2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[FLPensFan]

I so wish retention, NMC, and NTC all became a thing of the past.

They have their place, but NHL GMs are stupid. What would fix the issue would be if there was a cap on NMC/NTC, say only 2 NMCs per team and 4 NTCs, 6 total no movement clauses.

They've also become a game because just like everything else in the NHL, there are loopholes in their poorly worded rules. Players have been known to put all Canadian teams on the list, have been known to put the 6-8-12 (whatever number the player can restrict) most cap space teams on the list, etc, etc.

Rewriting NMC/NTC rules and LTIR rules would be good for the sport...not adding a 33rd team.

[Antonio]

Agreed and I could live with it with restrictions like you say...although I would prefer 1 NMC and 2 NTC on the team, and if you are moved at any time with any version of a NTC or NMC, it dissolves it even if you did not have to waive an applicable part. (although I am not sure if waiving it to be moved erases it or affects it currently? I don't think so but I am not sure...)

[Puck-Lurker]

I so wish retention, NMC, and NTC all became a thing of the past.

They have their place, but NHL GMs are stupid. What would fix the issue would be if there was a cap on NMC/NTC, say only 2 NMCs per team and 4 NTCs, 6 total no movement clauses.

They've also become a game because just like everything else in the NHL, there are loopholes in their poorly worded rules. Players have been known to put all Canadian teams on the list, have been known to put the 6-8-12 (whatever number the player can restrict) most cap space teams on the list, etc, etc.

Rewriting NMC/NTC rules and LTIR rules would be good for the sport...not adding a 33rd team.

Some quick glancing and counting.. there's a bunch of teams with between 7 and 11 clauses, be they NTC or NMC of some sort. Penguins hit the high end of the spectrum at 11, but it was worse before.

In order of normal to totally preposterous.

- Crosby. NMC. No argument.
- Malkin. NMC. No argument.
- Karlsson. NMC. No argument.
- Letang. NMC. No argument.
- Rust. Third year of a 5.125M AAV deal. Has an NMC for the first three, but starting next season that comes off. I don't think Rust's the type of player that should get an NMC, but since it comes off next season and Rust has always delivered, I won't complain.
- Pettersson. Last year of his 4M deal; 8 team NTC. Odd at the start of the deal, but he's been worth it.
- Bunting. Halfway on a three year 4.5M AAV deal; 10 team NTC, which drops off next season. Inherited contract.. I can live with it.
- Rakell. Halfway on a six year 5M AAV deal; 8 team NTC. Hmm.... eh okay?
- Jarry. Second of a five year 5.375AAV deal; 12 team NTC for all years. Hasn't been worth the money, or term and the NTC as is is overpayment.
- Graves. Second of a six year 4.5M AAV deal. 12 team NTC for the first half, 8 team NTC for the last half. So far, serious overpayment on money, term and NTC.
- Acciari. Second of a three year 2M AAV deal. 8 team NTC. Overpayment plain and simple and inexcusable to setup a bottom liner with any kind of NTC.


On the plus side, we did ship out some people with clauses and only took one contract with an NTC back. And Bunting's been fine. I wonder if it's still accurate to call an 8 team NTC a "No Canada Clause"

[Antonio]

Other than Crosby I don't think any of those should have been given. Giving 35 year old players 4 and 6 year deals with nmc is absurd. Nmc should be absolute exceptions not norms even for higher end players.

[dark_forces]

Other than Crosby I don't think any of those should have been given. Giving 35 year old players 4 and 6 year deals with nmc is absurd. Nmc should be absolute exceptions not norms even for higher end players.

I sort of agree. I don't think any player should be able to choose more than 8 teams they can't be traded to. 12 is getting a bit ridiculous.

[FLPensFan]

A lot of times, NMC/NTC are used to entice/reward players for choosing your team. Many more times, GMs just go bananas with them and lose all sensible thought. Take Graves and Jarry. Neither should have an NTC. If you want to beat me with a bat to force me on it it, fine, but neither should have an NTC for THE LIFE OF THEIR DEAL. Rust is a good example of a fairly good NTC. They wanted to keep Rust and at the time, he likely could have received more on the open market. So they gave him an NTC, but not for all years. This lines up with the teams contending status. NTCs to a bottom 6er like Acciari are in fact dumb. The only way I would counter would be is if that player filled a very small niche. Think Brandon Tanev without all the injuries, or if a guy like Lawson Crouse was a bottom 6 player...there aren't many of those guys in the league and if I really felt he plugged a big hole in our lineup, in that case I may do it.

