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

[Gurglesons]

I'd be willing to wager a couple dollars that FSG gave Dubas a mandate to keep Crosby at all costs. Part of that is being at least somewhat competitive. Sure Dubas could've went scorched Earth and sold Jake purely for futures. He coulda retained on and sold off EK. He could've sold off MP and even gotten something for Malkin. But at that point, even Sid would've probably been hesitant to come back.
Dubas had to find a happy medium and ease into it. And his familiarity with Bunting absolutely played a role.
As others have pointed out, Bunting can be moved down the line for more futures. In the meantime, he can help keep the minimal odds of playoff revenue from completely drowning.

I would have rather incorporated more "future assets" that you can then package into a player.

Similar to the 1st we took Yager with. It's now McG, but not a single 1st was moved that draft. We probably could've gotten a really good impact player if Dubas would've been thinking about things creatively.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

People don’t watch Marner. Doesn’t hit but he plays hard and PKs and is honestly a very complete player. He doesn’t need insulating like Kessel.

Had some rough appearances early on in his career but he was fine last year in the playoffs too, Leafs fans are just absolute psychos.

Anyone who thinks Marner is lazy or floats has no clue about his game. He's a bit of a waterbug out there, constantly moving, constantly trying to strip the opposition of the puck.

Is he "soft" in the same way a guy like Patrick Kane would rather roll off a hit than absorb the hit? Sure. Just like 99.9% of skill players who are on the smaller side. But he engages, his motor is constantly running.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I'm not going to disagree there about Marner except that come playoff time, he does 100% need to learn how to turn up the intensity a bit. I'm going to disagree a but about Kessel needing to be insulated. I don't think that was ever the case but I would suggest that you stick him on a line that provides balance - such as HBK or you put him on a line with overwhelming offensive firepower like Guentzel-Malkin-Kessel. I think that same thing would apply to Marner quite easily.

Sorry - wasn’t clear.

Prime Phil was underrated. Really good player, esp in Toronto. Could drive a line offensively from a wing.

By the end here, he def needed right linemates to maximize his effectiveness at ES.

Just saying Marner is type where you are gonna be able to throw him anywhere and let him play. And is solid defensively.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I'm not going to disagree there about Marner except that come playoff time, he does 100% need to learn how to turn up the intensity a bit. I'm going to disagree a but about Kessel needing to be insulated. I don't think that was ever the case but I would suggest that you stick him on a line that provides balance - such as HBK or you put him on a line with overwhelming offensive firepower like Guentzel-Malkin-Kessel. I think that same thing would apply to Marner quite easily.

The main reason his production in the playoffs is a bit lacking is because he tries to score the same way as in the regular season.
There's less time and space in the playoffs. You can't score from the perimeter as easily.
He needs a style change, and to get to the inside. Has to risk getting decked more.

Overall though we're talking about one of the most complete Forwards in the NHL.

 

[Sideline]

The main reason his production in the playoffs is a bit lacking is because he tries to score the same way as in the regular season.
There's less time and space in the playoffs. You can't score from the perimeter as easily.
He needs a style change, and to get to the inside. Has to risk getting decked more.

Overall though we're talking about one of the most complete Forwards in the NHL.

I think Sid probably generates a certain amount awe from players Marner's age. I would be shocked if it took more than one comment from Sid to get Marner to realize he needs to player a different way. Marner is so good he's obviously an insanely hard worker. I can't see him ignoring advice from one of the greatest of all time.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I always kinda thought Karlsson was brought in for ES production/transition stuff, not the power play. That's where he should excel, if not for Sullivan/Reirden.

That is where EK has excelled his entire career. ES points. So when he was getting mocked for his lack of pp points, they were about as dumb as Sullivan not understanding who he has and how to use them.

 

[molon labe]

That is where EK has excelled his entire career. ES points. So when he was getting mocked for his lack of pp points, they were about as dumb as Sullivan not understanding who he has and how to use them.

EK with anyone remotely in front of the net would have been fine. Our team just flat out sucked last year all around. Blaming it on the powerplay is short-sighted. Mathematically it might have been the difference in the playoffs - but our team was utter crap most nights. Bunch of old men standing around the 3-point line in pickup basketball at the Y. No jam, no hits, no pulse. Easily one of the most difficult teams to get up for in recent years (I think topped only by Petry/Kappy era and Mike Johnston's teams)

Still firmly believe this team needs extreme help in the top 6 - but by the sounds of it, we're throwing the towel in this year (possibly next) to ....compete again when Sid's 39 or 40?

 

[Honour Over Glory]

EK with anyone remotely in front of the net would have been fine. Our team just flat out sucked last year all around. Blaming it on the powerplay is short-sighted. Mathematically it might have been the difference in the playoffs - but our team was utter crap most nights. Bunch of old men standing around the 3-point line in pickup basketball at the Y. No jam, no hits, no pulse. Easily one of the most difficult teams to get up for in recent years (I think topped only by Petry/Kappy era and Mike Johnston's teams)

Still firmly believe this team needs extreme help in the top 6 - but by the sounds of it, we're throwing the towel in this year (possibly next) to ....compete again when Sid's 39 or 40?

The team has flat out sucked for 7-8 seasons, with the last 2 being the fruits of the labour of trending towards being ass and finally being ass by being out of the playoffs entirely, twice.

Keeping Sullivan is throwing in the towel, not the moves. The moves are a direct result of the coach.

 

[66-30-33]

The team has flat out sucked for 7-8 seasons, with the last 2 being the fruits of the labour of trending towards being ass and finally being ass by being out of the playoffs entirely, twice.

Keeping Sullivan is throwing in the towel, not the moves. The moves are a direct result of the coach.

