Salary Cap: Pittsburgh Penguins Salary Cap Thread - JJ is still here!!

[Riptide]

You know we're all sitting here begging JR to get rid of JJ and that's all well and good but I'm also disturbed by the idea that Gudbranson might revert to what he was in Vancouver which would make him every bit as bad as JJ.

Let's all hope that 19 good games he had here is indicative of his future here and not just a trade deadline bump.

It would. However you can always move him. There's a reason why there were multiple GMs interested in him last TD. There will (for the next while) always be a place in the league for someone like him. And with only 2 seasons left on his contract, it's not nearly the issue that JJ is with 4 years left.

 

[BrookswasHere44]

JR has a couple of lines in the water trying to make moves for more cap space.

Don’t be surprised if Cullen doesn’t re-sign if GMJR looks to bring in Boyle on a short deal.

I hope you have insider info because I love the sounds of this

 

[Pens1566]

Winnipeg too. If things hold as of now, they'll be playing a popcorn vendor on their 3rd pair.

 

[Andy99]

No because Geno and Letang were part of the insubordinate group last year siding with Kessel and being hard to reign in for the coaching staff. Sid is a silent leader who leads more with his play. They are still trying to right the locker room issue. Cullen leaving makes that void even bigger. They are looking for a vet ala Boyle or Williams if Cullen retires that won’t be scared to voice their opinion around Sid/Geno.

I think if Bjugstad is the guy to go they will focus more on Boyle. If Rust is the guy to go then it might be Williams.

I wouldn’t be opposed to Boyle. He’s really good on the PK and I’m liking what I’m seeing with Tanev added because after losing Bonino and Hagelin our PK went to ****.

I’m just saying whether it’s via FA or trade, he’s made us younger but he knows we need a veteran presence in the room to tell Geno and Letang to shut the **** up and adhere to the plan and win games for the Pens instead of self nuking.

So if Cullen telling them shut the **** up last year didn’t work, we need to bring him back or find another babysitter? Makes total sense....This whole thing is bs rationale by the FO imo...they were fine in 2016 and 2017 when they were winning Cups but now that we’re losing, we lack “leadership” in the room? Calling bs on that one...we’re losing cause the roster sucks and some important people lacked motivation or didn’t play hard...it’s not a leadership void, except maybe by the coaching staff...

So they’re getting rid of Rust or Bjug whether or not they jettison JJ or Guds for cap space, and they’re getting rid of those forwards to bring in Boyle?...makes some sense if Bjug goes but not Rust...I don’t think Williams is going anywhere but CAR if he plays...

 

[Turin]

Damn ya’ll ain’t never got any JJ trades

 

[Jules Winnfield]

So if Cullen telling them shut the **** up last year didn’t work, we need to bring him back or find another babysitter? Makes total sense....This whole thing is bs rationale by the FO imo...they were fine in 2016 and 2017 when they were winning Cups but now that we’re losing, we lack “leadership” in the room? Calling bs on that one...we’re losing cause the roster sucks and some important people lacked motivation...it’s not a leadership void...

So they’re getting rid of Rust or Bjug whether or not they jettison JJ or Guds for cap space, and they’re getting rid of those forwards to bring in Boyle?...makes some sense if Bjug goes but not Rust...I don’t think Williams is going anywhere but CAR if he plays...

Cullen isn’t that kind of guy. He commands respect but he isn’t the mouthy type like a Boyle or Williams. Cullen worked perfect when Tocchet was on the coaching staff. With no Tocchet there, and no Tocchet type on the coaching staff yet, they need a mouthier vet to rally around ala Guerin.

Tocchet was the coaching staff and player glue between Admiral Aladeen Sullivan and the players.

I’d think if Carolina was Williams only option he would’ve re-signed already. Cap isn’t the problem there.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Damn ya’ll ain’t never got any JJ trades

GMJR is too busy grubbin it up at tha PF Chizzangs.

 

[Peat]

The problem with this is if...sorry when Dumo, Pets or Riikola gets hurt, we don't have a decent ELC LD to call up and replace the injured player. We would be forced to play someone on their off side. The way the team is set-up we can lose 2 RD and as ugly as it would be they could have Ruh and Trotman play. Of course Sully could be fine with Schultz or Guds playing their off side, but from what we saw last year, its not likely.