NMC/NTCs are kind of like the executive washroom to me. Hey Sid, we value you so much, here's a full NMC and a key to the one stall/sink/shower executive bathroom. Oh, hey Geno, here's an NMC for you, you get to share the executive bathroom with Sid...oh and Kris too. Then you get there and there's a line of 10 people waiting to use the special bathroom. Doesn't make you feel very special anymore?

On the flip side, it's used as an extra piece to win a contract negotiation at times...but on a team like the Penguins, I often wonder if it could be a deterrent to a UFA. Hey, the Penguins have 11 guys with NMC/NTC clauses and they want to sign me to a deal...but I won't get any trade protection....and I make a lot of money. That may put me on the front lines of the chopping block should they want to change direction. Maybe this isn't the best fit for me.

[FLPensFan]

Bruins and Jeremy Swayman have reportedly been far apart in negotiations. According to some reports today, Swayman is asking for 10M a year on his new contract. This wasn't from a random hookee insider person, either.



Best I'd do is put him in the top 5 goalies, and give him around 8.5M AAV, same as Hellebuyck.

[FLPensFan]

Apparently, Nick Robertson isn't backing down from his trade demands, and appears he has zero intentions of signing any contract with Toronto. Kingerski claims that Robertson was thought of very highly by Dubas. Kingerski threw out a couple of ideas, which, I was really too fond of, which were:

--Trade Glass (50% retained) to Toronto for nothing, then Pittsburgh offer sheets Robertson for 2M. Toronto gets Glass at 50% retained and a 2025 3rd (this just sounds like too much to me).
--Kingerski also talked about a sign and trade, where Toronto signs Robertson to a 3 year, 2M AAV contract, then trades him to Pittsburgh for a player. Maybe.

Toronto's problem is cap space. They currently have a 21 man roster and only 875K in cap space. People like to blame Dubas there, but, with such a top heavy roster for Tavares, Marner, Nylander, and Matthews...they have only Matthew Knies, Pontus Holmberg, and Joseph Woll under 1M AAV. They are paying to many bottom 6ers 1-3M.

Dubas could look to explore a 3 team trade. Nashville currently shows as having only 19 players and 3M in cap space.
--Dubas trades Puustinen and Acciari 50% retained to Nashville for Tampa's 2025 2nd round pick. (which will be a late 2nd)
--Dubas trades Poulin and MIN 2025 3rd round pick to Toronto for Robertson's rights.
--Dubas then signs Robertson for 2 years, 1.75M AAV

The Penguins clear out some roster spots, sending 3 players out and bringing one back, plus we add a 2nd round pick in the 2025 draft. I signed Robertson to 1.75M because if it is pushed to 2M, Penguins end up just short of being able to field a 23 man roster. 1.75M gives them a little over 800K in cap space before adding a 23rd player.

X-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
X-Eller-X
X-Hayes-X

You have 5 spots to dole out between DOC, McGroarty, Robertson, Beauvillier, Lizotte, Puljujarvi, and Glass. That's a lot more youth fighting for jobs, clearing Acciari from the picture. Poulin hasn't done anything to date, and a betting man would likely say McGroarty and Robertson are hands down going to be a better player. Same thing with Puustinen. You hate to lose those young guys, but, if we are upgrading in terms of age and skill, I don't have a problem with it.

Anyways, I don't think it will happen...but that would be my path to adding Nick Robertson to this roster.

Just to add some more to this, reports coming out tonight that d-man Jani Hakanpaa, is reportedly not going to be signed by Toronto. Toronto reportedly signed him to a 2 year, 1.5M AAV deal on July 1st, but, apparently Toronto never registered the deal with the league. He was injured at the end of last season, and apparently Toronto and another medical evaluator haven't given him clearance. Word is his left knee is now bone on bone, but Hakanpaa believes he can play through it. Not sure how this impacts their cap space, as puckpedia and capwages differ in Hakanpaa's standing, one has him and one doesn't.

