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

[Empoleon8771]

I feel like the obvious solution is to just send him down to WBS, but if he wants to play in the NHL, him going unclaimed off waivers should make him realizes that he's not just going to be gifted that chance.

Personally, I'd send him down to play in WBS's top-6 and call up someone like Gruden to sit as an extra. I believe Gruden has AHL veteran status so you'd be maintaining the veteran numbers in WBS.

 

[BusinessGoose]

This situation is unprofessional and embarrassing for our org

 

[Ryder71]

Apparently Puljujarvi told Dubas he wants to play.

“I want to play, because it’s been a long process for me getting to this point, being healthy. And I’m healthy now and I’d like to play,” Puljujarvi said Wednesday after practicing here in Detroit. “That’s the goal. And I will keep going to get that goal.”

Puljujarvi hinted that he may have asked Dubas to be moved elsewhere so he could play. The Penguins put him on waivers Monday but he went unclaimed Tuesday.

And so, there he was Wednesday, again an odd man out during their line rushes.

“It’s a hard business and you have to live with that,” Puljujarvi said about the path forward now. “I’d like to play and hopefully at some point I get a new opportunity.”

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2025/01/01/jesse-puljujarvi-waivers-penguins-mike-sullivan-kyle-dubas/stories/202412230118

Honestly he should get a jersey at least here or there. He doesn't warrant being scratched in favor of guys like DOC or Beau.

That said, he hasn't exactly separated himself from the pack either. Do I think Sullivan has an inherit bias? You bet I do! Thought so since 2018 when the majority here fawned over Sully.

This situation is unprofessional and embarrassing for our org

It will be remedied in short order I suspect. Hopefully the next few games will help illuminate our demise, and a player or two gets moved out. We'll be decided under dogs in three of the next four.

 

[Ulf5]

It will be remedied in short order I suspect. Hopefully the next few games will free up some positions and maybe a player or two gets moved out. We'll be decided under dogs in three of the next four.

According to dk, Clurman was sent back down which should indicate Letang or Pickering will play Friday. That leaves the roster at 14, 7 and 2. I can see them sending Puljujarvi to WBS for Friday's game.

 

[wheelz87]

It's tough to crack the lineup when you're battling for ice time with all stars Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari.

 

[Pancakes]

Took a glance at our schedule and we have Florida and Carolina next....both on the road. Have a feeling the Pens are going to regret blowing easy points pretty soon.

 

[Ryder71]

It's tough to crack the lineup when you're battling for ice time with all stars Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari.

You realize Puju plays third line, right? He doesn't kill penalties. So the DOC's and Beaus of the world are who he's sitting for.

Took a glance at our schedule and we have Florida and Carolina next....both on the road. Have a feeling the Pens are going to regret blowing easy points pretty soon.

Blowing easy points? Are we that much better than any of those teams?

 

[wheelz87]

You realize Puju plays third line, right? He doesn't kill penalties. So the DOC's and Beaus of the world are who he's sitting for.


Blowing easy points? Are we that much better than any of those teams?

ever hear of playing your 12 best players? sully may not believe in it but i sure do

 

[Ryder71]

ever hear of playing your 12 best players? sully may not believe in it but i sure do

But you do need specialists. And Nieto and Acciari are on a PK that save last game was really shutting other teams down. Honestly, I just don't think this sorta thing is a big deal. But players like Beau and DOC are more in the way of Puju. Tomasino is a perfect example as he's third line RW. I myself prefer Tomasino. In any case it's like shuffling deck chairs on the titanic. None of the players in question matter all that much on a team going nowhere.

If this was a difference of a guy here or a guy there that puts us over the top for something I can see that sort of thing. But Honestly I don't think JP was all that. We're really grasping at straws here.

If you wanna be upset, be upset at the aging core, Bryan Rust, Tristan Jarry and Sullivan. Those are the individuals who should shoulder the majority of the blame. Remember, these individuals have all been around the last five or six years of ineptitude and underperformance. Where's the ire for the core? How many years do they get a pass? They're the reasons Sullivans still here. When are they gonna be turned on? Apparently they can do no wrong according to many here. THEY ARE THE PROBLEM!

