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

[Sideline]

I'm down if we get Jiricek.

I would prefer not to trade McGroarty if at all possible or Brunicke. We have to win the trade and add to our top talent.

I like the idea of trading Petts early for a 1st and maybe a 1st+ and using that with something to get Jiricek.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

He's not super valuable, but I think the same reason I'd want him is the same reason why Vancouver wouldn't be too keen on trading him for a rental. He brings a physical element that a lot of their defense is lacking. He's also close to NHL ready (according to Canucks fans) so trading him for a rental is something I'm not sure they'd do.

I'm not sure I buy the hype they're throwing out with Brannstrom, but if he is a long-term piece for them, they'll have 3 extremely undersized puck movers on their defense with Hughes, Hronek and Brannstrom. Pettersson's size and physicality is a stark contrast with the general softness of the rest of that defense.

Not only that, but their 2 best D prospects outside of Pettersson (Willander and Mynio) are more of the same: 6'-ish and 180 lb-ish puck movers. I think Mynio and a 1st for Pettersson is a lot more feasible just because of how redundant Mynio is with the Canucks, while Pettersson is a much more unique player in their system.

As an aside, I actually wonder if Mynio makes sense for the Penguins as a target. Especially if they add Jiricek, they're not exactly lacking in puck moving on the defense. That said, all 3 of Jiricek, Brunicke and Pickering are pretty big defensemen, so I think I could see the appeal of having a smaller puck mover type with them. Especially with him being a good skater that can mask some of Jiricek's skating issues, I think you could go with:

Mynio-Jiricek
Pickering-Brunicke

Wouldn't Van also want him bc his brother is on the team? They may see some value in that.

 

[eXile3]

I'm down if we get Jiricek.

I would prefer not to trade McGroarty if at all possible or Brunicke. We have to win the trade and add to our top talent.

I like the idea of trading Petts early for a 1st and maybe a 1st+ and using that with something to get Jiricek.

I think we all want to get and not give but not sure Columbus will see it that way.

 

[SEALBound]

Puustinen finally waived. f***ing took forever.

Hopefully he's claimed. I want to see what he can do with literally any other team and especially in the NHL for a coach not named Sullivan.

Hopefully he's claimed.

The absolute garbage post in the trade forum saying last year was some fluke for him, lol. To be that petty is quite special.

I think his new team, if there is one, will be disappointed or at the very least, underwhelmed. Puustinen isn't some 20yo prospect that just needs a new home to flourish. He's 25 and he's just not that great because he doesn't do anything particularly great.

Mynio-Jiricek
Pickering-Brunicke

I've been pretty iffy on Jiricek overall but that's a defensive lineup that I could be being quite good in 5 years when we are, hopefully, on the upswing.

Especially if we also have a guy like Pieniniemi who could surprise us all in a couple of years given his OHL season this year.

If he was dominating you think they would be trading him? No one gives away good young player who are performing well.

That's not necessarily true. Jets and Pens were willing to trade McGroarty and Yager. Philly and Anaheim - Cutter and Drysdale.

 

[pistolpete11]

I just don't understand this Jiricek thing. We can't be trading draft picks right now, and that is what CBJ would want (FROM US). McGroarty is rumored to have been offered for Jiricek??? Like, WTF are we even doing right now? The first prospect for prospect trade worked out so well, now we want to double down?

Do we need a right defenseman with upside? Sure, but not nearly as much as we need our future top-six centers. I just am not getting this one at all.

What's wrong with trading draft picks for a 20 year old? I wouldn't trade their 1sts considering where they are likely to pick, but anything else? Sure. Or as was suggested if they get a late 1st for Petts. Finding ways to add high end upside without using high end assets is exactly what they need to be doing.

Including McGroarty is a little more robbing Peter to pay Paul, but if you think McGroarty tops out as a 2nd line winger and Jiricek a top pairing defenseman, it could still be a net benefit.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I still lurk, but I don't find I have much in common with most of the current posters, like, I'm an angry dude, but the current crop of posters make me look docile in comparison.

Also, I'm under some sort of partial thread ban for calling trolls hurtful names. Big Sad.

Look I might be angry but at least I speak in complete sentences and I'm told that's a mark of a great leader of men OK?

But yeah. Hope all is well.

 

[IcedCapp]

Look I might be angry but at least I speak in complete sentences and I'm told that's a mark of a great leader of men OK?

But yeah. Hope all is well.

Nah, you know I love you.

It’s just, and I know this board isn’t a monolith and some people just have different opinions, but it’s hard to read people freak out over wins because they need to lose and then freak out over losses because … losing sucks or something. Kinda wish they’d have just let everyone go at this point, just to make enjoying the take easier.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Nah, you know I love you.

It’s just, and I know this board isn’t a monolith and some people just have different opinions, but it’s hard to read people freak out over wins because they need to lose and then freak out over losses because … losing sucks or something. Kinda wish they’d have just let everyone go at this point, just to make enjoying the take easier.

Yeah I get it. I really do.

