Acciari having any manner of ntc nmc. HI-larious. Literally sums up all the problems with contracts and nmc clauses. **** absurd.
100% agree with this. The amount of NTC and NMC given out anymore is ridiculous.
The Spittin Chiclets guys were talking about the expected rise of the salary cap these next three years will open up space for player movement and big trades, which is good for the league and fans love. But with scrubs getting trade protection, it might not matter. Marcus Pettersson, a 2nd pair defensive dman, got a full NMC in the first three years of his Vancouver deal. That's insane. And fourth line vets, come on. I understand if they can get it, great. The issue is with the teams giving them out. They should be reserved for the top players.
Would love to see some kind of rule put in that limits teams to giving out 2 NMC at a time. It's gone over the line and then some with Noel Acciari getting them.
It's more about the GMs in the league showing some actual restraint. I don't think you need to go down to 2, but, you shouldn't be handing out NTC/NMCs to your bottom 6 and bottom pairing guys. Hextall did it for Carter. Dubas acquired Hayes with an NTC. Dubas gave Acciari an NTC. Heinen has an NTC. 5 of our top 6 guys have NTC/NMCs. That's all too much.
NMC/NTCs should be given to your top 2-3 players. Maybe somewhere in there, you get in a bidding war for a key player where giving an NTC puts you over the top. Noel Acciari is not the type of player you should be getting into a bidding war for where you feel you need to give him an NTC to "win".
Acciari having any manner of ntc nmc. HI-larious. Literally sums up all the problems with contracts and nmc clauses. **** absurd.
100% agree with this. The amount of NTC and NMC given out anymore is ridiculous.
The Spittin Chiclets guys were talking about the expected rise of the salary cap these next three years will open up space for player movement and big trades, which is good for the league and fans love. But with scrubs getting trade protection, it might not matter. Marcus Pettersson, a 2nd pair defensive dman, got a full NMC in the first three years of his Vancouver deal. That's insane. And fourth line vets, come on. I understand if they can get it, great. The issue is with the teams giving them out. They should be reserved for the top players.
Would love to see some kind of rule put in that limits teams to giving out 2 NMC at a time. It's gone over the line and then some with Noel Acciari getting them.
It's more about the GMs in the league showing some actual restraint. I don't think you need to go down to 2, but, you shouldn't be handing out NTC/NMCs to your bottom 6 and bottom pairing guys. Hextall did it for Carter. Dubas acquired Hayes with an NTC. Dubas gave Acciari an NTC. Heinen has an NTC. 5 of our top 6 guys have NTC/NMCs. That's all too much.
NMC/NTCs should be given to your top 2-3 players. Maybe somewhere in there, you get in a bidding war for a key player where giving an NTC puts you over the top. Noel Acciari is not the type of player you should be getting into a bidding war for where you feel you need to give him an NTC to "win".
I don't think they should restrict them at all. If a GM wants 23 players with NMC that's up to them. If the owners didn't like it, they'd self regulate. No reason for the league to do it at all. I'd rather them focus on the LTIR scam, though AZ just moved so that might work itself out.
Last edited by Daniel on Thu Feb 06, 2025 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Saw a tweet the Athletic is reporting that the Pens are looking to move Beauvillier, Hayes and Lizotte (hopefully that's not a complete list).
I don't like the way Sullivan has deployed Lizotte at all. When he was healthy, he was playing solid 3C for us, then he gets moved to 4C for no apparent reason and plays with anchors. Feel like Lizotte may have taken a bad penalty or 2 and got the EROD treatment from Sullivan. I would think we could get a decent return for Lizotte. He's a gamer and a player teams would want come playoff time. (Hopefully we can attach Acciari to him in a trade)!
If we could rid ourselves of Hayes $3.55AAV next season, that would be surprising. He's still a solid player, maybe a playoff team will take him with the cap increase for next season.
Saw a tweet the Athletic is reporting that the Pens are looking to move Beauvillier, Hayes and Lizotte (hopefully that's not a complete list).