[FLPensFan]

From Taylor Haase today:

Currently skating at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex: Chad Ruhwedel (in Rangers gear), Sergei Murashov, Noel Acciari, Bryan Rust, Vasily Ponomarev, Tristan Broz, Rutger McGroarty, Cody Glass.

...and then later...

Pretty sure Sergei Murashov has conceded like, two goals this entire session and just to Vasily Ponomarev. They had Noel Acciari parked in front practicing tips. He stoned Bryan Rust a few times. Also made easy work of a Chad Ruhwedel wraparound attempt.

[KG]

I'll take a stab at line projections. First, I definitely expect at least 1 move of a veteran before the season starts. Eller being the most likely candidate as he only has 1 year left on his deal and has some value. Pens only have 1 retention slot left since we retained on the Smith deal. We need to hold onto that retention slot for future trades closer to the deadline. Most likely MP, if he's not re-signed.

In my opinion, they brought Hayes in to be a more offensive 3C. For him to best succeed you need to surround him with speed and forecheckers who will go into the corners and retrieve pucks. I am expecting a bounce back year from Beauvillier. His style of play fits the Pens system. Speed, aggressive on the forecheck etc. I wouldn't put McGroraty on the 3rd line with Hayes. McG isn't the best skater. Put him with Sid and let him learn. Good thing about the lineup, more so this year then previous years, Pens have some good options in the bottom 6 who can move up and down the lineup as needed.

McG-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Hayes-Beauvillier
Lizotte-Eller-Acciari/Glass

If Eller goes we slide Lizotte or Glass over to 4C.

[FLPensFan]

I'll take a stab at line projections. First, I definitely expect at least 1 move of a veteran before the season starts. Eller being the most likely candidate as he only has 1 year left on his deal and has some value. Pens only have 1 retention slot left since we retained on the Smith deal. We need to hold onto that retention slot for future trades closer to the deadline. Most likely MP, if he's not re-signed.

In my opinion, they brought Hayes in to be a more offensive 3C. For him to best succeed you need to surround him with speed and forecheckers who will go into the corners and retrieve pucks. I am expecting a bounce back year from Beauvillier. His style of play fits the Pens system. Speed, aggressive on the forecheck etc. I wouldn't put McGroraty on the 3rd line with Hayes. McG isn't the best skater. Put him with Sid and let him learn. Good thing about the lineup, more so this year then previous years, Pens have some good options in the bottom 6 who can move up and down the lineup as needed.

McG-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Hayes-Beauvillier
Lizotte-Eller-Acciari/Glass

If Eller goes we slide Lizotte or Glass over to 4C.

McGroarty had his press conference about an hour ago. He said he's comfortable playing on either LW or RW, doesn't really matter, doesn't seem to have a preference. The other 2 things that stood out...he was asked if he was promised a chance to make the NHL roster, to which he said " I was promised a spot in the rookie tournament, and that's about it to date. So, anything further than that I'm going to have to come in and earn it." The other thing was, he praised Dubas and Spezza for the development plan they have in place for him coming to Pittsburgh.

McGroarty also started off by talking about learning about the trade. He said his agent called him on Monday (which would have been the 19th) telling him there was a real possibility he was going to be dealt. The trade to Pittsburgh happened on Thursday the 22nd. So it seems like Dubas was working on this trade for at least a week, if not more.

Here's the interview:

[KG]

I'll take a stab at line projections. First, I definitely expect at least 1 move of a veteran before the season starts. Eller being the most likely candidate as he only has 1 year left on his deal and has some value. Pens only have 1 retention slot left since we retained on the Smith deal. We need to hold onto that retention slot for future trades closer to the deadline. Most likely MP, if he's not re-signed.

