Salary Cap: Pens '23-'24 Salary Cap Thread: "Mandrake, do you recall what Clemenceau once said about hockey"

[Randy Butternubs]

I'm not getting the Rakell "hate". He started off way too slow, but was dealing with an injury. Since returning from that injury he has 16 points in 22 games with a SH% of 10.9%.

And in his recent "cold stretch" he's got 6 assists in 11 games with a SH% of 0%.

For the entire season he's shooting at just 5.6% which is abysmal. This team can't finish.

 

[Nakawick]

Karlsson is good at getting point shots through. The PP has been a disaster this year and has cost the Pens several points. The failure of the PP is on the coaches and structure, a too many cooks in the kitchen scenario, no shots, no one in front. Lately they have changed it. Karlsson’s bread and butter is his ability to get the puck though to the net.

 

[pistolpete11]

I'm not getting the Rakell "hate". He started off way too slow, but was dealing with an injury. Since returning from that injury he has 16 points in 22 games with a SH% of 10.9%.

And in his recent "cold stretch" he's got 6 assists in 11 games with a SH% of 0%.

For the entire season he's shooting at just 5.6% which is abysmal. This team can't finish.

I think people want change and he doesn't have a very restrictive NTC.

That and the slow start. Once you get branded as a whipping boy, it's real hard to shake that off.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Karlsson is good at getting point shots through. The PP has been a disaster this year and has cost the Pens several points. The failure of the PP is on the coaches and structure, a too many cooks in the kitchen scenario, no shots, no one in front. Lately they have changed it. Karlsson’s bread and butter is his ability to get the puck though to the net.

Karlssons bread and butter this season has been terribly timed forced passes, thats not coaching. End of the day the players on the ice refuse to shoot.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

For comparison sake to Rakell, Reilly Smith's stats can be broken up into thirds (15 game increments):

G - A - P - SH%
6 - 6 - 12 - 18.2
2 - 2 - 4 - 8.0
2 - 4 - 6 - 3.1

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I don't think that it's completely fair to fully judge any of these players right now.

But the team is paying Rakell a decent chunk of change to score all of five goals on the year. That deserves some heat.

He, Smith and Rust are just a big glob of "whatever." At this stage the team needs more dynamic or specialized players in it's top six. With or without Sullivan.

 

[Jacob]

It’d be nice if you can trade a player that’s playing below standards for a player that is playing well but that’s not the reality. Selling low on Rakell doesn’t make sense and there’s no reason for his slump that would make me think he’s just permanently terrible now so I’d just stick it out. It’s up to Rakell and the coaching staff to get slumping players going. And as mentioned he’s been better lately.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I don't think Rakell's as bad as he's seemed for stretches this season, but I also don't think he's a ~30g, 60pt like we saw last year either. He was pretty meh for a while in Anaheim (I know, I know) before he was dealt.

Just one of several guys who are 40-50pt guys who specialize in nothing that this team seems to adore.

 

[BusinessGoose]

It’s up to Rakell and the coaching staff to get slumping players going.

 

[pistolpete11]

I don't think that it's completely fair to fully judge any of these players right now.

But the team is paying Rakell a decent chunk of change to score all of five goals on the year. That deserves some heat.

He, Smith and Rust are just a big glob of "whatever." At this stage the team needs more dynamic or specialized players in it's top six. With or without Sullivan.

I don't think anyone can or is trying to defend his production to start the year, but he's scored all 5 of his goals since coming back. It's still not great, mind you, 5G in 22games is only an 18-19 goal pace, but as you said he's just one of many on this team struggling to score.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

It's wild to me that they don't task someone with being a net-front guy. I know this team doesn't have a great option, but with how much they like to shoot from range and all that shit, you'd think the first order of business is telling someone like Rak or DOC to just cause chaos around the crease whenever they're out there. I dunno, even if it's just on the power play. Bewildering that the coaching staff hasn't just demanded someone do the job.

