Salary Cap: Pens Salary Cap: Free Agency, everyone panic!!! Geno talk to the Geno thread only please

[Zirakzigil]

Off season time. New thread time apparently cause @Ugene Magic doesn’t like high page counts.

So how about them Malkin and Letang UFAs? Maybe we should sign one or both.

Geno thread. Keep Geno talk here:

Rumor: - Geno where art thou?

With all the Geno rumors and news, time for its own thread. Keep the Geno talk here please.

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[jmelm]

I'm very cognizant of the fact we're not rebuilding. That doesn't however mean we continue to pillage our draft picks. We're not winning anything anyhow. We're not a 1st or 2hd round draft pick (capital) away in acquiring the piece that puts us over the top. You can still ice a competitive team, but to not at least have an eye on the future and considering our cores age is a fools errand. We're pretenders NOT contenders. Indulge the fan base and STH's if you will, but ultimately we're not going anywhere.

There is a HUGE difference between a 1st round pick and a 2nd. This is why the Pens didn't trade a 1st round pick for Rakell and instead it was a 2nd + Clang.

So you'll notice that I didn't say give a 1st to get someone to take Zucker. I said give a 2nd. The probability of a 2nd playing is FAR below 50%, and if they do, it's 5 years from now. FIVE YEARS! Who cares!

Lol.

 

[OnMyOwn]

One life and money is made to be spent on things you enjoy in that one life. I don’t blame guys for getting what they want.

Just don’t go broke, IMO.

 

[molon labe]

Odd season for Holtby to call it, agree?

I mean - in this economy dude could get 7 x 10.5 from a team.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Odd season for Holtby to call it, agree?

I mean - in this economy dude could get 7 x 10.5 from a team.

He's injured. He battled a lower body issue all last year.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

I always get confused why people would want to go to a state or a city with insane taxes as a high wage earner.

But with him... it sorta makes sense because he's from the buffalo area and NYC would probably be like home, eh?

If I was in the business, i'd be looking at the non-state tax teams and try to save as much as I could. Not buy $400 socks like James Neal.

lol, when I think no tax states I think TX or FL. I would infinitely more want to be in the big Apple.

 

[Ryder71]

There is a HUGE difference between a 1st round pick and a 2nd. This is why the Pens didn't trade a 1st round pick for Rakell and instead it was a 2nd + Clang.

So you'll notice that I didn't say give a 1st to get someone to take Zucker. I said give a 2nd. The probability of a 2nd playing is FAR below 50%, and if they do, it's 5 years from now. FIVE YEARS! Who cares!

Lol.

Because I plan to be around in five years, I care about the future of the team because we're not winning anything now no matter who we get. So who should really care about the next few years? Do we just want to watch our dinosaurs slowly retreat from being a fringe playoff team? I had no problem getting RR last year, I applauded that trade. But a year later, I wouldn't. Because we aren't goin anywhere. And these picks MIGHT be useful years down the road. Jake and Rust I believe were 3rd rounders, Jarry was a 2hd rounder, Letang was a 3rd rounder, draft picks matter. Some don't pan out, some do. But you at least should have them because typically that's how you garner long term success.

 

[molon labe]

One life and money is made to be spent on things you enjoy in that one life. I don’t blame guys for getting what they want.

Just don’t go broke, IMO.

Within 'reason'. Granted our logic is not the headspace of the atheletes.

But if any NHLer is already worth more than 10-12M - any semblance of financial planning means they, and their kiddos are set for life. The guys worth 50M+? I mean unless they're optioning a crystal staircase in their yacht and the extra 1M is make or break...and they're just YOLOing and making poor financial (but fun life) decisions.... I straight up don't understand arguing that money is the determining factor in taking a job.

Like, I feel friends on the team, competitiveness, location, etc would all rank higher on most people's lists than the difference of 20 or 24M on a contract. I think that's where someone like Johnny Hockey is headed. Calgary likely offered matching/max money to him (sans taxes) - but what's the difference in the end?

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Within 'reason'. Granted our logic is not the headspace of the atheletes.