In my opinion, they brought Hayes in to be a more offensive 3C. For him to best succeed you need to surround him with speed and forecheckers who will go into the corners and retrieve pucks. I am expecting a bounce back year from Beauvillier. His style of play fits the Pens system. Speed, aggressive on the forecheck etc. I wouldn't put McGroraty on the 3rd line with Hayes. McG isn't the best skater. Put him with Sid and let him learn. Good thing about the lineup, more so this year then previous years, Pens have some good options in the bottom 6 who can move up and down the lineup as needed.

McG-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Hayes-Beauvillier
Lizotte-Eller-Acciari/Glass

If Eller goes we slide Lizotte or Glass over to 4C.

McGroarty had his press conference about an hour ago. He said he's comfortable playing on either LW or RW, doesn't really matter, doesn't seem to have a preference. The other 2 things that stood out...he was asked if he was promised a chance to make the NHL roster, to which he said " I was promised a spot in the rookie tournament, and that's about it to date. So, anything further than that I'm going to have to come in and earn it." The other thing was, he praised Dubas and Spezza for the development plan they have in place for him coming to Pittsburgh.

McGroarty also started off by talking about learning about the trade. He said his agent called him on Monday (which would have been the 19th) telling him there was a real possibility he was going to be dealt. The trade to Pittsburgh happened on Thursday the 22nd. So it seems like Dubas was working on this trade for at least a week, if not more.

Here's the interview:

Thanks for sharing. Good interview. Comes of as a confident kid who's looking to take things to the next level. Excited to see what he brings at camp. Definitely seems like KD views him as a future leader of the organization, for the rebuild...

[Pitts]

I like him. He seems much more confident than Yager. Don't get me wrong, Yager was great and definitely doing all the right things. But, you just get a different feel from this kid. He's smart in his answers too. Good kid.

[dark_forces]

I like him. He seems much more confident than Yager. Don't get me wrong, Yager was great and definitely doing all the right things. But, you just get a different feel from this kid. He's smart in his answers too. Good kid.

At a glance, he looks a little like a young Ulf Samuelsson. Maybe it's the hair and the shape of the face, but, at least in my eyes, it portends well.

[Daniel]

I'll take a stab at line projections. First, I definitely expect at least 1 move of a veteran before the season starts. Eller being the most likely candidate as he only has 1 year left on his deal and has some value. Pens only have 1 retention slot left since we retained on the Smith deal. We need to hold onto that retention slot for future trades closer to the deadline. Most likely MP, if he's not re-signed.

In my opinion, they brought Hayes in to be a more offensive 3C. For him to best succeed you need to surround him with speed and forecheckers who will go into the corners and retrieve pucks. I am expecting a bounce back year from Beauvillier. His style of play fits the Pens system. Speed, aggressive on the forecheck etc. I wouldn't put McGroraty on the 3rd line with Hayes. McG isn't the best skater. Put him with Sid and let him learn. Good thing about the lineup, more so this year then previous years, Pens have some good options in the bottom 6 who can move up and down the lineup as needed.

McG-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Hayes-Beauvillier
Lizotte-Eller-Acciari/Glass

If Eller goes we slide Lizotte or Glass over to 4C.

McGroarty had his press conference about an hour ago. He said he's comfortable playing on either LW or RW, doesn't really matter, doesn't seem to have a preference. The other 2 things that stood out...he was asked if he was promised a chance to make the NHL roster, to which he said " I was promised a spot in the rookie tournament, and that's about it to date. So, anything further than that I'm going to have to come in and earn it." The other thing was, he praised Dubas and Spezza for the development plan they have in place for him coming to Pittsburgh.

McGroarty also started off by talking about learning about the trade. He said his agent called him on Monday (which would have been the 19th) telling him there was a real possibility he was going to be dealt. The trade to Pittsburgh happened on Thursday the 22nd. So it seems like Dubas was working on this trade for at least a week, if not more.

Here's the interview:

Too bad the development plan stops at the head coach.

[Pens4Life]

I like him. He seems much more confident than Yager. Don't get me wrong, Yager was great and definitely doing all the right things. But, you just get a different feel from this kid. He's smart in his answers too. Good kid.

At a glance, he looks a little like a young Ulf Samuelsson. Maybe it's the hair and the shape of the face, but, at least in my eyes, it portends well.

