Salary Cap: The Endless Speculation Edition

[Scandale du Jour]

It's going to take a lot more than 4.5 games together to see if they can make things work.

Yeah, which is why I said weeks.

10-15 games.

Before the Xmas break

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I know that many said that JJ would be better this season vs last season (several dif reasons), but do you really want to bet on him continuing to play at the level he's at? Because while I agree with Peat that there's 3 legit question marks there (JM, JJ, JR) in regards to whether they can continue to build on their current level of play (or even maintain it), JJ is absolutely someone we should be moving on from, if at the very least to get out from under that contract. If we're happy to gamble on JM and JR, then find a #3 RD (which can be done for far cheaper then what JJ costs, without the term) and pair them with Riikola on the 3rd pairing.

Yeah, if JR could move JJ tomorrow for a conditional 7th round pick, he should jump on it and be happy his initial mistake was that cheap to undo. It would also really open up the cap space situation for later in the season if Marino or Riikola falters, if Letang’s health is a problem, a Galchenyuk upgrade, etc. And the off season. Knowing JR, he’s eying Hall or Krieder.

 

[SEALBound]

Why all the Ehlers talk? In what world do Jets trade him to us? And for what? They'd likely ask for Guentzel and that's a hard no.

 

[KIRK]

It's going to take a lot more than 4.5 games together to see if they can make things work.

Why? It took McCann a period.

 

[Gurglesons]

Why all the Ehlers talk? In what world do Jets trade him to us? And for what? They'd likely ask for Guentzel and that's a hard no.

If they are moving Ehlers they ask is probably Dumo or Pettersson to be honest.

Also, he’s not really who we need. He’s a great player, but he isn’t what we want on the LW for our top six.

 

[KIRK]

Months? No, weeks is what I mean. Sure, do not trade him just to trade him, but if he brings nothing, move on.

He is what he is. Nothing more, nothing less. If he does not click with Geno, he has no use on this roster.

It is really that simple, IMO. If they click, NICE! If they don't, meh, move on... as you said, we score without him.

I think the Gally with Geno experiment is over for a bit (at least).

I appreciate that some others think we should just keep force feeding Gally to Geno, but I care a hell of a lot more about getting the Geno that I got with McCann-Rust than I do about validating Gally's pedigree or whatever the hell the excuse to keep throwing him with Geno is.

 

[Gurglesons]

I think the Gally with Geno experiment is over for a bit (at least).

I appreciate that some others think we should just keep force feeding Gally to Geno, but I care a hell of a lot more about getting the Geno that I got with McCann-Rust than I do about validating Gally's pedigree or whatever the hell the excuse to keep throwing him with Geno is.

The nice thing about McCann and Geno is it frees up Geno to be a little LWy and let McCann handle the defensive portions of the center role.

 

[KIRK]

The nice thing about McCann and Geno is it frees up Geno to be a little LWy and let McCann handle the defensive portions of the center role.

I think it's the speed too. Two speedy 200 foot players. Funnels the play to where he can anticipate and take calculated risks. I think that's the model now for getting Geno playing to his strengths.

This one is going to boil down to health and hands for the McCann-Rust combo. If both hold up, I don't think that line is going to be touched for a while. Just had a HGH feel to it.

As an aside, I noted before . . . I think you know pretty much straight away if there's something to a line combo with Geno. HGH. KMN. MMS. Talbot and Feds. You knew within a few shifts that there was a 'whole greater than sum of parts' element to the line.

 

[IcedCapp]

I think it's the speed too. Two speedy 200 foot players. Funnels the play to where he can anticipate and take calculated risks. I think that's the model now for getting Geno playing to his strengths.

This one is going to boil down to health and hands for the McCann-Rust combo. If both hold up, I don't think that line is going to be touched for a while. Just had a HGH feel to it.

As an aside, I noted before . . . I think you know pretty much straight away if there's something to a line combo with Geno. HGH. KMN. MMS. Talbot and Feds. You knew within a few shifts that there was a 'whole greater than sum of parts' element to the line.

it's actually MGR, no Hs anywhere

 

[KIRK]

it's actually MGR, no Hs anywhere

BTW, the reason Galchenyuk is on Sid's line against all reason is, I think, that his next stop will be the press box and it's not like you can stick him right back with Geno after yesterday.