I don't like the way Sullivan has deployed Lizotte at all. When he was healthy, he was playing solid 3C for us, then he gets moved to 4C for no apparent reason and plays with anchors. Feel like Lizotte may have taken a bad penalty or 2 and got the EROD treatment from Sullivan. I would think we could get a decent return for Lizotte. He's a gamer and a player teams would want come playoff time. (Hopefully we can attach Acciari to him in a trade)!
If we could rid ourselves of Hayes $3.55AAV next season, that would be surprising. He's still a solid player, maybe a playoff team will take him with the cap increase for next season.
Lizotte was literally on pace for a 30 goal season when Sullivan shifted him to the 4th line. Through his first 20 games, Lizotte had 8 goals. That's a 32 goal pace over 82 games. The most goals Lizotte has scored in a season is 11. Since Sullivan has shifted him to the 4th line, Lizotte doesn't have a point in 16 games.
This is EXACTLY where Sullivan kills careers. Sorry guy having a career year and showing good signs of offense, my team is bleeding goals and I need you to turn into our 3rd defenseman out there. I don't care if it completely stunts your production, makes you look absolutely worthless on your next contract negotiation, etc, etc. DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE. What? Yes, I know our goal differential was improving with you on the 3rd line but has now plummeted again to 3rd worst in the league with you on the 4th line. Don't question my knowledge. DEFENSE!!!!!
I think that's where my main frustration with Sullivan lies. Well, maybe it's two things tied for first place but they dovetail into the same thing: He A.) loveslovesloves! his marginally talented vets. "Great on the PK, plays the right way...blah,blah,blah," and, B.) Because of that deep love he refuses to budge which submarines young guys who look to be developing some offensive upside (Lizotte, Puljujarvi, Tomasino). I bet all three of those guys would/can kill penalties just as effectively as Nieto, Acciari types, and with more potential to actually produce a shorty, if given half a chance. Someone also mentioned that the young guys seem to play nervous at times because they know if Letang makes a game-killing turnover, then they will be scratched for three games.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Maybe we can get Yager back?
Rakell, Gzelcyk, Cruz Lucius (his brother Chaz is in WPG system), 2025 3rd rounder for Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, and a 2026 2nd round pick.
WPG likely scoffs at that because Lambert and Yager are their 2nd and 3rd best prospects, but while Winnipeg's system is ranked 15th, they aren't considered to really have a solid A-level prospect. They have a few A-/B+ type guys, and good overall depth.
WPG has a similar problem as does FLA though, in that they are almost capped out. They'd have to send someone like Iafallo back to help make the cap work.
Yeah, the Lizotte thing is annoying. I try to give the team the benefit of the doubt when they don't bring up some guys from WBS, because I don't watch WBS and don't really know how those guys look. But when we as fans see Lizotte vs. Glass every game, I don't see how Sullivan thinks that Glass is the guy who should be on the 2nd line and Lizotte is the guy who should be on the 4th.
Saw a tweet the Athletic is reporting that the Pens are looking to move Beauvillier, Hayes and Lizotte (hopefully that's not a complete list).
I don't like the way Sullivan has deployed Lizotte at all. When he was healthy, he was playing solid 3C for us, then he gets moved to 4C for no apparent reason and plays with anchors. Feel like Lizotte may have taken a bad penalty or 2 and got the EROD treatment from Sullivan. I would think we could get a decent return for Lizotte. He's a gamer and a player teams would want come playoff time. (Hopefully we can attach Acciari to him in a trade)!
If we could rid ourselves of Hayes $3.55AAV next season, that would be surprising. He's still a solid player, maybe a playoff team will take him with the cap increase for next season.
Lizotte was literally on pace for a 30 goal season when Sullivan shifted him to the 4th line. Through his first 20 games, Lizotte had 8 goals. That's a 32 goal pace over 82 games. The most goals Lizotte has scored in a season is 11. Since Sullivan has shifted him to the 4th line, Lizotte doesn't have a point in 16 games.
