Salary Cap: Pittsburgh Penguins Salary Cap Thread - Hi-ho away as in the sea

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Since Jake went down (uncontrollable sobbing in the background), I’ve been playing this on repeat with the “s” removed...he’s gone and it’ll take the devil to replace him....

Ha! My thoughts on Kovalchoo being the answer to this sudden and unfortunate Jake question:

 

[Empoleon8771]

Why would Chicago be drawn into such a deal? I'm not seeing much in the way of motivation from their perspective.

Because they're probably going to sell him off for futures and getting a 1st and a 3rd liner for him is a good return. Same thing with Gustafsson.

 

[OnMyOwn]

Kovalchuk was my favorite player not on the penguins for years and years. The thought of him wearing our sweater has always been a dream of mine.

he’s not what we need at all, though.

 

[Ryder71]

As someone who has never been a fan I'm surprised I'm even saying this but for now they should plug Gooch into Jake's spot. I don't think it's going to work out but it's simply the most logical thing to start with considering his uptick in play as of late.

Just totally gutted about all of this. Went from being immensely excited about this team to resigned to them struggling to score much of the rest of the year. That sounds melodramatic and I hope it proves to be... but I dunno if people really get how super important Jake was to feeding this team steady goal production. The guy is damn near automatic at this point in his career and now that's gone. And to make matters worse it's not as if this team is bursting with intriguing scoring wings in-waiting. It was said earlier but I really, really don't envy JR now.

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessement on just how important Jake is. This is a very significant blow IMO.

I do disagree however on not envying JR. First off we have garnered a lot of cap space, so we're good there. Also, because we to some degree revamped our prospect pool, we can feel comfortable with parting with some 2020 draft picks. Namely our 1st rounder. We have more assets now than any time in recent memory. There's also seven weeks to go before TDL, So plenty of time to cultivate a deal. As long as JR is judicious in his approach, we should definitely be able to make a meaningful deal.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Kovalchuk was my favorite player not on the penguins for years and years. The thought of him wearing our sweater has always been a dream of mine.

he’s not what we need at all, though.

I mean... for the record I'd prefer him to some jobber that they try to dress up as a 2/3 tweener that can "move up and down the lineup." They need goals, now... not more try-hard.

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessement on just how important Jake is. This is a very significant blow IMO.

I do disagree however on not envying JR. First off we have garnered a lot of cap space, so we're good there. Also, because we to some degree revamped our prospect pool, we can feel comfortable with parting with some 2020 draft picks. Namely our 1st rounder. We have more assets now than any time in recent memory. There's also seven weeks to go before TDL, So plenty of time to cultivate a deal. As long as JR is judicious in his approach, we should definitely be able to make a meaningful deal.

That's all a good common sense approach and I don't disagree. I just mean more like... there isn't anything realistic out there that they could hope to get that will replace Jake. First and foremost... bringing someone on board is a total shot in the dark. They might have all the credentials but simply not fit... always a danger. Jake was Jake... we knew he worked here and worked well.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Kovalchuk's a bum. It'd be like when we got Kovalev in 2011, only without the cool nostalgia.

Aim higher. Spend the assets to solve the top-6 issue. Not just now, but for the foreseeable future as well. Zucker, Saad or Kreider, please.

 

[Ryder71]

Because they're probably going to sell him off for futures and getting a 1st and a 3rd liner for him is a good return. Same thing with Gustafsson.

I guess my belief is that for that CHI package they could get more.

 

[PhilThrillPill]

Armchair GMing:
1. Two top 6 wingers (palmieri for 1st + addison + conditional 2nd) (kreider for 2nd + POJ + conditional 2nd)
2. Use bjugstad and galchenyuk which are bad fits on our team to get picks to get players that are a better fit (a second round for each and we retain 50% on each to make it happen).
3. Upgrade on LHD (desmith for brendan dillon from sharks)

FORWARDS (14)
Right wing: Kyle Palmieri ($4,650,000) - Bryan Rust ($3,500,000) - Patric Hörnqvist ($5,300,000) - Brandon Tanev ($3,500,000)
Centre: Sidney Crosby ($8,700,000) - Evgeni Malkin ($9,500,000) - Jared McCann ($1,250,000) - Teddy Blueger ($750,000) - Sam Lafferty ($767,500)
Left wing: Dominik Kahun ($925,000) - Chris Kreider ($4,625,000) - Dominik Simon ($750,000) - Zach Aston-Reese ($1,000,000) - Joseph Blandisi ($700,000)

