Salary Cap: Pens Salary Cap Thread: If we score 6 we win, its science!

[TheGoldenJet]

I don't even know why we're day-dreaming about another scoring line winger, tbh. Hell, even a top-9 winger. Five of this team's top-6 are locked up longer term, Jake's gonna need a new contract in a couple of years that'll probably be in the $9 million AAV range, the 3rd line seems pretty set for a couple years. I fully expect Heinen to stick around unless he prices himself out of town with a great year. I fully expect Zucker to stick around in the range of like, $3.5-4.5 million AAV.

This team's pretty much locked in until the sun sets on the era and the rebuild begins in earnest, imo. At least as far as the top-9 goes. Blueline might be another story with the team probably not viewing Petts favorably, and a decision to make regarding Dumo. I don't see Petts being moved until the cap goes up noticeably in a couple years, and I would be pretty shocked if they didn't just default to handing Dumo a retirement deal due to legacy.

Signing Zucker and Dumo to significant deals in the future would be huge mistakes.

Zucker had 12 in 60 when traded here.

Bertuzzi has a one off 60 pt season too.

Unlike Zucker, Bertuzzi is actually still in his prime.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

If we are hunting LDs I wonder if Philly moves us Provorov. He’d be a perfect LD for Letang IMO.

Now this would cost a premium. Probably more than a pair of second line rental wingers would.

 

[Gurglesons]

Still got only 10.5m to spend after filling 15 roster spots, with a blueline that smells of farts. They are fine but if they want to strengthen they probably need to move some forwards.

Tbh Florida are a team where I could imagine relieving someone them of a useful player on the cheap if the rise is only 1m, but think they'll be able to dodge that if it's 4m.

How do you have only 15? They’ve got everyone up front signed outside of Hornqvist

Still got only 10.5m to spend after filling 15 roster spots, with a blueline that smells of farts. They are fine but if they want to strengthen they probably need to move some forwards.

Tbh Florida are a team where I could imagine relieving someone them of a useful player on the cheap if the rise is only 1m, but think they'll be able to dodge that if it's 4m.

If you think their D smells like farts they have Ekblad, Forsling and Montour as the trio to build around next year and can get rid of everyone else and spend all the money on a top four guy and a marginal bottom pairing guy.

Also they have 15 players signed but they have pretty much all of their forwards signed aside from two RFAs and Hornqvist who they are probably happy to get rid of.

 

[Peat]

How do you have only 15? They’ve got everyone up front signed outside of Hornqvist


If you think their D smells like farts they have Ekblad, Forsling and Montour as the trio to build around next year and can get rid of everyone else and spend all the money on a top four guy and a marginal bottom pairing guy.

Also they have 15 players signed but they have pretty much all of their forwards signed aside from two RFAs and Hornqvist who they are probably happy to get rid of.

10 forwards - as you note, the RFAs aren't signed for next year - 3 dmen and 2 goalies.

It's not a desperate situation, but once they sign a top four guy and go down to around 6m to fill out a 16 man roster, it is a situation where a team might start considering letting a guy go. Maybe not even a guy like Duclair, but a guy like White or Balcers might find themselves UFAs again.

 

[Gurglesons]

10 forwards - as you note, the RFAs aren't signed for next year - 3 dmen and 2 goalies.

It's not a desperate situation, but once they sign a top four guy and go down to around 6m to fill out a 16 man roster, it is a situation where a team might start considering letting a guy go. Maybe not even a guy like Duclair, but a guy like White or Balcers might find themselves UFAs again.

Yeah, I think you're overblowing this one @Peat.

Verhaeghe - Barkov - Duke
Tkachuk - Bennett - Reinhart
Luostarinen - Lundell - X
Lomberg - Cousins - X

Pretty easy forward group to fill in especially given Florida's work at acquiring retreads an turning them into effective NHLers.

Forsling - Ekblad
X - Montour
Mahura - X

Bob
Knight

With 10 mil you can spend 7ish on a top four D without even taking into consideration the tax benefits of Florida.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Orlov jump ship to Florida for something like 6.75 x 8.

Either that or Gavrikov given the CBbus connection and what doe she cost 5 mil on a long term deal?

 

[Peat]

I think you're overblowing what I'm saying. I'm not saying they're going to struggle to fill a roster or have to trade Sam Reinhart or anything. I'm saying that once they reinforce that blueline, maybe they trade or don't qualify a couple of their depth forwards - relying on their ability to pick up retreads - to save a bit of money. Which generally helps teams with a bit more space get what they want.

Unless they get an extra 3m worth of cap space at which point it becomes rather easy for them.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I don't think Florida's a threat to do anything until they find a way to dump Bob onto somebody. With no 1st rounders for another few years, and probably a pretty restrictive NTC for Bob, I think they're stuck.

Ekblad's injury woes aren't helping, and the fact that they bombed on the Huberdeau/Weegar for Tkachuk trade ain't great either.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don't think Florida's a threat to do anything until they find a way to dump Bob onto somebody. With no 1st rounders for another few years, and probably a pretty restrictive NTC for Bob, I think they're stuck.

