If you keep Friedman as the 23rd player the team is about 500k over the cap. Even sending Smith down they have to waive someone. And I don't think they go 12 forwards and 8 defensemen.

That's working against them, they just don't have room for 23 without moving a salary. And by some miracle, nobody is a candidate for LTIR to start the season.
- Tojo.

Maybe Blueger? But otherwise gotcha, I haven't played with cap friendly in a while to check what they could do. Thanks for th update haha.

Maybe Blueger? But otherwise gotcha, I haven't played with cap friendly in a while to check what they could do. Thanks for th update haha.
- 668710

Fortunately doesn't sound like Blueger is in bad shape. Either find a way to trade away some salary or run 22 to be cap compliant. Could be worse, as there are teams more desperate to dump salary then 22 man roster, but makes it hard to move salary.

All these G.M.’s that are holding teams hostage in regards to the salary cap will eventually find themselves in the same boat and I hope they are treated in kind!

All these G.M.’s that are holding teams hostage in regards to the salary cap will eventually find themselves in the same boat and I hope they are treated in kind!

Fortunately doesn't sound like Blueger is in bad shape. Either find a way to trade away some salary or run 22 to be cap compliant. Could be worse, as there are teams more desperate to dump salary then 22 man roster, but makes it hard to move salary.
- Tojo.

Well that's good that he should be good to go. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

All these G.M.’s that are holding teams hostage in regards to the salary cap will eventually find themselves in the same boat and I hope they are treated in kind!
- sjfpp

It's just supply/demand. Whatever situation you find yourself in you gotta navigate. I would say as of this moment Hex did not do the best he could but there's other GMs who did worse. The 2 big ones are Kap getting what he got and the Rutta signing. They needed to do something different with one of them or both.

It's just supply/demand. Whatever situation you find yourself in you gotta navigate. I would say as of this moment Hex did not do the best he could but there's other GMs who did worse. The 2 big ones are Kap getting what he got and the Rutta signing. They needed to do something different with one of them or both.
- 668710

Covid screwed a lot of things up but it isn’t fair that a lot of teams spend to the cap in order to keep their teams together while some just tank for 3-4 years. They draft top 5 for several years, trade away veterans for draft picks giving them more cap space, and never spend in free agency. As soon as their top prospects reach the NHL, they suddenly find the will to sign some free agents and can do so because they have the cap space and most of their players are on ELC’s. People will counter with Lemieux and Crosby but I never remember teams having to give away so many good players for so little.

Covid screwed a lot of things up but it isn’t fair that a lot of teams spend to the cap in order to keep their teams together while some just tank for 3-4 years. They draft top 5 for several years, trade away veterans for draft picks giving them more cap space, and never spend in free agency. As soon as their top prospects reach the NHL, they suddenly find the will to sign some free agents and can do so because they have the cap space and most of their players are on ELC’s. People will counter with Lemieux and Crosby but I never remember teams having to give away so many good players for so little.
- sjfpp

Covid definitely screwed stuff up, but it's definitely fair, everyone has the same cap max and same cap floor. And every team is going to do what they think is best for their team. Did the lower end teams get a little bit of an advantage this time, sure they did but that will change when that cap goes back up bigger in a couple years.

Heavy special teams work today. Kap getting lots of pk reps in.

Not hockey related, but damn the NFL and the Dolphins are in some serious sh!t. Blatantly lied about Tua not being concussed last week, cleared him to play tonight and now the kid's in a level 1 trauma center after a basic sack. Disgusting to watch and brings back memories of Donald Parham last year.
- Pags

Football players are just soft.

Heavy special teams work today. Kap getting lots of pk reps in.
- 10inchTerror

Good

Hextall gave up 3 picks to move up and pick Ratcliffe in ‘17. There’s really no room but I wonder if he still tries to claim him.

Good
- 668710

Good to see something different. I think we been discussing that for a couple years. Poulin was on 2nd pp unit to before his leave of absence. Wonder of that means they are higher on him this year or just giving him max opportunity to see of they should cut ties.

Good to see something different. I think we been discussing that for a couple years. Poulin was on 2nd pp unit to before his leave of absence. Wonder of that means they are higher on him this year or just giving him max opportunity to see of they should cut ties.
- 10inchTerror

Yea and if Kap is gonna be getting paid 3.2 he better be good at killing penalties if he's not scoring. Have to be able to do something haha.

If Kap would use stops and starts instead of loops in both zones and use his body to gain puck possession he might actually pass as an AHL 3rd liner. Right now he looks like Swiss league practice squad material.

