Salary Cap: Salary Cap & Roster Building - Locked in until July

[Riptide]

That's stupid. In a good way.

But do sign and trades happen these days? Legit question as I no longer pay as much attention that I used to.

The last one I remember was Hossa (or was it Havlat?) leaving Ottawa. I think it was Hossa in the Heatley deal. Ottawa was struggling to sign him to something they could afford, then Heatley had that car accident that killed his teammate (Schneider?), and needed to get out of town, so Ottawa ponied up (3x6m?) and then immediately traded him to Atlanta for Heatley and Greg de Vres. If I recall correctly. There's been other deals where players have been moved after signing a contract, but that was probably the most relevant when talking about a 'sign and trade'.

 

[Gurglesons]

I'm hoping Rutherford improves on the areas of weakness, which are surprisingly easy to fix.

The first is the defense. The Penguins are a decent third pairing defenseman away from being very good. Re-sign Oleksiak and then go from there. I've thrown around the idea of swapping Sheary for Michael Del Zotto. They both make $3M a season. Del Zotto is entering the final year of his contract and Sheary has another year of control after this season. I'm not sure if Vancouver has any interest in Sheary, but I'd be willing to throw in Jarry or a 3rd round pick.

Next comes signing or trading for a good backup goalie. I personally think the Penguins are going to target Cam Ward. Rutherford is familiar with him, he's still a solid goalie and he most likely would come pretty cheap. The only downside is he's gotten more injury prone as he's gotten older. Which is fine if you're a backup, but not fine if you're backing up Matt Murray. Murray has had some bad luck, but being injured is being injured.

Then all that's left is trying to figure out who re-signs and who doesn't. I'm hoping the Penguins re-sign Sheahan, Rust, Oleksiak and Sprong. Honestly, that's about all I'm interested in re-signing. I think they'll try to sign someone who can play center on the PK to play wing on the fourth line. If that means replacing Kuhnhackl so be it. I'd personally like to see Kuhnhackl back, but I'd understand why the Penguins would want some flexibility in that area.

This is really gross and sounds 100% realistic.

 

[Empoleon8771]

This is really gross and sounds 100% realistic.

I wouldn't mind targeting MDZ, to be honest. I think he'd fit the system really well and would fit really nicely along Oleksiak on the bottom pair. I think that's ta good way to improve your bottom pair if you're satisfied with your top pair. Trading Jarry for him is ridiculous, but I like the idea of adding Del Zotto in theory. He can skate well and move the puck, plus he is actually pretty physical as well. He's been averaging about 3 hits per game for about 4 years now.

Ward isn't going to happen, DeSmith and Jarry both proved their were NHL ready last year. Signing Ward would be a waste, he's not an upgrade on DeSmith.

 

[Andy99]

I wouldn't mind targeting MDZ, to be honest. I think he'd fit the system really well and would fit really nicely along Oleksiak on the bottom pair. I think that's ta good way to improve your bottom pair if you're satisfied with your top pair. Trading Jarry for him is ridiculous, but I like the idea of adding Del Zotto in theory. He can skate well and move the puck, plus he is actually pretty physical as well. He's been averaging about 3 hits per game for about 4 years now.

Ward isn't going to happen, DeSmith and Jarry both proved their were NHL ready last year. Signing Ward would be a waste, he's not an upgrade on DeSmith.

I think they should go after a veteran goaltender...I like the idea of Lehtonen...he won’t cost as much as he did last contract....if Sully isn’t confident in the POs of playing DeSmith if Murray falters, then I think it’s a good idea to have someone else, and someone who’ll make Murray feel like the weight of the world isn’t on his shoulders....DeSmith isn’t that, even though I thought he played really well...

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think they should go after a veteran goaltender...I like the idea of Lehtonen...he won’t cost as much as he did last contract....if Sully isn’t confident in the POs of playing DeSmith if Murray falters, then I think it’s a good idea to have someone else, and someone who’ll make Murray feel like the weight of the world isn’t on his shoulders....DeSmith isn’t that, even though I thought he played really well...

