2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Crash66]

A little off topic but ....Jagr says this will be his last season as a player. Apparently he only played 15 games last year.
0 G, 4 A.

[Puck-Lurker]

A little off topic but ....Jagr says this will be his last season as a player. Apparently he only played 15 games last year.
0 G, 4 A.

He was only 51 years old last year, too. I remember reading he kept playing because of sponsorships that relied on him, and his name. Being there for Kladno, which he owns is probably necessary for the club. He's also crazy in love with the game.

I'd say the Extraliga is a step higher than the AHL, it's nuts that he still plays with kids occasionally. It's time to retire from professional hockey. Come on, you're making the youngsters look bad for retiring at 40.

[KG]

Projected lines for tonight's game against Buffalo from Taylor:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1


Penguins' lines and pairings at the morning skate. Justin Lee is out there but isn't on the roster tonight, which suggests Philip Waugh is the scratch on D tonight because he's paired with him. And it looks like Atley Calvert is the one out at forward.

Rutger McGroarty - Drew O'Connor - Cody Glass
Jesse Puljujarvi - Tristan Broz - Valtteri Puustinen
Ville Koivunen - Vasily Ponomarev - Emil Bemstrom
Tanner Howe - Jimmy Huntington - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Mac Hollowell
John Ludvig - Harrison Brunicke
Ryan Shea - Nathan Clurman
Justin Lee - Philip Waugh

[Ericf]

Projected lines for tonight's game against Buffalo from Taylor:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1


Penguins' lines and pairings at the morning skate. Justin Lee is out there but isn't on the roster tonight, which suggests Philip Waugh is the scratch on D tonight because he's paired with him. And it looks like Atley Calvert is the one out at forward.

Rutger McGroarty - Drew O'Connor - Cody Glass
Jesse Puljujarvi - Tristan Broz - Valtteri Puustinen
Ville Koivunen - Vasily Ponomarev - Emil Bemstrom
Tanner Howe - Jimmy Huntington - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Mac Hollowell
John Ludvig - Harrison Brunicke
Ryan Shea - Nathan Clurman
Justin Lee - Philip Waugh

I don’t get DOC at center. He’s not going to play that in the NHL. Why not try DOC-Pono- McG, which would be an actual third line option for the NHL Pens ?

[KG]

Projected lines for tonight's game against Buffalo from Taylor:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1


Penguins' lines and pairings at the morning skate. Justin Lee is out there but isn't on the roster tonight, which suggests Philip Waugh is the scratch on D tonight because he's paired with him. And it looks like Atley Calvert is the one out at forward.

Rutger McGroarty - Drew O'Connor - Cody Glass
Jesse Puljujarvi - Tristan Broz - Valtteri Puustinen
Ville Koivunen - Vasily Ponomarev - Emil Bemstrom
Tanner Howe - Jimmy Huntington - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Mac Hollowell
John Ludvig - Harrison Brunicke
Ryan Shea - Nathan Clurman
Justin Lee - Philip Waugh

I don’t get DOC at center. He’s not going to play that in the NHL. Why not try DOC-Pono- McG, which would be an actual third line option for the NHL Pens ?

Yeah, or even move Glass to center. He's played center a bunch and he's right handed. Guess this is what pre-season is about to try new things.

I do like that McGroarty is playing top line minutes at least.

[Pens4Life]

Projected lines for tonight's game against Buffalo from Taylor:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1


Penguins' lines and pairings at the morning skate. Justin Lee is out there but isn't on the roster tonight, which suggests Philip Waugh is the scratch on D tonight because he's paired with him. And it looks like Atley Calvert is the one out at forward.

Rutger McGroarty - Drew O'Connor - Cody Glass
Jesse Puljujarvi - Tristan Broz - Valtteri Puustinen
Ville Koivunen - Vasily Ponomarev - Emil Bemstrom
Tanner Howe - Jimmy Huntington - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Mac Hollowell
John Ludvig - Harrison Brunicke
Ryan Shea - Nathan Clurman
Justin Lee - Philip Waugh

I don’t get DOC at center. He’s not going to play that in the NHL. Why not try DOC-Pono- McG, which would be an actual third line option for the NHL Pens ?

