2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[BigMcK]

Tired of the tag posts that run 7 replies.

From FLPensFan: "I'd rather have the young NHL player or existing prospect than the 2026 1st. It's a good trade chip, but, if you trade Rakell to a good playoff team, that 2026 1st is likely to be in the 20-32 range. You get a decent player that may be 3-5 years away from playing. I think Dubas is looking for quicker results. If teams are offering 1st round pick or (A-lvel prospect that is closer/under 24 already NHLer), I'm taking the latter almost every time."

3 - 5 years from now, half of the active posters here I expect will be tired of the rebuild. How will marketing folks sell Milan Kraft to the corporate season ticket holders as a reason to renew? Any trade of Rakell must come with a boat load of NHL ready players next season. In other words: field a NHL roster full of youth, not old meat left on an old bone.

[Michael74]

Two Penguins trade items tonight, one one Rakell and one on Letang....

--On Rakell, I traded some tweets with The Mayor tonight after he tweeted out that LA Kings first round pick is rumored to be in play. If you don't know who the Mayor is, he's been covering the Kings for years, frequently on SiriusXM NHL Network, other podcasts etc. I asked him if the Kings would have interest in Rakell, and he said a few weeks ago he mentioned Kings should be one of the top 2-3 targets of LA, if not the top. I followed up by asking about Greentree or Clarke being in a package for Rakell. He said he doubts LA moves either player in a trade. Take it for what it is worth, but the guy knows LA stuff. I'd also counter that, we know PIT stuff, LA's system is ranked lower than ours, and after Greentree, their 3 best prospects are goalies. Only other possibilities I would take from LA would be Laferriere (if Dubas thinks he can continue to increase production) or Spence. I'd want a 2026 1st rounder if either of those guys was the "player" return in a Rakell trade.

--On Letang, it's a quick one or two sentence, but, Kingerski noted that as they cleared out after the game today, it was just Kingerski, Letang, and a Penguins PR person leaving the locker room. Kingerski mentioned what Karlsson had said about deadline being stressful. Letang said something to the effect of it's a business, he's known since he was 21 he could be traded at any time, and basically said "Whatever happens, happens." Kingerski noted this was much different than the tact Crosby and Malkin took, both reaffirming they had no desire to move elsewhere.

https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsbu ... -business/

Kings are up against the cap, so the salaries have to largely cancel out. They have like one to 1.5 mil in space. Also, we only one contract spot available, so unless we move some others this trade deadline (which seems likely) we can't add more than one extra player under contract.

A '26 1st is a must for us, beyond that it gets tricky.

Ship out Grzelcyk for a 2025 2nd
Ship out Beauvillier for a 2027 2nd (by kicking the pick 2 years down the road, may be easier for a team to give a 2nd instead of a 3rd)
That frees up 2 roster spots and puts the Penguins at 47 contracts.

Rakell to LA for A) Greentree, Jeannot (cap reasons) and a 2026 2nd OR B) Laferriere/Spence, Jeannot, and a 2026 1st round pick

That would put us at 48 contracts (Rakell out, down to 46...Laferriere or Spence plus Jeannot in, up to 48)

I don't think Beau gets us a 2hd even in '27, I could see a 3rd, preferably for '26. Grzelcyk might get us a 2hd, hopefully for '26. I think your valuation is pretty good though. I suggested Gryz + our worst 5th this year, for a '26 2hd.

If we're trading Rakell, for me anyway it starts with a '26 1st. Although Greentree is intriguing I must say.

I'd rather have the young NHL player or existing prospect than the 2026 1st. It's a good trade chip, but, if you trade Rakell to a good playoff team, that 2026 1st is likely to be in the 20-32 range. You get a decent player that may be 3-5 years away from playing. I think Dubas is looking for quicker results. If teams are offering 1st round pick or (A-lvel prospect that is closer/under 24 already NHLer), I'm taking the latter almost every time.

Regarding the Kings, I'm not so sure they'd finish 20-32. I wouldn't be surprised if they missed the playoffs next year. Kopitar will be 38, Doughty 36. There's very likely gonna be a regression. It's also touted as a very deep draft. That may or may not be the case but currently it appears as such.

Beyond that if we're Moving Rakell I'd expect both a '26 1st and an A level prospect. He's not a UFA. He's had a great season. His cap hit is fantastic relative to his production. Point being, we don't have to sell him for anything less than a premium return.

I would do this,

PIT receives: A 26 1ST, Greentree and Trevor Moore (Jeannot has a 16 team NTC and it wouldn't work cap wise))

LA recieves: Rickard Rakell, Anthony Beauvillier (with 50% retention on AB to make the cap work) and the 3rd rounder we got from MIN this year via trade.

I'd sell high on RR or just wait. Cap wise that'd work.