I don't believe Nieto was here for the loss to the Isles or Habs in the playoffs. When Jarry was god awful against the Isles I don't believe Acciari was here either. When Crosby put up 6 points over 14 playoff games from 18-19 through 20-21, I don't remember Nieto being here, do you?

 

[wheelz87]

You're only as good as your weakest link. You have to improve on the margins. Idc what cliche you want. This team has 2 anchors in its forward group. They aren't specialists they suck shit. Carl Hagelin - you could call him a specialist. The only thing the garbage two do is take up spots of other deserving players. Every single point matters for this team and the 10 goals Pulu gives you per season matters more than the 1 goal you will get out of the garbage two. We are what we are. 7-10 in the East. I know you root like hell against this team but thats reality as long as Sid is here. They aren't worse than that, I'm sorry to say. You get in, anything can happen. I for one, want to see 87 and 71 in the playoffs again. So the points we lose throughout the season to shit ass teams like the Red Wings absolutely kill us. Need a clutch PK? Put out the two worst forwards, they'll get it done. No. How about we play a few guys that have a pulse and can contribute to winning.

 

[Ryder71]

You're only as good as your weakest link. You have to improve on the margins. Idc what cliche you want. This team has 2 anchors in its forward group. They aren't specialists they suck shit. Carl Hagelin - you could call him a specialist. The only thing the garbage two do is take up spots of other deserving players. Every single point matters for this team and the 10 goals Pulu gives you per season matters more than the 1 goal you will get out of the garbage two. We are what we are. 7-10 in the East. I know you root like hell against this team but thats reality as long as Sid is here. They aren't worse than that, I'm sorry to say. You get in, anything can happen. I for one, want to see 87 and 71 in the playoffs again. So the points we lose throughout the season to shit ass teams like the Red Wings absolutely kill us. Need a clutch PK? Put out the two worst forwards, they'll get it done. No. How about we play a few guys that have a pulse and can contribute to winning.

But this team isn't gonna win. And for you to think they will is delusional. They aren't gonna avoid the injury bug forever. For you to believe this team is so much above the Detroit's of the world is extremely shortsighted. We're no better.

Fact: They didn't make the post season each of the last two years. In addition Jake is gone, Jarry sucks and our core is two years older. How can you possibly believe this team has any chance? You're living in a very distant past! IT'S OVER! Learn to accept it!

To blame guys like Nieto and Acciari is just so misguided and without merit it defies logic. You must sincerely believe the core is 10 years younger than they actually are. WE are a shit ass team!

The problems here are great and they are many and you're consumed with 4th liners as if that would make a difference. You are as stubborn and delusional as Sullivan.

 

[wheelz87]

I really think you're missing the gist of what I'm saying. I'm not saying we are a powerhouse, far from it. I'm not saying we are a piece away. I'm saying Sid and Geno are busting ass and have been healthy for 2 going on 2.5 seasons. (biggest knock on wood of all time). HELP THEM. We are a 7-10 seed with those two healthy. Period. Where do you want to finish if given that option? I'm asking to simply replace the garbage in the lineup. Tomasino, POJ, hell even Glass have been solid additions. They've kept us in the fight. If we are committed to this half in-half out stuff until Sid retires, we need to keep doing it. Dubas isn't going to get the shiny winger, hes not going to deal our first for a win now guy.. but he can continue to make low key moves to keep us in the hunt. (or Sully can play the right guys),. Maybe that guy is someone in Wilkes that has some actual hunger. Idc where the help comes from. I know for damn sure we aren't going anywhere being a three line team. Having a strong (or as strong as possible) bottom 6 has never been more important.

Oh, and 4th liners don't make a difference??? Tell that to our cup teams cmon.

 

[Ryder71]

I really think you're missing the gist of what I'm saying. I'm not saying we are a powerhouse, far from it. I'm not saying we are a piece away. I'm saying Sid and Geno are busting ass and have been healthy for 2 going on 2.5 seasons. (biggest knock on wood of all time). HELP THEM. We are a 7-10 seed with those two healthy. Period. Where do you want to finish if given that option? I'm asking to simply replace the garbage in the lineup. Tomasino, POJ, hell even Glass have been solid additions. They've kept us in the fight. If we are committed to this half in-half out stuff until Sid retires, we need to keep doing it. Dubas isn't going to get the shiny winger, hes not going to deal our first for a win now guy.. but he can continue to make low key moves to keep us in the hunt. (or Sully can play the right guys),. Maybe that guy is someone in Wilkes that has some actual hunger. Idc where the help comes from. I know for damn sure we aren't going anywhere being a three line team. Having a strong (or as strong as possible) bottom 6 has never been more important.