I agree, you have only few games to try some guys and DOC is proven winger now, why bother him at C,when you have logjam on C thru whole roster anyway.

[Crash66]

Because...... Sullivan?

[KG]

Beauvillier is only 1 year older that DOC, almost to the day. 27 to 26. Didn't realize OC was already getting up there!

[KG]

Blomqvist playing all game tonight per Sullivan.

[Daniel]

Projected lines for tonight's game against Buffalo from Taylor:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1


Penguins' lines and pairings at the morning skate. Justin Lee is out there but isn't on the roster tonight, which suggests Philip Waugh is the scratch on D tonight because he's paired with him. And it looks like Atley Calvert is the one out at forward.

Rutger McGroarty - Drew O'Connor - Cody Glass
Jesse Puljujarvi - Tristan Broz - Valtteri Puustinen
Ville Koivunen - Vasily Ponomarev - Emil Bemstrom
Tanner Howe - Jimmy Huntington - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Mac Hollowell
John Ludvig - Harrison Brunicke
Ryan Shea - Nathan Clurman
Justin Lee - Philip Waugh

I don’t get DOC at center. He’s not going to play that in the NHL. Why not try DOC-Pono- McG, which would be an actual third line option for the NHL Pens ?

What if he’s needed at center? He already knows how to play LW. Also, from time to time he’ll have to take faceoffs when C gets kicked out of the circle. I see no downside to him playing center in a preseason game.

[FLPensFan]

Penguins surprised and beat a group of "better" prospects against Buffalo's rookie tournament team. Tonight should be a test for this Penguins lineup, as Benson, Krebs, Peterka, Cozens, Kulich, Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Henri Jokiharju, and UPL in goal. About 50% or more of Buffalo's NHL lineup is going tonight.

[Puck-Lurker]

Projected lines for tonight's game against Buffalo from Taylor:

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team ... s/feed/p/1


Penguins' lines and pairings at the morning skate. Justin Lee is out there but isn't on the roster tonight, which suggests Philip Waugh is the scratch on D tonight because he's paired with him. And it looks like Atley Calvert is the one out at forward.

Rutger McGroarty - Drew O'Connor - Cody Glass
Jesse Puljujarvi - Tristan Broz - Valtteri Puustinen
Ville Koivunen - Vasily Ponomarev - Emil Bemstrom
Tanner Howe - Jimmy Huntington - Avery Hayes

Ryan Graves - Mac Hollowell
John Ludvig - Harrison Brunicke
Ryan Shea - Nathan Clurman
Justin Lee - Philip Waugh

Everyone with at least something to prove here.

[offsides]

Finally! I am more than ready to watch Penguin hockey. Hurry up 7 PM. Anxious to see these new guys (kids) play some hockey.

Let's Go Pens!!!

[Tico Rick]

Is the game being televised?

[FLPensFan]

Is the game being televised?

Supposed to be on Sportsnet Pittsburgh if you are local.

[KG]

Is the game being televised?

Yes, Pens are televising it and it's also on NHL network for out of market fans.

[Puck-Lurker]

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is still THE most Finnish name ever.

EDIT: Speaking of Finns

Koivunen set up Puljujärvi for the tip to open 1-0.

[Puck-Lurker]

Sabres equalized early in the 1st. Pens getting outshot and stuck in their end for stretches. They're fighting their way back, energy's good.

Puustinen with a quick breakaway, give and go went from end to end in what seemed like 3 seconds, got a shot off that wouldn't go.

Decent period all in all. Puljujärvi with the goal. Some players with some good moments, kind of the people you'd expect to. And.. Avery Hayes. That guy is going to earn himself a two-way contract at some point. Plays a simple game, goes hard at pucks and will shoot, one of those folks that isn't outstanding, but just useful at all the right things. NHL.com says he's 5"10, sure doesn't look it.

(need to get some sleep in)

[FLPensFan]

The Athletic had an article today on offer sheets, asking a few GMs and agents if they offer sheets may be on the rise. That got me to thinking...is there any way that the Penguins could use an offer sheet to accelerate their rebuild? As I mentioned before, 1C, 2C, and 1RD are probably the 3 hardest positions to fill with elite level talent. So, what if the Penguins could fill the 2C spot via an offer sheet next summer? Have a replacement ready for Malkin after he finishes next year. I'd look at RD, but with Letang and Karlsson still on the roster and the money committed to them, it wouldn't work. With the Penguins not having their 2nd round pick, it would have to occur after the draft.

