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

[SEALBound]

I really struggle on who to target for the forward group that isn't a bottom 6 player. I think the top 6, barring injury, is pretty well set. I don't think we are sending Rust out so the best thing for the team is for him to return to form being that 70-80pt pace top 6 wing. He has it in him, he just needs to get there.

For the bottom 6, I think really the only thing we need is another McGinn type that can provide some speed and grit with a scoring touch at a tolerable hit. And quite honestly, I think we have that...Kapanen. What we need is for him to return to being a 40pt winger, which is most certainly NOT out of his capability.

Looking at the roster, if you have two top 6 lines clicking (think Jake-Sid-Rakell + Zucker-Geno-Rakell) and then you have a 3rd line of McGinn-Carter-Kapanen and both of McGinn and Kapanen are producing at the 40pt rate, we don't really have any weaknesses. The goal then becomes "everyone needs to perform".

The best thing I could hope for is if Kapanen returns to form, MAYBE swapping him for a guy like Comtois. I think long term for us, Comtois may be a tad bit better but if Kapanen continues and maintains his current level of play, I may change my mind.

 

[Gurglesons]

Not to be snarky, but Rakell is also a LW too. Your point is still vailid

Rakell is right handed and has played all three forward positions in the NHL.

 

[SEALBound]

Not that I'm itching to trade for a winger but I think being a bit skeptical of Zucker staying healthy and/or keeping up his strong play is also pretty valid.

I'm not really sure this team has the assets to make a trade of any significance, and I'm not really sure who they'd even target. That being said, I hope it doesn't end up being Garland. Really don't think very much of the dude and his contract sucks.

I mean, that's a valid concern on literally every player. All wingers we in the top 6 have, at one point, dealt with major injuries and have gone cold for stretches. It's not like Zucker is playing significantly above his baseline. He's just finally returned to his norm.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Are we just on default "get wingerz" setting?

With Zucker playing great this is not the priority. The PP and defense are.

Not that I'm itching to trade for a winger but I think being a bit skeptical of Zucker staying healthy and/or keeping up his strong play is also pretty valid.

I'm not really sure this team has the assets to make a trade of any significance, and I'm not really sure who they'd even target. That being said, I hope it doesn't end up being Garland. Really don't think very much of the dude and his contract sucks.

I'm pretty sure @AuroraBorealis was only vying for Garland in the off season, assuming Zucker is gone.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I'm pretty sure @AuroraBorealis was only vying for Garland in the off season, assuming Zucker is gone.

I'm not even talking about any post specifically. Just skimmed and saw Garland mentioned a few times. Really think that is the exact opposite guy this team should be targeting for the middle-6.

 

[Gurglesons]

Gotcha. So he should be scoring 70+ points in a PP2 role. Wasn't aware being one of the best 5v5 wingers in hockey was a prerequisite for 2nd line LW on the Penguins. No one told me.
Will be good when Rakell and Zucker do that this year for us, with comparable price tags to Garland.

Ah so being 5'10" or smaller includes a dole on point totals? Man, this league is making the weirdest changes right now. Thankfully Guentzel and Sid are just above the cut-off line and are exempt, at least in the official records

As to who he can replace... hmm that's a brain buster. Are there lifelines on the board here? Phone a friend? 50/50? Ask the audience?

Who said anything about scoring 70+? He’s a 20 - 20 guy at best and the per/60 metrics you cited are the same ones that said Zucker was a slam dunk to succeed here too.

Sorry about being concerned about more small forwards, but like you said we already have Jake and Crosby who are relatively undersized. Add in Rust and add in Garland hypothetically and you’ve got a lot of sub 6’ft forwards in our top six to top nine.

I don't see it as a recipe for success.

 

[Gurglesons]

But those people are fools and Garland has played enough top six for his rates to be most of the story.

I see the merits to both sides here. Yes, acquiring players with different skillsets to those we already have is a very obvious route to improving this team, particularly players with the sort of skillsets that keep on giving when the playoffs roll around i.e. big. Look at the impact Rakell has had.

However, those players don't grow on trees, and Garland has given a very legit level of performance on two not so good teams now and with the sort of usage that indicates he doesn't need to be a focal point.

He wouldn't be a priority add but I'd still have him on my list. Particularly if he also forechecks very well, as we're pretty short on that.

That's why I'd target something cheaper in a bottom six role that does provide a different skill set.

If we are replacing Zucker, I'd much prefer we target a player that is either younger or we pay nothing to acquire. Maybe that is Garland, but I dunno. I keep looking at Logan Couture or a similar contract that a team might pay us to take on.

 

[66-30-33]

What about Greenway? Greenway-Malkin-Rust, also capfriendly says he's a LW/RW so I guess can play both wings fine.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I'm pretty sure @AuroraBorealis was only vying for Garland in the off season, assuming Zucker is gone.