I suspect in the end Galchenyuk will be moved for a middling future and cap space that in turn will be parlayed into a winger for Sid and Jake.

 

[Peat]

I think the Gally with Geno experiment is over for a bit (at least).

I appreciate that some others think we should just keep force feeding Gally to Geno, but I care a hell of a lot more about getting the Geno that I got with McCann-Rust than I do about validating Gally's pedigree or whatever the hell the excuse to keep throwing him with Geno is.

Caring about Geno involves acknowledging that McCann and Rust both go through stretches of being amazing then quiet like no one's business - look at the instant impact McCann made on Sid's line last year before drying up after one game - and that Geno and Chucky were showing a fair bit of chemistry before the injuries. That's not support for putting him right back there (although who's actually saying that?) but when the next set of injuries/losses of form come, Chucky's probably getting another shot there.

If they are moving Ehlers they ask is probably Dumo or Pettersson to be honest.

Also, he’s not really who we need. He’s a great player, but he isn’t what we want on the LW for our top six.

I thought Ehlers was meant to be a really good transition player? What do you think you need for a top six LW?

 

[IcedCapp]

BTW, the reason Galchenyuk is on Sid's line against all reason is, I think, that his next stop will be the press box and it's not like you can stick him right back with Geno after yesterday.

I suspect in the end Galchenyuk will be moved for a middling future and cap space that in turn will be parlayed into a winger for Sid and Jake.

there's no way a GCG line will work. It's all skill, no will (outside of Sid). You can have one of the Gs, but someone's gotta be willing and able to get in there and win some battles. If Gally could do that here, he would have done it for Geno. 0/10, would not send over the boards, next.

 

[KIRK]

Caring about Geno involves acknowledging that McCann and Rust both go through stretches of being amazing then quiet like no one's business - look at the instant impact McCann made on Sid's line last year before drying up after one game - and that Geno and Chucky were showing a fair bit of chemistry before the injuries. That's not support for putting him right back there (although who's actually saying that?) but when the next set of injuries/losses of form come, Chucky's probably getting another shot there.



I thought Ehlers was meant to be a really good transition player? What do you think you need for a top six LW?

I hear you, but truth be told I'm not talking about chemistry. I'm talking about Geno's game. I just don't see Gally helping make Geno better, and frankly that should be the only question (and Sully's only question) as he chooses linemates for Geno.

 

[KIRK]

there's no way a GCG line will work. It's all skill, no will (outside of Sid). You can have one of the Gs, but someone's gotta be willing and able to get in there and win some battles. If Gally could do that here, he would have done it for Geno. 0/10, would not send over the boards, next.

I know. And you know I know. And when Sully accepts it, it gets REALLY interesting. 3rd line with Bjugs and one of the Doms? Yikes . . .

It's why I think Gally could be ticketed for another club (and cap space).

 

[IcedCapp]

I know. And you know I know. And when Sully accepts it, it gets REALLY interesting. 3rd line with Bjugs and one of the Doms? Yikes . . .

It's why I think Gally could be ticketed for another club (and cap space).

in all actuality, if Gally doesn't work with Geno (or Sid) and Simon isn't working with Sid, and McCann is working with Geno, kind of a bad situation on the 1st line. IReally need 2 McCanns

 

[IcedCapp]

in all actuality, if Gally doesn't work with Geno (or Sid) and Simon isn't working with Sid, and McCann is working with Geno, kind of a bad situation on the 1st line. IReally need 2 McCanns

Sorta reluctant to say this, but maybe you try Tanev with Sid.

 

[Beauner]

in all actuality, if Gally doesn't work with Geno (or Sid) and Simon isn't working with Sid, and McCann is working with Geno, kind of a bad situation on the 1st line. IReally need 2 McCanns

Athanasiou?

 

[KIRK]

in all actuality, if Gally doesn't work with Geno (or Sid) and Simon isn't working with Sid, and McCann is working with Geno, kind of a bad situation on the 1st line. IReally need 2 McCanns

Ergo, trade Galchunyuk, and you've got all the cap space you'll need to address L1 RW.