So, there is one name that jumped out at me that the Penguins should offer sheet next summer as a future 2C....

Spoiler:

Wyatt Johnson of Dallas

Why that player?

Spoiler:

1. He's only 21 years old, and put up 32 goals, 65 points last season.
2. For an offer sheet to be successful, you typically want to target teams that may be cash strapped.
3. Expanding on #2, Dallas will have Johnson, Oettinger, Bourque, and Lundqvist all as RFAs receiving considerable pay increases.
4. Expanding on #2 and #3, Dallas would have Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven needing new RFA deals the following year.

It would be a big risk giving up our 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks, however, this would again be getting a young (he turns 22 in May). Nobody you get in the 2026 draft is going to step in and play with Crosby unless we are picking in the top 5. Move Malkin to win for his final season, or even...move him to Sid's wing for his final season.

What makes this offer sheet something that could very possibly not be matched is the 7 (including this targeted player) RFAs the other team has to sign over the next 2 offseasons. The targeted player definitely isn't the top priority of those 7. He may be 3rd or 4th on the list.

Lines for 25-26, assuming 92M cap and not worrying about dumping old, bloated salaries yet:

Spoiler:

Malkin-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Johnson-Rakell
DOC-Broz-McGroarty
Puustinen-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Hayes

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-EK65
Graves-St.Ivany
x-Aho

Jarry
Ned

Johnson 9M AAV
Pettersson 5.5M AAV
DOC 3.5M AAV

Just re-signing those 3, and before dumping Hayes, Acciari or moving a goalie...still has 2.675M in cap space. So even if the cap only went up to 90M, that roster above still works before moving Acciari or Hayes. And on paper, it looks pretty damn strong. Add in Ponomarev and Koivunen after moving Acciari/Hayes....and it looks even better.

[Ericf]

The Athletic had an article today on offer sheets, asking a few GMs and agents if they offer sheets may be on the rise. That got me to thinking...is there any way that the Penguins could use an offer sheet to accelerate their rebuild? As I mentioned before, 1C, 2C, and 1RD are probably the 3 hardest positions to fill with elite level talent. So, what if the Penguins could fill the 2C spot via an offer sheet next summer? Have a replacement ready for Malkin after he finishes next year. I'd look at RD, but with Letang and Karlsson still on the roster and the money committed to them, it wouldn't work. With the Penguins not having their 2nd round pick, it would have to occur after the draft.

So, there is one name that jumped out at me that the Penguins should offer sheet next summer as a future 2C....

Spoiler:

Wyatt Johnson of Dallas

Why that player?

Spoiler:

1. He's only 21 years old, and put up 32 goals, 65 points last season.
2. For an offer sheet to be successful, you typically want to target teams that may be cash strapped.
3. Expanding on #2, Dallas will have Johnson, Oettinger, Bourque, and Lundqvist all as RFAs receiving considerable pay increases.
4. Expanding on #2 and #3, Dallas would have Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven needing new RFA deals the following year.

It would be a big risk giving up our 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks, however, this would again be getting a young (he turns 22 in May). Nobody you get in the 2026 draft is going to step in and play with Crosby unless we are picking in the top 5. Move Malkin to win for his final season, or even...move him to Sid's wing for his final season.

What makes this offer sheet something that could very possibly not be matched is the 7 (including this targeted player) RFAs the other team has to sign over the next 2 offseasons. The targeted player definitely isn't the top priority of those 7. He may be 3rd or 4th on the list.

Lines for 25-26, assuming 92M cap and not worrying about dumping old, bloated salaries yet:

Spoiler:

Malkin-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Johnson-Rakell
DOC-Broz-McGroarty
Puustinen-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Hayes

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-EK65
Graves-St.Ivany
x-Aho

Jarry
Ned

Johnson 9M AAV
Pettersson 5.5M AAV
DOC 3.5M AAV

Just re-signing those 3, and before dumping Hayes, Acciari or moving a goalie...still has 2.675M in cap space. So even if the cap only went up to 90M, that roster above still works before moving Acciari or Hayes. And on paper, it looks pretty damn strong. Add in Ponomarev and Koivunen after moving Acciari/Hayes....and it looks even better.

