2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Puck-Lurker]

They can waive Acciari and Hayes - no one will claim them at those salaries.

As you say though, we all know that will not happen and both will be in the starting line up opening night. Hayes has Carter 2.0 written all over him. However, I do expect Hayes to be significantly more impactful than Carter has been the past 2 seasons. He should still be good for 40-50 points. His last year with Philly sucked but was wrought with being in the doghouse by the coach and he never fit in in St. Louis last year for whatever reason. We should expect a decent rebound from him. If not, waive him.

You're quite right, the bar set for Hayes is 2023-24 Carter. Hayes last year was still significantly better than Carter. If he can improve a little over last year, it's a straight up win.

And If Dubas waives anyone over 800K this season, I will be impressed not to mention a little shocked.

[FLPensFan]

They can waive Acciari and Hayes - no one will claim them at those salaries.

As you say though, we all know that will not happen and both will be in the starting line up opening night. Hayes has Carter 2.0 written all over him. However, I do expect Hayes to be significantly more impactful than Carter has been the past 2 seasons. He should still be good for 40-50 points. His last year with Philly sucked but was wrought with being in the doghouse by the coach and he never fit in in St. Louis last year for whatever reason. We should expect a decent rebound from him. If not, waive him.

I'm sure losing his brother from an overdose in 2021 also had an effect on his game for a year or two.

I can live with one of Acciari or Hayes in the lineup. But both of them, plus Eller...then you really aren't giving much chance to our own young guys like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, Bemstrom, and Gruden.

[dark_forces]

They can waive Acciari and Hayes - no one will claim them at those salaries.

As you say though, we all know that will not happen and both will be in the starting line up opening night. Hayes has Carter 2.0 written all over him. However, I do expect Hayes to be significantly more impactful than Carter has been the past 2 seasons. He should still be good for 40-50 points. His last year with Philly sucked but was wrought with being in the doghouse by the coach and he never fit in in St. Louis last year for whatever reason. We should expect a decent rebound from him. If not, waive him.

I'm sure losing his brother from an overdose in 2021 also had an effect on his game for a year or two.

I can live with one of Acciari or Hayes in the lineup. But both of them, plus Eller...then you really aren't giving much chance to our own young guys like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, Bemstrom, and Gruden.

Logically, I would think that there's another shoe to drop with a veteran forward going out for a pick. The most obvious candidate is Eller. There were rumblings around the draft that Buffalo was looking at him. Moving him would free up the logjam a bit.

[Puck-Lurker]

They can waive Acciari and Hayes - no one will claim them at those salaries.

As you say though, we all know that will not happen and both will be in the starting line up opening night. Hayes has Carter 2.0 written all over him. However, I do expect Hayes to be significantly more impactful than Carter has been the past 2 seasons. He should still be good for 40-50 points. His last year with Philly sucked but was wrought with being in the doghouse by the coach and he never fit in in St. Louis last year for whatever reason. We should expect a decent rebound from him. If not, waive him.

I'm sure losing his brother from an overdose in 2021 also had an effect on his game for a year or two.

I can live with one of Acciari or Hayes in the lineup. But both of them, plus Eller...then you really aren't giving much chance to our own young guys like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, Bemstrom, and Gruden.

Logically, I would think that there's another shoe to drop with a veteran forward going out for a pick. The most obvious candidate is Eller. There were rumblings around the draft that Buffalo was looking at him. Moving him would free up the logjam a bit.

Ideally, Acciari goes out, but Eller may be actually worth something to someone

[stonewizard51]

They can waive Acciari and Hayes - no one will claim them at those salaries.

As you say though, we all know that will not happen and both will be in the starting line up opening night. Hayes has Carter 2.0 written all over him. However, I do expect Hayes to be significantly more impactful than Carter has been the past 2 seasons. He should still be good for 40-50 points. His last year with Philly sucked but was wrought with being in the doghouse by the coach and he never fit in in St. Louis last year for whatever reason. We should expect a decent rebound from him. If not, waive him.

I'm sure losing his brother from an overdose in 2021 also had an effect on his game for a year or two.

I can live with one of Acciari or Hayes in the lineup. But both of them, plus Eller...then you really aren't giving much chance to our own young guys like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, Bemstrom, and Gruden.

Logically, I would think that there's another shoe to drop with a veteran forward going out for a pick. The most obvious candidate is Eller. There were rumblings around the draft that Buffalo was looking at him. Moving him would free up the logjam a bit.

Ideally, Acciari goes out, but Eller may be actually worth something to someone

7th round pick ?

[Puck-Lurker]

They can waive Acciari and Hayes - no one will claim them at those salaries.