DEFENSE (8)
Right: Kris Letang ($7,250,000) - John Marino ($925,000) - Justin Schultz ($5,500,000) - Chad Ruhwedel ($700,000)
Left: Brian Dumoulin ($4,100,000) - Brenden Dillon ($3,270,000) - Marcus Pettersson ($874,125) - Jack Johnson ($3,250,000)

GOALTENDER (2)
Matt Murray ($3,750,000) - Tristan Jarry ($675,000)

DETAILS
Roster Size: 24
Salary Cap: $81,500,000
Bonus Overages: $132,500
Cap Hit: $76,344,125
Cap Space: $5,155,875 - we actually have 4 million less for retaining on Bjugstad and Galchenyuk.

 

[Coastal Kev]

kOVAlchuK////// ?

Can't be serious

 

[Ryder71]

I mean... for the record I'd prefer him to some jobber that they try to dress up as a 2/3 tweener that can "move up and down the lineup." They need goals, now... not more try-hard.



That's all a good common sense approach and I don't disagree. I just mean more like... there isn't anything realistic out there that they could hope to get that will replace Jake. First and foremost... bringing someone on board is a total shot in the dark. They might have all the credentials but simply not fit... always a danger. Jake was Jake... we knew he worked here and worked well.

I agree about not being able to fully replace Jake, no question! I was speaking more to how JR likes to wheel and deal and the fact that he has plenty of options and cap space that he can utilize. But yes, we have to be very careful as to which player or players we might bring in as not to detract from our chemistry. It's not just the quality of the player, it goes well beyond that because as we all know chemistry is a very precarious thing. I think Saad is the safest bet in that regard.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I agree about not being able to fully replace Jake, no question! I was speaking more to how JR likes to wheel and deal and the fact that he has plenty of options and cap space that he can utilize. But yes, we have to be very careful as to which player or players we might bring in as not to detract from our chemistry. It's not just the quality of the player, it goes well beyond that because as we all know chemistry is a very precarious thing. I think Saad is the safest bet in that regard.

I actually don't care much for Saad and think he's quite a fair bit overrated (and currently injured) but have to admit he's probably one of the best realistic options out of a very limited pool.

Just a real shit situation, man. It just seems like whenever this train starts to really roll it gets derailed in often dramatic fashion.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Kovalchuk's a bum. It'd be like when we got Kovalev in 2011, only without the cool nostalgia.

Aim higher. Spend the assets to solve the top-6 issue. Not just now, but for the foreseeable future as well. Zucker, Saad or Kreider, please.

That came at the cost of not having your 2 top centers who can think on his level.

While Kovalchuk isn't the best answer, he's a free signing to get you by until something more surfaces, or just address other areas. His RHS on the PP will look pretty good. And let's not pretend he's some slug out there. He might be a little suspect on the defensive side, but he comes with a lot of experience too. He could be super motivated to finally get a cup on his resume. As long as he puts in the effort he'll get a lot of rope. Same with production. We don't need Kovy of old, just Kovy who wants something bad enough to work.

Go to the 5:00 mark. His shot is still off the charts.


That's a true threat every PP.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

kOVAlchuK////// ?

Can't be serious

He’s no Yakupov, that’s for sure.

 

[Ryder71]

I actually don't care much for Saad and think he's quite a fair bit overrated (and currently injured) but have to admit he's probably one of the best realistic options out of a very limited pool.

Just a real **** situation, man. It just seems like whenever this train starts to really roll it gets derailed in often dramatic fashion.

I'm not enamored with Saad either, but I do think he's a pretty solid 200 ft player. And he's certainly an upgrade over anyone we currently have at that position. I like his playoff pedigree. I like (generally) his play away from the puck. And again I think he'll definitely buy in here. Zucker I prefer, he's faster and offers us term. His playoff prowess however isn't stellar. Although the Wild aren't world beaters in the postseason either.

There are a couple players from the Sens who would interest me also. But I'd be a bit hesitant in dealing with them.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Kovalchuk's a bum. It'd be like when we got Kovalev in 2011, only without the cool nostalgia.