Ekblad's injury woes aren't helping, and the fact that they bombed on the Huberdeau/Weegar for Tkachuk trade ain't great either.

I think that’s a big reason why they made the trade. They could either go all in one more year and probably be a coin flip for a cup or they could move out two 28+ pieces that don’t fit the rest of their core for a piece like Tkachuk who fits in the age group of Barkov, Lundell and Ekblad.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think that’s a big reason why they made the trade. They could either go all in one more year and probably be a coin flip for a cup or they could move out two 28+ pieces that don’t fit the rest of their core for a piece like Tkachuk who fits in the age group of Barkov, Lundell and Ekblad.

I don't know. I think that trade was a shitshow for Florida. At best, Tkachuk and Barkov are a wash (I think Barkov's a good bit better, and I really like Tkachuk). Weegar was a pretty good d-man, imo.

Even if Tkachuk excels, they're still screwed because Playoff Bob is just gonna torpedo any season they have--whether they just eek into the playoffs of stomp their way to President's Trophy contention.

Also, I had to check. Ekblad's only about 27. Feel like he's been in the league for 15 years already.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Tarasenko would be pretty lethal next to Malkin. Rust back to Crosby line and Rakell to LW the Malkin line.

Replace Tarasenko with Bertuzzi and I’m game.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Replace Tarasenko with Bertuzzi and I’m game.

Either would look nice here, always been a fan of Tarasenko and Bertuzzi brings a nice all around game, I like his style of play

 

[pistolpete11]

I like Bertuzzi, but he strikes me as Zucker 2.0. They were both 2nd round picks (59th overall for Zucker, 58th overall for Bertuzzi). Had a 45-50ish point season or 2 and then in their age 26 season went for over 60 points. They both play a straight forward, high energy style, not overly physical but don't shy away from mixing it up. And now Bertuzzi is starting to build his own lengthy list of injuries. I don't think it is worth giving up the assets it would take to get him and/or get rid of Zucker.

A guy like Tarasenko at least brings a more unique element with his shot and goal scoring abilities, but I don't see why the Blues would trade him. I don't really see the Wings trading Bertuzzi either. I think they are going to be on the bubble this year.

 

[Pens1566]

Tarasenko would give us the extra guy that can draw attention away from Sid/Geno/Jake. Something Kessel was good at.

Not sure there's any legit way to get him though. At least not now. Window was ~2yrs ago.

 

[Flying Dego]

Unlike Zucker, Bertuzzi is actually still in his prime.

Maybe on a normal hockey scale...but by Penguins metrics he's just starting into his prime.

 

[chethejet]

Look the Pens are set up for the next 3 years. They fronted the contracts of Malkin, Rust, Letang and Rakell to have them lower cash wise in year 4. Sid is at 3 million is actual cash expenditure for his salary. Pens can move low cash salary players by then. I don't think they do but can see a rebuild in year 4 if the Pens don;t get the kind of results that the the brass expect. Plus if the Pens are just not good enough which I think is unlikely, Sid's contract is up and he may pack it in anyway.

I think the Pens will be good to very good for the next forseable future. Yes some move like replacing the LD and L2 will be made, but Pens have more than enough cap room to do so. I think the move to watch is Jake. His contract is up in 2 years and it will be interesting to see what the Pens do. My guess is they pony up as a inducement for Sid to play another year or two. But if they decide Jake at say 9 million AAV for 5 years is just something that is not doable, then either they bring in a FA LW or one of the younger prospects are ready for prime time on Sids line.

 

[Peat]

Blues currently had 11.8m odd to spend next off-season with only 14 guys signed, and both Tarasenko and ROR expiring. Seems a half-decent chance they just walk away from Tarasenko, or that Tarasenko still wants to leave there anyway.

 

[Andy99]

NHL’s top 11 UFAs of 2023: Latest rumours, reports

The 2023 class of UFAs is, to say the least, a little thin on elite talent. But that doesn't mean there isn't intrigue! Luke Fox ranks the best 11 UFAs-in-waiting.

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Dumo gets an honorable mention but Zucker is nowhere to be seen…lol

 

[SEALBound]

I don't think Florida's a threat to do anything until they find a way to dump Bob onto somebody. With no 1st rounders for another few years, and probably a pretty restrictive NTC for Bob, I think they're stuck.

Ekblad's injury woes aren't helping, and the fact that they bombed on the Huberdeau/Weegar for Tkachuk trade ain't great either.

It's been an interesting ride as an outsider watching Florida under Zito these last couple of years. A couple of years ago these seemed primed to be a longer-ish term contender with a well-managed roster. Now, after several big moves, you look and wince a bit. They still have a kick-ass top 6 and some good young players but when looking at the totality of the moves...it's almost reminisce of JR's last season or two with us.

Their best bet is for Bob to bounce back. Instead of thinking through dumping him and cap management, they should be down there working with him too get him back in the saddle. They have little choice unless he's really, really injured.

Tarasenko would give us the extra guy that can draw attention away from Sid/Geno/Jake. Something Kessel was good at.

Not sure there's any legit way to get him though. At least not now. Window was ~2yrs ago.

This is what I was going to say on him. Just one more high end shooting talent that you have to respect would put us in a great position.

