Salary Cap: Pens Summer Salary Thread: Dull days of August... Oooo! A trade!

[Buddy Bizarre]

I've always watched the powerplay be: "Okay guys, you're generational talents. Here's how we'll set up. Here's how we can move a bit. Now go out there and feel it out and let your skill take over"

Now that their collective skills aren't that much higher than the pk'ers, I think they need to move more into the "set play" style of powerplay. Not 5 guys freewheeling however they see fit. I think if they have a couple set plays that they can work on executing well, I think that will help.

One thing that also really hurts the PP that they can't address right now, is raw shooting talent. They don't have anyone with a crazy good shot, sans maybe Sid. We don't have "pick corners" guys or anyone with a deadly one-timer. The lack of that talent exposes them just as badly as the lack of net-front presence does.

You could make an arguement to say the Jake was the best shooter of the bunch. So they exchanged a shooter for a net-front guy.

This is why I feel strongly a guy like Bennstrom could play the Sprong role: boost up the PP with his shot and play 4th line minutes

But again, this coach loves doing the same thing and expecting different results.

 

[SEALBound]

You could make an arguement to say the Jake was the best shooter of the bunch. So they exchanged a shooter for a net-front guy.

This is why I feel strongly a guy like Bennstrom could play the Sprong role: boost up the PP with his shot and play 4th line minutes

But again, this coach loves doing the same thing and expecting different results.

It's tough too when you're top 4 are Sid, Geno, Letang, and Karlsson. Just telling one of Letang or Karlsson they have to be on the 2PP is tough. They are getting into those situations where you have to tell long-term all-starts that they don't have it anymore.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced the following hockey operations staff hirings and promotions:

Staff Additions:

• Jonathan Erlichman - Vice President, Hockey Research, Development & Strategy
• Kevin Elliott - Head Athletic Trainer
• Lucas Malloy - Manager, Hockey Operations
• Chris Roque - Amateur Scout
• Brandon Dennis - Amateur Scout
• Brian Ihnacak - Amateur Scout
• Jason Pietrzykowski - Professional Scout
• Chad Nehring - Professional Scout
• Karel Popper - Goaltender Coach, Wheeling Nailers

Staff Promotions:

• Jason Spezza - Assistant General Manager & General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Amanda Kessel - Manager, Minor League Operations and Assistant General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Kain Tisi - Goaltender Coach, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Mark Osiecki - Professional & NCAA Scout

 

[Gurglesons]

Glad we could get some middle aged white dudes jobs in hockey.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Damn, FSG really flexing that wallet. Nice to see investment into Wheeling. Atleast 1 or 2 legit goalie prospects are going to find their way down there.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

It's tough too when you're top 4 are Sid, Geno, Letang, and Karlsson. Just telling one of Letang or Karlsson they have to be on the 2PP is tough. They are getting into those situations where you have to tell long-term all-starts that they don't have it anymore.

Do you know how many tough conversations I have to have as an HR Director? I think Mikey Sullivan is experienced enough to have the conversation that "it's less about you per se and more how the collective unit functions"

But I don't think Mikey has worked or cared all that much since 2017

 

[Turin]

Erlichman is Tampa Bay Ray’s analytics coach

 

[SEALBound]

Do you know how many tough conversations I have to have as an HR Director? I think Mikey Sullivan is experienced enough to have the conversation that "it's less about you per se and more how the collective unit functions"

But I don't think Mikey has worked or cared all that much since 2017

You and Girgs both I'm sure.

But on that front, I have had hard talks with nearly every level of a company - craft workers, office workers, supervisors, managers, directors, VPs, C-Suite, owners, BODs, etc. I would say it's a lot harder of a conversation when it's a long-term owner, President, VP, etc as opposed to the new craft workers that's been there 2 weeks.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced the following hockey operations staff hirings and promotions:

Staff Additions:

• Jonathan Erlichman - Vice President, Hockey Research, Development & Strategy
• Kevin Elliott - Head Athletic Trainer
• Lucas Malloy - Manager, Hockey Operations
• Chris Roque - Amateur Scout
• Brandon Dennis - Amateur Scout
• Brian Ihnacak - Amateur Scout
• Jason Pietrzykowski - Professional Scout
• Chad Nehring - Professional Scout
• Karel Popper - Goaltender Coach, Wheeling Nailers

Staff Promotions:

• Jason Spezza - Assistant General Manager & General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Amanda Kessel - Manager, Minor League Operations and Assistant General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Kain Tisi - Goaltender Coach, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Mark Osiecki - Professional & NCAA Scout

Dude in the upper right looks like he's been a Penguin FO member for years.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

You could make an arguement to say the Jake was the best shooter of the bunch. So they exchanged a shooter for a net-front guy.

This is why I feel strongly a guy like Bennstrom could play the Sprong role: boost up the PP with his shot and play 4th line minutes

But again, this coach loves doing the same thing and expecting different results.

This coaching staff doesn't seem to use players who are actually good at that given role and instead just throw the 5 most "senior" players out there because reasons.