Love this idea. Great suggestion. Won’t happen lol but I wish Dubas was this aggressive

[Daniel]

The Athletic had an article today on offer sheets, asking a few GMs and agents if they offer sheets may be on the rise. That got me to thinking...is there any way that the Penguins could use an offer sheet to accelerate their rebuild? As I mentioned before, 1C, 2C, and 1RD are probably the 3 hardest positions to fill with elite level talent. So, what if the Penguins could fill the 2C spot via an offer sheet next summer? Have a replacement ready for Malkin after he finishes next year. I'd look at RD, but with Letang and Karlsson still on the roster and the money committed to them, it wouldn't work. With the Penguins not having their 2nd round pick, it would have to occur after the draft.

So, there is one name that jumped out at me that the Penguins should offer sheet next summer as a future 2C....

Spoiler:

Wyatt Johnson of Dallas

Why that player?

Spoiler:

1. He's only 21 years old, and put up 32 goals, 65 points last season.
2. For an offer sheet to be successful, you typically want to target teams that may be cash strapped.
3. Expanding on #2, Dallas will have Johnson, Oettinger, Bourque, and Lundqvist all as RFAs receiving considerable pay increases.
4. Expanding on #2 and #3, Dallas would have Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven needing new RFA deals the following year.

It would be a big risk giving up our 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks, however, this would again be getting a young (he turns 22 in May). Nobody you get in the 2026 draft is going to step in and play with Crosby unless we are picking in the top 5. Move Malkin to win for his final season, or even...move him to Sid's wing for his final season.

What makes this offer sheet something that could very possibly not be matched is the 7 (including this targeted player) RFAs the other team has to sign over the next 2 offseasons. The targeted player definitely isn't the top priority of those 7. He may be 3rd or 4th on the list.

Lines for 25-26, assuming 92M cap and not worrying about dumping old, bloated salaries yet:

Spoiler:

Malkin-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Johnson-Rakell
DOC-Broz-McGroarty
Puustinen-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Hayes

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-EK65
Graves-St.Ivany
x-Aho

Jarry
Ned

Johnson 9M AAV
Pettersson 5.5M AAV
DOC 3.5M AAV

Just re-signing those 3, and before dumping Hayes, Acciari or moving a goalie...still has 2.675M in cap space. So even if the cap only went up to 90M, that roster above still works before moving Acciari or Hayes. And on paper, it looks pretty damn strong. Add in Ponomarev and Koivunen after moving Acciari/Hayes....and it looks even better.

The positives is that he's pretty young, but he'll be 30 before the Penguins are ready to contend again and he wouldn't be someone you can build a team around. If this was after the 2025-26 season, maybe, but not now. In 2025-26 the Penguins will have 8 players over the age of 34 and about half with 2-3 years left on their contract. The defense will have Karlsson at 35, Letang about 39, Graves at 31 each of which will have 2 or more years on their contracts.

If you get Wyatt after next year, how do you handle that much age when he's starting to hit his prime? I think we're in for a Red Wings style rebuild and I think getting someone like Johnson after next season will just delay things and he'll be traded before the next time this team can compete for a cup. If they can trade Rust, Rakell, Karlsson, Graves, maybe Letang and Malkin before giving Johnson an offer sheet my opinion drastically changes.

[FLPensFan]

The Athletic had an article today on offer sheets, asking a few GMs and agents if they offer sheets may be on the rise. That got me to thinking...is there any way that the Penguins could use an offer sheet to accelerate their rebuild? As I mentioned before, 1C, 2C, and 1RD are probably the 3 hardest positions to fill with elite level talent. So, what if the Penguins could fill the 2C spot via an offer sheet next summer? Have a replacement ready for Malkin after he finishes next year. I'd look at RD, but with Letang and Karlsson still on the roster and the money committed to them, it wouldn't work. With the Penguins not having their 2nd round pick, it would have to occur after the draft.

So, there is one name that jumped out at me that the Penguins should offer sheet next summer as a future 2C....

Spoiler:

Wyatt Johnson of Dallas

Why that player?

