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.

hfboards.mandatory.com

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[ChaosAgent]

Can/will any contender offer him much more than 3x7m? He won't go bottom feeder unless they offer him something ridiculous.

I think Seattle is the most likely bottom feeder that won't feel like a bottom feeder. Expansion teams move in weird ways.

Still think it's his most likely destination outside of Pittsburgh.

 

[Invalid cuz QoC]

Can/will any contender offer him much more than 3x7m? He won't go bottom feeder unless they offer him something ridiculous.

4x7m depending on what you define a contender as personally.

 

[McGroarty2]

Mayo can go on a lot of things, on a burger I can't tolerate it.

Mayo and PB go well together on toast.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

So it’s been pretty much confirmed 6x4 is what Malkin wants. If Hextall wants to take his time with it and see if he can get his coveted 3 years, fine. But if Malkin walks because we couldn’t do 6x4 I’m going to be none to pleased.

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

if Malkin blinks first it’ll be 6 for 3. If the Pens do it’ll be 6 for 4. Everything else is JP Barry crying

I think I agree with this. I think it’ll get to a point where one side just says “screw it, let’s just get it done” and it’ll be over with.

 

[molon labe]

I think if he gets to FA he's as good as gone. He'll 100% see bigger offers there so if he's already uncomfortable with what the Pens are offering he's not going to get any less so in free agency. If Geno feels the offer is bad now wait until he sees a huge contract from FA like you said...

Honestly - I don't think so. Not in regards to 'bigger offers'.

I think we're one of maybe 2 teams in the league willing to go 3 on Geno.

Go check out the main boards and see other fanbases and how they view him, seriously. You think WE view him as washed or injury prone? Pales in comparison. Other fanbases would riot if their team spent 3-4 x 7+ on a 36 year old Malkin. Best you'll see from the 15 teams looking for 2C/Winger upgrades is a higher 1-2 year offer. Like, I could easily see Colorado offering Geno his current 9M for 1 year. But what difference does that make to his camp in the long run? You throw a hissy fit and and up taking a 1 or 2 year deal elswhere for less money overall? Then you try and sell Geno at 38 years old? Just silly.

At this point it seems to be coming down to a pride/ego thing. Not surprising. Pro athelets are more like delayed-maturity big kids... I mean at least Geno is a dad but this isn't a negotiation from an average person over a job where you'd expect mutual understandings. This is like - a relationship headed south. Honestly, if this goes to FA I believe it's entirely due to feelings in Geno's camp versus money or anything else. Our management seem to be doing their job, Barry seems to be dillusional, and Geno seems to have his heart broken a little. Hopefully everyone comes to a kumbaya but who knows.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

God, I hope Palat is a target.

 

[molon labe]

I think Seattle is the most likely bottom feeder that won't feel like a bottom feeder. Expansion teams move in weird ways.

Still think it's his most likely destination outside of Pittsburgh.

Seattle is hilarious to me.

I'd honestly have taken any single poster (even the hyperbolic ones) on this message board -and their expansion choices - over what they chose to do to that team.

Let's skip out on a legendary expansion draft where every GM in the league panicked with COVID cap concerns - offering 15 all stars - and select league average/below average players and just go from there. One season later? WE'RE GONNA BE BIG SPENDERS!!!

Yeah, I could see them making a splash with Malkin...signing a washed Subban for like 4.5M, and/or offering Johnny like WAYYY too much money.

 

[Fordy]

People actually want a 38, 39 and 40 year old Malkin?
Penguins supporters gave on up winning a playoff round and just want to ice the good ol boys club to parade around the ice.

yes and i'm going to get what i want and more

 

[molon labe]

God, I hope Palat is a target.

Trochek for sure is, Palat probably recently is.

Palat going to end up in like, Calgary or Ottawa though.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Seattle is hilarious to me.

I'd honestly have taken any single poster (even the hyperbolic ones) on this message board -and their expansion choices - over what they chose to do to that team.

Let's skip out on a legendary expansion draft where every GM in the league panicked with COVID cap concerns - offering 15 all stars - and select league average/below average players and just go from there. One season later? WE'RE GONNA BE BIG SPENDERS!!!

