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?"

[Buddy Bizarre]

That's a bar of competency. They should be aiming higher than that for the 3rd line.

That's the expectation for the 4th line, which is why I'd be fine with O'Connor on the 4th line. But with how well Zohorna and Eller are playing, they absolutely need better than O'Connor on the 4th line.

Exactly why I feel like swapping DOC and Hino could be a real boon to that 3rd line. Maybe DOC can feast on some lower competition

 

[Andy99]

Yes, we’re playing a NZ trap that some of us have wanted the Pens to play more of the last few years lol…

 

[Peat]

Is the line good because of him or Zohorna? The 3rd line stunk when it was Harkins-Eller-O’Connor and then it became great after swapping Zohorna and Harkins.

I’m not pounding on the table to make any changes right now, but as soon as the 3rd line has a hiccup I’m pulling O’Connor off of it. By the trade deadline, I’m hoping they’ve acquired someone to push O’Connor to the 4th line, ideally the 4C spot to push Acciari to RW.

I mean its obviously Zohorna and Eller leading the charge there.

But it's equally obvious to me you can't have a line performing that well if the third guy is doing nothing. I think DOC's energy and athleticism are valuable to the line. He is part of what they're doing. I'm certainly not waiting for an opportunity to move him off of that line.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

How much of a cap hit can this team add at the TDL with no money out? CF says 90k, is that right?

 

[Josey Wales]

Pittsburgh Penguins

@penguins
·
1h

The Penguins have recalled forward Jonathan Gruden from the
@WBSPenguins
.

 

[Darren McCord]

Exactly why I feel like swapping DOC and Hino could be a real boon to that 3rd line. Maybe DOC can feast on some lower competition

Nah I think if anything I would swap Z with Raks. Lets Raks get weaker competition. Also I think line 3 is missing an actually shooter.

Smith - Geno - Z Park Z in front of the net.
Doc - Eller - Raks Park Doc in front of the net.

Gives each line a true shooter and net front.

 

[Sidgeni Malkby]

Trade Rust while his value has rebounded

Sure...so who do you want in place that would improve the team? I'm sure Toronto will give up Bertuzzi, but don't know if we would want him at the cost of Rust.

Nah I think if anything I would swap Z with Raks. Lets Raks get weaker competition. Also I think line 3 is missing an actually shooter.

Smith - Geno - Z Park Z in front of the net.
Doc - Eller - Raks Park Doc in front of the net.

Gives each line a true shooter and net front.

I don't see us doing any major changes while we are winning, and lines 1 & 3 are performing. Raks is getting plenty of chances, and enough space. He just needs to calm down, and not grip his stick so tight.

Maybe Malkin needs to let Raks carry in more across the blue line. He can dangle, and may help him get his confidence back. Just a thought.

Risk of Raks on line 3 is there is no real playmaker. All their goals are close to the net (well except for the shorty). Worst competition may be offset by worst linemates (no intended insult to DOC/Eller).

 

[Darren McCord]

Sure...so who do you want in place that would improve the team? I'm sure Toronto will give up Bertuzzi, but don't know if we would want him at the cost of Rust.



I don't see us doing any major changes while we are winning, and lines 1 & 3 are performing. Raks is getting plenty of chances, and enough space. He just needs to calm down, and not grip his stick so tight.

Maybe Malkin needs to let Raks carry in more across the blue line. He can dangle, and may help him get his confidence back. Just a thought.

Risk of Raks on line 3 is there is no real playmaker. All their goals are close to the net (well except for the shorty). Worst competition may be offset by worst linemates (no intended insult to DOC/Eller).

Eller can make plays. You dont need an amazing playmaker. They can score on transition. Line 3 lacks a true shooter now.

Also I am not advocating the switch while winning but I would consider it mid game if they are struggling

 

[Peat]

How much of a cap hit can this team add at the TDL with no money out? CF says 90k, is that right?

Probably not entirely because with the team on LTIR they won't be marked as accruing cap and *touch wood* once Ned is off the team will accrue a little more, but close enough (assuming CF was right to begin with).