But if any NHLer is already worth more than 10-12M - any semblance of financial planning means they, and their kiddos are set for life. The guys worth 50M+? I mean unless they're optioning a crystal staircase in their yacht and the extra 1M is make or break...and they're just YOLOing and making poor financial (but fun life) decisions.... I straight up don't understand arguing that money is the determining factor in taking a job.

Like, I feel friends on the team, competitiveness, location, etc would all rank higher on most people's lists than the difference of 20 or 24M on a contract. I think that's where someone like Johnny Hockey is headed. Calgary likely offered matching/max money to him (sans taxes) - but what's the difference in the end?

Money is not just "money" it is also perceived value.

These guys are super competitive individuals. More money means you are worth more ie you are higher on the pecking order.

Ultra competitive people value that.

 

[Josey Wales]

I always get confused why people would want to go to a state or a city with insane taxes as a high wage earner.

But with him... it sorta makes sense because he's from the buffalo area and NYC would probably be like home, eh?

If I was in the business, i'd be looking at the non-state tax teams and try to save as much as I could. Not buy $400 socks like James Neal.

BreadMan

 

[molon labe]

lol, when I think no tax states I think TX or FL. I would infinitely more want to be in the big Apple.

Speak for yourself loser!

Lol - in all seriousness we don't need any more influx. Florida is already the 3rd (official) most populus state in the country - having overtook NY many years ago. If you counted the amount of people with 2nd homes I feel we could give Texas a better run. Living on the coast our population EASILY doubles in the winter months with the Canadian snowbirds.

But seriously that's the amazing thing about our country. If you want to live in a congested, dirty city like NY - have at it! If you want open sky - it's yours, etc etc. Not every nation has that. We're increasingly becoming a place where even public policy is drastically different (hold our opinions) in different areas...which could be a good thing if you choose to be an optimist.

Regarding the taxes I've always wondered that as well. Moreso about the Canadian teams. I mean if you're young I could see not giving 2 shits about NY taxes versus the money you'd save elsewhere - but Canada is nutso with taxes (city, provincial, luxury, etc)... you could easily pay 45-50% in provinces without being careful about building playgrounds and donating to charities etc. And for your own reference there are 7 states in the United States with no income tax. Not just Florida and Texas. Florida is the best because we also enjoy really low property tax whereas Texas has extremely high property tax. But new to the list is the Seattle Kraken. Washington state has no income tax - so you could get the 'best of both worlds' going to a team like that - and there's tons of BEAUTIFUL neighborhoods outside of Seattle if you've got a family or prefer green to concrete.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Speak for yourself loser!

Lol - in all seriousness we don't need any more influx. Florida is already the 3rd (official) most populus state in the country - having overtook NY many years ago. If you counted the amount of people with 2nd homes I feel we could give Texas a better run. Living on the coast our population EASILY doubles in the winter months with the Canadian snowbirds.

But seriously that's the amazing thing about our country. If you want to live in a congested, dirty city like NY - have at it! If you want open sky - it's yours, etc etc. Not every nation has that. We're increasingly becoming a place where even public policy is drastically different (hold our opinions) in different areas...which could be a good thing if you choose to be an optimist.

Regarding the taxes I've always wondered that as well. Moreso about the Canadian teams. I mean if you're young I could see not giving 2 shits about NY taxes versus the money you'd save elsewhere - but Canada is nutso with taxes (city, provincial, luxury, etc)... you could easily pay 45-50% in provinces without being careful about building playgrounds and donating to charities etc. And for your own reference there are 7 states in the United States with no income tax. Not just Florida and Texas. Florida is the best because we also enjoy really low property tax whereas Texas has extremely high property tax. But new to the list is the Seattle Kraken. Washington state has no income tax - so you could get the 'best of both worlds' going to a team like that - and there's tons of BEAUTIFUL neighborhoods outside of Seattle if you've got a family or prefer green to concrete.

As a Canadian, I have never understood why Americans were so proud of their low taxes. Especially lower/mid income-level people.

I pay more taxes in Canada, but we have universal healthcare, free education up to university, etc.