Yeah, I could see them making a splash with Malkin...signing a washed Subban for like 4.5M, and/or offering Johnny like WAYYY too much money.

I think Seattle went all-in with the crappy analytics, CORSI stars etc.

But they have A LOT of space and could make Geno their Captain.

Schwartz-Geno-Eberle?
Geno-McCann-Eberle? Would be hilarious if it worked...

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I'm not enough of a psychopath to go back to threads from 2.5 years ago, but people salivated about Zucker-Malkin-Rust that entire year.

You're right that his wingers suck, though you seem to love Carter and Geno is openly advocating for the team to bring back Kapanen (maybe you, Geno and objectively reality don't all agree).

But we're in a double-bind. A Geno L2 is likely no longer effective with subpar talent in a low-event style (e.g., 2016 playoffs). Or there isn't a great Geno L2 "fit" to elevate the line beyond the individual talent (e.g., Hagelin-Geno-Hornqvist). And the team seems unwilling to push their chips in the middle on an elite talent to pair with Geno - due in part to having to eat it on Zucker's contract.

So enjoy Heinen-Geno-Rust I guess. Or Zucker-Geno-Rakell or whatever. It is what it is. There's people in the fanbase who think those lines can still light it up given health - bless their souls.

Sure wasn't me, but I guess that was also before Zucker had definitively proven that he was totally useless on a scoring line so...

Carter's numbers are beyond reproach. He's producing better than any 3C we've had since Staal and has scored goals at an elite level in the playoffs. He needs to have his minutes reduced and his role on the PK re-evaluated because...he's 37.

Malkin doesn't need an elite talent to be effective. He was more effective last year than just about any center would under the circumstances. But playing regularly with Rakell would give him a boost from the drek he's had to work with the last couple years, and giving him the sort of support Crosby has would show that he's every bit as effective offensively as Crosby. The latter's not likely to happen, but throwing a player with that kind of talent under the bus by saying they're no longer the player used to be isn't fair or reflective of their ability.

The problem is the team's unwillingness to give him competent support. Not Malkin himself.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

I do think it's increasingly hilarious and vomit-inducing how Rossi has become the official water carrier for an athlete while still calling himself an objective journalist writing for an organization with national news outlets. Just retire from the Athletic and become his publicist already.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Sure wasn't me, but I guess that was also before Zucker had definitively proven that he was totally useless on a scoring line so...

Carter's numbers are beyond reproach. He's producing better than any 3C we've had since Staal and has scored goals at an elite level in the playoffs. He needs to have his minutes reduced and his role on the PK re-evaluated because...he's 37.

Malkin doesn't need an elite talent to be effective. He was more effective last year than just about any center would under the circumstances. But playing regularly with Rakell would give him a boost from the drek he's had to work with the last couple years, and giving him the sort of support Crosby has would show that he's every bit as effective offensively as Crosby. The latter's not likely to happen, but throwing a player with that kind of talent under the bus by saying they're no longer the player used to be isn't fair or reflective of their ability.

The problem is the team's unwillingness to give him competent support. Not Malkin himself.

Okay, so Carter is a great player but shitty support for Malkin.

If Malkin gets Heinen and Rakell. Are you happy? Promise to not kvetch incessantly about it in 4 months?

 

[eXile3]

People actually want a 38, 39 and 40 year old Malkin?
Penguins supporters gave on up winning a playoff round and just want to ice the good ol boys club to parade around the ice.

I mean, he scored 20 goals in 41 games,, above a PPG, and carries the power play. I'm okay with moving on from him if you have a replacement. Who is a realistic option to replace that?

I would take less offense for more defense but there isn't even that available.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The Penguins probably can't afford Palat unless they make some pretty dramatic cap moves.

My expectations right now are:

-Worst case scenario: they don't trade Pettersson or anyone else for capspace and they go into next year with Zucker-Malkin-Rakell as the 2nd line and Cheap UFA-Carter-Kapanen as the 3rd line
-Realistic best case scenario: they trade Pettersson and use his money to add 2 top-6 wingers for Malkin, which would have the 3rd line be Zucker-Carter-Cheap UFA
-Idealistic best case scenario: they trade Pettersson and Zucker and use his cap space to both add 2 top-6 wingers for Malkin and really beef up the 3rd line.