I'm certainly a little doubtful that there'd be enough to even just run a 23 man roster with another minimum hit cap up there.

I also suspect that I said might be a little moot as I wouldn't be surprised if someone ended up on LTIR at the deadline.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don't see anything in Zohorna's game that makes me think he'd mesh well with Malkin, nor do I have any interest in taking him off of Eller's line.

 

[Josey Wales]

Jonathan Gruden’s been recalled from Wilkes-Barre. No corresponding move yet, though it’s possible Jeff Carter, who was held out of practice yesterday in Cranberry, could go to IR. Both are participating in the optional morning skate at Nationwide Arena.

UPDATE: Yep. Gruden was recalled to be an emergency forward because of Carter’s unavailability, Mike Sullivan confirmed. Whatever. Neither’s going to play. Lineup will stay the same.

 

[molon labe]

Carter going on long term IR would certainly go a long way to the justified/unjustified fan response to his contract.

He was offered good money in a later stage of his career. Can't fault HIM for that. Getting criticized comes with sports. But a play like that would be really beneficial to the club.

I really wish we had rejuvenated the lineup with Carter/Brown back in 2018. Such a missed opportunity that off-season. We had two goalies with value, ended up losing both for nothing. We had Kessel from his best and just sat on him until he reached nearly his worst. Lost Bonino over like 500k. Happens I guess. But I remember really, really pushing for Carter a while back and it was nice to finally get him - and a still serviceable version...only to then watch us re sign him for too much for too long. Alas. And yeah, Dustin Brown 6 years ago would have been super fun on this team. Still stand by that.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I don't see anything in Zohorna's game that makes me think he'd mesh well with Malkin, nor do I have any interest in taking him off of Eller's line.

Zohorna would be there purely for his defensive acumen and forechecking. Keep Malkin out of the defensive zone where he is vulnerable.

But I agree, don't split up Eller and Z.

 

[Andy99]

Zohorna would be there purely for his defensive acumen and forechecking. Keep Malkin out of the defensive zone where he is vulnerable.

But I agree, don't split up Eller and Z.

Huh? Malkin’s been like our best defensive forward…GCR is who should be kept out of the defensive zone…your bias is showing …

 

[ChaosAgent]

Huh? Malkin’s been like our best defensive forward…GCR is who should be kept out of the defensive zone…your bias is sowing…

Agree to disagree on Malkin's defensive acumen.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Carter going on long term IR would certainly go a long way to the justified/unjustified fan response to his contract.

He was offered good money in a later stage of his career. Can't fault HIM for that. Getting criticized comes with sports. But a play like that would be really beneficial to the club.

I really wish we had rejuvenated the lineup with Carter/Brown back in 2018. Such a missed opportunity that off-season. We had two goalies with value, ended up losing both for nothing. We had Kessel from his best and just sat on him until he reached nearly his worst. Lost Bonino over like 500k. Happens I guess. But I remember really, really pushing for Carter a while back and it was nice to finally get him - and a still serviceable version...only to then watch us re sign him for too much for too long. Alas. And yeah, Dustin Brown 6 years ago would have been super fun on this team. Still stand by that.

Yep. Unfortunately if a GM gives you a shit ton of money you take it
You say thank you and walk away.

If there was no cap we wouldn't be complaing about how much he makes but the hard cap is extremely noticeable to fans and an easy way to be like why is this guy the worse forward and makes the most in the bottom 6?

Makes him an extremely easy target.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Yep. Unfortunately if a GM gives you a shit ton of money you take it
You say thank you and walk away.

If there was no cap we wouldn't be complaing about how much he makes but the hard cap is extremely noticeable to fans and an easy way to be like why is this guy the worse forward and makes the most in the bottom 6?

Makes him an extremely easy target.

I think fans recognize that Carter as #3C was the main problem with the bottom 6 going back past season, and even the tail end of the season before

He is not nearly as big of a problem with diminished usage, but I can't blame the fans for being angry with the last 1.75 seasons with Big Jeffrey.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

I think fans recognize that Carter as #3C was the main problem with the bottom 6 going back past season, and even the tail end of the season before

He is not nearly as big of a problem with diminished usage, but I can't blame the fans for being angry with the last 1.75 seasons with Big Jeffrey.