If I'm being honest I'm of two minds about all of this. On one hand I know it's over and they have to rebuild. On the other there's a big part of me that just wants them to do everything in their power to drag Sid to the post season at least one more time while he's still around as this does not seem a fitting end for any of these guys. But I guess they already used up all their fairytale ending juju over the course of long and often high drama careers so hey.

I'm starting to shed the anger of how badly management and coaching has mangled the ending of a great story. But I imagine I'm still going to come barging in here every few days and loudly complain about dumb shit like Bunting not knowing which side of the rink is for playing offense or something.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I think his new team, if there is one, will be disappointed or at the very least, underwhelmed. Puustinen isn't some 20yo prospect that just needs a new home to flourish. He's 25 and he's just not that great because he doesn't do anything particularly great.

I've been pretty iffy on Jiricek overall but that's a defensive lineup that I could be being quite good in 5 years when we are, hopefully, on the upswing.

Especially if we also have a guy like Pieniniemi who could surprise us all in a couple of years given his OHL season this year.


That's not necessarily true. Jets and Pens were willing to trade McGroarty and Yager. Philly and Anaheim - Cutter and Drysdale.

No

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I think we all want to get and not give but not sure Columbus will see it that way.

For sure. I just think if a team is saying they are looking to trade away a signed prospect and have 'lowered' the standards on an acceptable trade package.

We need to be on it and make sure we are not paying 100% of the cost. I imagine Dubas has offerred a competitive package.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Puustinen clears.

 

[TimmyD]

I’m stunned that Puustinen cleared… absolutely floored. I can’t believe that a 25 year old offense only guy who doesn’t really provide much offense didn’t get picked up by another team. I was sure he’d get claimed and his new team would truly unlock the superstar that is Big Puus

 

[SEALBound]

So there ya go, 31 other GMs wouldn't take the guy for free.

Can we all calm down and slow the Puustinen hype train?

 

[Factorial]

Puustinen clears.

Shocking!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Geez how dare people hope that a guy with some interesting numbers heading into this season breaks out?

I stopped being much interested in Puus sometime last year but ya'll petty. Dude is the exact kind of player you hope to make something out of and they looked to be heading the right direction. Too bad.

 

[Gurglesons]

Geez how dare people hope that a guy with some interesting numbers heading into this season breaks out?

I stopped being much interested in Puus sometime last year but ya'll petty. Dude is the exact kind of player you hope to make something out of and they looked to be heading the right direction. Too bad.

The art of being right versus the art of discussing hockey.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

The art of being right versus the art of discussing hockey.

I would say that I never come in here breaking my arm slappin' my own back when I'm right but how the f*** would I know?

 

[SEALBound]

Geez how dare people hope that a guy with some interesting numbers heading into this season breaks out?

I stopped being much interested in Puus sometime last year but ya'll petty. Dude is the exact kind of player you hope to make something out of and they looked to be heading the right direction. Too bad.

I agree but there's a difference between hoping someone breaks out when given the chance and making him into something he's not solely based on age.

 

[Pancakes]

Geez how dare people hope that a guy with some interesting numbers heading into this season breaks out?

I stopped being much interested in Puus sometime last year but ya'll petty. Dude is the exact kind of player you hope to make something out of and they looked to be heading the right direction. Too bad.

I mean when people beat you over the head with how special a prospect is and get indignant at any opinion to the contrary it's no surprise that some people would lash out when he passe through waivers without getting claimed.

Personally, even though I think Puustinen kinda sucks I'd still rather play him than like Matt f-ing Nieto because at least Puustinen has a theoretical chance of improving and becoming something decent whereas Nieto will never be any better than he is now, and he already sucks.

The art of being right versus the art of discussing hockey.

Pixies I have nothing against you but you of all people should not be the one to make this point . We could make a volume of posts you made that were something to the effect of "Remember when everyone said I was wrong about [x] and then ended up being right?"

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

What people?

You mean the one guy that has strong opinions on like... everything? OK.

Agreed that even if he's basically whatever he's still better than several that remain. And of course this is basically rhetorical at this juncture but a smarter, more energetic and creative coach could likely have made something of a difference though I'm not confident how much. Puus could probably at least play the role of "guy that can kick a few in here and there" on L4 or even 3 without hurting you too much. Roll your eyes all you want but I'd rather do that than pay someone like Noel Acciari or take on guys like Kevin Hayes to glom around for the next several years being useless all for a crap pick down the road.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Yeah that's about where I'm at. A lot of these young guys are trash, but they're cheap trash and young enough to maybe claw their way out of the dumpster. Nieto? Acciari? Hayes? Beau? Permanent dumpster residents.

Play the youth.

 

[Pancakes]

What people?

You mean the one guy that has strong opinions on like... everything? OK.

I feel like most of the pro Puustinen camp was pretty indignant at any posts containing opinions to the contrary

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

There's a camp?!?

I've clearly missed things.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

There's a camp?!?

I've clearly missed things.

For a split second I thought you were talking about training camp and I was like "No, this team doesn't actually do that."

 

[Pancakes]

There's a camp?!?

I've clearly missed things.

Yes and it has a campsite and there's lots of yelling