That being said, I doubt the cost of healthcare/education is a worry for a millionaire athlete

 

[ColePens]

I value heat, land, not having roaches and rats in my apartment, etc. so I will ALWAYS choose Florida or Texas. Even with the crazy heat.

Actually we have it pretty good here in Pittsburgh. Beautiful summer. Geno will re-sign because he loves Pittsburhg. Duh.

f*** NYC. Always f*** NYC. From Adam Graves to their disgussssting city. f*** NYC.

As a Canadian, I have never understood why Americans were so proud of their low taxes. Especially lower/mid income-level people.

I pay more taxes in Canada, but we have universal healthcare, free education up to university, etc.

That being said, I doubt the cost of healthcare/education is a worry for a millionaire athlete

Give me Montreal albeit not in the winter. What a beautiful spring/summer Montreal has. I love that city.

 

[Ryder71]

I value heat, land, not having roaches and rats in my apartment, etc. so I will ALWAYS choose Florida or Texas. Even with the crazy heat.

Actually we have it pretty good here in Pittsburgh. Beautiful summer. Geno will re-sign because he loves Pittsburhg. Duh.

f*** NYC. Always f*** NYC. From Adam Graves to their disgussssting city. f*** NYC.

NYC has rats the size of Volkswagen's, and if that's hyperbole, it's only slightly so..

BreadMan

The Breadman delivered against the Pens, we ALL remember that.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

I value heat, land, not having roaches and rats in my apartment, etc. so I will ALWAYS choose Florida or Texas. Even with the crazy heat.

Actually we have it pretty good here in Pittsburgh. Beautiful summer. Geno will re-sign because he loves Pittsburhg. Duh.

f*** NYC. Always f*** NYC. From Adam Graves to their disgussssting city. f*** NYC.



Give me Montreal albeit not in the winter. What a beautiful spring/summer Montreal has. I love that city.

NYC is super fun for a short trip. I would not live there either. WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too many people.

Montreal is also fun a short trip. I would not live there again.

Quebec City is a perfect compromise. I loved living there. Coming back to Sherbrooke was the right decision though and it has a lot in common with Pittsburgh actually. Bridges, rivers and hills. A lot of high learning institution (for its size).

I could do without winter though

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

As someone who hates NYC-

If a guy makes 10 sheets a year and has made like $80 mil in his life…

He ain’t livin in the same NYC as I am. Kane ain’t dealin with rats and trash and how crowded the subway is lmao. Completely different ballgame for a guy like him.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

As someone who hates NYC-

If a guy make 10 sheets a year and have made like $80 mil in your life…

He ain’t livin in the same NYC as I am. Kane ain’t dealin with rats and trash and how crowded the subway is lmao. Completely different ballgame for a guy like him.

Yeah, NYC (or LA) as a rich person must be pretty cool.

I would not want to be a celebrity though. But rich businessman in NYC? Sure.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

As a Canadian, I have never understood why Americans were so proud of their low taxes. Especially lower/mid income-level people.

I pay more taxes in Canada, but we have universal healthcare, free education up to university, etc.

That being said, I doubt the cost of healthcare/education is a worry for a millionaire athlete

Also, players are taxed in every state they play in. And many of the states with no income tax have other higher living expenses. So it ends up balancing out and not being as drastic of a difference. Players make their decisions more on how competitive the team is, whether or not they've made big bucks in the past, proximity to family, role on the team, and reputation of the franchise as a whole.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Because I plan to be around in five years, I care about the future of the team because we're not winning anything now no matter who we get. So who should really care about the next few years? Do we just want to watch our dinosaurs slowly retreat from being a fringe playoff team? I had no problem getting RR last year, I applauded that trade. But a year later, I wouldn't. Because we aren't goin anywhere. And these picks MIGHT be useful years down the road. Jake and Rust I believe were 3rd rounders, Jarry was a 2hd rounder, Letang was a 3rd rounder, draft picks matter. Some don't pan out, some do. But you at least should have them because typically that's how you garner long term success.

This is a pretty silly thought process to say we aren't winning anything now no matter who we get. Its more of a chance now than ever and if we pick up a few pieces we are right there.