That seems like a waste of cap space, to be honest. Lehtonen isn't going to perform tangibly better than DeSmith in the playoffs. Just because a player has been in the league longer doesn't mean they're a better option.

The more I read about Del Zotto, the more I like the idea. He's a little questionable defensively based on his corsi against, but he seems like a really good fit for the Penguins. Skates well, moves the puck well, hits, blocks shots, kills penalties...he seems like a smaller Oleksiak, to be honest. I wouldn't call him an OFD, but using EHM terminology, maybe a physical playmaking D?

 

[Andy99]

That seems like a waste of cap space, to be honest. Lehtonen isn't going to perform tangibly better than DeSmith in the playoffs. Just because a player has been in the league longer doesn't mean they're a better option.

The more I read about Del Zotto, the more I like the idea. He's a little questionable defensively based on his corsi against, but he seems like a really good fit for the Penguins. Skates well, moves the puck well, hits, blocks shots, kills penalties...he seems like a smaller Oleksiak, to be honest. I wouldn't call him an OFD, but using EHM terminology, maybe a physical playmaking D?

I don’t get a sense a trust from the coaching staff re DeSmith or Jarry....given Murray’s injury history and how he’s worked with MAF, I think having a vet might be important for him...in that case, if it makes Murray a better goaltender, they should get a better backup and that’s not a waste of cap space imo...

 

[Shaffer]

Outside of Dumo, you can make a case to either or trade every other defenseman. Which one do you make a case to trade and switch ones not to trade?

I’m split on Maatta.

 

[Peat]

Sheary for a bottom pairing dman is a pretty sensible use of him if he goes tbh.

Outside of Dumo, you can make a case to either or trade every other defenseman. Which one do you make a case to trade and switch ones not to trade?

I’m split on Maatta.

Depends what's out there to be traded for tbh. Crap answer I know, but I'm only moving guys where there's upgrades, and there's only so many guys out there.

 

[The GM]

That seems like a waste of cap space, to be honest. Lehtonen isn't going to perform tangibly better than DeSmith in the playoffs. Just because a player has been in the league longer doesn't mean they're a better option.

The more I read about Del Zotto, the more I like the idea. He's a little questionable defensively based on his corsi against, but he seems like a really good fit for the Penguins. Skates well, moves the puck well, hits, blocks shots, kills penalties...he seems like a smaller Oleksiak, to be honest. I wouldn't call him an OFD, but using EHM terminology, maybe a physical playmaking D?

Mdz might not pass the pens character smell test........ not sure they want their players hanging with porn stars

 

[Empoleon8771]

Mdz might not pass the pens character smell test........ not sure they want their players hanging with porn stars

If Sheary can pass the smell test while banging Sully's niece, I think MDZ hanging with porn stars can slide

 

[Shaffer]

Bryan Rust, Matt Hunwick for Alec Martinez
Conor Sheary, Casey DeSmith, 2019 1st for Mats Zuccarello(50% retention)

Guentzel-Crosby-Zuccarello(2.25)
Sprong(.9)-Malkin-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Brassard-Kessel
Simon(.9)-Sheahan(2.0)-Kuhnhackl(.8)

Dumoulin-Letang
Martinez(4.0)-Schultz
Maatta-Oleksiak(1.7)

Murray
Jarry(.9)

Scratches: Jooris(.9), Aston-Reese, Ruhwedel

 

[Crafton]

If Sheary can pass the smell test while banging Sully's nephew, I think MDZ hanging with porn stars can slide

niece i believe. but doesn't matter to me.

 

[Empoleon8771]

niece i believe. but doesn't matter to me.

That's just me being an idiot, nice catch. I'll fix that, just a typo on my part

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

Came in here to see if people are talking about Grabner, JvR maybe even James Neal and people are talking about Tavares as a 3C?! Are you guys nuts?!

Remove that avatar immediately.

 

[Andy99]

niece i believe. but doesn't matter to me.

Sheary and Sully’s nephew?....