With the Pens icing an AHL squad, you hope to see a player or two make a few noticeable plays. Hardly saw any of that today. I thought several players punched their ticket to WB. Kap was hot garbage most of the game. I know the game was meaningless for him, but at least fake it a little better.

Holy sh!t the Sabres blog is alive and well... 973 comments in preseason...

I didn't catch a single peep of the game... Havent been able to catch a single peep at preseason at all, yet... Not that I tried today though.. Sunny and 22C degrees (approx 72F). F staying inside.

Lol at Zegras getting rocked.

Holy sh!t the Sabres blog is alive and well... 973 comments in preseason...

I didn't catch a single peep of the game... Havent been able to catch a single peep at preseason at all, yet... Not that I tried today though.. Sunny and 22C degrees (approx 72F). F staying inside.
- MattStrat

Warmer there than here. High 59F yesterday with a steady rain. Hasn't hit 70F for almost two weeks.

Caught the final five minutes. Not much to see, a couple penalties and a Cagguila goal six on four. Wasn't impressed with anyone but it was a small sample size.

O Connor and Caggiula sent down. This could just be for cap issues but I’d rather see both in the lineup over Kap, McGinn. Not that McGinn is terrible.

O Connor and Caggiula sent down. This could just be for cap issues but I’d rather see both in the lineup over Kap, McGinn. Not that McGinn is terrible.
- Grinder47

Probably not for cap. Zohorna also waived though still on camp roster. Might be trying to sneak him through now just in case, but it's not good for him he's sent down through waivers over his competition.

Down to 28 on NHL camp: Gruden and Fedun are both hurt and likely get cut later. Poulin is excused and spent a day in WBS camp before Blueger injury so he is also a likely cut but I'll keep him for now. So 24 players for 20 spots with both goalies set

Forwards 15: Poulin was in WBS group for a day and is currently excused so they are probably waiting to send him down once he returns. Leaves Poehling, Archibald, and Zohorna in spots 12-14 with likely one more being cut and not looking good for Z.

Defensemen 9: Smith is looking good for 6th spot. Friedman I think has little chance. I don't think the Pens can keep 8, especially with 2 forwards banged up and not practicing. So if Smith makes it, either POJ or Ruhwedel will be cut and have to clear waivers

Probably not for cap. Zohorna also waived though still on camp roster. Might be trying to sneak him through now just in case, but it's not good for him he's sent down through waivers over his competition.

Down to 28 on NHL camp: Gruden and Fedun are both hurt and likely get cut later. Poulin is excused and spent a day in WBS camp before Blueger injury so he is also a likely cut but I'll keep him for now. So 24 players for 20 spots with both goalies set

Forwards 15: Poulin was in WBS group for a day and is currently excused so they are probably waiting to send him down once he returns. Leaves Poehling, Archibald, and Zohorna in spots 12-14 with likely one more being cut and not looking good for Z.

Defensemen 9: Smith is looking good for 6th spot. Friedman I think has little chance. I don't think the Pens can keep 8, especially with 2 forwards banged up and not practicing. So if Smith makes it, either POJ or Ruhwedel will be cut and have to clear waivers
- Tojo.

Haha gonna be interesting who they end up sending down/possibly trading from the defense.

O Connor and Caggiula sent down. This could just be for cap issues but I’d rather see both in the lineup over Kap, McGinn. Not that McGinn is terrible.
- Grinder47

I thought O’Connor was their best forward in the Buffalo game. The best line was Hallender,Nylander and Legare. Keep an eye on Andonovski in the future. He,along with Legare and Glover, could be the power forwards they have been lacking.

Damn the NFL is either the stupidest league or the most arrogant(or both). All the Tua ruckus this week you'd think they might be a little more cautious with concussions...nah. Brate for TB caught a pass, slammed into a team mate and was shook up. Left the field for all of a minute and came back to finish the first half. Come out for the 2nd half and surprise, surprise...he's done with a concussion. Maybe decide that BEFORE letting him go back out on the field???

Damn the NFL is either the stupidest league or the most arrogant(or both). All the Tua ruckus this week you'd think they might be a little more cautious with concussions...nah. Brate for TB caught a pass, slammed into a team mate and was shook up. Left the field for all of a minute and came back to finish the first half. Come out for the 2nd half and surprise, surprise...he's done with a concussion. Maybe decide that BEFORE letting him go back out on the field???
- Pags

Maybe you should write a letter of concern to the NFL. Seems more appropriate than posting bleeding heart football stories on a hockey site?