Salary Cap: Pens Salary and Signing thread: Dr StrangeDubas or How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Karlsson Watch

[Ryder71]

So will EK not waive for Carolina? I thought it was already confirmed he would.

Sid is also hella weird and Karlsson openly made fun of him during the 2017 playoffs.

This is total wishcasting. If Rob Rossi could tell me definitively that Carolina's offer to San Jose blows and they are not going to improve it, that is 10x a better reason than this high school clique bull.

Did Rossi step on you dumb dog or something?

 

[KrisLetAngry]

One of the major reasons to bring EK in would be to make the powerplay better. It would be real penguins like lately to put EK on the second unit but yes, EK would open it up for everyone.

It would be a dream. Finally a #1 guy back there since Sarge who distributes the puck where it needs to go

If the players let Kessel run it a couple years you gotta think they will let EK run it.

I think a 2 defensemen PP would have to happen. Would we want to keep Smith at this point or would we try to use him for trade over POJ?

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Sam Bennett 1 SCF since 2017-18. Jake Guentzel. 1 playoff round win.

Is this really the standard we want to go by?

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Truthfully though, if I'm Karlsson I sorta baulk at the "Letang is #1". Realistically, you're probably looking at running both pairings 22-25min and the third pairing <10min. That is what is most tactically advantageous for the team and the respective players. And most of the time you're getting a Crosby or Malkin line. Third/Fourth lines, I imagine they lean on Letang a tad bit more.

And Karlsson running the PP, yes please. As "not smart" as Letang seems at various points in time, it can't be lost on him that Karlsson would be the 1PP QB. And honestly, having Letang and Karlsson as your top pairing on the PP, that's very appealing for a variety of reasons. If I'm Sullivan, I have the sit down with Sid and Geno and tell them that EK is running the show. As the defending team, you're now forced to pick and choose which player you focus on and given the list is: Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Karlsson, Jake? That's problematic. So if you actually commit to a PP system and moving your f***ing feet, we could see a very lethal powerplay.


I can be "A" star and not "THEE" star. I think there's appeal in that. Maybe no different than Kessel back in the day.

Its not even about moving their feet its as simple as putting the passes where they need to go. We have the finishers. I dont know how many times Letang has put the puck in Geno's feet when he was ready to rip one but thats not happening with EK

 

[ChaosAgent]

Did Rossi step on you dumb dog or something?

No but he made me a bad Blizzard. Which incidentally is the job he is actually qualified for.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Rossi was just on Madden talking about this and adding more insight. Granted, it's Rossi, so grain of salt. The conversations were related to the systems in place and understanding his role on the team. Karlsson would be coming in knowing he would be on the second pairing and Letang would still be viewed as the number 1 defenseman. However, Letang would shift his spot on the Powerplay to having Karlsson run it. He also mentioned things about how Karlsson like the star culture of Pittsburgh as opposed to Carolina. And how Pittsburgh doesn't have Burns (rumored they actually can't stand each other and that's why it never worked in San Jose).

Again, It's Rossi. But there's your answer Emp.

They can plot Karlsson in wherever, the consensus would be Karlsson's pairing being the true #1.

This is a Sid/Geno like thing. 1A/1B, but Geno having a true #1 behind him goes a long way. My only beef with that is Geno's line isn't the greatest at being defensively sound, so my preference is Letang behind, Geno.

Please stop the Zucker/Smith stuff, as SB put it. Who cares about Zucker now.

We are past A and B and onto plan C, but the Karlsson stuff may circle us back to A.

Plan C: Dumba and maybe a forward?

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

No but he made me a bad Blizzard. Which incidentally is the job he is actually qualified for.

Did he not flip it over for you?

I hate when they don't do that.

 

[Ryder71]

No but he made me a bad Blizzard. Which incidentally is the job he is actually qualified for.

My guess is he didn't sign an autograph for you. Listen, if you don't want to believe RR that's fine. Then just ignore anything he says or anything I derive from what he said. You don't have to disparage the guy in the process.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

If the players let Kessel run it a couple years you gotta think they will let EK run it.

I think a 2 defensemen PP would have to happen. Would we want to keep Smith at this point or would we try to use him for trade over POJ?

I think either of those guys should be on the table. IDK EK/Letang will eat into the mins of every defender behind them. You had Tanger averaging 24 mins a night last year. Even if those 2 are going 40-45 mins a game the pie is pretty small.

Get him here

 

[ChaosAgent]

My guess is he didn't sign an autograph for you. Listen, if you don't want to believe RR that's fine. Then just ignore anything he says or anything I derive from what he said. You don't have to disparage the guy in the process.

You are disparaging me, you old. Time for your nicorette and prunes!

 

[mpp9]

If Letang could suck it up and take a bit of a backseat on the PP, Karlsson would be coming into a pretty ideal situation. 87 and 71 were cool deferring to Phil before, and he’s a tier below Karlsson in terms of pure talent.

 

[Ryder71]

You are disparaging me, you old. Time for your nicorette and prunes!

I never smoked, but If I disparage you it's only because I have a lot of contempt and disdain for you, that's all. You, never interacted with RR, have you? He's not here to defend himself, so it's almost like you're doing it behind his back. I just see that as cowardly. And he's a local guy, if you have a beef with him, strive to exhibit some modicum of civility and try to find a resolution regarding your angst.