He really does haha

[Puck-Lurker]

More line combinations

O'Connor-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Beauvillier-Eller-Glass
Lizotte-Hayes-Acciari
xPuljujärvi-Poulin

- I think Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting, Rakell are pretty much guaranteed to start in those spots. Same with Eller and Hayes I think.
- Next I don't see a scenario where DOC, Glass and Lizotte don't at least make the opening night roster, perhaps in different spots, but they'll be there.
- Beauvillier and Acciari I think are just likely to be there, but there are players that can push them out of the lineup.
- I put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre, not because I like it, but because I think that's how it will work out for the opening night and it makes some sense. Unless of course someone really stands out and forces his way onto the roster (McGroarty and to lesser degrees, Koivunen and Ponomarev)
- I put Puljujärvi in as #13 and most likely to bump down Acciari.
- I have Poulin as #14, there is cap space for 23 players no matter how you spin it and it's high time we see what he has to offer.
- Puustinen, Gruden and Bemström get waived and people will be shocked when they clear. Puustinen is closest for my money, but still not who I'd roll with.
- Nieto can go on IR, no cap relief necessary.

Pettersson-Karlsson
Grzelcyk-Letang
Graves-Aho
xLudvig

- Pair the Swedes. These are your 1A pair.
- Grzelcyk with Letang as 1B, to keep Graves out of the top 4. Fix Graves while he gets a little sheltered.
- Aho getting the nod over Ludvig, but it's very close for me.
- Ludvig in the Ruhwedel Memorial Spot. Use when a more physical defenceman is needed, needs to stay healthy.
- Again put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre. I could see St Ivany or, to a lesser extent Pickering (because LD logjam) force their way onto the roster.
- St Ivany in Ludvig's place if Ludvig isn't ready to play.
- Shea needs to be waived. Not really an issue. Wouldn't be my first or second call-up.

Nedeljkovic
Jarry

- I have Ned as 1A, Jarry as 1B for the time being. Jarry wants the crease back, he'll have to fight for it. Hopefully that stimulates him.
- Blomqvist, Larsson, Murashov all have waivers exemption and won't be on the roster. I think I'd put them in that order too, despite the hype for Murashov.

------------------------

The above leaves roughly 1M of free cap space by my calculations. I think it's nice enough, better than last year's. I'd personally waive Acciari to make room for a younger guy, but no way they're doing that.

[Maestro]

So is Kyle going to offer sheet Nick Robertson?

[Daniel]

So is Kyle going to offer sheet Nick Robertson?

Why? Serious question since he doesn't seem to play much on the PK, just over 1 minute total over 56 games. Seems like he'd be a more expensive version of Puustinen. Short small guy that can't PK so what use would Sullivan have for him?

[FLPensFan]

So is Kyle going to offer sheet Nick Robertson?

Why? Serious question since he doesn't seem to play much on the PK, just over 1 minute total over 56 games. Seems like he'd be a more expensive version of Puustinen. Short small guy that can't PK so what use would Sullivan have for him?

I like Robertson. Wouldn't mind adding him, but, we've already got an overload of bottom 6 forwards. We really don't need another one. He has the offensive ability to maybe work his way into the top 6...but not on this team. As it stands now, DOC and McGroarty have the edge in getting a bottom 6 look.

Robertson is somewhat in the drivers seat. He doesn't have a contract, and does not want to report or sign with the Leafs. The Leafs don't have the money right now to sign him anyways, unless it's under 1M in cap hit. So, Robertson either sits out the season, or forces a trade. If he does the latter, he's likely going to get some say in the matter by letting his agent know who he will or won't sign with. Getting traded, for example, to the Rangers or Panthers or Canes make little sense, as he's just going to be in the same spot or worse than he was in Toronto.

McGroarty was our move. I'm fine with that.

