Rust put together back to back 30 goal, 60 point pace years. That might get him more than 6M. And he's entering his 30s. Maybe comes down since he hasn't started this year great in goals though he can make it up.

Just feels like the recipe for a bad contract. Depending on how the year goes, I'd consider instead getting a center and moving Malkin to the vacant RW spot to help lessen the wear and tear on him.
- Tojo.

If Zucker is moved out and Rust settles at lets say $6M, that's only a $2.5M addition to the cap which leaves about $3M to fill on Zucker's spot which you could in essence fill with Heinen and still have money to spread out.

I think at this point in Geno and Sid's career you're going to have to spend to give them the best possible wingers. Not personally knowing the FA options after this season or possible trades, Rust may be the best option.

If Zucker is moved out and Rust settles at lets say $6M, that's only a $2.5M addition to the cap which leaves about $3M to fill on Zucker's spot which you could in essence fill with Heinen and still have money to spread out.

I think at this point in Geno and Sid's career you're going to have to spend to give them the best possible wingers. Not personally knowing the FA options after this season or possible trades, Rust may be the best option.
- Rinosaur

Does that account for Geno and Letang having to take less money? I feel like they are going to take less. Maybe Geno at 7.1 and Letang at 5.8? The Sid jersey number agreement?

Radulov, Gaudreau, Palat, R Smith, Forsberg, Burakovsky, Kessel, Fabbri, Nino, Domi, Hertl, Giroux, Pavelski, and Perron are probably the biggest names available.

Does that account for Geno and Letang having to take less money? I feel like they are going to take less. Maybe Geno at 7.1 and Letang at 5.8? The Sid jersey number agreement?

Radulov, Gaudreau, Palat, R Smith, Forsberg, Burakovsky, Kessel, Fabbri, Nino, Domi, Hertl, Giroux, Pavelski, and Perron are probably the biggest names available.
- j.boyd919

Letang is still playing 25 minutes a night and producing at a #1 defender rate. I highly doubt he takes anything less than his current salary. The term is probably the question at this point.

Does that account for Geno and Letang having to take less money? I feel like they are going to take less. Maybe Geno at 7.1 and Letang at 5.8? The Sid jersey number agreement?

Radulov, Gaudreau, Palat, R Smith, Forsberg, Burakovsky, Kessel, Fabbri, Nino, Domi, Hertl, Giroux, Pavelski, and Perron are probably the biggest names available.
- j.boyd919

Palat, and of course Forsberg.

Letang is still playing 25 minutes a night and producing at a #1 defender rate. I highly doubt he takes anything less than his current salary. The term is probably the question at this point.
- burgh4life87

If they truly want another chance at winning they will. We will see their decision this summer.

Letang is still playing 25 minutes a night and producing at a #1 defender rate. I highly doubt he takes anything less than his current salary. The term is probably the question at this point.
- burgh4life87

Based on what I've read, Malkin is willing to take a pay cut, though I won't count on it until it happens. But nobody seems to be able to get a good read on what Letang wants. It's a very big question mark in an off-season full of them.

If Zucker is moved out and Rust settles at lets say $6M, that's only a $2.5M addition to the cap which leaves about $3M to fill on Zucker's spot which you could in essence fill with Heinen and still have money to spread out.

I think at this point in Geno and Sid's career you're going to have to spend to give them the best possible wingers. Not personally knowing the FA options after this season or possible trades, Rust may be the best option.
- Rinosaur

This off-season is too complicated to just simply swap a couple players and say how the salaries fall. Also have to keep some space for next year too when Jarry, Dumoulin, and Blueger are all UFAs. I wouldn't sign Dumoulin, but is it as simple as promote POJ and give that money to Jarry and Blueger (and is that enough).

And as I said, my ideal plan would be to add a center, move Geno to RW, so there isn't a need to give Rust a bad contract. Need to worry about that second line though. Also hopefully keep ERod around as a guy to bounce around the line-up even if that costs a raise.

Does that account for Geno and Letang having to take less money? I feel like they are going to take less. Maybe Geno at 7.1 and Letang at 5.8? The Sid jersey number agreement?

Radulov, Gaudreau, Palat, R Smith, Forsberg, Burakovsky, Kessel, Fabbri, Nino, Domi, Hertl, Giroux, Pavelski, and Perron are probably the biggest names available.
- j.boyd919

From all reports Geno is willing to take a discount, but Letang is looking for market value. Definitely some interesting names there depending on what the Pens have to spend.

If they truly want another chance at winning they will. We will see their decision this summer.
- 668710

Paying good players what they are worth doesn't hurt your cup hopes. Low balling Letang is going to be ugly because he is prideful person who knows he is still worth the money.

I personally don't have a great feeling about Letang's extension. It seems like there's been mounting tension between him and ownership for a few years now. That said, I don't know how much of that was stemming from JR and maybe things are different now with Hextall and the incoming new ownership.

The next best options in FA for RHDs is Subban and Klingberg. After them the drop-off is steep.