As you say though, we all know that will not happen and both will be in the starting line up opening night. Hayes has Carter 2.0 written all over him. However, I do expect Hayes to be significantly more impactful than Carter has been the past 2 seasons. He should still be good for 40-50 points. His last year with Philly sucked but was wrought with being in the doghouse by the coach and he never fit in in St. Louis last year for whatever reason. We should expect a decent rebound from him. If not, waive him.

I'm sure losing his brother from an overdose in 2021 also had an effect on his game for a year or two.

I can live with one of Acciari or Hayes in the lineup. But both of them, plus Eller...then you really aren't giving much chance to our own young guys like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, Bemstrom, and Gruden.

Logically, I would think that there's another shoe to drop with a veteran forward going out for a pick. The most obvious candidate is Eller. There were rumblings around the draft that Buffalo was looking at him. Moving him would free up the logjam a bit.

Ideally, Acciari goes out, but Eller may be actually worth something to someone

7th round pick ?

Spitballing

Eller + 7th (2026) for 4th (2025)

[Cow_Master66]

My guess is it will be telling around here when Poulin passes through waivers and nobody even picks him up for free.

[Puck-Lurker]

My guess is it will be telling around here when Poulin passes through waivers and nobody even picks him up for free.

There's a few guys that I'd like to see in Pittsburgh that have waivers exemptions.

Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujärvi.. it's all poo-poo to me.

[BigMcK]

My guess is it will be telling around here when Poulin passes through waivers and nobody even picks him up for free.

Quick check on eBay, there are Zero, Nada, Nope, (0) listings for a Poulin jersey. Cards are available for $1.25 - $1.75.

To your point, no one cares about Poulin.

[KG]

Sharks helped out Edmonton big time. Taking on Ceci and a 3rd round pick for Ty Emberson. Edmonton should have enough cap space to bring back at least one of Broberg and Holloway. They can LTIR Kane.

[lemieuxReturns]

Sharks helped out Edmonton big time. Taking on Ceci and a 3rd round pick for Ty Emberson. Edmonton should have enough cap space to bring back at least one of Broberg and Holloway. They can LTIR Kane.

Yea, I don't understand why they did this. Only thing I can think of is if they have a deal with the Oilers to trade him back at the deadline if the Oilers have space and they get some asset(s) back. San Jose is not competing this year.

[FLPensFan]

Sharks helped out Edmonton big time. Taking on Ceci and a 3rd round pick for Ty Emberson. Edmonton should have enough cap space to bring back at least one of Broberg and Holloway. They can LTIR Kane.

I believe Edmonton also traded a 4th to Vancouver for Podkolzin this weekend...which leads me to believe Broberg will be kept and Holloway would be out.

[FLPensFan]

Sharks helped out Edmonton big time. Taking on Ceci and a 3rd round pick for Ty Emberson. Edmonton should have enough cap space to bring back at least one of Broberg and Holloway. They can LTIR Kane.

Yea, I don't understand why they did this. Only thing I can think of is if they have a deal with the Oilers to trade him back at the deadline if the Oilers have space and they get some asset(s) back. San Jose is not competing this year.

Similar to the Hayes deal, I assume. SJ traded away their 3rd rounder in 2025 as part of the Hertl deal, so they now regain a 3rd round pick.

Ceci is also a UFA at season's end, so SJ can potentially trade him away at the deadline for another 3rd round pick. Stockpiling picks.

[KG]

According to Weekes, Askarov has requested a trade out of Nashville.

[KG]

Some Pens new hires and promotions. Spezza promoted to AGM and GM of WBS.

[Puck-Lurker]

Some Pens new hires and promotions. Spezza promoted to AGM and GM of WBS.

Kessel to assist Spezza and oversee Wheeling. Basically intra-organisation liaison with some added responsibilities.

[KG]

[KG]

And there is is...No retention sounds like.

[Puck-Lurker]

And there is is...No retention sounds like.

Sure looks like Columbus just dumped that contract, threw in a second and only asked for a bottom sixer in return. So much for a hockey trade..


At least he's not coming here. I'm happy.

[FLPensFan]

Look at it this way, though:

Penguins could have had Laine and a 2026 2nd
Or they could have Glass, Hayes, Grzelcyk, a 2026 2nd, a 2025 3rd, and another 2025 3rd.

1 player and a 2nd, or 3 players plus a 2nd and two 3rds. Honestly, we could have easily done without Hayes. I kind of think Grzelcyk has a bounce back year this year, and I'm intrigued by some potential upside for Glass. But, none of them would help as much as Laine regaining his form.

