks notably better now than he did in the past. He looks like he's driving play and you understand his terrific on-ice results when watching him.

Eller and Zohorna are making up 2/3 of a great 3rd line right now, both are on pace for 40 points while putting up strong analytics in a heavy defensive role. O'Connor is the clear weak link of that line, upgrading on him may make a legitimate difference maker 3rd line.

I said it 2 years ago.

I am unsure how he does all this and keeps the puck. It's a bit insane.

It's wild to think with these numbers that he didn't stick last year with any team.

 

[SEALBound]

Karlsson is constantly looking for players to be an immediate outlet for him, but the Pens players are trying to get to places where they can be open to make a play once they get the puck. Constantly I notice him getting ready to pass or look for a tip but instead has to stop and gets pressured by the other team. The more I watch Karlsson the more I think that he's too set in his ways of having teammates cater to his play.

There are only two guys on the roster that shouldn't have to cater to his style of play. Everyone else, should. I do know what you're saying though. I think it's a comfort thing that will normalize after we get further into the season.

Karlsson has been phenomenal for us and him and Pettersson have been arguably the second best defensive pairing in the league this season.

Yeah, it's really hard to find anything to complain about overall. Karlsson has had a few flops here and there but overall, they've been fantastic.

I think what comes with a guy like Karlsson (similar to Crosby, Malkin, etc) is that perception that they can always "do more". They so frequently get prime scoring chances that you can't help yearn for a high conversion %. He's clipping along at a 75-ish point pace, which is where a lot of us had him, but it's not hard to see how he could potentially be at that 100pt pace.

 

[The Old Master]

Karlsson is constantly looking for players to be an immediate outlet for him, but the Pens players are trying to get to places where they can be open to make a play once they get the puck. Constantly I notice him getting ready to pass or look for a tip but instead has to stop and gets pressured by the other team. The more I watch Karlsson the more I think that he's too set in his ways of having teammates cater to his play.

sometimes it's the team that needs to adjust to the player. but that would be on the coach.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

I know they started off abysmal but overall I think I like the look of this year's bottom six better than last year. Sure you can say that there isn't the potential depth there that there was in case you take injuries to the top six. But it's not like guys like Heinen or Kapanen were all that terrific in those roles when required, anyway.

Eller alone is far better in his role than anyone in the bottom six for years.

Agreed, well pretty much since the b2b cup years of Bonino

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Agreed, well pretty much sincr the b2b cup years of Bonino

It's funny because I was NOT good with the Eller deal but really liked the idea of the Acciari one.

Shows how much I know.

 

[Peat]

It's funny because I was NOT good with the Eller deal but really liked the idea of the Acciari one.

Shows how much I know.

Tbf, there's plenty of time left for Eller's legs to go or Acciari to come round.

Maybe they should try switching DOC and Acciari for a few games.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Tbf, there's plenty of time left for Eller's legs to go or Acciari to come round.

Maybe they should try switching DOC and Acciari for a few games.

I've been wanting to find a way to move Acciari up for a few games, now. He's almost certain to be more capable on the wing and could potentially add to the already-good dynamic between Eller and Z. I don't hate DOC or anything but he's just kinda... there.

Also you only like/comment on my posts that talk about what a dunderhead I am, eh? I see how it is!

 

[SEALBound]

Zadorov wants a trade out of Calgary. I wonder if there's a two trade series or a three way that could help us get a 3rd line wing from Calgary for POJ (and potentially more).

Something like:
Zadorov for Beauvillier
Beauvillier @ 50% for POJ+DOC+pick

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Yeah, it's really hard to find anything to complain about overall.

I don’t like his facial hair. It makes him look like a musketeer.

 

[Peat]

I've been wanting to find a way to move Acciari up for a few games, now. He's almost certain to be more capable on the wing and could potentially add to the already-good dynamic between Eller and Z. I don't hate DOC or anything but he's just kinda... there.

Also you only like/comment on my posts that talk about what a dunderhead I am, eh? I see how it is!

A happy coincidence

Besides, I was agreeing with your original position!

 

[Gurglesons]

Tbf, there's plenty of time left for Eller's legs to go or Acciari to come round.

Maybe they should try switching DOC and Acciari for a few games.

I’m not even sure Eller losing speed would be that big of a deal to his game tbh.

 

[chethejet]

Dubas will continue to upgrade and needs to find cap space here. POJ for a pick and then fund a RD who can bring some physical presence. Taylor from DK sports said Pysyk is down at WB on a 25 game rehab. He is still in the plans if he can get back into hockey shape. But who knows if he can.

 

[mephisto1812]

And I think he alluded to this in an interview earlier in the year. I don't mean this to be rude, but he's also a pretty dumb hockey player so it's not too surprising if he'd take a bit longer to adjust to a new system.

Have to admit he doesn't seem like the sharpest crayon in the box based on his interviews.

 

[Peat]

I’m not even sure Eller losing speed would be that big of a deal to his game tbh.

From what I've watched, maybe not. But then the word from those watched him last season is that his decline in stats was due to him looking cooked.

I think I'd also include a loss of stamina in the way Eller's legs could go. Slowing down under hard use, or losing a little bit of explosiveness.

Hopefully this is moot. Dude has been real deal.

 

[66-30-33]

Speaking of Eller, bumped the Eller signing thread on the trades forum.