Even mediocre shooters and guys throwing pucks at the net from range become more dangerous if a guy has his ass parked in the goalie's mask. /shrug

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
DOC - Malkin - Puustinen
Poulin - Eller - Puljuljarvi
whatever x3 or 4

whatever x7 or 8

whatever x2

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
DOC - Malkin - Puustinen
Poulin - Eller - Puljuljarvi
whatever x3 or 4

whatever x7 or 8

whatever x2

I think that's about the best you can do right now. (EDIT: barring Poulin since he's injured)

Honestly while Jake is out I'd love to see them try to work Malkin on the top line with Crosby at least here and there. Maybe help get him going. He's a confidence player and it's obvious it's at about the lowest it's ever been right now. Even some shifts throughout the game. Eller is no 2C but he could at least take some shifts between Raks and Puus or whatever when that's a thing. Honestly what do they really have to lose?

They have so many players struggling to find the net right now that they need to be more proactive about shaking some things up and trying new things out to get guys out of slumps. But I know I'm just kind of pissing in the wind, here. They'll just keep driving the current configuration into the ground. Even your totally-reasonable lineup is likely a dream.

Still dunno why the team is so utterly opposed to Puus on L2. He's probably not THE answer or even a regular NHL contributor when it's all said and done. But he looked good there for a couple weeks and seemed to mesh. This team doesn't believe in line chemistry though so hey.

EDIT part 2: Where's Smith?

...

Eh who cares.

 

[pistolpete11]

Smith - Crosby - Rust
Rakell - Malkin - Puusy
DOC - Eller - Poolparty
Hino - Gruden - Carter

If/when Poulin is healthy, put him at 4C.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I'm not getting the Rakell "hate". He started off way too slow, but was dealing with an injury. Since returning from that injury he has 16 points in 22 games with a SH% of 10.9%.

And in his recent "cold stretch" he's got 6 assists in 11 games with a SH% of 0%.

For the entire season he's shooting at just 5.6% which is abysmal. This team can't finish.

Agreed, although I think it's more so his lack of goal scoring. We're desperate for guys who can bury the puck on a consistent basis, and him having like 5 goals on the season isn't helping that area.

But I agree that he's at least producing points since his return, which is more than a majority of our forwards can say over that stretch.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

EDIT part 2: Where's Smith?

Back in Vegas.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Yall giving no respect to our latest waiver pick up. Who will either play with Carter or Geno and get lots of PK time.

 

[Trade]

This is an old clip, but why the coach thought it was a good idea to take Puustinen off Malkin’s line is baffling to me.

You never see Geno this open or candid about a new linemate. Dude seemed excited as hell to potentially have “his guy.”

Reunite them, Sully!

 

[pistolpete11]

This is an old clip, but why the coach thought it was a good idea to take Puustinen off Malkin’s line is baffling to me.

You never see Geno this open or candid about a new linemate. Dude seemed excited as hell to potentially have “his guy.”

Reunite them, Sully!

I'm convinced Sully is trying to make Malkin miserable so that he asks to be traded and then they can sign Teddy B. in FA to run GCRu and 3 checking lines.

 

[The Old Master]

This is an old clip, but why the coach thought it was a good idea to take Puustinen off Malkin’s line is baffling to me.

You never see Geno this open or candid about a new linemate. Dude seemed excited as hell to potentially have “his guy.”

Reunite them, Sully!

it's called "the kiss of death."

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I'm convinced Sully is trying to make Malkin miserable so that he asks to be traded and then they can sign Teddy B. in FA to run GCRu and 3 checking lines.

It sure seems that way sometimes.

 

[Ulf5]

Kobasew on L1, eh?

Dan Frawley with 66?

I think people want change and he doesn't have a very restrictive NTC.

That and the slow start. Once you get branded as a whipping boy, it's real hard to shake that off.

Plus he's very vanilla.

 

[66-30-33]

Back in Vegas.

Why would you reward him?

 

[farscape1]

Why would you reward him?

if we get a good return

 

[Josey Wales]

Dan Frawley with 66?


Plus he's very vanilla.

Terry Ruskowski with 66