We just took a team who went toe to toe with the Stanley Cup finalist to game 7 with a backup backup goaltender

 

[Ryder71]

As a Canadian, I have never understood why Americans were so proud of their low taxes. Especially lower/mid income-level people.

I pay more taxes in Canada, but we have universal healthcare, free education up to university, etc.

That being said, I doubt the cost of healthcare/education is a worry for a millionaire athlete

Would you rather spend the money you earn how you see fit or have the GOVT decide? That's why many here prefer lower taxes.

 

[ColePens]

NYC is super fun for a short trip. I would not live there either. WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too many people.

Montreal is also fun a short trip. I would not live there again.

Quebec City is a perfect compromise. I loved living there. Coming back to Sherbrooke was the right decision though and it has a lot in common with Pittsburgh actually. Bridges, rivers and hills. A lot of high learning institution (for its size).

I could do without winter though

Dude QC is like the one area people ALWAYS tell me about and I never really got to spend time. If anyone played hockey, you always travel around, but never directly to. I would kill to spend a week just to take it in. I hear food game is off the charts.

Where the f*** is @Big McLargehuge to tell us how beautiful his time in Montana was.

Okay i'm sorry mods. I derailed this badly.

Someone tell me what Bob Pompeanni thinks of the Penguins signings.....

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Would you rather spend the money you earn how you see fit or have the GOVT decide? That's why many here prefer lower taxes.

I think this is a false dilemma.

I like that we pool our money to afford better services. Now, do I think this money and those services are managed well? That's a question I won't answer on HF

 

[Ryder71]

This is a pretty silly thought process to say we aren't winning anything now no matter who we get. Its more of a chance now than ever and if we pick up a few pieces we are right there.

We just took a team who went toe to toe with the Stanley Cup finalist to game 7 with a backup backup goaltender

And yet we've lost FIVE successive playoff series, our core is all in their mid 30's and in the last four seasons we haven't even gotten out of the 1st round. But yeah we're a tweak or two away from being a legit contender.

 

[molon labe]

As a Canadian, I have never understood why Americans were so proud of their low taxes. Especially lower/mid income-level people.

I pay more taxes in Canada, but we have universal healthcare, free education up to university, etc.

That being said, I doubt the cost of healthcare/education is a worry for a millionaire athlete

No other nation has produced a rate of 'rags to ritches' even close to America. If you chose to group people economically - even our poorest are truly wealthier than 80+% of the globe.

Now, healthcare we could talk about all day. Not that it's any shred better in Canada - it's just 'free'. Many people I know wait to have surgeries and other major procedures until they're here in the States.

Also tough to compare a nation as big as Canada that has the population of California to one as big and complex as the United States. Different cultures, different people, different priorities. Our GDP could easily provide for certain things it's where it's "spent" that could be debated. Zero reason to raise any taxes when the money is already there.

But the shortest answer to your question is that our nation was founded upon a distrust in government - and the last 100 years has done nothing to skew that opinion. Places in the United States with the highest taxes also tend to have the largest wealth gaps and highest poverty rates (California, New York, etc). Education here is based on growth - some of the best public, private, and collegiate level schools are in the southern US but with a polarized media and 'scores' based on things like growth or averages - the opinion that schools are better in the severely segregated north becomes common opinion (burroughs in the northeast are drastically more segregated than any town in Florida as an example - so schools here pull from all wealth classes and walks of life). So yeah - you could keep the same low (federal) taxes here and provide for some levels of healthcare if you spent better or directed taxes better.

 

[IcedCapp]

Geno is the guy who insisted on leaving the tunnel last, even after Sid. You think honour and respect in these negotiations don’t matter? Not saying he’s hurt or a victim, just saying these guys know their value.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

I always get confused why people would want to go to a state or a city with insane taxes as a high wage earner.

But with him... it sorta makes sense because he's from the buffalo area and NYC would probably be like home, eh?

If I was in the business, i'd be looking at the non-state tax teams and try to save as much as I could. Not buy $400 socks like James Neal.

Because for a lot of people maybe it's not about getting every last penny and more about where it's a good place to live?