Czuczman and Warsofsky are both probably good for 5-10 games if needed, and Almari and POJ have a lot of hope in them so may also be options.

You know we're all sitting here begging JR to get rid of JJ and that's all well and good but I'm also disturbed by the idea that Gudbranson might revert to what he was in Vancouver which would make him every bit as bad as JJ.

Let's all hope that 19 good games he had here is indicative of his future here and not just a trade deadline bump.

The facepuncher with 2 seasons left will be a lot easier to move than Johnson.

I also feel a lot happier about gambling with the guy who was good for us and was decent before his confidence got annihilated on a crap team, than the guy who was bad for us and has been meh at best most places he's been.

What team would want Johnson? Looks like everyone’s all stocked up on D now, including Ottawa.

I'm kinda wondering, if there's two moves coming, whether you could persuade Montreal to do Johnson for Mike Reilly - I dunno whether they think Chiarot answers their problems or how much they think Reilly is part of the solution.

So if Cullen telling them shut the **** up last year didn’t work, we need to bring him back or find another babysitter? Makes total sense....This whole thing is bs to me...they were fine in 2016 and 2017 when they were winning Cups but now that we’re losing, we lack “leadership” in the room? Calling bs on that one...we’re losing cause the roster sucks and some important people lacked motivation...it’s not a leadership void...

So they’re getting rid of Rust or Bjug whether or not they jettison JJ or Guds for cap space, and they’re getting rid of those forwards to bring in Boyle?...makes some sense if Bjug goes but not Rust...I don’t think Williams is going anywhere but CAR if he plays...

Locker room veterans in 16/17

Kunitz, MAF, Daley, Cullen, Hornqvist

Locker room veterans now in that same calibre

Cullen, Hornqvist

Rust, Schultz - they're not in the same weight class as those guys. The B2B room was a lot older and probably wiser.

If you disagree with this thing, fair enough, but the big change in the locker room personnel between then and now seems pretty matter of fact to me.

And tbh, while our roster did have some problems when Schultz was injured, the time of the year when our roster was at its worst (Letang and Dumo injured) was when they performed the best. As such, I always struggle with the idea of putting it all on the roster...

 

[Andy99]

Cullen isn’t that kind of guy. He commands respect but he isn’t the mouthy type like a Boyle or Williams. Cullen worked perfect when Tocchet was on the coaching staff. With no Tocchet there, and no Tocchet type on the coaching staff yet, they need a mouthier vet to rally around ala Guerin.

Tocchet was the coaching staff and player glue between Admiral Aladeen Sullivan and the players.

I’d think if Carolina was Williams only option he would’ve re-signed already. Cap isn’t the problem there.

Waddell said a few days ago that they expected Williams back...

 

[Gurglesons]

The Gudbranson contract kind of sucks, but I feel like much like McCann the majority of his career was spent on terribly underperforming teams.

I also think the Penguins used him pretty smartly last year and if they replicate that usage he’ll be fine albeit overpaid.

 

[SEALBound]

How much more does he need to "show"... he's averaged a 45pts pace over the past 3 years...

He doesn't...I just needed some way to fit him in under the cap

Damn ya’ll ain’t never got any JJ trades

JR ruined our 2019-2020 cup chances already.

 

[Peat]

Waddell said a few days ago that they expected Williams back...

And Rutherford expected Cullen back that season he spent at Minnesota.

Also:

Williams has stopped short of saying it will definitely be with the Hurricanes if he does decide to play another season but has acknowledged that is the most likely scenario.

So, odds on it happens with the Canes, but crazy stuff happens.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Waddell said a few days ago that they expected Williams back...

Regardless, GMJR wants to make sure we have a vet presence in the locker room to curtail the shit that’s went on the past year and a half. Brassard came in and infected the locker room. That was the beginning of the end of Kessel and it spiraling down to others on the team.

 

[Andy99]

Regardless, GMJR wants to make sure we have a vet presence in the locker room to curtail the **** that’s went on the past year and a half. Brassard came in and infected the locker room. That was the beginning of the end of Kessel and it spiraling down to others on the team.