I've said it a few times, but my goal middle-6 for this off-season would be Rakell-Malkin-Trocheck and Heinen-Carter-Kapanen, but I think that would fall in the "idealistic best case scenario" group.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Okay, so Carter is a great player but shitty support for Malkin.

If Malkin gets Heinen and Rakell. Are you happy? Promise to not kvetch incessantly about it in 4 months?

If Malkin gets Heinen and Rakell it'd qualify as competent support. Not good support, but competent and better than he's seen in years. We'd have to do better to be serious contenders.

Any time you feel the urge to rip Malkin for his production or lack of legs, just try to imagine he and Crosby switching linemates and consider the result. It may help to remember how Crosby has always looked when frustrated with a linemate, which ain't pretty.

Carter is not a great player. He's a player who provides a lot of what this team can use, with some flaws that they haven't adequately compensated for. But he's also a f*** of a lot better than Sheahan, Bjugstad, Brassard, and whatever other asshat this team has thrown at 3C since Bonino left.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I'm not enough of a psychopath to go back to threads from 2.5 years ago, but people salivated about Zucker-Malkin-Rust that entire year.

I recall posting on here that it should’ve been:

Zucker-Sid-Sheary
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust

…in that “playins/playoffs” (which was more like a preseason level of play). Note that was back when Zucker was still playing well and considered a good scoring line wing in his 20’s. That would’ve given the Penguins two 100% proven lines, as that top line played together down the stretch before the covid shutdown and did quite well, and GMR was proven beyond doubt.

Instead, Sullsma opted for two unknown lines of GCS (hadn’t played together in 4 years) and Zucker-Malkin-Rust, and the result was another first round exit (well, even earlier than a 1st round exit).

*Shrug*

 

[Josey Wales]

I recall posting on here that it should’ve been:

Zucker-Sid-Sheary
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust

…in that “playins/playoffs” (which was more like a preseason level of play). Note that was back when Zucker was still playing well and considered a good scoring line wing in his 20’s. That would’ve given the Penguins two 100% proven lines, as that top line played together down the stretch before the covid shutdown and did quite well, and GMR was proven beyond doubt.

Instead, Sullsma opted for two unknown lines of GCS (hadn’t played together in 4 years) and Zucker-Malkin-Rust, and the result was another first round exit (well, even earlier than a 1st round exit).

*Shrug*

NO Sid wanted Guentzel & Sheary like he wanted Dupuis & Kunitz & now wants Guentzel & Rust

 

[Andy99]

God, I hope Palat is a target.

he should be because from all accounts it doesn’t look like Rakell will be signing here…

just get Geno’s damn contract done this weekend!…too close to Wednesday will be stressing me out…

 

[LOGiK]

I mean, he scored 20 goals in 41 games,, above a PPG, and carries the power play. I'm okay with moving on from him if you have a replacement. Who is a realistic option to replace that?

I would take less offense for more defense but there isn't even that available.

Well, of course old man malkin is better than the majority of other teams on the bottom are icing. He'll put up points. But against up and coming high end talent and playoff clubs... I wouldn't expect to get out of the first round.

But they'll win and he'll score some goals.
Honestly, even if the penguins sign Malkin to 40.... they _still_ wouldn't have a replacement for him.

 

[Power Surge]

Rather have Palat over Rakell if we can swing that

 

[Coastal Kev]

I don’t think you can physically bring yourself to give Hextall any credit.

If we still had JR, he would have traded Letang for Max Domi and given Rust and Malkin 8x8

Amazing post. Compare Jrs and Hextalls resume/results and get back to me.

Your post may be one most illogical posts ever posted on this board. Please rethink and try again.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Okay, so Carter is a great player but shitty support for Malkin.

If Malkin gets Heinen and Rakell. Are you happy? Promise to not kvetch incessantly about it in 4 months?

Heinen sucks dude.

 

[wheelz87]

Tampa traded McDonagh away and still don't have enough for Palat? Dude would be unreal here.