Spoiler:

1. He's only 21 years old, and put up 32 goals, 65 points last season.
2. For an offer sheet to be successful, you typically want to target teams that may be cash strapped.
3. Expanding on #2, Dallas will have Johnson, Oettinger, Bourque, and Lundqvist all as RFAs receiving considerable pay increases.
4. Expanding on #2 and #3, Dallas would have Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven needing new RFA deals the following year.

It would be a big risk giving up our 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks, however, this would again be getting a young (he turns 22 in May). Nobody you get in the 2026 draft is going to step in and play with Crosby unless we are picking in the top 5. Move Malkin to win for his final season, or even...move him to Sid's wing for his final season.

What makes this offer sheet something that could very possibly not be matched is the 7 (including this targeted player) RFAs the other team has to sign over the next 2 offseasons. The targeted player definitely isn't the top priority of those 7. He may be 3rd or 4th on the list.

Lines for 25-26, assuming 92M cap and not worrying about dumping old, bloated salaries yet:

Spoiler:

Malkin-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Johnson-Rakell
DOC-Broz-McGroarty
Puustinen-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Hayes

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-EK65
Graves-St.Ivany
x-Aho

Jarry
Ned

Johnson 9M AAV
Pettersson 5.5M AAV
DOC 3.5M AAV

Just re-signing those 3, and before dumping Hayes, Acciari or moving a goalie...still has 2.675M in cap space. So even if the cap only went up to 90M, that roster above still works before moving Acciari or Hayes. And on paper, it looks pretty damn strong. Add in Ponomarev and Koivunen after moving Acciari/Hayes....and it looks even better.

The positives is that he's pretty young, but he'll be 30 before the Penguins are ready to contend again and he wouldn't be someone you can build a team around. If this was after the 2025-26 season, maybe, but not now. In 2025-26 the Penguins will have 8 players over the age of 34 and about half with 2-3 years left on their contract. The defense will have Karlsson at 35, Letang about 39, Graves at 31 each of which will have 2 or more years on their contracts.

If you get Wyatt after next year, how do you handle that much age when he's starting to hit his prime? I think we're in for a Red Wings style rebuild and I think getting someone like Johnson after next season will just delay things and he'll be traded before the next time this team can compete for a cup. If they can trade Rust, Rakell, Karlsson, Graves, maybe Letang and Malkin before giving Johnson an offer sheet my opinion drastically changes.

Nothing is certain, but I am a little more convinced than I was 6 months ago that, maybe a quick rebuild or rebuild on the fly is possible, with the right moves. I'll immediately point to Florida and what they just did with only THREE of their own draft picks playing on the Stanley Cup winning team. Those 3 were Barkov (1C), Ekblad (1D, but questionable at this stage due to injuries), and Lundell (3C, with 2C potential). They just won the Cup with those 3 and bunch of guys they have brought in over the years through trades and UFA. Reinhart, Bennett, OEL, Montour, ERod, Tarasenko, Verhaeghe...all of those guys were brought in via trade and signings.

So, you start next summer by adding Johnson, who's already hit 30+ goals and 60+ points before age 21. He definitely could end up being a 1C once Crosby leaves. Just that add, the DOC and MP signings, and bringing in a bunch of young guys (McGroarty, Broz, Ponomarev) to add to the bottom 6 is a stronger lineup.

It's a bit harder to project out a lot further, but, another 3M cap increase up to 95M for the summer of 2026. Malkin, Bunting, Hayes, Nedeljkovic and Acciari all come off the books. That's 18.67M off the books, plus 3M in cap space. 21.6M to add (which doesn't count Puustinen or Lizotte, too), and your roster before you add or make trades looks like this:

DOC-Crosby-Rust
X-Johnson-Rakell
McGroarty-Broz-Puljujarvi
X-X-X

Filling out the bottom 4th line shouldn't cost a ton, say 6M max. You make a big splash on a top end winger to fill that 2nd line spot or slot in next to Crosby. Maybe at this point, we trade out Rust or Rakell to bring in a 2nd top tier winger in trade or via UFA.

