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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[Empoleon8771]

Erod's points occurred during a hot streak early in the season. He was utterly useless the second half & in the playoffs. Rakell is a far better player.

I forgot that points early in the season don't count all of a sudden.

God, this place gets so funky when you give any sort of positive praise to any of the whipping boys. I didn't even say I wanted Rodrigues back, I specifically don't, I just think he's going to be making a nice payday in UFA from a team who needs a center.

 

[HandshakeLine]

ERod plays both wings and also plays center. I think he had the versatility edge on Rakell because of that.

But that's not the point of what I'm saying, the point of what I'm saying is that I don't think Rakell and ERod really come that far apart in money in free agency. I'm thinking Rakell comes in at $4.5 million while ERod comes in at $3.5 million.

I wasn't disagreeing, sorry if that wasn't clear. I was just mentioning that because I think people forget that both are kind of the same kinds of middle 6 utility guys.

 

[Pens x]

Please don’t re-sign Rodrigues

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Please don’t re-sign Rodrigues

If you could get ERod back for Carter's contract and Carter were gone... would you do it?

Just a little hypothetical. And don't say "neither" -- that isn't an option in this scenario.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I wasn't disagreeing, sorry if that wasn't clear. I was just mentioning that because I think people forget that both are kind of the same kinds of middle 6 utility guys.

Yeah and I kinda made that post a few posts up about Rakell too, I think Penguins fans overrate him a bit because of how starved this team was for wingers for Malkin. I definitely do that, I really like Rakell and want him back desperately.

He's like a 40-50 point utility middle-6 guy, that's not really that much different than the other guys they've had with Malkin over the past few years. The thing that makes Rakell unique is that he appears to mesh really well with the team and Malkin and Crosby, while the other guys didn't do that.

 

[Pens x]

If you could get ERod back for Carter's contract and Carter were gone... would you do it?

Just a little hypothetical. And don't say "neither" -- that isn't an option in this scenario.

Haha that is a tough one. They both do very little for me. I might take rod since he’s younger?

 

[Empoleon8771]

If you could get ERod back for Carter's contract and Carter were gone... would you do it?

Just a little hypothetical. And don't say "neither" -- that isn't an option in this scenario.

I think no. I'm more confident in Carter being effective as long as you watch his usage than I have in ERod matching what an effective Carter would do in the role.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah and I kinda made that post a few posts up about Rakell too, I think Penguins fans overrate him a bit because of how starved this team was for wingers for Malkin. I definitely do that, I really like Rakell and want him back desperately.

He's like a 40-50 point utility middle-6 guy, that's not really that much different than the other guys they've had with Malkin over the past few years. The thing that makes Rakell unique is that he appears to mesh really well with the team and Malkin and Crosby, while the other guys didn't do that.

I would agree but as an addendum say that it sure seems that a lot of wingers acquired started off hot here only to significantly cool down.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I forgot that points early in the season don't count all of a sudden.

God, this place gets so funky when you give any sort of positive praise to any of the whipping boys. I didn't even say I wanted Rodrigues back, I specifically don't, I just think he's going to be making a nice payday in UFA from a team who needs a center.

Huh? I'm just pointing out that, while E-Rod had a fine season, his point totals are skewed because of a wild surge he had to start the year before the water level settled.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Huh? I'm just pointing out that, while E-Rod had a fine season, his point totals are skewed because of a wild surge he had to start the year before the water level settled.

That wasn't directed at you, that was directed at the other guy for saying Rakell is far better than ERod

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Haha that is a tough one. They both do very little for me. I might take rod since he’s younger?

I like ERod's roster flexibility more than Carter's although both have it. I'm more confident in ERod holding up a full season like the team needs him to, as well.

I think no. I'm more confident in Carter being effective as long as you watch his usage than I have in ERod matching what an effective Carter would do in the role.

Carter as a RH is more valuable in the circles. And he is also a better goal scorer and overall a smarter/savvier player.

I think in the balance I would take ERod only because he seems more fit to handle an entire season. Neither are ideal by any stretch.

 

[MayorofWBS]

People put too much on ERod's hot streak last season. Nice player if you get him cheap (real cheap). It's time to move on as he'll make too much money. ZAR goes into the same bucket. You need to cut bait with bottom 6ers when they hit a certain contract threshold.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think E-Rod's a fine, if streaky, 3rd liner. I think Rakell's probably a 2nd/3rd line tweener, falling on the 2nd line of a team like this and 3rd of a team with actual top-6 depth. Rakell, I feel, probably has more creativity and vision to work on a scoring line. E-Rod's a bit of a mess up in the lineup, particularly at wing--I feel he's probably better at center than wing too.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

It was either Rocket from the Tombs or Stooges and RFTT won out being Ohio-based and all.

R.I.P. to Peter Laughner, the unsung Ohio legend.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Rakell played some center during his time in Anaheim. He may not be as "natural" a center as Rodrigues but their versatility is about equal.

Neither player moves the needle for this team, really. The type of forwards we need are players Mike Sullivan hates. And Hextall is 100% in step with his coach, seemingly. The other type of forward we need is one we cannot afford (if we bring back 71).

That is perhaps the biggest issue facing this franchise at present time.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

People put too much on ERod's hot streak last season. Nice player if you get him cheap (real cheap). It's time to move on as he'll make too much money. ZAR goes into the same bucket. You need to cut bait with bottom 6ers when they hit a certain contract threshold.

