AuroraBorealis
Back-to-back hater
The CBSsports injury page says Malkin won't play until Jan.8th at the earliest. Has there been any concrete basis for this that you guys heard? Did someone say that?
Salary Cap: Pittsburgh Salary Cap Thread: Kane?!? The only Kane I want is the candy
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BlindWillyMcHurt
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Malkin himself said he is not playing Sunday but expects to during the Western swing. So it's likely based on that.
dogthateats
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This is the only thing that I saw
AuroraBorealis
Back-to-back hater
Randy Butternubs
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Yeah, some cap circumvention. They made a new rule that each year the salary can only be reduced by some percentage (I forget how much). Among other rules. Not just because of Crosby's contract. But also Hossa, Richards, and others I'm forgetting. Oh, Jeff Carter. And Shea Weber.
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BlindWillyMcHurt
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I seriously doubt it. Didn't Gretzky say he regretted that?
Although I guess it depends on what the team thinks their direction should be the next 3-4 years. It's tough for me to imagine Sid wanting to sit around collecting lotto picks the last few years of his career.
Hard to see the Pens as being anything but bad in 3-4 years unless Sid/Malkin are still playing at a high level by then. We have no star players on the way in the system unless something unexpected happens. Hell we don't even really have any prospects that figure to be top 6 capable or d that look top 4 capable.
So if the Pens are still doing well at that point it's because of coaching and Sid/Geno remaining relevant and whatever moves Hextall makes between now and then.
AuroraBorealis
Back-to-back hater
If his body holds up, I highly doubt it. That's against everything he's said in the past.
BlindWillyMcHurt
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I can definitely see Sid eyeing up the next Olympics.
As for the stuff about us going to be bad when Sid/Geno hang them up - I look at what this team has done through the injuries and don't feel any such certainty. People make too much of star power when it comes to regular season success.
As for the stuff about us going to be bad when Sid/Geno hang them up - I look at what this team has done through the injuries and don't feel any such certainty. People make too much of star power when it comes to regular season success.
The Old Master
come and take it.
it's not that easy. your mind is telling you. you can easily beat the other guy to the puck, so you go for it. but then for some reason everything jumps into slow motion. and while your legs are moving your not.
it's not a good feeling. and it usually ends up with you getting crushed, or frustrated.
AuroraBorealis
Back-to-back hater
The bigger concern for me is that when there's a lack of star power here, it makes us less attractive for free agents and we're less likely to be on players trade lists.
Gurglesons
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To be honest free agents and trades rarely shape contenders and those that do don’t really matter.
Big Friggin Dummy
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I think it's pretty rare for a team to just flat out suck without actively bumbling things, on an almost intentional level, when it comes to coaching and management. Teams like Ottawa, Buffalo, and Arizona are routinely bad because they just can't figure out how to put into place competent people throughout their organization. A team full of non-descript, pretty average guys like McGinn, Heinen, E-Rod, etc. could easily float around the wildcard mark, I think, as long as they had competent coaching and goaltending. Hell, a team like Edmonton would probably be worse than all the aforementioned if they hadn't lucked into two megastars in McDavid and Draisaitl.
I don't think we're gonna be dealing with utter incompetence from ownership, the FO, or coaching. Even after the big three leave or retire, we'll probably still be bad, but not "dreadful, perennial top-3 pick" bad. Which is why I hope we invest heavily into shoring up the scouting and development areas of the organization. Plenty of quality to be had after the top-10 picks, but it takes a lot of luck and keen scouting, in addition to development/coaching, to continually churn out meaningful NHL talent.
I don't think we're gonna be dealing with utter incompetence from ownership, the FO, or coaching. Even after the big three leave or retire, we'll probably still be bad, but not "dreadful, perennial top-3 pick" bad. Which is why I hope we invest heavily into shoring up the scouting and development areas of the organization. Plenty of quality to be had after the top-10 picks, but it takes a lot of luck and keen scouting, in addition to development/coaching, to continually churn out meaningful NHL talent.
I can't really remember the last time that really openly worked out for us anyway. Carter was a personal connection with the front office, Kessel didn't think we could trade for him. Uhm, Iginla?
BlindWillyMcHurt
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The idea that you don't need franchise players to make the dance is absolutely correct.
It's just that when you DO...
Also guys like that help with ticket sales and creating a buzz around a team. Which is important. Look at a place like Minny... often a "solid" team over the years in a hockey-crazed part of the States but never really talked about much until just recently. Wonder what changed?
It's just that when you DO...
Also guys like that help with ticket sales and creating a buzz around a team. Which is important. Look at a place like Minny... often a "solid" team over the years in a hockey-crazed part of the States but never really talked about much until just recently. Wonder what changed?
dogthateats
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They got rid of Zucker?
BlindWillyMcHurt
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I would laugh at this but it hurts too badly.
Big Friggin Dummy
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Poor Zucker. Nice guy, tries hard, just isn't very good at the game.
Dipsy Doodle
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Probably mostly depends on how competitive the Pens are.
If they're a good bet for the playoffs I don't see Crosby choosing to retire.
Dipsy Doodle
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K Fleur
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Dipsy Doodle
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Malkin will always be a joy to watch, but yeah, Zucker will be a source of frustration. No avoiding that
I'm sure Geno is aware of what some of the fanbase thinks, and I doubt he really cares when he looks at his trophy room and sees three Cups there, among other things. There are a lot of fools in the world and most of them seem to be on social media now.
Yeah, I think they'll get a deal done for him to stay through Crosby's contract. Three years. I'd be surprised at four more years in the NHL, I still think he plays some in Russia at the very end. You never know but I really don't see Geno jetting out of here to go make money elsewhere. Legacy has always been very important to him, and nothing beats staying and winning with one team your whole career.
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