[KG]

Cap space is always king when it comes to making trades, especially in the off-season. Pens never had the cap space to take all of Laine's $8.7mill cap hit, for 2 seasons too.

I would have thought Wadell would have retained to get more value back though. Columbus shouldn't be trading 2nd round picks to dump contracts.

All that said, Columbus views the Pens as a rival. I doubt they would have dealt Laine to the Pens with all things being equal.

[FLPensFan]

Cap space is always king when it comes to making trades, especially in the off-season. Pens never had the cap space to take all of Laine's $8.7mill cap hit, for 2 seasons too.

I would have thought Wadell would have retained to get more value back though. Columbus shouldn't be trading 2nd round picks to dump contracts.

All that said, Columbus views the Pens as a rival. I doubt they would have dealt Laine to the Pens with all things being equal.

Glass (2.5M) + Hayes (3.57M) + Grzelcyk (2.75M) = 8.75M in cap space, or, 1 Laine

Obviously, they got 2 more picks out of the situation, but, adding Hayes to Eller and Acciari, plus Lizotte, plus Glass...from a distance seems like adding a bunch of bodies with no regard to being overloaded. I'm not saying I was in favor of adding Laine, especially at full price...just looking at the "what could have been" if money was spent differently. I think if the Penguins gave a better prospect, CBJ would have moved Laine to us, but that's just conjecture.

Laine-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Puustinen
Beauvillier-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Poulin

Could have been the forward group...although, they still would need another LD with little money to invest, otherwise go full Graves in the deep end to hopefully rebound.

[KG]

Cap space is always king when it comes to making trades, especially in the off-season. Pens never had the cap space to take all of Laine's $8.7mill cap hit, for 2 seasons too.

I would have thought Wadell would have retained to get more value back though. Columbus shouldn't be trading 2nd round picks to dump contracts.

All that said, Columbus views the Pens as a rival. I doubt they would have dealt Laine to the Pens with all things being equal.

Glass (2.5M) + Hayes (3.57M) + Grzelcyk (2.75M) = 8.75M in cap space, or, 1 Laine

Obviously, they got 2 more picks out of the situation, but, adding Hayes to Eller and Acciari, plus Lizotte, plus Glass...from a distance seems like adding a bunch of bodies with no regard to being overloaded. I'm not saying I was in favor of adding Laine, especially at full price...just looking at the "what could have been" if money was spent differently. I think if the Penguins gave a better prospect, CBJ would have moved Laine to us, but that's just conjecture.

Laine-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Puustinen
Beauvillier-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Poulin

Could have been the forward group...although, they still would need another LD with little money to invest, otherwise go full Graves in the deep end to hopefully rebound.

I agree. I was all in with bringing in Laine, especially if we could have gotten paid to take him. Doesn't seem like KD is really trying to win with the core anymore to be honest.

Not to totally change topics, but if there is any belief to the Madden story about Letang asking for a trade, maybe that is what causing a delay in a Sid contract? One could easily connect the dots and speculate that Letang didn't like getting demoted after the EK trade.

[Ericf]

Cap space is always king when it comes to making trades, especially in the off-season. Pens never had the cap space to take all of Laine's $8.7mill cap hit, for 2 seasons too.

I would have thought Wadell would have retained to get more value back though. Columbus shouldn't be trading 2nd round picks to dump contracts.

All that said, Columbus views the Pens as a rival. I doubt they would have dealt Laine to the Pens with all things being equal.

Glass (2.5M) + Hayes (3.57M) + Grzelcyk (2.75M) = 8.75M in cap space, or, 1 Laine

Obviously, they got 2 more picks out of the situation, but, adding Hayes to Eller and Acciari, plus Lizotte, plus Glass...from a distance seems like adding a bunch of bodies with no regard to being overloaded. I'm not saying I was in favor of adding Laine, especially at full price...just looking at the "what could have been" if money was spent differently. I think if the Penguins gave a better prospect, CBJ would have moved Laine to us, but that's just conjecture.

Laine-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Puustinen
Beauvillier-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Poulin

Could have been the forward group...although, they still would need another LD with little money to invest, otherwise go full Graves in the deep end to hopefully rebound.

Do we still employ Mike Sullivan as coach? He wouldn’t want Laine, too much offense and can finish. I have no doubt Sullivan prefers Hayes over Laine. Hayes can PK

[100565]

As a fan, I don’t know enough to say one way or other if I would have wanted him. I don’t know what he is like as a person/teammate. I don’t know the extent of his mental illness or how he is recovering. Haven’t seen him play in a while.

I would have liked to see Laine with Crosby but I don’t know enough to know if it was worth the risk.