Oh absolutely. But the team is gonna sign it's depth guys regardless of how much we roll our eyes. And I suppose in a lot of ways I'd rather have a younger thoroughly mediocre player than an older thoroughly mediocre player.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah the ERod vs Carter at the same money debate is an interesting discussion to have that I don't have a strong opinion either way on. I think the big thing with me is that while ERod fell off a cliff after his hot start last year, he also wasn't playing center over that window. Him playing a different position doesn't erase the fact that he was way worse, but I don't know how much you can evaluate how he'd be at center based on his performance he gave on the wing. Like I said above, I lean Carter on that discussion but the open question regarding what Rodrigues could do at center over a full year is something I don't think we have an answer to.

I think a team should take a gamble on him as a middle-6 center in UFA, and if he booms for them in the role, congrats to that team. Not this team of course, I mean someone else

 

[K Fleur]

I’d rather have E-Rod than Kap.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Honestly as downright horrible as ERod mostly was down the stretch (and then had a rough penalty in the POs) I think we underrate him a bit. But only at not a penny over like 2M a year.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think E-Rod's a fine, if streaky, 3rd liner. I think Rakell's probably a 2nd/3rd line tweener, falling on the 2nd line of a team like this and 3rd of a team with actual top-6 depth. Rakell, I feel, probably has more creativity and vision to work on a scoring line. E-Rod's a bit of a mess up in the lineup, particularly at wing--I feel he's probably better at center than wing too.

Yeah I think this is pretty much spot on. I just don't think the difference between a middle-6 winger and a should-be 3C is that big from a money POV.

But yeah back to the original point, if the Penguins can't afford to re-sign Rakell I don't think they can afford to re-sign Rodrigues. And the more we hear about Letang's contract negotiations, the more I feel like he'll be coming in for cheaper than we expected.

Honestly as downright horrible as ERod mostly was down the stretch (and then had a rough penalty in the POs) I think we underrate him a bit. But only at not a penny over like 2M a year.

I wouldn't want ERod back period

He's a center and the team just doesn't have a spot for him. I think that's really what it comes down to for me. Let another team who needs a 3C give him a nice payday after his career year.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Honestly I think the thing that really soured people on ERod was his time next to Crosby on the wing.

And I mean... yeah... I totally get it.

I wouldn't want ERod back period

He's a center and the team just doesn't have a spot for him. I think that's really what it comes down to for me. Let another team who needs a 3C give him a nice payday after his career year.

Well yeah. I don't want him back NOW. Like you said there is no room. But in my little Carter hypothetical the GM wouldn't have fallen all over himself to sign a fossil midseason and maybe this debate would be more interesting.

 

[Zbynek]

I hesitate to even say this because I know everyone is such a big fan but... should we really be THAT high on Raks, anyway? He didn't score at anything close to a good pace here which... granted... small sample size. And while I definitely appreciate some aspects of his game and loved how he looked with Sid when tried I don't think that's where he is going to slot in and I feel like this team needs more goal scorers. Not another questionable goal scorer with some nice complimentary attributes to his game. Seems like they already have assloads of those.

I'm not opposed to him being back. I just am not convinced he's an actual pressing need and will be getting at least 4+ million to maybe just be more of the same on this roster.

Rakell fits like a glove to our needs. An actual top-6 winger with actual top-6 specs. Obviously not Forsberg level ceiling, but he comes at half the price. With our cap situation right now he makes too much sense and there's nothing better out there at his price range.

I really hope Hextall remembers he traded a 2nd for Rakell. If we let him walk we'll be banished to nothing but Simons, Shearys, and Kapanens in our top-6 for the forseeable future.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I hesitate to even say this because I know everyone is such a big fan but... should we really be THAT high on Raks, anyway? He didn't score at anything close to a good pace here which... granted... small sample size. And while I definitely appreciate some aspects of his game and loved how he looked with Sid when tried I don't think that's where he is going to slot in and I feel like this team needs more goal scorers. Not another questionable goal scorer with some nice complimentary attributes to his game. Seems like they already have assloads of those.

I'm not opposed to him being back. I just am not convinced he's an actual pressing need and will be getting at least 4+ million to maybe just be more of the same on this roster.

You called it: small samples

I've seen enough of Rakell to sense that he plays a game heavier than his size and he will at least go NEAR the net. Seems like our other F's don't want to go near the other goalie. He's got decent wheels and enough hockey IQ to play with either Sid or Malkin. He had chemistry with both.

Rakell to me is a "must sign" or I'll be really disappointed.

 

[K Fleur]

Rakell looked f***ing awesome with Crosby. Glad we all got to enjoy that combo for 5 periods.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Rakell fits like a glove to our needs. An actual top-6 winger with actual top-6 specs. Obviously not Forsberg level ceiling, but he comes at half the price. With our cap situation right now he makes too much sense and there's nothing better out there at his price range.

I really hope Hextall remembers he traded a 2nd for Rakell. If we let him walk we'll be banished to nothing but Simons, Shearys, and Kapanens in our top-6 for the forseeable future.

You called it: small samples

I've seen enough of Rakell to sense that he plays a game heavier than his size and he will at least go NEAR the net. Seems like our other F's don't want to go near the other goalie. He's got decent wheels and enough hockey IQ to play with either Sid or Malkin. He had chemistry with both.

Rakell to me is a "must sign" or I'll be really disappointed.

Well hopefully you guys are right.

I wonder how he'll fit in with <SECOND LINE CENTER> next year if he comes back?