Jake-Sid-Rust
Rakell-Malkin-Tarasanko

would be a great top 6. He's going to be looking for that 5yr, $7mil+ deal though. Which, after Zucker is gone, we could manage if the cap does indeed go up $4mil. We just have to bank on our stock of young guys playing the roles we need, ie - DOC at 4C, Poulin/Puustinen at a wing, Smith on the 3rd pairing, etc. Then you could even look to dump Bleuger and McGinn and reshape the bottom 6 a tad.

Blues currently had 11.8m odd to spend next off-season with only 14 guys signed, and both Tarasenko and ROR expiring. Seems a half-decent chance they just walk away from Tarasenko, or that Tarasenko still wants to leave there anyway.

I was going to say - does the guy still want out? I just hope he's not unhappy with the city of St. Louis because it's not like Pittsburgh is that much better in terms of cities to live in. If he comes here, it will be because of a connection with Malkin (if it even exists) and a true belief that they can win. This of course in addition to giving him a comparable amount of money vs the other suiters. It's a tough sell. It really is.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

I like Bertuzzi, but he strikes me as Zucker 2.0. They were both 2nd round picks (59th overall for Zucker, 58th overall for Bertuzzi). Had a 45-50ish point season or 2 and then in their age 26 season went for over 60 points. They both play a straight forward, high energy style, not overly physical but don't shy away from mixing it up. And now Bertuzzi is starting to build his own lengthy list of injuries. I don't think it is worth giving up the assets it would take to get him and/or get rid of Zucker.

A guy like Tarasenko at least brings a more unique element with his shot and goal scoring abilities, but I don't see why the Blues would trade him. I don't really see the Wings trading Bertuzzi either. I think they are going to be on the bubble this year.

Apparently Tarasenko has been looking for an out in STL for some time, sure its rumors but its also possible.

Detroit being a bubble team just lost Varana for the foreseeable future and Bertuzzi is injured, that's 2 important players in the top 6 out so that bubble could burst sooner than later.

Not saying anything gets done but the above are 2 possibilities they cold be moved

 

[Peat]

I was going to say - does the guy still want out? I just hope he's not unhappy with the city of St. Louis because it's not like Pittsburgh is that much better in terms of cities to live in. If he comes here, it will be because of a connection with Malkin (if it even exists) and a true belief that they can win. This of course in addition to giving him a comparable amount of money vs the other suiters. It's a tough sell. It really is.

I haven't paid a huge deal of attention but I think it's more management than habitat.

That said, I imagine the queue for him would involve half the league, and assuming equal money and no unknown preferences, he's going to start looking for places that will put his skillset to the best advantage and a left-shot sniper might well look at our PP and go hmm. Would be a far easier sell if he was a rightie.

 

[K Fleur]

I wish Kap was like half as good of a player as his dad was.

 

[The Old Master]

Apparently Tarasenko has been looking for an out in STL for some time, sure its rumors but its also possible.

if i remember right, tank wanted out because of a rift with management. the fans took his side so when he came back all was good.

 

[SEALBound]

I haven't paid a huge deal of attention but I think it's more management than habitat.

That said, I imagine the queue for him would involve half the league, and assuming equal money and no unknown preferences, he's going to start looking for places that will put his skillset to the best advantage and a left-shot sniper might well look at our PP and go hmm. Would be a far easier sell if he was a rightie.

Yeah and if, for some reason, they want to part ways with him, St. Louis will be looking for nice assets back. He could also be "our rental" for them. So I think if we want him here, it's through FA.

I think you could replace Rust with Tarasanko. Malkin at right point, Tarasanko on right wall, Sid low, Letang on left point, Jake on left wall...I mean that's 5 shooters you have to respect. Ideally someone actually takes a shot.

 

[pistolpete11]

Apparently Tarasenko has been looking for an out in STL for some time, sure its rumors but its also possible.

Detroit being a bubble team just lost Varana for the foreseeable future and Bertuzzi is injured, that's 2 important players in the top 6 out so that bubble could burst sooner than later.

Not saying anything gets done but the above are 2 possibilities they cold be moved

How many offseasons and trade deadlines have come and gone with Tarasenko wanting out? Assuming that report is true in the first place, they've either reconciled or the Blues aren't looking to trade him. The one caveat I'd put on that is if there was a Laine-PLD type swap that is for players of roughly equal value, but the Pens don't have anyone to trade that would be anywhere close to equal to Tarasenko. Zucker or Kapanen aren't getting it done. So unless they fall out of the playoff hunt, I don't see a reasonable way for the Pens to get him.

If Bertuzzi becomes available, I'm only interested if he is a straight up addition that doesn't cost too much (i.e. adding Rakell last year) which likely means utilizing LTIR or it's Kapanen that is going out. If we're talking about Zucker out and someone else in, then I'd want it to be someone like Tarasenko, not another 45-50 point winger who had 1 standout season.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think Tank's big frustration in St. Louis is how his injury was handled or something related to that IIRC.

Since he's been healthy and bounced back to previous levels I sort of imagine things have largely been smoothed over. The time to get him was like two years ago. You know... when I was pounding the desk about it on here every day haha