[FLPensFan]

More line combinations

O'Connor-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Beauvillier-Eller-Glass
Lizotte-Hayes-Acciari
xPuljujärvi-Poulin

- I think Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting, Rakell are pretty much guaranteed to start in those spots. Same with Eller and Hayes I think.
- Next I don't see a scenario where DOC, Glass and Lizotte don't at least make the opening night roster, perhaps in different spots, but they'll be there.
- Beauvillier and Acciari I think are just likely to be there, but there are players that can push them out of the lineup.
- I put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre, not because I like it, but because I think that's how it will work out for the opening night and it makes some sense. Unless of course someone really stands out and forces his way onto the roster (McGroarty and to lesser degrees, Koivunen and Ponomarev)
- I put Puljujärvi in as #13 and most likely to bump down Acciari.
- I have Poulin as #14, there is cap space for 23 players no matter how you spin it and it's high time we see what he has to offer.
- Puustinen, Gruden and Bemström get waived and people will be shocked when they clear. Puustinen is closest for my money, but still not who I'd roll with.
- Nieto can go on IR, no cap relief necessary.

Pettersson-Karlsson
Grzelcyk-Letang
Graves-Aho
xLudvig

- Pair the Swedes. These are your 1A pair.
- Grzelcyk with Letang as 1B, to keep Graves out of the top 4. Fix Graves while he gets a little sheltered.
- Aho getting the nod over Ludvig, but it's very close for me.
- Ludvig in the Ruhwedel Memorial Spot. Use when a more physical defenceman is needed, needs to stay healthy.
- Again put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre. I could see St Ivany or, to a lesser extent Pickering (because LD logjam) force their way onto the roster.
- St Ivany in Ludvig's place if Ludvig isn't ready to play.
- Shea needs to be waived. Not really an issue. Wouldn't be my first or second call-up.

Nedeljkovic
Jarry

- I have Ned as 1A, Jarry as 1B for the time being. Jarry wants the crease back, he'll have to fight for it. Hopefully that stimulates him.
- Blomqvist, Larsson, Murashov all have waivers exemption and won't be on the roster. I think I'd put them in that order too, despite the hype for Murashov.

------------------------

The above leaves roughly 1M of free cap space by my calculations. I think it's nice enough, better than last year's. I'd personally waive Acciari to make room for a younger guy, but no way they're doing that.

-I think McGroarty has to really play awful, or just about everyone else in the bottom 6 has to play lights out for him to not make the team. They need his intensity and style of play in the lineup BADLY.
-On defense, I'd kind of say something similar about St. Ivany. He's a righty, and I think they need his size on the PK. Aho is another smallish defender who tends to get overworked easily in the d-zone. I like what I saw from Jack late in the season, and think he'll get the nod since he is a righty.
-The question then becomes, if Ludvig is healthy, are you carrying Ludvig or Aho as the extra. With Graves and St. Ivany already on the team, I'd probably go with Aho over Ludvig...but I think the Penguins really like Ludvig and don't want to risk losing him on waivers. Florida really liked Ludvig, and I wouldn't doubt they (along with another team or two) would claim him.

[Puck-Lurker]

More line combinations

O'Connor-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Beauvillier-Eller-Glass
Lizotte-Hayes-Acciari
xPuljujärvi-Poulin

- I think Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting, Rakell are pretty much guaranteed to start in those spots. Same with Eller and Hayes I think.
- Next I don't see a scenario where DOC, Glass and Lizotte don't at least make the opening night roster, perhaps in different spots, but they'll be there.
- Beauvillier and Acciari I think are just likely to be there, but there are players that can push them out of the lineup.
- I put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre, not because I like it, but because I think that's how it will work out for the opening night and it makes some sense. Unless of course someone really stands out and forces his way onto the roster (McGroarty and to lesser degrees, Koivunen and Ponomarev)
- I put Puljujärvi in as #13 and most likely to bump down Acciari.
- I have Poulin as #14, there is cap space for 23 players no matter how you spin it and it's high time we see what he has to offer.
- Puustinen, Gruden and Bemström get waived and people will be shocked when they clear. Puustinen is closest for my money, but still not who I'd roll with.
- Nieto can go on IR, no cap relief necessary.

