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?"

[Zbynek]

Year 4 of waiting for DOC to take that step forward.

For 925k whatever though. He's a bottom-6 plug and lately L3 has been working, so let them roll. It's OK for Eller and Z to drive play so long as that line keeps playing well.

Now, if his RFA contract was 3.2 milx2 years that would be a different story.

 

[Peat]

Leaving aside the fact that Laine is a very unrealistic idea -

No thanks.

This team, after the initial struggling to find chemistry, looks like a solid unit any night it's committed defensively and not getting into run and gun with faster teams.

Laine is a step away from that.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah, I don't see what Laine does for this team. People could say "he's a piece needed on the powerplay", but this team already added EK and they're still having powerplay issues. At some point it's not a "we need new players" issue.

The only move I might entertain is a change of scenery swap with Rakell, not because I don't like him (I really like him personally) but I'm not crazy about his fit here if he's not playing with Crosby. I don't know who would be available, but I would consider trading Rakell for a guy who would be a more logical fit with Malkin. Same kind of swap that JR did when he traded Perron for Hagelin.

 

[tom_servo]

Yeah not sure I want them to move heaven and earth to add a potential landmine to the roster.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Every time I say this, he has a fantastic game that makes me look like an idiot for saying it, so I'll say it again: DOC is just another Tangradi.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Every time I say this, he has a fantastic game that makes me look like an idiot for saying it, so I'll say it again: DOC is just another Tangradi.

Naw...don't think he's that.
I think DOC is another guy who has shown flashes of talent, but can't put it together consistently. So he'll forever be a 3rd/4th liner guy.

 

[Freeptop]

Rather than Laine, if the Pens were going to move Rakell, I'd prefer it to be for someone who could be a net-front presence on the power play.

That seems like the kind of piece the Pens are really missing. If they could find a Malone type of player, that would fit really well with Malkin's line as well, since Smith is Geno's preferred option to pass the puck to - so having someone who would plant themselves in front of the goalie and be ready to cleanup rebounds would go well both for the second line, and for the power play.

At the moment, I'm not really aware of any player like that who would be available to acquire, though.

 

[tom_servo]

Rather than Laine, if the Pens were going to move Rakell, I'd prefer it to be for someone who could be a net-front presence on the power play.

That seems like the kind of piece the Pens are really missing. If they could find a Malone type of player, that would fit really well with Malkin's line as well, since Smith is Geno's preferred option to pass the puck to - so having someone who would plant themselves in front of the goalie and be ready to cleanup rebounds would go well both for the second line, and for the power play.

At the moment, I'm not really aware of any player like that who would be available to acquire, though.

Maybe Boone Jenner? He was rumored to be moved last year. Don't know if he plays wing that much.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Maybe Boone Jenner? He was rumored to be moved last year. Don't know if he plays wing that much.

I haven't followed many other teams/players the past couple years but I always wanted Anderson. Thought he played with some jam

 

[tom_servo]

I haven't followed many other teams/players the past couple years but I always wanted Anderson. Thought he played with some jam

$5.5 million, certainly having a Rakell start to his year with 2 assists in 18 games. Could be a change of scenery trade that works, I agree.

 

[66-30-33]

Maybe Boone Jenner? He was rumored to be moved last year. Don't know if he plays wing that much.

Him or Hyman would be my picks.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Rather than Laine, if the Pens were going to move Rakell, I'd prefer it to be for someone who could be a net-front presence on the power play.

That seems like the kind of piece the Pens are really missing. If they could find a Malone type of player, that would fit really well with Malkin's line as well, since Smith is Geno's preferred option to pass the puck to - so having someone who would plant themselves in front of the goalie and be ready to cleanup rebounds would go well both for the second line, and for the power play.

At the moment, I'm not really aware of any player like that who would be available to acquire, though.

Wish they'd just put Zohorna there, in front of the goalie. He's 6' 6" and does well with retrievals, rebounds and board battles.
What's there to lose? The PP's 25th.

 

[SEALBound]

The only move I might entertain is a change of scenery swap with Rakell, not because I don't like him (I really like him personally) but I'm not crazy about his fit here if he's not playing with Crosby. I don't know who would be available, but I would consider trading Rakell for a guy who would be a more logical fit with Malkin. Same kind of swap that JR did when he traded Perron for Hagelin.

I looked through a list of potential 1:1 swaps for guys in a similar position.

Marchment
Vrana
Pageau
Saad
Garland
Granlund
Zucker
Olofsson
Josh Anderson

There are some intriguing names on the list but I'm not convinced any one of them gives us a skill set with desperately need over waiting our Rakell's dry spell. With that, Rakell has a 5yr deal. A lot of these guys are in the 1-3yr deal range. So that may complicate things.