It's why Sullivan would often use Rust in the old Kessel spot on the left wall, even though Rust a]isn't a good passer/facilitator like Kessel was, and b]doesn't have a rocket of a one-timer ala Ovi/Stamkos/Pastrnak to fill the shooting role required of that spot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced the following hockey operations staff hirings and promotions:

Staff Additions:

• Jonathan Erlichman - Vice President, Hockey Research, Development & Strategy
• Kevin Elliott - Head Athletic Trainer
• Lucas Malloy - Manager, Hockey Operations
• Chris Roque - Amateur Scout
• Brandon Dennis - Amateur Scout
• Brian Ihnacak - Amateur Scout
• Jason Pietrzykowski - Professional Scout
• Chad Nehring - Professional Scout
• Karel Popper - Goaltender Coach, Wheeling Nailers

Staff Promotions:

• Jason Spezza - Assistant General Manager & General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Amanda Kessel - Manager, Minor League Operations and Assistant General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Kain Tisi - Goaltender Coach, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Mark Osiecki - Professional & NCAA Scout

They couldn't have found a mugshot of the guy when he's not wearing his baseball jersey? Nothing shouts "hockey" like a guy dressed like he's about to take the baseball field.

 

[K Fleur]

Glad we could get some middle aged white dudes jobs in hockey.

That’s where the new fresh ideas come from. People that still read newspapers

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Erlichman’s background pretty is interesting tbh. Rays are like “the model” for small market baseball and winning via strategy rather than $$ IIRC.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Erlichman’s background pretty is interesting tbh. Rays are like “the model” for small market baseball and winning via strategy rather than $$ IIRC.

Oh, I have no opinion on the actual hiring. I just think it's weird they couldn't have snapped a different headshot for the guy.

 

[McGroarty2]

You and Girgs both I'm sure.

But on that front, I have had hard talks with nearly every level of a company - craft workers, office workers, supervisors, managers, directors, VPs, C-Suite, owners, BODs, etc. I would say it's a lot harder of a conversation when it's a long-term owner, President, VP, etc as opposed to the new craft workers that's been there 2 weeks.


Dude in the upper right looks like he's been a Penguin FO member for years.

He looks like a Russian rogue electrician.

 

[Andy99]

Erlichman’s background pretty is interesting tbh. Rays are like “the model” for small market baseball and winning via strategy rather than $$ IIRC.

He’s probably why we’re throwing Bemstrom, Glass, Hayes, Beauvillier, PoolParty and 10 other guys out there to compete for NHL spots lol…maybe one will actually progress instead of regress! But they never factor the coach into these musings lol…

Glad we could get some middle aged white dudes jobs in hockey.

Is there anyone else who works in hockey besides the occasional white woman and the black guy to trot out there for days the teams want to honor African-Americans lol?

 

[Pancakes]

I am all for bringing in an analytics guy who will hopefully tell Kyle Dubas to stop doing things like sign Ryan Graves or *insert old ass guy here* though Dubas at least seems to be trending that way this off season anyways

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

I remember when Brian Ihnacak was a Pens pick.

EDIT: Just checked him out on EP. I'm a year older than him.

f*** me.

 

[eXile3]

He’s probably why we’re throwing Bemstrom, Glass, Hayes, Beauvillier, PoolParty and 10 other guys out there to compete for NHL spots lol…maybe one will actually progress instead of regress! But they never factor the coach into these musings lol…


Is there anyone else who works in hockey besides the occasional white woman and the black guy to trot out there for days the teams want to honor African-Americans lol?

I was talking about this with someone this weekend. I watch a lot of boxing and it’s such polar opposites.

NHL - fourth Hugh’s brother gets drafted, obviously has had PR training as a teenager, shows family celebrating in a mansion.

Boxing - I learned how to fight so I could feed my family and get out extreme poverty.

Unfortunately the economics behind I don’t think it’s changing any time soon. Hockey is a battle for resources, mostly ice time, which is expensive.

 

[SomeDude]

Brian Ihnacak has finally returned to the organization.

The dude was double dipping according to his EP page. He was playing in the 3rd tier Italy league while being a Euro scout for Mississauga Steelheads the last 2 years. Straight from the Italy beer leagues to the Pens front office.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Brian Ihnacak has finally returned to the organization.

The dude was double dipping according to his EP page. He was playing in the 3rd tier Italy league while being a Euro scout for Mississauga Steelheads the last 2 years. Straight from the Italy beer leagues to the Pens front office.

Still not a bad life. Imagine getting paid to play and scout hockey while living in Italy.

 

[Trade]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1825617341469626862

My dreams are shattered

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I am all for bringing in an analytics guy who will hopefully tell Kyle Dubas to stop doing things like sign Ryan Graves or *insert old ass guy here* though Dubas at least seems to be trending that way this off season anyways

To be fair Dubas has to answer to his boss re: roster additions and subtractions. That 7M dollars only buys you so much autonomy on this team, you know.

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

The Pens hired an analytics guy?

"Here's the deal; we need you to tell us how to win without actually, you know, changing things."

"How much did you say you were going to pay me again?"

 

[Malkinstheman]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1825617341469626862

My dreams are shattered

Sullivan and Laine would have been an unmitigated disaster. He should fit in well with Montreal's young core.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

The Pens hired an analytics guy?

"Here's the deal; we need you to tell us how to win without actually, you know, changing things."

"How much did you say you were going to pay me again?"

"Listen just give Mike a list of new analytics buzzwords he can use after losing yet another pathetic attempt at the sport with his low event bullshit. He's starting to run out of vocabulary and people are getting suspicious that he is utterly out of ideas or maybe didn't actually have any to begin with."

"So a lot, then?"

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Sullivan would have ruined him completely, and then he woulda ran away to Europe.