There's no guarantees it can be done. But there's also no guarantees that we are going to be in a position to draft a Lemieux/Crosby/Malkin level star to build a multi-year dynasty around. The team may have to focus on 3-4 year runs for a bit. This team and fan base are going to be in a huge shock, because we are used to long runs with playoffs every year with more than just a showing and bounced out. This franchise is long overdue for not having a generational talent in their lineup like they have for the 80% of the last 40 years. How long has Arizona been around, and who was their last "elite, build your team around" type of player? Same for Florida before Barkov/Huberdeau/Tkachuk? How about Ottawa post EK65 departing?

Lemieux to Jagr, brief pause, to Crosby/Malkin is an incredible run that is due to come to an end, and we all need to be prepared to go about winning in a different way, or in much smaller periods than 10-20 years of success. It is coming.

[Daniel]

The Athletic had an article today on offer sheets, asking a few GMs and agents if they offer sheets may be on the rise. That got me to thinking...is there any way that the Penguins could use an offer sheet to accelerate their rebuild? As I mentioned before, 1C, 2C, and 1RD are probably the 3 hardest positions to fill with elite level talent. So, what if the Penguins could fill the 2C spot via an offer sheet next summer? Have a replacement ready for Malkin after he finishes next year. I'd look at RD, but with Letang and Karlsson still on the roster and the money committed to them, it wouldn't work. With the Penguins not having their 2nd round pick, it would have to occur after the draft.

So, there is one name that jumped out at me that the Penguins should offer sheet next summer as a future 2C....

Spoiler:

Wyatt Johnson of Dallas

Why that player?

Spoiler:

1. He's only 21 years old, and put up 32 goals, 65 points last season.
2. For an offer sheet to be successful, you typically want to target teams that may be cash strapped.
3. Expanding on #2, Dallas will have Johnson, Oettinger, Bourque, and Lundqvist all as RFAs receiving considerable pay increases.
4. Expanding on #2 and #3, Dallas would have Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven needing new RFA deals the following year.

It would be a big risk giving up our 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks, however, this would again be getting a young (he turns 22 in May). Nobody you get in the 2026 draft is going to step in and play with Crosby unless we are picking in the top 5. Move Malkin to win for his final season, or even...move him to Sid's wing for his final season.

What makes this offer sheet something that could very possibly not be matched is the 7 (including this targeted player) RFAs the other team has to sign over the next 2 offseasons. The targeted player definitely isn't the top priority of those 7. He may be 3rd or 4th on the list.

Lines for 25-26, assuming 92M cap and not worrying about dumping old, bloated salaries yet:

Spoiler:

Malkin-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Johnson-Rakell
DOC-Broz-McGroarty
Puustinen-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
x-Acciari, Hayes

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-EK65
Graves-St.Ivany
x-Aho

Jarry
Ned

Johnson 9M AAV
Pettersson 5.5M AAV
DOC 3.5M AAV

Just re-signing those 3, and before dumping Hayes, Acciari or moving a goalie...still has 2.675M in cap space. So even if the cap only went up to 90M, that roster above still works before moving Acciari or Hayes. And on paper, it looks pretty damn strong. Add in Ponomarev and Koivunen after moving Acciari/Hayes....and it looks even better.

The positives is that he's pretty young, but he'll be 30 before the Penguins are ready to contend again and he wouldn't be someone you can build a team around. If this was after the 2025-26 season, maybe, but not now. In 2025-26 the Penguins will have 8 players over the age of 34 and about half with 2-3 years left on their contract. The defense will have Karlsson at 35, Letang about 39, Graves at 31 each of which will have 2 or more years on their contracts.

If you get Wyatt after next year, how do you handle that much age when he's starting to hit his prime? I think we're in for a Red Wings style rebuild and I think getting someone like Johnson after next season will just delay things and he'll be traded before the next time this team can compete for a cup. If they can trade Rust, Rakell, Karlsson, Graves, maybe Letang and Malkin before giving Johnson an offer sheet my opinion drastically changes.

Nothing is certain, but I am a little more convinced than I was 6 months ago that, maybe a quick rebuild or rebuild on the fly is possible, with the right moves. I'll immediately point to Florida and what they just did with only THREE of their own draft picks playing on the Stanley Cup winning team. Those 3 were Barkov (1C), Ekblad (1D, but questionable at this stage due to injuries), and Lundell (3C, with 2C potential). They just won the Cup with those 3 and bunch of guys they have brought in over the years through trades and UFA. Reinhart, Bennett, OEL, Montour, ERod, Tarasenko, Verhaeghe...all of those guys were brought in via trade and signings.