It’s why nobody here should invest much energy into winning or the games. Pens are what they are now, sinking ship going down with captain Sullivan going with it. Worry now about the milestones and young guys.

 

[Ryder71]

It’s why nobody here should invest much energy into winning or the games. Pens are what they are now, sinking ship going down with captain Sullivan going with it. Worry now about the milestones and young guys.

Exactly right! That and accruing picks and developing prospects is all we have to look forward to for quite some time.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

It’s why nobody here should invest much energy into winning or the games. Pens are what they are now, sinking ship going down with captain Sullivan going with it. Worry now about the milestones and young guys.

Milestones are basically what I am watching for, to see Geno hit some this year. The rest, at most I am just hoping they don't f*** over Puustinen and even Puljujarvi but Sullivan can never help himself with his stupidity.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I am always happy to see a player the Oilers f***ed up, do well here, like Justin Schultz did before he had concussion (by that useless f***wad Caggiula, who the Pens signed a year or two later mind you) and was never the same player again, so to see Jesse Puljujarvi finally show promise after having a rough surgery and then idiotic usage last season, I hope he keeps playing well when Sullivan eventually does f*** around with his usage.

 

[SEALBound]

I am always happy to see a player the Oilers f***ed up, do well here, like Justin Schultz did before he had concussion (by that useless f***wad Caggiula, who the Pens signed a year or two later mind you) and was never the same player again, so to see Jesse Puljujarvi finally show promise after having a rough surgery and then idiotic usage last season, I hope he keeps playing well when Sullivan eventually does f*** around with his usage.

Like what though? Seems to me Sullivan has been quite fair with giving guys the playing time who are performing.

He's been a good 3rd/4th line wing.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Sorry - wasn’t clear.

Prime Phil was underrated. Really good player, esp in Toronto. Could drive a line offensively from a wing.

By the end here, he def needed right linemates to maximize his effectiveness at ES.

Just saying Marner is type where you are gonna be able to throw him anywhere and let him play. And is solid defensively.

I like the depth we are building. They're not all going to pan out, but there's potential there. We still don't have a Marner level winger and we'll need one. McGroarty isn't ever going to be that for us.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Graves, Rakell and Jarry contracts are anchors were going to have to get away from somehow too. That's like 15m of salary we could replace for half, and thats a killer.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Graves is such a bad signing, lol.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Disagree on the Rakell deal being an anchor.

Agree that the Graves and Jarry signings suuuuuuck.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Rakell's a whatever middle-6 guy who isn't a detriment but doesn't really bring anything to a line other than existing. Jarry and Graves actively suck shit.

 

[pistolpete11]

Rakell had a bad season that was influenced by injuries, but he had 60 points for them the year before. There's at least a reasonable hope he bounces back.

Not sure what the hope is with Graves and Jarry.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Not sure what the hope is with Graves and Jarry.

LTIRetire

 

[BrookswasHere44]

Big IF time. If/when we're looking to be out and IF Blomqvist/Ned look deec does Vancouver or Detroit have space for Jarry?

Detroit goalies not looking great and they may be pushing and we know how crazy Rutherford can be. Also, Demko is a decent sized question mark.

Maybe other teams might be interested in him as well?

 

[KrisLetAngry]

If Marner hits free agency. I am okay with offering him the highest cap hit ever for the Penguins.

12.5 x 7?

We can buyout / trade draft picks for unwanted contracts to make it work.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I like Marner and think that he gets (mostly) undeserved shit but I don't see any way throwing huge money at him makes sense for this team with where they're at.

 

[SEALBound]

Disagree on the Rakell deal being an anchor.

Agree that the Graves and Jarry signings suuuuuuck.

This. Rakell is fine. It was a market value for the standard top 6 RW. Of all the roster issues, Rakell isn't really one of them.

Graves and Jarry though, woof, yes. I do think Jarry is tradeable just due to how much of a f***ing rekt cesspool the goalie market is. Some goalie with tank and it will open up a slot. I know Dubas was looking at it in the off-season. I love to know why nothing manifested. I would imagine Dubas thinks Jarry has some value, and everything discussed was a super lowball offer (if one even got there).

Graves - I get why we did because, in theory, what Graves "is", is exactly what we needed - a large, physical top 4 dman. We needed to bolster the position after letting Dumo go. Graves was a young top 4 LD. I get it...but man, has it not worked out. I just wish more GMs would get frightened of the ultra-long-term deals like this. We have WAY too many anchors in the league.

 

[Sideline]

This. Rakell is fine. It was a market value for the standard top 6 RW. Of all the roster issues, Rakell isn't really one of them.

Graves and Jarry though, woof, yes. I do think Jarry is tradeable just due to how much of a f***ing rekt cesspool the goalie market is. Some goalie with tank and it will open up a slot. I know Dubas was looking at it in the off-season. I love to know why nothing manifested. I would imagine Dubas thinks Jarry has some value, and everything discussed was a super lowball offer (if one even got there).

Graves - I get why we did because, in theory, what Graves "is", is exactly what we needed - a large, physical top 4 dman. We needed to bolster the position after letting Dumo go. Graves was a young top 4 LD. I get it...but man, has it not worked out. I just wish more GMs would get frightened of the ultra-long-term deals like this. We have WAY too many anchors in the league.

Agree with all of this. Jarry for all his faults isn't massively overpaid relative to the rest of the goalie market. He's poor contract, but not an absolute boat anchor like Graves. If you time it right with a desperate team, I think you can get out from under Jarry's deal without taking back long term money. Graves is only moving in exchange for someone else's bad deal.

Rakell is pretty much exactly market value for an average top six winger. Not great and not bad either. Very tradable imo.