Aim higher. Spend the assets to solve the top-6 issue. Not just now, but for the foreseeable future as well. Zucker, Saad or Kreider, please.

Why was that a problem? Acquiring Kovalev in 2011 was completely fine because it cost them nothing and he produced at an alright rate considering Crosby and Malkin were out.

That's the same situation Kovalchuk is in. Do you want to aim higher? Sure, but the cost for acquiring Kovalchuk is literally nothing.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think there are actually some decently compelling reasons to look at Kovalchoo. Cheap deal, RHS, powerplay specialist, still has a big shot and can probablymaybekindof be compelled to play hard in the right environment. But it doesn't matter because JR likely won't even look at him on recommendation by the coaching staff. Don't see that group giving Kovalchuk much of a chance.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I guess my belief is that for that CHI package they could get more.

I doubt it. A 22 year old Saad only brought back Anisimov and Dano, which would essentially be the equivalent of a Bjugstad and Poulin package. I don't really see a 27 year old Saad somehow bringing back more than that.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I think there are actually some decently compelling reasons to look at Kovalchoo. Cheap deal, RHS, powerplay specialist, still has a big shot and can probablymaybekindof be compelled to play hard in the right environment. But it doesn't matter because JR likely won't even look at him on recommendation by the coaching staff. Don't see that group giving Kovalchuk much of a chance.

I can also see that as well. Maybe even Malkin endorsed the no.

Edit: A minus might be where he wants to sign beyond this season.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

If the ask for Saad gets even a little steep I immediately toss my hands up and say "f*** ya'll then" if I'm JR. Would be nice to have, I guess. Not worth emptying the piggy bank over, either. The guy's top season was 31G and 53P over basically a full season for Columbus years back. That's respectable as hell but not exactly the kind of resume you trample the line of GM's ahead of you to make a deal over.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I can also see that as well. Maybe even Malkin endorsed the no.

Edit: A minus might be where he wants to sign beyond this season.

Maybe. But I think your mistake there is assuming the team gives much of a shit what Malkin thinks.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If the ask for Saad gets even a little steep I immediately toss my hands up and say "**** ya'll then" if I'm JR. Would be nice to have, I guess. Not worth emptying the piggy bank over, either. The guy's top season was 31G and 53P over basically a full season for Columbus years back. That's respectable as hell but not exactly the kind of resume you trample the line of GM's ahead of you to make a deal over.

Yeah, I'd max out at Bjugstad and a 1st and look elsewhere if they scoff at that. That may even be pushing it because of how good this draft supposedly is, but we hear that about every draft.

I don't even think that's an unreasonable offer, because Bjugstad is an alright piece and the 1st is really nice. Maybe you need to add a mediocre prospect, but I don't think that deal is much worse than what Brassard brought back in 2018.

 

[IcedCapp]

I think we should suck derriere for lafreniere

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah, I'd max out at Bjugstad and a 1st and look elsewhere if they scoff at that. That may even be pushing it because of how good this draft supposedly is, but we hear that about every draft.

I don't even think that's an unreasonable offer, because Bjugstad is an alright piece and the 1st is really nice. Maybe you need to add a mediocre prospect, but I don't think that deal is much worse than what Brassard brought back in 2018.

Frankly I think that's the top end of my scale. I'm just not desperate for them to make some big splash, now. The impetus for doing that is now irrelevant. Plug whoever wherever for the time being and take time finding a deal that makes sense and can at least like... get them through this year. I'm pretty down on Bjugstad but he's a young-ish roster player with some pedigree that could well find a nice niche elsewhere and a 1st is a 1st. In the end Saad won't put them over the top regardless with the roster how it is. Ideally I'd rather they go much cheaper than that. And I think that's why anyone is even entertaining Kovalchuk.

I think we should suck derriere for lafreniere

Didn't he just get injured?

This already makes way too much sense for this team.

 

[Ryder71]

I doubt it. A 22 year old Saad only brought back Anisimov and Dano, which would essentially be the equivalent of a Bjugstad and Poulin package. I don't really see a 27 year old Saad somehow bringing back more than that.

But that was due to cap issues if memory serves me correctly. While I think they'd like to get some or most of that cap hit off the books it's not a necessity like it was then.

 

[Beauner]

Wonder what Kreider's value is. I think he'd fit in nicely