This is EXACTLY where Sullivan kills careers. Sorry guy having a career year and showing good signs of offense, my team is bleeding goals and I need you to turn into our 3rd defenseman out there. I don't care if it completely stunts your production, makes you look absolutely worthless on your next contract negotiation, etc, etc. DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE. What? Yes, I know our goal differential was improving with you on the 3rd line but has now plummeted again to 3rd worst in the league with you on the 4th line. Don't question my knowledge. DEFENSE!!!!!
Why I don't give total blame for guys like Poulin, Puustinen, and the two guys that went to Europe. The common denominator for all 4 is Sullivan. Yes Poulin didn't skate well enough to be top six, but no reason he couldn't have been LW on the 3rd line. Puustine has his warts too, but 3rd line RW could have been his with spot shifts on 1st/2nd lines. How would a 3rd line of Poulin/Hallandar/Puustinen have looked compared to what we're seen lately?
The examples are too numerous to go through, and we have over the years.
I think that's where my main frustration with Sullivan lies. Well, maybe it's two things tied for first place but they dovetail into the same thing: He A.) loveslovesloves! his marginally talented vets. "Great on the PK, plays the right way...blah,blah,blah," and, B.) Because of that deep love he refuses to budge which submarines young guys who look to be developing some offensive upside (Lizotte, Puljujarvi, Tomasino). I bet all three of those guys would/can kill penalties just as effectively as Nieto, Acciari types, and with more potential to actually produce a shorty, if given half a chance. Someone also mentioned that the young guys seem to play nervous at times because they know if Letang makes a game-killing turnover, then they will be scratched for three games.
I think they play with tightened sticks and walk on egg shells, too afraid to make a mistake and don't play as good as they would with a different coach. Problem is, by the time they leave they're useless to other organizations.
Sounds like Edmonton AND Vegas were interested in DOC.
So weird. The guy was a big nothing burger here.
He's the kind of player coaches like. There will be people that think if they just work him into THEIR system he will score, be a little better.
Beauvillier does a whole bunch of things worse than DOC, but scores some goals. They're equal in points right now. It'll be nice if teams are interested in picking him up and parting with a pick.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Maybe we can get Yager back?
Do we really want him back though? I'm not so sure he's developing into the player we had hoped when Kyle took him. Also, if Rakell uses his eight team NTC Winnipeg is very likely on it.
Sounds like Edmonton AND Vegas were interested in DOC.
So weird. The guy was a big nothing burger here.
At one point in time, he had promise. Look at the numbers he put up last year....16 goals, 17 assists, 33 points. That is solid 3rd line production. And he did the majority of that AWAY from Crosby. Last year at 5v5, DOC played 336 minutes with Crosby, but 732 minutes AWAY from Crosby. And it wasn't Geno either....he played 345 minutes with Malkin, 387 minutes without Malkin (or Crosby).
He was trending in the right direction. Maybe he just went cold, or maybe he got away from his game too much playing in the top 6, or maybe he got Sullied and was told to be more defensive when in the top 6.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Maybe we can get Yager back?
Do we really want him back though? I'm not so sure he's developing into the player we had hoped when Kyle took him. Also, if Rakell uses his eight team NTC Winnipeg is very likely on it.
What makes you say he isn't developing? The only thing I'm not certain of with Yager is, will he be an NHL center or a wing. Tons of guys get drafted as centers and get moved to wing in the NHL because they don't have the right build or skillset to hack it at center in the NHL. That really isn't a concern of mine.
Yager is also a bit behind his points pace from last year, as his Moose Jaw team was very poor. Currently in last place in the WHL East conference. Yager was traded a few weeks ago to Lethbridge, who is 4th in the East conference.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Maybe we can get Yager back?
Do we really want him back though? I'm not so sure he's developing into the player we had hoped when Kyle took him. Also, if Rakell uses his eight team NTC Winnipeg is very likely on it.
What makes you say he isn't developing? The only thing I'm not certain of with Yager is, will he be an NHL center or a wing. Tons of guys get drafted as centers and get moved to wing in the NHL because they don't have the right build or skillset to hack it at center in the NHL. That really isn't a concern of mine.