I'd substitute Laferriere for Greentree but I doubt the Kings would if they are in a win now mode. He's been a fairly decent contributor for them this season. Again Moore would have to be included for cap reasons. And only if we don't move EK because we'd need to retain on him.

Your package above of a 26 1st, Laferriere and Jeannot for Rakell I'd certainly do, but again cap wise it wouldn't work. Also I wouldn't think they'd want to take out Laferriere and his 15 goals. Value wise that looks pretty good. It'll be an interesting week.

[100565]

Tired of the tag posts that run 7 replies.

Post of the decade! Can't they be configured to mimimize the replies?

[FLPensFan]

Tired of the tag posts that run 7 replies.

From FLPensFan: "I'd rather have the young NHL player or existing prospect than the 2026 1st. It's a good trade chip, but, if you trade Rakell to a good playoff team, that 2026 1st is likely to be in the 20-32 range. You get a decent player that may be 3-5 years away from playing. I think Dubas is looking for quicker results. If teams are offering 1st round pick or (A-lvel prospect that is closer/under 24 already NHLer), I'm taking the latter almost every time."

3 - 5 years from now, half of the active posters here I expect will be tired of the rebuild. How will marketing folks sell Milan Kraft to the corporate season ticket holders as a reason to renew? Any trade of Rakell must come with a boat load of NHL ready players next season. In other words: field a NHL roster full of youth, not old meat left on an old bone.

Unfortunately, this is Rickard Rakell...not Jake Guentzel, Mitch Marner, or Miko Rantanen. Rakell is a good player and he has term left. He's a 3rd tier player, if you are putting guys like Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid in the top tier, Marner, Guentzel, Rantanen types in the 2nd tier. Rakell has never eclipsed 70 points in a season. This will be his 3rd 30+ goal season, but his last 2 30+ goal seasons came 8 years ago.

In a best case scenario, Rakell brings in a 1st, a high end B-level prospect, and a roster player. If Dubas gets more than that, then he's pulled off a miracle.

As for the marketing side of things, I'm excited by the prospects of maybe 2 years down the road, Pickering and Brunicke on defense, McGroarty, Koivunen, and Broz somewhere up front, and Murashov and Blomqvist potentially in goal...but I also think we need to obtain some higher end young guys in that mix, via both the draft and via trade.

[Antonio]

I'd be excited for whatever roster not coached by anyone behind the behind currently. My excitement for any assortment of new young players, #1 draft choices, etc is pretty much zero until that changes.

[Daniel]

I'd be excited for whatever roster not coached by anyone behind the behind currently. My excitement for any assortment of new young players, #1 draft choices, etc is pretty much zero until that changes.

I agree, this is the one situation I don't want to bring up prospects. MacDonald is the better coach for the Penguins at this point and time. At least in terms of development.

[Cow_Master66]

Tired of the tag posts that run 7 replies.

From FLPensFan: "I'd rather have the young NHL player or existing prospect than the 2026 1st. It's a good trade chip, but, if you trade Rakell to a good playoff team, that 2026 1st is likely to be in the 20-32 range. You get a decent player that may be 3-5 years away from playing. I think Dubas is looking for quicker results. If teams are offering 1st round pick or (A-lvel prospect that is closer/under 24 already NHLer), I'm taking the latter almost every time."

3 - 5 years from now, half of the active posters here I expect will be tired of the rebuild. How will marketing folks sell Milan Kraft to the corporate season ticket holders as a reason to renew? Any trade of Rakell must come with a boat load of NHL ready players next season. In other words: field a NHL roster full of youth, not old meat left on an old bone.

You get my vote for next GM

We have some guys on the team that could return a group of NHL ready players, but we can't bear the thought of seeing them in different uniforms.

[KG]

Looking like a pretty good 7th round pick!

[dark_forces]

Looking like a pretty good 7th round pick!

When speaking about recently drafted prospects, Dubas always mentions him. Even if he's only a long term bottom pair option, you're absolutely right—it's a great outcome for a 7th round pick.

[FLPensFan]

Looking like a pretty good 7th round pick!

When speaking about recently drafted prospects, Dubas always mentions him. Even if he's only a long term bottom pair option, you're absolutely right—it's a great outcome for a 7th round pick.

Sullivan will get confused by his first name and never play him. Just ask Riikola and Puustinen and Puljujarvi....

[Pens4Life]

Pickering, Kolyachonok, Pieniniemi as LD
Brunicke, Harding, Pietila as RD

Some promising D in the system for upcoming years

[dark_forces]

Pickering, Kolyachonok, Pieniniemi as LD
Brunicke, Harding, Pietila as RD

Some promising D in the system for upcoming years

Speaking of Kolyachonok, has he even played yet?

[stonewizard51]

Not that I know of. If he has, I don't remember him.