 

[SEALBound]

Its not even about moving their feet its as simple as putting the passes where they need to go. We have the finishers. I dont know how many times Letang has put the puck in Geno's feet when he was ready to rip one but thats not happening with EK

Having a shooting threat from the point will be nice as well. Letang is "okay' at best there, so I love the idea of EK ripping them from the point after a PK'er overcommits elsewhere.

They can plot Karlsson in wherever, the consensus would be Karlsson's pairing being the true #1.

This is a Sid/Geno like thing. 1A/1B, but Geno having a true #1 behind him goes a long way. My only beef with that is Geno's line isn't the greatest at being defensively sound, so my preference is Letang behind, Geno.

Please stop the Zucker/Smith stuff, as SB put it. Who cares about Zucker now.

We are past A and B and onto plan C, but the Karlsson stuff may circle us back to A.

Plan C: Dumba and maybe a forward?

Agreed. Labels at the moment but as you said, we see that with Sid and Geno. 1A and 1B to the point where some games/stretches Sid is #1 and other games/stretches, Geno is #1. It's not a bad problem to have. I imagine that through the ebbs and flows of the game, Sullivan will add or subtract ice time depending on who is doing well and who is doing good. May also depend on who the opponent is as well.

Dumba would be great if someone could go Tonya Harding Mr Carter and use the LTIR on a cheap one year deal.

 

[Ugene Magic]

RR said on MM: IF SJ moves your hero EK 70% he comes to PIT, prefers PIT to CAR, likes the star power, has friendly rship with Letang and Crosby, doesn't get along with Burns, Rossi (like me) doesn't believe the Canes strict adherence to system and scheme is appealing to EK.


Nah It's true.

To expand on this...





I'd love to see a 'win it for Karlsson campaign.

 

[Ryder71]

To expand on this...





I'd love to see a 'win it for Karlsson campaign.

Here here! Without him we're dead in the water, with him we have a punchers chance to make noise. Would totally revive this team IMO. Give us that extra push we would undoubtedly need.

 

[Turin]

I do believe Karlsson has a massive amount of respect for Crosby and Letang and vice versa.

 

[Ryder71]

I do believe Karlsson has a massive amount of respect for Crosby and Letang and vice versa.

Most definitely.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah I think there is some merit to what Rossi was saying, he's just a dunce and didn't word it well. It's not the "star culture" of the city of Pittsburgh, it's Karlsson and the Penguins core having a massive amount of mutual respect for each other. It's why he's still willing to waive to go to the Penguins despite them missing the playoffs last year, Karlsson believes in the core so much that he still thinks they're a legitimate contender.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Karlsson preferred to go to Pittsburgh over Carolina.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I think either of those guys should be on the table. IDK EK/Letang will eat into the mins of every defender behind them. You had Tanger averaging 24 mins a night last year. Even if those 2 are going 40-45 mins a game the pie is pretty small.

Get him here

O 100%

1st + smith/POJ will be in there.

One thing I will be curious about is that in Tampa they had 3 amazing LDs so they would give them extra shifts so one guy didn't play 12 minutes. I wonder if we will see D pairs slightly change a bit to play beside Letang and Karlsson. Like will we see the bottom pairing defensemen get an extra minute or 2 beside either of them to even out the minutes of the other 4.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I never smoked, but If I disparage you it's only because I have a lot of contempt and disdain for you, that's all. You, never interacted with RR, have you? He's not here to defend himself, so it's almost like you're doing it behind his back. I just see that as cowardly. And he's a local guy, if you have a beef with him, strive to exhibit some modicum of civility and try to find a resolution regarding your angst.

Love you too, Ryder.

I got sh1t for not bullying Rossi and Yohe as much as the rest of the board does. My opinion totally changed when they outright fabricated numerous parts of the athletic story, and had Blueger call it a lie on the record.

Rossi is no different than a fan theorizing on this platform.

 

[Nakawick]

This thing about Karlsson not liking Burns, that would kill any interest to Carolina wouldn’t it? Karlsson would have said no to Carolina and that would have been it.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Ya I am not buying the I'm the best defenseman out here., these guys know how talented one another are. If anything Crosby/Geno/Letang/EK are going to be on the same page.

They all know their careers are winding down and the competitors in them just want another cup

 

[Ryder71]

Love you too, Ryder.

I got sh1t for not bullying Rossi and Yohe as much as the rest of the board does. My opinion totally changed when they outright fabricated numerous parts of the athletic story, and had Blueger call it a lie on the record.

Rossi is no different than a fan theorizing on this platform.

No ones perfect, Well... I'm close but...

 

[vodeni]

With the Pens current roster they will be awful on the 3rd line and once they get towards the end of the season the top lines will be tired as usual carrying all the work load trying to score goals.

but at that time Sully will be fired and Dubi will make some awesome trades to rejuvinate the team. Am I right?

 

[orby]

Despite their age and mileage, getting to play with Crosby and Malkin is absolutely still an appealing prospect for many players. Sid in particular is probably the most respected and admired guy in the league. I can see why Karlsson would be intrigued by the opportunity to be on his team.