 

[Peat]

Bryan Rust, Matt Hunwick for Alec Martinez
Conor Sheary, Casey DeSmith, 2019 1st for Mats Zuccarello(50% retention)

Martinez would be nice... so nice that I don't think that deal gets it done. Top 4 dman for middle 6 winger and cap dump doesn't happen.

The second deal does sound doable (although I don't think DeSmith matters to Rangers but could matter to us, so don't send him), but I'm pretty against handing out 1sts for guys who are here for one year only. We don't have enough assets to start trading 1sts for guys without at least two cracks at Stanley. Not at all a fan of sticking any of Sprong, Kessel or Horny on the left either.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

This is really gross and sounds 100% realistic.

Jarry and a 3rd round pick with Sheary for f***ing Del Zotto?

I'm gonna leave this place for the weekend.

Pejorative Slured shit like this is gonna make me say some next level angry shit.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Bryan Rust, Matt Hunwick for Alec Martinez
Conor Sheary, Casey DeSmith, 2019 1st for Mats Zuccarello(50% retention)

Guentzel-Crosby-Zuccarello(2.25)
Sprong(.9)-Malkin-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Brassard-Kessel
Simon(.9)-Sheahan(2.0)-Kuhnhackl(.8)

Dumoulin-Letang
Martinez(4.0)-Schultz
Maatta-Oleksiak(1.7)

Murray
Jarry(.9)

Scratches: Jooris(.9), Aston-Reese, Ruhwedel

Why would the Kings and Rangers do those deals, especially the Rangers? The 2019 first will likely be one of the last picks in the round. Sheary is far worse than Zuccarello. DeSmith has no value at all outside of the organization.

Also, Sprong is not a left winger.

 

[Will Hunting]

Letang is more important for us than Kessel, imo. If I have to choose one of them to trade, it would be Kessel. The fact that he has played like idiot for 4 months while being healthy is extremely alarming. Extremely alarming. Unacceptable. Like he was not even trying and even when he did, his decisions were so stupid. Still can´t get over that. I am kinda okay with our season being over just because of not having to watch that crap he produced.

 

[Hell Yeah!!!]

Letang is more important for us than Kessel, imo. If I have to choose one of them to trade, it would be Kessel. The fact that he has played like idiot for 4 months while being healthy is extremely alarming. Extremely alarming. Unacceptable. Like he was not even trying and even when he did, his decisions were so stupid. Still can´t get over that. I am kinda okay with our season being over just because of not having to watch that crap he produced.

Did you manage to disagree with yourself in the same post? Letang is an idiot but we keep him over Kessel?

 

[Jacob]

I don’t think we need a backup goalie. Maybe a #4 but Jarry & DeSmith can battle for the #2 spot.

I understand the point about Murray needing a veteran mentor but I think having good guys behind him that can challenge him for playing time is more important. And we have that already.

If he needs a mentor just hire someone to hang out with him as a 2nd goalie coach.

 

[The Old Master]

I don’t get a sense a trust from the coaching staff re DeSmith or Jarry....given Murray’s injury history and how he’s worked with MAF, I think having a vet might be important for him...in that case, if it makes Murray a better goaltender, they should get a better backup and that’s not a waste of cap space imo...

me either, but that's more on our coaches......he's done everything to prove them wrong. imo

 

[Andy99]

Someone had a great idea....that Taveres pull a Hossa and sign with the Pens for a one-year contract at $7 mil if he wants to win....could be accomplished by trading Hags, Shear and Hunwick only...lol

NHL Free Agency: Can the Penguins land John Tavares?

 

[PensandCaps]

Idk, I think NHL players have pride and don't wanna win a cheap Stanley Cup. So JT joining the Pens by signing a one year deal seems like a pipe dream.

 

[USMC607]

Idk, I think NHL players have pride and don't wanna win a cheap Stanley Cup. So JT joining the Pens by signing a one year deal seems like a pipe dream.

Ya I dont see it happening either, but it's fun to talk about. It's also funny that it's even been mentioned. I hope it gains a ton of traction just to piss off all the pens haters.