Pettersson-Karlsson
Grzelcyk-Letang
Graves-Aho
xLudvig

- Pair the Swedes. These are your 1A pair.
- Grzelcyk with Letang as 1B, to keep Graves out of the top 4. Fix Graves while he gets a little sheltered.
- Aho getting the nod over Ludvig, but it's very close for me.
- Ludvig in the Ruhwedel Memorial Spot. Use when a more physical defenceman is needed, needs to stay healthy.
- Again put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre. I could see St Ivany or, to a lesser extent Pickering (because LD logjam) force their way onto the roster.
- St Ivany in Ludvig's place if Ludvig isn't ready to play.
- Shea needs to be waived. Not really an issue. Wouldn't be my first or second call-up.

Nedeljkovic
Jarry

- I have Ned as 1A, Jarry as 1B for the time being. Jarry wants the crease back, he'll have to fight for it. Hopefully that stimulates him.
- Blomqvist, Larsson, Murashov all have waivers exemption and won't be on the roster. I think I'd put them in that order too, despite the hype for Murashov.

------------------------

The above leaves roughly 1M of free cap space by my calculations. I think it's nice enough, better than last year's. I'd personally waive Acciari to make room for a younger guy, but no way they're doing that.

-I think McGroarty has to really play awful, or just about everyone else in the bottom 6 has to play lights out for him to not make the team. They need his intensity and style of play in the lineup BADLY.
-On defense, I'd kind of say something similar about St. Ivany. He's a righty, and I think they need his size on the PK. Aho is another smallish defender who tends to get overworked easily in the d-zone. I like what I saw from Jack late in the season, and think he'll get the nod since he is a righty.
-The question then becomes, if Ludvig is healthy, are you carrying Ludvig or Aho as the extra. With Graves and St. Ivany already on the team, I'd probably go with Aho over Ludvig...but I think the Penguins really like Ludvig and don't want to risk losing him on waivers. Florida really liked Ludvig, and I wouldn't doubt they (along with another team or two) would claim him.

- Yeah, I think McGroarty and St Ivany are by far the most likely people to make the roster of everyone I didn't put on it. That would bump out Poulin and Ludvig for my money. Beauvillier and Aho would go to the press box.
- There are some not insignificant flaws in McGroarty's play. I'm not sure Sullivan will jam with that, but I'll be happy if he gets a shot on the 3rd line to start the season. From what I've seen, I don't think he should automatically dislodge DOC right away. DOC is actually a pretty good fit for Sid and Rust.
- Another route they could go, which I wouldn't prefer, is to carry 8 defenceman having Aho, Ludvig and St Ivany all at once. That does waive more forwards though and I don't think it's necessary or a good decision.

[100565]

McGroarty-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
O'Connor-Eller-Puljujärvi
Lizotte-Glass-Puustinen
Acciari-Beauvillier

Pettersson-Karlsson
Grzelcyk-Letang
Graves-St Ivany
Aho

With the goalies, cap wages had this with $2.2 mil cap space.

I think there are many spots decided by camp/preseason performance. I hope some of the young guys earn a spot over vets. Fire Sully if the young guys show promise and don’t make it. I am not too high on Poulin but maybe he earns spot over Glass for 4c. No one will claim Hayes (or Glass or Acciari) so those guys are safer to waive IMO.

[FLPensFan]

More line combinations

O'Connor-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Beauvillier-Eller-Glass
Lizotte-Hayes-Acciari
xPuljujärvi-Poulin

- I think Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting, Rakell are pretty much guaranteed to start in those spots. Same with Eller and Hayes I think.
- Next I don't see a scenario where DOC, Glass and Lizotte don't at least make the opening night roster, perhaps in different spots, but they'll be there.
- Beauvillier and Acciari I think are just likely to be there, but there are players that can push them out of the lineup.
- I put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre, not because I like it, but because I think that's how it will work out for the opening night and it makes some sense. Unless of course someone really stands out and forces his way onto the roster (McGroarty and to lesser degrees, Koivunen and Ponomarev)
- I put Puljujärvi in as #13 and most likely to bump down Acciari.
- I have Poulin as #14, there is cap space for 23 players no matter how you spin it and it's high time we see what he has to offer.
- Puustinen, Gruden and Bemström get waived and people will be shocked when they clear. Puustinen is closest for my money, but still not who I'd roll with.
- Nieto can go on IR, no cap relief necessary.

