Salary Cap: Pens Off Season Thread: Pre Free Agency Shenanigans!

[AjaxTelamon]

I think the Penguins are going to try Smith on LW and just have him step into Zucker's old spot. I know Smith has played much more RW than LW, but I believe he can play LW without an issue. Considering how Sullivan likes righties on RW and lefties on LW, I think that's a pretty safe prediction to make.

It's crazy though, I honestly thought their top-6 last year was the best top-6 they were going to have in the Crosby era. Adding Smith makes their top-6 better than it was last year, he's another Rakell caliber player.

I agree, and If Smith is going to be the solid defensive element the 2nd line needs, it will be easier from the left side anyways. I like him almost as much as I like Rakell. This was a steal.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Apropos of nothing, I just saw the Bruins brought back Lucic.

 

[ChaosAgent]

My only concern with the trade is Smiths age. At 32 hes even older than Zucker. Hopefully he still has two more good years to give.

Yeah but 2 years remaining. Zucker is going to get at least 3

 

[TimmyD]

We now have Rust, Rakell, Smith, and Carter on RW. Moving out Rust may be a possibility?

Do you think Rust would waive? Also Rakell can play left wing if memory serves me correct?

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

My only concern with the trade is Smiths age. At 32 hes even older than Zucker. Hopefully he still has two more good years to give.

I don't think age matters to a team that, at most optimistic, has two runs left. Also, 32 is basically a greenhorn for this team.

 

[Peat]

We now have Rust, Rakell, Smith, and Carter on RW. Moving out Rust may be a possibility?

Obvious statement is obvious but positional depth was never the reason Rust is bolted on to stay here.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

32 isn't old people. I would hate to see what condition some of you are in your ages.

These are well conditioned athletes that have the means and resources to stay in prime shape

 

[domaug]

I already really liked Dubas becoming the Pens' POHO and his first trade is a damn good forward in Reilly Smith for a 3rd round pick?? Omg yes

 

[Gurglesons]

Those entires and exits are greatly, greatly needed.

 

[OnMyOwn]

I feel like with the current as of today top 6,

Jake - Sid - Smith
Raks - Geno - Rust

Raks has said he’ll play both sides.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Lol the Dumoulin thread got nuked from orbit

 

[Rave7215]

Those entires and exits are greatly, greatly needed.

Can he do it on the Powerplay? Because that would be such a change of pace.

 

[Gurglesons]

Can he do it on the Powerplay? Because that would be such a change of pace.

He was playing 2nd PP I believe in Vegas, but was a part of their top powerplay before they got the other big boys.

 

[tom_servo]

32 isn't old people. I would hate to see what condition some of you are in your ages.

These are well conditioned athletes that have the means and resources to stay in prime shape

 

[Darren McCord]

We now have Rust, Rakell, Smith, and Carter on RW. Moving out Rust may be a possibility?

Rakell will move to LW

 

[Ogelthorpe]

Well, everyone can move away from the edge now. As for the early bickering over Dubas’s trade record, I’d say this fits nicely in the good trade category.
Now let’s draft Moore or Benson at 14, and today becomes a nice little start to the Dubas era.

 

[Dominance]

Looking at our cap situation now, assuming we don’t resign Zucker and jettison Granlund…a third line of Killorn-ROR-Brown is very achievable if they are all willing to sign. We could offer each term to keep the AAV down if necessary, too, as we’re not competing in three years anyways. I’m absolutely salivating over the thought of the third line going from a painful weakness to the backbone of the team.

 

[Bishop7979]

I feel like with the current as of today top 6,

Jake - Sid - Smith
Raks - Geno - Rust

Raks has said he’ll play both sides.

Would like to see jake and racks switched for the increased production on genos line, but youe lines are what we will see. Smith kinda has a duper vibe to me, better hands but same style, he will be great with Sid.

down to 15 mil… id laugh if zucker still came back and the 3rd was zuck granlund and like nylander or something

 

[Empoleon8771]

Kyle hasn't made another trade in the last 30 minutes.

Fire him FSG

 

[Borgir]

Kyle hasn't made another trade in the last 30 minutes.

Fire him FSG

Where is Pens X? In Shambles?

 

[Josey Wales]

Where is Pens X? In Shambles?

hopefully in a straightjacket & padded cell

 

[Pancakes]

Good first move by Dubas. Getting a player of Smith's caliber for basically free is nice.

 

[cookthebooks]

'same old penguins!' i definitively proclaim, having not refreshed the board in 3 days

 

[Empoleon8771]

But back to a serious discussion, the Smith acquisition puts the Penguins at about $15 million in cap space with this lineup:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell
Smith-Malkin-Rust
XXXXX-XXXXX-Granlund
XXXXX-XXXXX-Carter

Pettersson-Letang
XXXXXX-Petry
POJ-Rutta
Ruhwedel

XXXXX-DeSmith

With spending $5 million on a LWer for Malkin, I think that just makes it even a bit more necessary to get out of Granlund's deal. If you acquire someone like Ullmark to be your starter, that only leaves you with $10 million to fill out that lineup and I don't think that's enough. They should be trying to get out of his deal anyway because he has a terrible contract, but I think acquiring Smith makes it even more essential.

 

[Josey Wales]

Rob Rossi
@Real_RobRossi
·
35s
Talked to two people Wednesday who shared they expected Kyle Dubas to act before July 1 on replacements for impending UFAs if indications were team was moving on.
Penguins landing Reilly Smith evidence that may be playing out.
#NHLDraft