It’s just too bad a good forward on the ice (regardless of any moves on D) has to go so we can sign an old player who’s not as good on the ice...I think winning cures more ills than a loud vet voice in the locker room...winning=players happy, no locker room problems...too much weight being placed on cliches to me...

 

[Gurglesons]

And Rutherford expected Cullen back that season he spent at Minnesota.

Also:

Williams has stopped short of saying it will definitely be with the Hurricanes if he does decide to play another season but has acknowledged that is the most likely scenario.

So, odds on it happens with the Canes, but crazy stuff happens.

I don’t think it is even crazy. They just spent more on Aho that they preferred and then bought our Marleau. That caused them to cap dump DeHaan.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

It’s just too bad a good forward on the ice (regardless of any moves on D) has to go so we can sign an old player who’s not as good on the ice...I think winning cures more ills than a loud vet voice in the locker room...winning=players happy, no locker room problems...too much weight being placed on cliches to me...

A good forward has to go to get rid of a bad defenseman and to deal with opening up more cap space. They aren’t dealing a good forward with the primary reason of bringing in a voice. That’s a bi product of the Johnson gamble blowing up in GMJR’s face and Cullen possibly retiring.

 

[EVGENIMERLIN]

Regardless, GMJR wants to make sure we have a vet presence in the locker room to curtail the **** that’s went on the past year and a half. Brassard came in and infected the locker room. That was the beginning of the end of Kessel and it spiraling down to others on the team.

It’s crazy a guy like Brassard was able to poison the well so quickly. I man he’s a decent player, but why would everyone listen to his complaining? He’s not a superstar or a winner.

I don’t mind Boyle on the 4th line and PK. He’s been through a lot and I could see him on a cheap deal being a good presence in the locker room.

Please God let JJ be traded soon so we can move on to other things.

Is JR in on Gusev?

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Winnipeg too. If things hold as of now, they'll be playing a popcorn vendor on their 3rd pair.

Don't tell them that the popcorn vendor may be better than JJ.

 

[Andy99]

A good forward has to go to get rid of a bad defenseman and to deal with opening up more cap space. They aren’t dealing a good forward with the primary reason of bringing in a voice. That’s a bi product of the Johnson gamble blowing up in GMJR’s face and Cullen possibly retiring.

As you know, if JJ goes I’ll be more than thrilled, and if takes another player to do it, then fine...just wish JR would stick with trades and stay out of free agency...

 

[Rakell67]

It’s just too bad a good forward on the ice (regardless of any moves on D) has to go so we can sign an old player who’s not as good on the ice...I think winning cures more ills than a loud vet voice in the locker room...winning=players happy, no locker room problems...too much weight being placed on cliches to me...

It is possible that a forward will have to be dealt, even if Johnson is traded.
The pens current cap space is $2.293 (11F, 7D, 2G)...
If Johnson is traded for a 7th, their cap space would be $5.543. Let’s say Blueger and Aston-Reese sign for $.750 each, that would leave $4.043. If Petts signs for $3.0, that would leave just enough room. Note, these estimates imo are on the low side. This leaves approx. $1.0 in cap space, enough for injury call ups and the following 22 man roster:

Guentzel Crosby Kahun
Galchenyuk Malkin Hornqvist
McCann Bjugstad Tanev
Simon Guentzel Rust
Aston-Reese

Dumoulin Letang
Petterson Schultz
Riikola Gudbranson
Ruhwedel

Murray
DeSmith

As someone else previously pointed out, it’s unlikely they go into the season with that little depth at LD. So if another forward goes out, I’ll use Rust ($3.5) in this example, a WBS forward or UFA signing could replace on the cheap ($.700) and they could look for a cheap #6D.

Guentzel Crosby Kahun
Galchenyuk Malkin Hornqvist
McCann Bjugstad Tanev
Simon Guentzel Aston-Reese
Wilson

Dumoulin Letang
Petterson Schultz
Del Zotto Gudbranson
Riikola Ruhwedel

Murray
DeSmith

 

[ownal]

JJ needs out to fit in Pedds, TB and Zar.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

It’s crazy a guy like Brassard was able to poison the well so quickly. I man he’s a decent player, but why would everyone listen to his complaining? He’s not a superstar or a winner.