So, you start next summer by adding Johnson, who's already hit 30+ goals and 60+ points before age 21. He definitely could end up being a 1C once Crosby leaves. Just that add, the DOC and MP signings, and bringing in a bunch of young guys (McGroarty, Broz, Ponomarev) to add to the bottom 6 is a stronger lineup.

It's a bit harder to project out a lot further, but, another 3M cap increase up to 95M for the summer of 2026. Malkin, Bunting, Hayes, Nedeljkovic and Acciari all come off the books. That's 18.67M off the books, plus 3M in cap space. 21.6M to add (which doesn't count Puustinen or Lizotte, too), and your roster before you add or make trades looks like this:

DOC-Crosby-Rust
X-Johnson-Rakell
McGroarty-Broz-Puljujarvi
X-X-X

Filling out the bottom 4th line shouldn't cost a ton, say 6M max. You make a big splash on a top end winger to fill that 2nd line spot or slot in next to Crosby. Maybe at this point, we trade out Rust or Rakell to bring in a 2nd top tier winger in trade or via UFA.

There's no guarantees it can be done. But there's also no guarantees that we are going to be in a position to draft a Lemieux/Crosby/Malkin level star to build a multi-year dynasty around. The team may have to focus on 3-4 year runs for a bit. This team and fan base are going to be in a huge shock, because we are used to long runs with playoffs every year with more than just a showing and bounced out. This franchise is long overdue for not having a generational talent in their lineup like they have for the 80% of the last 40 years. How long has Arizona been around, and who was their last "elite, build your team around" type of player? Same for Florida before Barkov/Huberdeau/Tkachuk? How about Ottawa post EK65 departing?

Lemieux to Jagr, brief pause, to Crosby/Malkin is an incredible run that is due to come to an end, and we all need to be prepared to go about winning in a different way, or in much smaller periods than 10-20 years of success. It is coming.

My concern is the long term contracts and people over 32. Too many contracts that can’t be traded, half the defense has several years left and are over 30.

I love the idea and I agree the Penguins can do a quick retool and even rebuild. Today’s sports really devalues the draft compared to the past because of free agency and UDFAs. My problem is about half the roster is over 30 and has a no trade clause of some kind.

Even if you have 12 players about 21-22 you still have an old and slow team with a stale coach. While I’d love it, I just see too many things that need to be done first.

[BigMcK]

Lemieux to Jagr, brief pause, to Crosby/Malkin is an incredible run that is due to come to an end, and we all need to be prepared to go about winning in a different way, or in much smaller periods than 10-20 years of success. It is coming.

Having zero knowledge of the demographics of this place, the greatest and only place that matters to me (out of market fan), to get updates from, (admin rocks), I would hate to see the discord sites where new fans post well thought out comments on the Penguins during those years.

Will AI replace live sports?

Enjoy this today; Dynasty teams with multiple Cup wins are a thing of the past.

Jettison Sullivan to the sun!

[Puck-Lurker]

Lemieux to Jagr, brief pause, to Crosby/Malkin is an incredible run that is due to come to an end, and we all need to be prepared to go about winning in a different way, or in much smaller periods than 10-20 years of success. It is coming.

Having zero knowledge of the demographics of this place, the greatest and only place that matters to me (out of market fan), to get updates from, (admin rocks), I would hate to see the discord sites where new fans post well thought out comments on the Penguins during those years.

Will AI replace live sports?

Enjoy this today; Dynasty teams with multiple Cup wins are a thing of the past.

Jettison Sullivan to the sun!

I think you should equate the old dynastic teams.. to teams that manage to streak first round playoff wins. Carolina has 6. Oilers and Panthers have 3.

Pens have strung together two of these kinds of periods where they survived rd1 in successive years in recent memory. They have 3 cups for it. Tampa did it once and won two. Caps once and got a cup.

That's about what you can aim for. Get to round 2 three times and statistically there is a cup. Unless you're Carolina or Edmonton...