Yager is also a bit behind his points pace from last year, as his Moose Jaw team was very poor. Currently in last place in the WHL East conference. Yager was traded a few weeks ago to Lethbridge, who is 4th in the East conference.
History tell us 95% of the time that it's not worth revisiting players you've traded. Is Yager anything special? Maybe, but probably not. He''ll make it as an NHL player, but he won't be a real difference maker, maybe a middle-six guy who is a C/W who averages 35 points per season.
I believe McGroarty will be the better player, better intangibles, and better on the ice.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Maybe we can get Yager back?
Do we really want him back though? I'm not so sure he's developing into the player we had hoped when Kyle took him. Also, if Rakell uses his eight team NTC Winnipeg is very likely on it.
What makes you say he isn't developing? The only thing I'm not certain of with Yager is, will he be an NHL center or a wing. Tons of guys get drafted as centers and get moved to wing in the NHL because they don't have the right build or skillset to hack it at center in the NHL. That really isn't a concern of mine.
Yager is also a bit behind his points pace from last year, as his Moose Jaw team was very poor. Currently in last place in the WHL East conference. Yager was traded a few weeks ago to Lethbridge, who is 4th in the East conference.
History tell us 95% of the time that it's not worth revisiting players you've traded. Is Yager anything special? Maybe, but probably not. He''ll make it as an NHL player, but he won't be a real difference maker, maybe a middle-six guy who is a C/W who averages 35 points per season.
I believe McGroarty will be the better player, better intangibles, and better on the ice.
Freidman on his pod speculated that Winnipeg should have interest in Rakell. Winnipeg always has assets available because they rarely make big all in trades.
I would think Winnipeg would like that Rakell is signed for 3 more years being that many UFA's don't sign there.
Maybe we can get Yager back?
Do we really want him back though? I'm not so sure he's developing into the player we had hoped when Kyle took him. Also, if Rakell uses his eight team NTC Winnipeg is very likely on it.
What makes you say he isn't developing? The only thing I'm not certain of with Yager is, will he be an NHL center or a wing. Tons of guys get drafted as centers and get moved to wing in the NHL because they don't have the right build or skillset to hack it at center in the NHL. That really isn't a concern of mine.
Yager is also a bit behind his points pace from last year, as his Moose Jaw team was very poor. Currently in last place in the WHL East conference. Yager was traded a few weeks ago to Lethbridge, who is 4th in the East conference.
I don't see much progression in his game. And while his numbers being down doesn't necessarily define his season, it's not a good sign. I know the quality around him has suffered, but he's also a year older and thus more seasoned. I think that ship has sailed and I'm ok with that.
BTW, if we do happen to fall into that no man's land in the draft, somewhere between pick 9-13, there is one player in that range that I really, really, really like...Carter Bear.
He's 2nd in goals scored in the WHL (although first place is a 20 year old overager), and he's 6th in overall scoring (again with some overagers ahead of him). He has more goals (36) than 2026 draft phenom Gavin McKenna (27). McKenna has 13 more total points than Bear.
Another guy to look out for, who is likely late teens or early 20s, ie Ben Kindel. Kindel is 3rd overall in points, 6 behind McKenna. He's a smaller 5'10" center who will likely be a wing in the NHL.
Just a couple of other names to throw out there as draft ideas if this team starts winning enough to ruin their draft position but still miss the playoffs.
I hate to admit this but for the first time that I can remember, I'm kind of hoping they lose the next two in regulation. It's really hard to do in the moment, though, but losses to NYR & Philly in regulation would be great for the "soft tank".
I hate to admit this but for the first time that I can remember, I'm kind of hoping they lose the next two in regulation. It's really hard to do in the moment, though, but losses to NYR & Philly in regulation would be great for the "soft tank".
Yea, especially with Sid and Geno out. It's hard to root against the team with those guys in the lineup because you want them to get their points. But without them, it is more benefiting for the team for a loss, knowing they are not making the playoffs.
Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.
Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.
It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.
Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.
It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.
He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.