[largegarlic]

Pickering, Kolyachonok, Pieniniemi as LD
Brunicke, Harding, Pietila as RD

Some promising D in the system for upcoming years

Speaking of Kolyachonok, has he even played yet?

No, he hasn't played yet, but to be fair, the guys ahead of him at LD have been awesome the past few games. /sarcasm

[FLPensFan]

Kolyachonok has not played yet. Sullivan hasn't finished destroying his confidence.

[DelPen]

With Jarry back up, would you rather see him continue to struggle so we are as much as a lock possible to have a top 3 pick or play well enough someone actually wants to trade for him at the draft but it means we pick around #10-12?

[FLPensFan]

With Jarry back up, would you rather see him continue to struggle so we are as much as a lock possible to have a top 3 pick or play well enough someone actually wants to trade for him at the draft but it means we pick around #10-12?

Struggle. We are in range for a very good pick without nuking everything yet. I wouldn't pass up that chance. Cap space should not be a big issue for this team the next few years. Jarry can get some AHL games next year or rot in the ECHL for all I care.

Best draft position possible should be the goal this season.

[Michael74]

Looking like a pretty good 7th round pick!

I really like this kid! Glad to have him signed, but if I'm correct we're at are maximum limit of contracts.

[KG]

Looking like a pretty good 7th round pick!

I really like this kid! Glad to have him signed, but if I'm correct we're at are maximum limit of contracts.

Luckily this doesn’t count toward the 50 contracts. Since he’s 18-19 it can “slide” to next year. There’s also the 10 NHL games played rule.

[Pens4Life]

Pickering, Kolyachonok, Pieniniemi as LD
Brunicke, Harding, Pietila as RD

Some promising D in the system for upcoming years

Speaking of Kolyachonok, has he even played yet?

People already replied.. but from highlights which I saw, I for sure like him more than Graves, Joseph and Shea
Its really mindboggling Sullivan is using pathetic excuse to not play him.. Descharnais tho, learned system on the airplane coming here..

[Michael74]

Looking like a pretty good 7th round pick!

I really like this kid! Glad to have him signed, but if I'm correct we're at are maximum limit of contracts.

Luckily this doesn’t count toward the 50 contracts. Since he’s 18-19 it can “slide” to next year. There’s also the 10 NHL games played rule.

He just turned 20, not sure if that plays into it. I should know this but don't remember.

[penscup]

Unfortunately, this is Rickard Rakell...not Jake Guentzel, Mitch Marner, or Miko Rantanen. Rakell is a good player and he has term left. He's a 3rd tier player, if you are putting guys like Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid in the top tier, Marner, Guentzel, Rantanen types in the 2nd tier. Rakell has never eclipsed 70 points in a season. This will be his 3rd 30+ goal season, but his last 2 30+ goal seasons came 8 years ago.

In a best case scenario, Rakell brings in a 1st, a high end B-level prospect, and a roster player. If Dubas gets more than that, then he's pulled off a miracle.

As for the marketing side of things, I'm excited by the prospects of maybe 2 years down the road, Pickering and Brunicke on defense, McGroarty, Koivunen, and Broz somewhere up front, and Murashov and Blomqvist potentially in goal...but I also think we need to obtain some higher end young guys in that mix, via both the draft and via trade.

Dallas gave up a 2025 first and 4th rounder for that bum Granland and Cody Ceci. I expect the Pens to be able to get far better than that for Rakell who is a better goal scorer and is under contract for 3 more years. It’s a sellers market.

[FLPensFan]

Unfortunately, this is Rickard Rakell...not Jake Guentzel, Mitch Marner, or Miko Rantanen. Rakell is a good player and he has term left. He's a 3rd tier player, if you are putting guys like Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid in the top tier, Marner, Guentzel, Rantanen types in the 2nd tier. Rakell has never eclipsed 70 points in a season. This will be his 3rd 30+ goal season, but his last 2 30+ goal seasons came 8 years ago.

In a best case scenario, Rakell brings in a 1st, a high end B-level prospect, and a roster player. If Dubas gets more than that, then he's pulled off a miracle.

As for the marketing side of things, I'm excited by the prospects of maybe 2 years down the road, Pickering and Brunicke on defense, McGroarty, Koivunen, and Broz somewhere up front, and Murashov and Blomqvist potentially in goal...but I also think we need to obtain some higher end young guys in that mix, via both the draft and via trade.

Dallas gave up a 2025 first and 4th rounder for that bum Granland and Cody Ceci. I expect the Pens to be able to get far better than that for Rakell who is a better goal scorer and is under contract for 3 more years. It’s a sellers market.

Great, so Team X gives us a 2026 1st, a 2025 2nd, and a 2026 3rd. That's better than Granlund. What does that buy us? Nothing that is going to help Dubas achieve his goal of trying to give Crosby 1 more run at a Cup. None of those picks are going to help us in the next 4 years.