I don’t mind Boyle on the 4th line and PK. He’s been through a lot and I could see him on a cheap deal being a good presence in the locker room.

Please God let JJ be traded soon so we can move on to other things.

Is JR in on Gusev?

It wasn’t so much his complaining it was his shitty play and attitude and no one wanting to play with him.

Gusev isn’t someone I’ve heard about but that doesn’t mean anything either. I know a few people and hear things sometimes. I don’t pry.

I’ve received my fair share of the Kessel and locker room situation and I’m confident to talk about that. I hear bits and pieces in generalities just like hearing about the locker room vet they’ve been wanting and wanting to change the culture in the room. I didn’t give a shit what lipspeak GMJR was saying about Kessel there was no way he was going into the season with him on the roster from what I was being told. I mentioned to you guys Kessel wanted Arizona and Vegas was his second choice but they had no cap space. I heard about Kessel nixing a deal weeks before it got reported and I didn’t realize it until then it was the Minnesota deal after talking to someone about it.

They know JJ is a problem. Sully isn’t a fan of his. GMJR wants a hockey deal again. He doesn’t want to deal a 1st to trade Johnson but knows he may need to trade something(s) of interest in a hockey deal to get something of value back he wants too.

 

[Andy99]

It is possible that a forward will have to be dealt, even if Johnson is traded.
The pens current cap space is $2.293 (11F, 7D, 2G)...
If Johnson is traded for a 7th, their cap space would be $5.543. Let’s say Blueger and Aston-Reese sign for $.750 each, that would leave $4.043. If Petts signs for $3.0, that would leave just enough room. Note, these estimates imo are on the low side. This leaves approx. $1.0 in cap space, enough for injury call ups and the following 22 man roster:

Guentzel Crosby Kahun
Galchenyuk Malkin Hornqvist
McCann Bjugstad Tanev
Simon Guentzel Rust
Aston-Reese

Dumoulin Letang
Petterson Schultz
Riikola Gudbranson
Ruhwedel

Murray
DeSmith

As someone else previously pointed out, it’s unlikely they go into the season with that little depth at LD. So if another forward goes out, I’ll use Rust ($3.5) in this example, a WBS forward or UFA signing could replace on the cheap ($.700) and they could look for a cheap #6D.

Guentzel Crosby Kahun
Galchenyuk Malkin Hornqvist
McCann Bjugstad Tanev
Simon Guentzel Aston-Reese
Wilson

Dumoulin Letang
Petterson Schultz
Del Zotto Gudbranson
Riikola Ruhwedel

Murray
DeSmith

It depends on what they’re doing with the roster...they can have 22 players up instead of 23, and they don’t have to keep 8 D up...they could pick up a cheap depth D man and waive Ruh, or they could leave it as 7 D up and make adjustments through the season depending on how the team looks after 6 weeks or so...

 

[ownal]

Rust on the 4th line seems like such a waste.

 

[Turin]

It wasn’t so much his complaining it was his ****ty play and attitude and no one wanting to play with him.

Gusev isn’t someone I’ve heard about but that doesn’t mean anything either. I know a few people and hear things sometimes. I don’t pry.

I’ve received my fair share of the Kessel and locker room situation and I’m confident to talk about that. I hear bits and pieces in generalities just like hearing about the locker room vet they’ve been wanting and wanting to change the culture in the room. I didn’t give a **** what lipspeak GMJR was saying about Kessel there was no way he was going into the season with him on the roster from what I was being told. I mentioned to you guys Kessel wanted Arizona and Vegas was his second choice but they had no cap space. I heard about Kessel nixing a deal weeks before it got reported and I didn’t realize it until then it was the Minnesota deal after talking to someone about it.

They know JJ is a problem. Sully isn’t a fan of his. GMJR wants a hockey deal again. He doesn’t want to deal a 1st to trade Johnson but knows he may need to trade something(s) of interest in a hockey deal to get something of value back he wants too.

Johnson and Rust for Nurse