Just don't see how JR doesn't end up here

Unless, as you allude, Gally ends up back with Geno at some point and things click, but I'm hard pressed to see it. As I said, I see Geno making Gally look better, but I don't see Gally doing a damn thing to help Geno elevate.

Sorta reluctant to say this, but maybe you try Tanev with Sid.

Lafferty?

Kahun (now that he's got the hang of things)?

 

[IcedCapp]

Athanasiou?

Hasn’t he scored like 0 goals or something? Not sure the Pens will want to pay what Detroit will ask.

Ergo, trade Galchunyuk, and you've got all the cap space you'll need to address L1 RW.

Just don't see how JR doesn't end up here

Unless, as you allude, Gally ends up back with Geno at some point and things click, but I'm hard pressed to see it. As I said, I see Geno making Gally look better, but I don't see Gally doing a damn thing to help Geno elevate.



Lafferty?

I think Lafferty is probably a bit too green for that spot? I dunno.

I would have liked to see more Gally - Geno - Rust, just because I think the Geno - Rust combo is key, but I think it’s become harder to find the right malkin combo lately - not sure if you agree - so if MGR works, don’t touch it.

 

[Peat]

I hear you, but truth be told I'm not talking about chemistry. I'm talking about Geno's game. I just don't see Gally helping make Geno better, and frankly that should be the only question (and Sully's only question) as he chooses linemates for Geno.

Hmm. See where you're coming from. I dunno, we'll see. I'm a straight up two-grinder fan when it comes to Geno so I do get it but I did like the early signs in how Geno was playing. I think Rust/Tanev was keeping him honest and he was trusting Chucky with the puck and using him rather than making risky plays.

This said - Chucky needs to be a shooter if he's really going to make Geno great. And he has the talent but I think he'd have to grow the mindset. I think he wants to do it all, and maybe make plays instead of shoot. That works better away from Geno except in rare streaks. It would work with Sid if the other guy counterbalanced, but Guentzel's the other guy and its about counterbalancing him. It would work if you set up a 3rd line entirely around Chucky and honestly I kinda like the idea, but Bjugstad's got what he's got going and I'm not buying a Bjugstad-centred line as his home.

It's tricky. Guess time will tell.


edit: p.s. If Simon isn't working with Sid and Jake, that's 90% of the time going to be on Sid and Jake being a bit out of form/f***s, and I think if you're not willing to wait that out you stick a maniac up there to shame them into making it happen. Horny or Tanev.

Or a kid. Crosby doesn't like to dog it in front of the newcomers. So Lafferty it is.

 

[chethejet]

I think GMJR/Sully are seeing what is what here. pens need points in a very competitive metro and winning games is what the goal is here.

 

[TKalltheTime]

BTW, the reason Galchenyuk is on Sid's line against all reason is, I think, that his next stop will be the press box and it's not like you can stick him right back with Geno after yesterday.

I suspect in the end Galchenyuk will be moved for a middling future and cap space that in turn will be parlayed into a winger for Sid and Jake.

as he should be, he makes Brassard look like Gretzky when he was here.

 

[Ugene Magic]

there's no way a GCG line will work. It's all skill, no will (outside of Sid). You can have one of the Gs, but someone's gotta be willing and able to get in there and win some battles. If Gally could do that here, he would have done it for Geno. 0/10, would not send over the boards, next.

I don't know about that. For one, Gally getting his great shot on the proper side might go a long way for his usefulness. Adding, with being the 3rd wheel for two established players can go a long way to bringing his pedigree out, making that a formidable top line that is a threat to score from all positions. That line should be offense at all cost, and hope they are defensive enough to be a + most games.

Crosby/ Guentzel -7 and Simon -5 the last 3 games say's a lot. Your best line can't have 3 games like that consecutively.

What you might sacrifice in defense is palatable considering (for either top 2 lines) is the power of having the depth behind those two top lines.

Let's just call it getting the Neal treatment. "Trial"

 

[JTG]

I think Lafferty is a valid option anywhere in the lineup. I'd just have him here and get a better look at him. I think he has brought more than enough in his short look.

 

[Nakawick]

Tanev is a bit like tenacious fore-check Hagelin and Kunitz kinda rolled into one. He might be a good 3rd wheel for Sid and Jake.