Oh, and 4th liners don't make a difference??? Tell that to our cup teams cmon.

If we were a cup caliber team you'd have somewhat of a point. We're nowhere near that. That's my point! So, to obsess about it is kinda silly. Even if we had a very good 4th line we're not winning a cup. Heck, we could have the best bottom six in the league and we're not winning a cup. We'd need a big re vamp in the top six as well. You think we are closer than we really are. We're DONE WINNING with Sid and Geno! You just don't want to accept it. Fine keep beating your head off the wall. If they can't win after 30 and 31, what makes you think they're gonna win at 37-38 and without Jake, a pedestrian supporting cast and piss poor goaltending? Answer that?

Listen, if you wanna strive for mediocrity go ahead, this team has been mired in it for five plus years. Currently we have the worst goal differential in the eastern conference. I myself know this formula simply won't work. And maybe a rebuild won't either. But at least in that scenario there's a chance to get back in the mix. And that's far better then repeating the same script since 2018 that hasn't worked.

I sincerely hope the next few weeks will help you realize that what I've been saying is true. AT FLA, AT CAR, Home to CBJ and EDM.

Oh, and if given the option I'd love for them to finish last each of the next three years and winning the Lottery in '26.

In reality I think we'll finish in the bottom 8 in the league this year.

 

[pistolpete11]

Having a PK specialist is a luxury the Pens can't afford let alone like 3 or 4 of them.

Give me the guys who are young-ish and at least capable of scoring and I'll take my chances teaching them to PK a couple minutes a night.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Having a PK specialist is a luxury the Pens can't afford let alone like 3 or 4 of them.

Give me the guys who are young-ish and at least capable of scoring and I'll take my chances teaching them to PK a couple minutes a night.

So the question for me is: will they let Jesse PK in WBS so he gets that experience?
I'll answer my own question and predict: Probably not

Not like PKing is that difficult. To be successful you have to have at least one of these traits:

1. Be fast
2. Have good hockey IQ

Cullen and Hags were tremendous PKers in their career bc they did both well. When the wheels fell off for both of them, they still were viable PK players bc they were so smart.

Jesse doesn't have #1, but he certainly is a smart guy. Plus he's got a long reach.

 

[eXile3]

Having a PK specialist is a luxury the Pens can't afford let alone like 3 or 4 of them.

Give me the guys who are young-ish and at least capable of scoring and I'll take my chances teaching them to PK a couple minutes a night.

The fact that PK specialist is prevalent in the modern day NHL is crazy to me.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

The fact that PK specialist is prevalent in the modern day NHL is crazy to me.

It's been bastardized over time.
Coaches are afraid to put their better players lest they take a clapper off the foot and are out for 2 months. Then they get 2nd guessed mercilessly by fans, media and ownership why you'd put your start player in harms way like that.

So they put their lesser players out as cannon fodder. If one goes down, it doesn't sink your season.

 

[eXile3]

It's been bastardized over time.
Coaches are afraid to put their better players lest they take a clapper off the foot and are out for 2 months. Then they get 2nd guessed mercilessly by fans, media and ownership why you'd put your start player in harms way like that.

So they put their lesser players out as cannon fodder. If one goes down, it doesn't sink your season.

Right. So why not put Bemstrom or Gruden on the 4th line and let them kill?

Neito and Acciari aren’t good defensive players. They just play a more conservative style due to their limitations as players.

 

[SEALBound]

Was there any update on Puljujarvi? I never saw anything that said he was assigned to WBS. Might be a decent time to try to get a team's extra 3rd pairing guy in a swap.

I don't know why but I'd rather lose him to waivers or be traded out for someone over a 7th or future considerations.

Right. So why not put Bemstrom or Gruden on the 4th line and let them kill?