I know last year he sucked and that wasn’t just him but his linemates and his usage. Two years ago he had 45 points and 4 goals against the Rangers in the POs.

 

[chethejet]

The best outcome is Carter on LTIR and can't play again. Nothing against Carter but give Dubas cap space and he can get that 3rd pair Rd and add a RW RH shooter. Man, not good unless White is injured to call up Gruden. RH center for the 4th line is my preference.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I know last year he sucked and that wasn’t just him but his linemates and his usage. Two years ago he had 45 points and 4 goals against the Rangers in the POs.

And he went out with Rust and Guentzel and got crushed.

Last year Kapanen and McGinn were clearly better players than he was. He was the main issue.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I think fans recognize that Carter as #3C was the main problem with the bottom 6 going back past season, and even the tail end of the season before

He is not nearly as big of a problem with diminished usage, but I can't blame the fans for being angry with the last 1.75 seasons with Big Jeffrey.

I know last year he sucked and that wasn’t just him but his linemates and his usage. Two years ago he had 45 points and 4 goals against the Rangers in the POs.

Definitely agree witg being a #4 winger where he takes draws and plays some pp2 minutes is a much better role for him.

Less important and he did have some good shifts.

If he is on LTIR though that cap space could be used even better for a possible future upgrade.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I'm not trying to kick a guy while he's down but Carter's 45 point season had a definite and increasingly extreme tailing off as the year went on. He was also put in a lot of favorable positions to collect points during the season. I definitely will always appreciate that Carter was able to pot some points in the playoffs, here. But it seemed like it was often with the proviso that he and his line were hemorrhaging chances against while doing it.

And yeah while it was more a dumb coaching move more than something I can pin on Carter... him getting utterly clowned when Sullivan lost his mind and decided he was the guy to replace Sid when he went down illustrates what I mean pretty well.

 

[Pancakes]

I'm not trying to kick a guy while he's down but Carter's 45 point season had a definite and increasingly extreme tailing off as the year went on. He was also put in a lot of favorable positions to collect points during the season. I definitely will always appreciate that Carter was able to pot some points in the playoffs, here. But it seemed like it was often with the proviso that he and his line were hemorrhaging chances against while doing it.

And yeah while it was more a dumb coaching move more than something I can pin on Carter... him getting utterly clowned when Sullivan lost his mind and decided he was the guy to replace Sid when he went down illustrates what I mean pretty well.

Yeah if memory serves after Sid had to go off mid game due to injury Carter took over on his line and they gave up a goal their very first shift together and then the Rangers eventually mounted the full comeback that game.

And before Trouba's elbow struck the Pens were firmly in control of that game and the Rangers looked like they were gonna exit the playoffs quietly. That hit turned the whole series around.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah if memory serves after Sid had to go off mid game due to injury Carter took over on his line and they gave up a goal their very first shift together and then the Rangers eventually mounted the full comeback that game.

And before Trouba's elbow struck the Pens were firmly in control of that game and the Rangers looked like they were gonna exit the playoffs quietly. That hit turned the whole series around.

Yes exactly. Except the Carter first line actually gave up two goals back to back before Sullivan came to his senses and put Malkin there. Which actually led to a Jake goal soon after. Though at that point it was too little too late.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think writing off Carter's great start in 2021-2022 based on "favorable matchups" is unfair to him. He was legitimately good in a top-6 role to start that year.

I think what happened with him was this:

1. He was good to start 2021-2022, carrying over his extremely strong performance to end the 2021 season.
2. He was pushed to the bottom-6 when Malkin got healthy and was played in a role he was extremely ill-fitted to play in. His performance tanked mostly due to usage at first.
3. Father time hit Carter like a truck in early 2022 and he started to rapidly decline, with being a noticeably worse player at the start of the 2022-2023 season than he was at the start of the 2021-2022 season.