I would prioritize a 20 year old former 1st round draft choice who plays center....someone like Greentree, or an under 24 young guy with a lot of upside, someone like JJ Peterka. But to think we'll get a good A-level prospect / good young NHLer AND a 1st round pick....that's probably expecting too much.

EDIT: I'll add that, I don't think Dubas will be able to get this team to where it needs to be by next season. With that said, I think Malkin is done next year. Finishes out his contract and hangs em up. He'll be 39 to start the season. He's not going to hit 20 goals this year, which will be only the 2nd time in his career he hasn't hit 20 or hasn't been on pace for more than 20 (the other being 20-21 when he was injured, he had 8 goals in 33 games). If Malkin is done after 25-26, this team desparately needs to find a top 6 center. Maybe they draft one in a Misa, McQueen, Frondell, Hagens, or Desnoyers...but banking on that drafted player to be ready after sitting out only 1 extra year in Juniors is asking a bit much.

[penscup]

Dallas gave up a 2025 first and 4th rounder for that bum Granland and Cody Ceci. I expect the Pens to be able to get far better than that for Rakell who is a better goal scorer and is under contract for 3 more years. It’s a sellers market.

Great, so Team X gives us a 2026 1st, a 2025 2nd, and a 2026 3rd. That's better than Granlund. What does that buy us? Nothing that is going to help Dubas achieve his goal of trying to give Crosby 1 more run at a Cup. None of those picks are going to help us in the next 4 years.

I would prioritize a 20 year old former 1st round draft choice who plays center....someone like Greentree, or an under 24 young guy with a lot of upside, someone like JJ Peterka. But to think we'll get a good A-level prospect / good young NHLer AND a 1st round pick....that's probably expecting too much.

EDIT: I'll add that, I don't think Dubas will be able to get this team to where it needs to be by next season. With that said, I think Malkin is done next year. Finishes out his contract and hangs em up. He'll be 39 to start the season. He's not going to hit 20 goals this year, which will be only the 2nd time in his career he hasn't hit 20 or hasn't been on pace for more than 20 (the other being 20-21 when he was injured, he had 8 goals in 33 games). If Malkin is done after 25-26, this team desparately needs to find a top 6 center. Maybe they draft one in a Misa, McQueen, Frondell, Hagens, or Desnoyers...but banking on that drafted player to be ready after sitting out only 1 extra year in Juniors is asking a bit much.

I want as many picks as possible to rebuild. They can sign some free agent to play with Sid for the next year or 2 for 6mil/year (with the Rakell salary they save plus 1 mil from the salary cap going up). Sid ain't winning another Cup here, I think he knows that deep down.

[Michael74]

Dallas gave up a 2025 first and 4th rounder for that bum Granland and Cody Ceci. I expect the Pens to be able to get far better than that for Rakell who is a better goal scorer and is under contract for 3 more years. It’s a sellers market.

Great, so Team X gives us a 2026 1st, a 2025 2nd, and a 2026 3rd. That's better than Granlund. What does that buy us? Nothing that is going to help Dubas achieve his goal of trying to give Crosby 1 more run at a Cup. None of those picks are going to help us in the next 4 years.

I would prioritize a 20 year old former 1st round draft choice who plays center....someone like Greentree, or an under 24 young guy with a lot of upside, someone like JJ Peterka. But to think we'll get a good A-level prospect / good young NHLer AND a 1st round pick....that's probably expecting too much.

EDIT: I'll add that, I don't think Dubas will be able to get this team to where it needs to be by next season. With that said, I think Malkin is done next year. Finishes out his contract and hangs em up. He'll be 39 to start the season. He's not going to hit 20 goals this year, which will be only the 2nd time in his career he hasn't hit 20 or hasn't been on pace for more than 20 (the other being 20-21 when he was injured, he had 8 goals in 33 games). If Malkin is done after 25-26, this team desparately needs to find a top 6 center. Maybe they draft one in a Misa, McQueen, Frondell, Hagens, or Desnoyers...but banking on that drafted player to be ready after sitting out only 1 extra year in Juniors is asking a bit much.

I want as many picks as possible to rebuild. They can sign some free agent to play with Sid for the next year or 2 for 6mil/year (with the Rakell salary they save plus 1 mil from the salary cap going up). Sid ain't winning another Cup here, I think he knows that deep down.

I want us to extract the best value possible, so, if it's only picks, so be it. Ideally we'd like to get a blend of picks, prospects and young players, but again whichever package maximizes our assets I'm all for!

Regarding Sid, As great as he is, we need to put the long term viability of the team over him! I 100% agree with you, Sids done winning here. We shouldn't cater to him it means we compromise the assets we can receive as a result. Dubas needs to and will go for best offer/package available as he should.