Neito and Acciari aren’t good defensive players. They just play a more conservative style due to their limitations as players.

Problem there is, I'm not sure Bemstrom or Gruden are any better than Nieto and Acciari.

At the moment, I'm not sure we have anyone pressing in WBS that forces Dubas/Sullivan to make a switch.

 

[eXile3]

Was there any update on Puljujarvi? I never saw anything that said he was assigned to WBS. Might be a decent time to try to get a team's extra 3rd pairing guy in a swap.

I don't know why but I'd rather lose him to waivers or be traded out for someone over a 7th or future considerations.


Problem there is, I'm not sure Bemstrom or Gruden are any better than Nieto and Acciari.

At the moment, I'm not sure we have anyone pressing in WBS that forces Dubas/Sullivan to make a switch.

I’m willing to bet, just based off their age alone, they are. AHL try hards will almost always be better than aging 4th liners that really shouldn’t be in the league anymore.

 

[SEALBound]

I’m willing to bet, just based off their age alone, they are. AHL try hards will almost always be better than aging 4th liners that really shouldn’t be in the league anymore.

I think Nieto is a replacement level player. I think Acciari is still a useful NHL player, especially in the capacity he's in - 4th line defensive center.

It's okay to have one of those. Every team does. What's not okay is collecting the likes of Acciari, then Nieto and Hayes and so on when you have the Bemstrom and Gruden in WBS.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Right. So why not put Bemstrom or Gruden on the 4th line and let them kill?

Neito and Acciari aren’t good defensive players. They just play a more conservative style due to their limitations as players.

Unsure if this question is facetious or not.

But Neito/Acciari are vets who have been successful PKers in the past. So bc NHL coaches rely on reputation instead of actual results, you now have 2 guys that are staples in the lineup due to this supposed prowess.

Bemstrom and Gruden are too young to understand Pking (that is sarcasm)

 

[Ugene Magic]

At this point, Lizotte should be the 3C and Glass the 4C until a better 3C comes along.

Hayes and Acciari are the odd men out. The Pens have plenty of centers who can spot duty cheaper.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Apparently Puljujarvi told Dubas he wants to play.

“I want to play, because it’s been a long process for me getting to this point, being healthy. And I’m healthy now and I’d like to play,” Puljujarvi said Wednesday after practicing here in Detroit. “That’s the goal. And I will keep going to get that goal.”

Puljujarvi hinted that he may have asked Dubas to be moved elsewhere so he could play. The Penguins put him on waivers Monday but he went unclaimed Tuesday.

And so, there he was Wednesday, again an odd man out during their line rushes.

“It’s a hard business and you have to live with that,” Puljujarvi said about the path forward now. “I’d like to play and hopefully at some point I get a new opportunity.”

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2025/01/01/jesse-puljujarvi-waivers-penguins-mike-sullivan-kyle-dubas/stories/202412230118

A player with Puljujarvi's size, skating ability and hands should always have a place in the National Hockey League, whether this is 1980-81, 1999-2000 or 2024-25.

The game has not changed that much to the point where talent no longer matters.

BUT, Mike Sullivan's reputation is so beyond any reproach around the league that if HE does not play a guy, that MUST mean the player cannot help your team. This is what happened to Phil Kessel, essentially. This is what is happening to Jesse Puljujarvi.

You can always find room for talent. Stick Puljujarvi on the third line, leave him there, play him with more responsible forwards and stick him in front of the net on the second PP unit. How many games did we use him in exactly that scenario?

I really feel for the guy but he got Mike Sullivan'ed and when that happens there is little you can do.

 

[eXile3]

Unsure if this question is facetious or not.

But Neito/Acciari are vets who have been successful PKers in the past. So bc NHL coaches rely on reputation instead of actual results, you now have 2 guys that are staples in the lineup due to this supposed prowess.

Bemstrom and Gruden are too young to understand Pking (that is sarcasm)

I know that’s why teams do it, I just think it’s dumb. I’m probably contrarian here but I don’t think penalty killing is a talent. I think the majority of players can be taught, or already know how to play defense when a man down.

So instead if going “we need a good pk guy”, it should be “who makes our lineup better overall, and then we figure out who is best fit to pk”