 

[66-30-33]

Yes Rakell for Granlund!!!!

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Naw...don't think he's that.
I think DOC is another guy who has shown flashes of talent, but can't put it together consistently. So he'll forever be a 3rd/4th liner guy.

He’s so weird. Besides the UDFA pedigree, has some legitimate talent. Works his bag off. Doesn’t seem like an idiot. I don’t get it.

He’ll go to Tampa and score some in 2 years

 

[Empoleon8771]

He’s so weird. Besides the UDFA pedigree, has some legitimate talent. Works his bag off. Doesn’t seem like an idiot. I don’t get it.

He’ll go to Tampa and score some in 2 years

Eh I think O'Connor is a super low IQ player. He can get by in lower leagues based on his physical traits but he can't do that in the NHL.

Certainly no complaints with him as a bottom-6 guy, he's the kind of cheap guy this team should have in their bottom-6. But he's almost assuredly nothing more than a 4th liner in ideal circumstances.

 

[Headshot77]

I feel like a lot of the things people are saying about Laine, people said about Kessel before he came to the Pens.

He's lazy. He's bad defensively. He needs the puck on his stick. He likes hotdogs. Yadda yadda yadda.

So, Laine-Eller-Zohorna third line? That would be NASTY.

 

[mpp9]

I have zero confidence Sullivan could manage Laine, EK, Sid and Geno properly.

Sid’s not gonna jive with him. So we’d need to shelter the **** out of him with Geno.

Team could definitely use a legit finisher, but that seems like it would end badly.

 

[Captain Hook]

Rather than Laine, if the Pens were going to move Rakell, I'd prefer it to be for someone who could be a net-front presence on the power play.

That seems like the kind of piece the Pens are really missing. If they could find a Malone type of player, that would fit really well with Malkin's line as well, since Smith is Geno's preferred option to pass the puck to - so having someone who would plant themselves in front of the goalie and be ready to cleanup rebounds would go well both for the second line, and for the power play.

At the moment, I'm not really aware of any player like that who would be available to acquire, though.

I agree. I think we have enough perimeter guys. I feel like one of the missing ingredients for this team is that Malone or Hornqvist type around the net.

 

[Turin]

I have zero confidence Sullivan could manage Laine, EK, Sid and Geno properly.

Sid’s not gonna jive with him. So we’d need to shelter the **** out of him with Geno.

Team could definitely use a legit finisher, but that seems like it would end badly.

Yea the need is there but Laine is too extreme to probably work, all finishing and nothing else. Would love to see him find his game from his rookie/sophomore year though.

 

[Super Duper]

I don't think a change of scenery is exactly what Rakell needs just yet.

He's just looked so lost on the ice this year, like he doesn't know where he fits on his line or what his role really is. This is ESPECIALLY evident on the pp, where's it looks like he's trying really hard to get to a good spot, only to find someone else already there.

It was brief, but his game on the third line had more consistency to his game, more comfort. Can't remember who said it in the game thread, but being the man on a line can be a really good thing. It will give him a more clear role.

Could be a completely off observation honestly. But either way, to pay that contract for a third line player might not be too good lol

 

[Andy99]

I don't think a change of scenery is exactly what Rakell needs just yet.

He's just looked so lost on the ice this year, like he doesn't know where he fits on his line or what his role really is. This is ESPECIALLY evident on the pp, where's it looks like he's trying really hard to get to a good spot, only to find someone else already there.

It was brief, but his game on the third line had more consistency to his game, more comfort. Can't remember who said it in the game thread, but being the man on a line can be a really good thing. It will give him a more clear role.

Could be a completely off observation honestly. But either way, to pay that contract for a third line player might not be too good lol

I think the only place we’ve seen him work consistently well in the past is L1…he’s not a consistently good defensive player for the way Sullivan uses the bottom six and is wasted there…if he’s not gonna get a shot with Sid to try to revitalize his game, then he needs to be traded…Sullivan can’t continue to do nothing and hope he finds himself…the options are 1) give him a shot on L1; 2) healthy scratch him, but I’m not sure our cap rn will allow that if Hino is injured or 3) trade him….I prefer giving 1) a chance first….

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Call the Oilers and offer Jarry. You know they're about to do something stupid any day now

 

[Andy99]

Call the Oilers and offer Jarry. You know they're about to do something stupid any day now

Jarry for Drai…they get a lot more years from Jarry’s contract lol

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Jarry for Drai…they get a lot more years from Jarry’s contract lol

Fantastic or we settle for their 2024 unprotected 1st!!