I'd take it whenever, but the summer is when it becomes realistic.

 

[Gurglesons]

What about Greenway? Greenway-Malkin-Rust, also capfriendly says he's a LW/RW so I guess can play both wings fine.

Yeah, I'd much prefer a player like Greenway than Garland.

 

[66-30-33]

Yeah, I'd much prefer a player like Greenway than Garland.

Makes us a bigger team to play against too. He's a guy I have wanted the last 3-4 years, figure he would breakout here (same as Tage several years ago).

 

[AuroraBorealis]

If I wanted to upgrade at RW and move Rust to third line, I’d choose P.Kane lol….plus, he’s old, one prerequisite for this team lol

I mean I agree, but there's like a billion teams competing for his services.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I'm not willing to even start going down the road of breaking up GCRa.

Oh that would be monumentally stupid, but I fear it may come if that line goes cold. Then it'll be back to Rust on L1

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Is Tanner Jeannot untouchable? He's off to a poor start offensively, so I wonder if that makes him easier to acquire.

Honestly, if at all possible, him or that type of winger is who we should be targeting. Even if his offense falls in the middling range of being a 15-ish goal scorer most years, the "other stuff" combined with 15 or so goals is something this forward group could use.

 

[Gurglesons]

Is Tanner Jeannot untouchable? He's off to a poor start offensively, so I wonder if that makes him easier to acquire.

Honestly, if at all possible, him or that type of winger is who we should be targeting. Even if his offense falls in the middling range of being a 15-ish goal scorer most years, the "other stuff" combined with 15 or so goals is something this forward group could use.

I imagine your looking at a Hagel type return if he is moved given his contract an RFA status..

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I'd take it whenever, but the summer is when it becomes realistic.

If you're essentially "replacing Zucker" then I think you should bring in someone with his similar skillset. If Zucker goes out, then I don't want a guy who isn't going to forecheck or do the dirty work it'll take for Malkin to thrive

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I imagine your looking at a Hagel type return if he is moved given his contract an RFA status..

Considering where we're (hopefully) picking and how we've done with picks in that range over the last decade, is that really a high price?

 

[AuroraBorealis]

If you're essentially "replacing Zucker" then I think you should bring in someone with his similar skillset. If Zucker goes out, then I don't want a guy who isn't going to forecheck or do the dirty work it'll take for Malkin to thrive

Garland definitely forechecks hard. Far better playmaker than Zucker as well. Higher hockey IQ.
Zuck has the edge with net-front presence, defense, shot power, physicality.

I just don't trust Zucker to maintain anything close to this long term, whether that be through a dip in play or just injuries.
We need to acquire some youth where we can. No more signing guys til they're 36 please.

 

[66-30-33]

Is Tanner Jeannot untouchable? He's off to a poor start offensively, so I wonder if that makes him easier to acquire.

Honestly, if at all possible, him or that type of winger is who we should be targeting. Even if his offense falls in the middling range of being a 15-ish goal scorer most years, the "other stuff" combined with 15 or so goals is something this forward group could use.

No idea why Preds would trade him at all.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

No idea why Preds would trade him at all.

Because I want him on the Pens? That's a good enough reason for him to be available.

 

[Gurglesons]

No idea why Preds would trade him at all.

Because he’s one of the few assets on their team they can move.

Although I’d just pay cheaper for Trenin

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think Jeannotts offensive game has struggled this year because he's a complementary piece on a team who can't score. They've gone from 15th to 30th in GF from last year to this year. That doesn't completely excuse his performance, but it does explain some of it.

I don't think Jeannot is a true top-6 guy, he's more like a Cooke caliber 3rd liner who can be an acceptable third wheel on a 2nd line. He'd be an incredible addition to the Penguins 3rd line, I just think he'd cost top-6 prices and they shouldn't be paying that.

 

[66-30-33]

Because he’s one of the few assets on their team they can move.

Although I’d just pay cheaper for Trenin

Why not both?

 

[Gurglesons]

I think Jeannotts offensive game has struggled this year because he's a complementary piece on a team who can't score. They've gone from 15th to 30th in GF from last year to this year. That doesn't completely excuse his performance, but it does explain some of it.

I don't think Jeannot is a true top-6 guy, he's more like a Cooke caliber 3rd liner who can be an acceptable third wheel on a 2nd line. He'd be an incredible addition to the Penguins 3rd line, I just think he'd cost top-6 prices and they shouldn't be paying that.

Eh. Jeannot is exactly the skill set we are missing and an age where we could sign him and still recoup assets when we are out of the window. I’d move a ton for him.

1st, 2nd and Poulin plus another lower prospect too tbh.

 

[Turin]

Eh. Jeannot is exactly the skill set we are missing and an age where we could sign him and still recoup assets when we are out of the window. I’d move a ton for him.

1st, 2nd and Poulin plus another lower prospect too tbh.

yuck