Salary Cap: Pens '24-'25 Salary Thread: The Crosbicles Volume XIX

[Gurglesons]

I'm still disappointed that Hallander got pouty and took his ball home, just because the Penguins didn't guarantee him a roster spot at age 21. Hallander was another Ponomarev caliber guy and it did really stink to effectively lose him for nothing.

He left because his wife had a child.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I'm still disappointed that Hallander got pouty and took his ball home, just because the Penguins didn't guarantee him a roster spot at age 21. Hallander was another Ponomarev caliber guy and it did really stink to effectively lose him for nothing.

His decision annoyed me but I can also see it from his POV based on precedence plus like Gurgs said I think he had some personal reasons, as well.

 

[Rakell67]

His decision annoyed me but I can also see it from his POV based on precedence plus like Gurgs said I think he had some personal reasons, as well.

He could come back eventually right?

 

[Randy Butternubs]

He left because his wife had a child.

Having stability was part of (if not the majority of) the decision. I'm sure shuttling between NEPA, SWPA, and North America wasn't ideal with a new family. If it was just SWPA & NA I'm almost sure he would've stayed. Oh well. He seems to be doing well for himself.

 

[Empoleon8771]

He left because his wife had a child.

Oh I actually did not know that, that makes a ton more sense then. I always thought it was a playtime issue, but that makes total sense.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

One good thing about Jake being gone is less mouths to feed on the PP, and hopefully one of Rakell, Bunting or McG get on that top power play and provide consistent net front presence. Letang/EK/Sid and Geno passing the puck around the perimeter to each other needs to stop.

This is of course all just idle chatter with Rust still on the team and getting ready for a year of tapping his stick in the high slot ala James Neal.

 

[Gurglesons]

One good thing about Jake being gone is less mouths to feed on the PP, and hopefully one of Rakell, Bunting or McG get on that top power play and provide consistent net front presence. Letang/EK/Sid and Geno passing the puck around the perimeter to each other needs to stop.

This is of course all just idle chatter with Rust still on the team and getting ready for a year of tapping his stick in the high slot ala James Neal.

Bunting - Crosby - Rust
EK Malkin

Will be the PP without a doubt.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

One good thing about Jake being gone is less mouths to feed on the PP, and hopefully one of Rakell, Bunting or McG get on that top power play and provide consistent net front presence. Letang/EK/Sid and Geno passing the puck around the perimeter to each other needs to stop.

This is of course all just idle chatter with Rust still on the team and getting ready for a year of tapping his stick in the high slot ala James Neal.

Rust was pretty good on the PP in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
Everyone assumes he'll fail there, but I'm not writing him off on the unit as a failure before the season even starts.
The guy fluctuates.

 

[Empoleon8771]

One good thing about Jake being gone is less mouths to feed on the PP, and hopefully one of Rakell, Bunting or McG get on that top power play and provide consistent net front presence. Letang/EK/Sid and Geno passing the puck around the perimeter to each other needs to stop.

This is of course all just idle chatter with Rust still on the team and getting ready for a year of tapping his stick in the high slot ala James Neal.

I think McGroarty is going to be a menace net front guy when he gets up. Granted he hasn't played that role in the clips I've seen, but he's pretty much perfectly built for the role.

 

[Rakell67]

Bunting - Crosby - Rust
EK Malkin

Will be the PP without a doubt.

PP2?

O'Connor - Eller - Rakell
Letang Gryzelcyk

 

[Empoleon8771]

PP2?

O'Connor - Eller - Rakell
Letang Gryzelcyk

I think Hayes is definitely going to be the center on PP2, both because of his size as a net front guy and experience on the powerplay.

I'd guess the two PP setups would be:

PP1: Bunting net front, Crosby low right side, Malkin right half wall, Rust left half wall and Karlsson at the top
PP2: Hayes net front, O'Connor low/mid right side, Rakell left half wall, Grzelcyk right point and Letang left point

I also figure Glass and Puustinen (when he's in the lineup) gets a decent amount of looks on PP2 as well.

 

[Rakell67]

I think Hayes is definitely going to be the center on PP2, both because of his size as a net front guy and experience on the powerplay.

I'd guess the two PP setups would be:

PP1: Bunting net front, Crosby low right side, Malkin right half wall, Rust left half wall and Karlsson at the top
PP2: Hayes net front, O'Connor low/mid right side, Rakell left half wall, Grzelcyk right point and Letang left point

I also figure Glass and Puustinen (when he's in the lineup) gets a decent amount of looks on PP2 as well.

Snap! I forgot about Hayes.

 

[Ginormousthumbs]

Someone is at the Stillers game

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I can't explain it but that pic looks very uncanny valley to me. Looks like Dave Grohl cosplaying Kris Letang.

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

Crystal Tang sounds like a limited released version of the orange drink mix.

 

[Gurglesons]

Crystal Tang is my new username.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Guess only MAF didn't age. The other guys are showing the effects of life a lot more.

 

[DearDiary]

Guess only MAF didn't age. The other guys are showing the effects of life a lot more.

View attachment 908698

He looks 15-17 in the first image, 35-40 in the 2nd image

 

[Ginormousthumbs]

Crystal Tang is my new username.

Do it

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Guess only MAF didn't age. The other guys are showing the effects of life a lot more.

View attachment 908698

Left: Instagram with the boyz
Right: Family picture at Christmas

 

[SEALBound]

Guess only MAF didn't age. The other guys are showing the effects of life a lot more.

View attachment 908698

Make up. Or photoshop. I saw an interview with him where I was like "damn! He's old!"

 

[Coastal Kev]

I think McGroarty is going to be a menace net front guy when he gets up. Granted he hasn't played that role in the clips I've seen, but he's pretty much perfectly built for the role.

He lived up to the billing last night. Can't wait to see him with an NHL lineup.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I would have McGroarty in the opening night lineup as of right now. Can always send him down if he’s not but looks ready to me.

 

[Goodleaf]

I would have McGroarty in the opening night lineup as of right now. Can always send him down if he’s not but looks ready to me.

One question I have about McG, but really all the college guys: Would 1 year in WBS be beneficial to help them adjust to the grind of a pro schedule? I feel like going from 40 college games to 80 pro games a year is a huge jump. I know this part really doesnt apply to him, but for the longest time alot of the smaller guys chose college over juniors because the schedule was more laxed and allowed them more time for strength/skills training.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

One question I have about McG, but really all the college guys: Would 1 year in WBS be beneficial to help them adjust to the grind of a pro schedule? I feel like going from 40 college games to 80 pro games a year is a huge jump. I know this part really doesnt apply to him, but for the longest time alot of the smaller guys chose college over juniors because the schedule was more laxed and allowed them more time for strength/skills training.

Gotta think it’s case by case

but to take a guess I think the AHL is probably an easier adjustment on the ice because it’s a lower level of competition, although you figure his minutes are higher there. But if anything the NHL is probably less of a grind on the off the ice side with higher end travel, pay, and support IMO.

So long story short, idk.