Pettersson-Karlsson
Grzelcyk-Letang
Graves-Aho
xLudvig

- Pair the Swedes. These are your 1A pair.
- Grzelcyk with Letang as 1B, to keep Graves out of the top 4. Fix Graves while he gets a little sheltered.
- Aho getting the nod over Ludvig, but it's very close for me.
- Ludvig in the Ruhwedel Memorial Spot. Use when a more physical defenceman is needed, needs to stay healthy.
- Again put everyone with waivers exemption in Wilkes-Barre. I could see St Ivany or, to a lesser extent Pickering (because LD logjam) force their way onto the roster.
- St Ivany in Ludvig's place if Ludvig isn't ready to play.
- Shea needs to be waived. Not really an issue. Wouldn't be my first or second call-up.

Nedeljkovic
Jarry

- I have Ned as 1A, Jarry as 1B for the time being. Jarry wants the crease back, he'll have to fight for it. Hopefully that stimulates him.
- Blomqvist, Larsson, Murashov all have waivers exemption and won't be on the roster. I think I'd put them in that order too, despite the hype for Murashov.

------------------------

The above leaves roughly 1M of free cap space by my calculations. I think it's nice enough, better than last year's. I'd personally waive Acciari to make room for a younger guy, but no way they're doing that.

-I think McGroarty has to really play awful, or just about everyone else in the bottom 6 has to play lights out for him to not make the team. They need his intensity and style of play in the lineup BADLY.
-On defense, I'd kind of say something similar about St. Ivany. He's a righty, and I think they need his size on the PK. Aho is another smallish defender who tends to get overworked easily in the d-zone. I like what I saw from Jack late in the season, and think he'll get the nod since he is a righty.
-The question then becomes, if Ludvig is healthy, are you carrying Ludvig or Aho as the extra. With Graves and St. Ivany already on the team, I'd probably go with Aho over Ludvig...but I think the Penguins really like Ludvig and don't want to risk losing him on waivers. Florida really liked Ludvig, and I wouldn't doubt they (along with another team or two) would claim him.

- Yeah, I think McGroarty and St Ivany are by far the most likely people to make the roster of everyone I didn't put on it. That would bump out Poulin and Ludvig for my money. Beauvillier and Aho would go to the press box.
- There are some not insignificant flaws in McGroarty's play. I'm not sure Sullivan will jam with that, but I'll be happy if he gets a shot on the 3rd line to start the season. From what I've seen, I don't think he should automatically dislodge DOC right away. DOC is actually a pretty good fit for Sid and Rust.
- Another route they could go, which I wouldn't prefer, is to carry 8 defenceman having Aho, Ludvig and St Ivany all at once. That does waive more forwards though and I don't think it's necessary or a good decision.

Totally in agreement with McGroarty. If he instantly hits it off with Sid, that's the only way I see him immediately displacing DOC. If he has a strong camp but doesn't mesh with Sid, I'm fine with him starting on the 3rd line. I think for him to reach his potential, he's going to have to get top 6 minutes...but that doesn't have to be this season. Also, if the Penguins decide he needs to go to the AHL...I'm fine with that IF they think there are things that they can help him improve in 3 months. I don't think sending him down just to say he needs some experience is the right move.

Ludvig, I keep thinking he is going to miss most of training camp due to injury. He may be back in time for camp but only at like 90%. I guess we'll see. I think with the glut of forwards we have right now, it seems like we almost have to carry 2 extra forwards and one extra d-man. The counter that, though, is that of their 12 games in October, 7 are on the road including a 7 day long West coast/Canada trip (Jets, Flames, Oilers, Canucks) and the team usually likes to take 2 d-men on those West coast trips.

[Maestro]

So is Kyle going to offer sheet Nick Robertson?

Why? Serious question since he doesn't seem to play much on the PK, just over 1 minute total over 56 games. Seems like he'd be a more expensive version of Puustinen. Short small guy that can't PK so what use would Sullivan have for him?

True. Dubas guy obviously. Dan Ks hypothetical trade then offer sheet makes some sense though. But who knows, maybe they like Glass as a potential center for the team. If not, from what I hear Robertson plays solid 2 way which Sullivan likes.