The Pens could also elect to bump Marino to the first pair and let him be that pairing's Dumo to an LHD like Gio or Lindholm, but again, slim pickins after those guys.

This off-season is too complicated to just simply swap a couple players and say how the salaries fall. Also have to keep some space for next year too when Jarry, Dumoulin, and Blueger are all UFAs. I wouldn't sign Dumoulin, but is it as simple as promote POJ and give that money to Jarry and Blueger (and is that enough).

And as I said, my ideal plan would be to add a center, move Geno to RW, so there isn't a need to give Rust a bad contract. Need to worry about that second line though. Also hopefully keep ERod around as a guy to bounce around the line-up even if that costs a raise.
- Tojo.

Given that Geno is a left handed shot, would you prefer RW over LW?

Just kind of a reminder
UFA 22: Malkin, Letang, Rust, Carter, ERod, ZAR, Ruhwedel, DeSmith, Boyle, Simon, Lafferty, Riikola, Dominique

RFA 22: Kapanen, DOC, Friedman, POJ, Angelo

UFA 23: Zucker, Jarry, Dumoulin, Blueger, Zohorna

They basically have to deal with contracts for all but six players (Crosby, Guentzel, McGinn, Marino, Pettersson, Matheson) mostly this year, but some big ones the next year. They're going to have to piece this together very carefully.

Given that Geno is a left handed shot, would you prefer RW over LW?
- j.boyd919

Seems like he always drifts to the right to me. I remember they tried him on the left when they had Hossa and he looked more awkward, but that was a very long time ago lol.

Or maybe I just really want Guentzel-Crosby-Malkin. Just my best recollection Geno played better at RW, but it's been a long time.

I disagree, beating inferior opponents last year is what lead to many people thinking they were a contender last year. They feasted on poopty teams, and everyone got all optimistic thinking there was going to be another deep playoff run lol
- j.boyd919

Last season they were playing the better teams great even if they lost but a lot of times were battling back in games to either win or get a point against teams that looked better on a paper, or were higher in standings in division. It's why I felt the best about them going into layoffs since 2016. Their overall team game was great. Having watched pretty much every game this season but 2, I'm seeing even better this season.

Rodrigues needs to stay up top, spread it around when Rust and Geno come back. That lil backhand sauce to Guentzel was filthy. He's pricing himself out of here.

Guentzel Crosby Rodrigues
Heinen* Malkin Kapanen*
Zucker* Carter Rust* They all can flip Round
ZAR Blueger McGinn

O'Connor Simon and Boyle are pretty solid as depth, gonna be dangerous if Malkin and Kapanen can get back their chemistry quick.

@668710

I think Errey sucks. He says really... dunce...stuff, like a lot haha. Homer'ish too.

I like Mearsy though.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-first-win-changes-words/

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/bruce-canucks-first-win-changes-words/
- burgh4life87

BBQ Bruce is a legend.

BBQ Bruce is a legend.
- Feds91Stammer

I missed him. I'm glad he is back.

I personally don't have a great feeling about Letang's extension. It seems like there's been mounting tension between him and ownership for a few years now. That said, I don't know how much of that was stemming from JR and maybe things are different now with Hextall and the incoming new ownership.

The next best options in FA for RHDs is Subban and Klingberg. After them the drop-off is steep.

The Pens could also elect to bump Marino to the first pair and let him be that pairing's Dumo to an LHD like Gio or Lindholm, but again, slim pickins after those guys.
- Rinosaur

I saw an interview recently where Letang said he would like to stay in Pittsburgh but also said he would be really excited if he had an opportunity to play in Montreal. Letang definitely isnt taking a discount from where he is currently at. Question is what will his term be and whether he is looking to try something else.

Given that Geno is a left handed shot, would you prefer RW over LW?
- j.boyd919

He's not moving to the wing.

Seems like he always drifts to the right to me. I remember they tried him on the left when they had Hossa and he looked more awkward, but that was a very long time ago lol.

Or maybe I just really want Guentzel-Crosby-Malkin. Just my best recollection Geno played better at RW, but it's been a long time.
- Tojo.

Geno loves going East West and cutting to the center, I agree he would be much better suited to RW.

I saw an interview recently where Letang said he would like to stay in Pittsburgh but also said he would be really excited if he had an opportunity to play in Montreal. Letang definitely isnt taking a discount from where he is currently at. Question is what will his term be and whether he is looking to try something else.
- MacPatty

I think he wants to go elsewhere. The other options are just not fantastic. If the Pens go the UFA route I'd try for Klingberg or Gio, but I honestly have no idea what they could cost.

He's not moving to the wing.
- burgh4life87

I wouldn't say never, but I will say he would only play wing to play with Sid.

@668710

I think Errey sucks. He says really... dunce...stuff, like a lot haha. Homer'ish too.

I like Mearsy though.
- MattStrat

Lol last night after we went up 5-1 he basically said the games over, and I instantly saw your head explode 🤣