You think Malkin is still Elite? - We're gonna disagree

At best he is "just a guy" For every moment of brilliance there are 1 or 2 stupid penalties, disinterested shifts and lazy backchecks

For 6 Million there were probably at least a few better options to replace what we are getting

The contract is also going to age horribly from here
- RoloTahmasee

I feel like his best years are definitely behind him. He has streaks of brilliance but then he does so many boneheaded/lazy things that it's mind-boggling. I have always thought that has a ton of physical talent but not very bright. I've listened to his interviews in Russian and he doesn't sound much more cohesive than his "I am score" in English. I am all for nostalgia, but the "controller disconnected" gif plays over and over in my head when I see him do dumb and lazy stuff.

You think Malkin is still Elite? - We're gonna disagree

At best he is "just a guy" For every moment of brilliance there are 1 or 2 stupid penalties, disinterested shifts and lazy backchecks

For 6 Million there were probably at least a few better options to replace what we are getting

The contract is also going to age horribly from here
- RoloTahmasee

You don't know how 2C's in the NHL produce.

Why the hell shouldn’t you get cap relief because someone is being treated for substance use disorder? Maybe players shouldn’t seek help for mental illness?
- ChrisMS

Salary cap should just count in the playoffs, that's all.

You think Malkin is still Elite? - We're gonna disagree

At best he is "just a guy" For every moment of brilliance there are 1 or 2 stupid penalties, disinterested shifts and lazy backchecks

For 6 Million there were probably at least a few better options to replace what we are getting

The contract is also going to age horribly from here
- RoloTahmasee

Geno has produced very well at ES. I'm really curious to know what his stats would look like if he kept the same wingers all the time like Sid....or like Sid used to 😢... Geno has a constant revolving door of wingers haha

Why the hell shouldn’t you get cap relief because someone is being treated for substance use disorder? Maybe players shouldn’t seek help for mental illness?
- ChrisMS

My thoughts too. Still so much stigma lurking around regarding mental illnesses.

Salary cap should just count in the playoffs, that's all.
- j.boyd919

There is no salary in the playoffs. Contracts are only for the regular season.

Geno has produced very well at ES. I'm really curious to know what his stats would look like if he kept the same wingers all the time like Sid....or like Sid used to 😢... Geno has a constant revolving door of wingers haha
- MattStrat

I’d like to see his stats if he and Sid were just linemates. Period.

You don't know how 2C's in the NHL produce.
- j.boyd919

Putting up a bunch of stats only to get scored against due to lazy disinterested play isn't of any real benefit

Would you take a 50 point producer who shuts down his opposing line and is hard to play against or a 70 point producer that trades chances and breaks even?

Kadri at 7 million or Malkin at 6.1

This year and for the next 3

Which one you taking?

Lets ignore that Kadri is actually outproducing Malkin this year

Do the Penguins actually get to decide? I was under the impression that for stipulations like this one, it was simply if the pick is in the top 10, it stays with Pittsburgh and if it 's 11+ it goes to SJ.
- SuperHenderson13

I believe if it's top ten the Pens get to decide. Later then that it's automatically traded. I'm rooting for them to move the pick this year because I'm assuming we'll be worse next year.

There is no salary in the playoffs. Contracts are only for the regular season.
- ChrisMS

If the Cap is 84 Million you can ice 84 million worth of players based on their Cap hit

It wouldn't be that hard

I’d like to see his stats if he and Sid were just linemates. Period.
- Grinder47

Me too, man.

There is no salary in the playoffs. Contracts are only for the regular season.
- ChrisMS

I’m aware of the rules. But salary cap should be there.

I’d like to see his stats if he and Sid were just linemates. Period.
- Grinder47

At this point I'd just do it so that Sid and Geno can play entertaining hockey even if the rest of the lines get buried for the entire game and we lose

I kinda like the trade TBH. Bunting, 3 prospects and picks and younger.. Anything is better than what's in WB. I was a bit concerned about dubas but his trades seems solid? It's something different at least. Next up Fire sullivan already.

Waddell is a GM that seems to know what he's doing. So I trust his picks of talent/players as opposed to alot of the other GM's in this league. It's a gamble that's all.
- jb55

The problem is this is highly debatable. Ponomarev having a worse year then last year and definitely isn't outperforming Poulin or possibly even Gruden. Koivunen is still a bit of a long shot with boom potential.

Nah, like most fans you just greatly overvalue a late first round pick. If we traded Jake for 2 firsts and a second would you be happy? That'd just get you 3 prospects equivalent to these ones but 3 years later.
- MickV

This is true. But it's also true that's the going rate for a rental of Jake's caliber and they didn't get anything worth that. People thinking they would get 2-3 assets that level was wishful, but not getting one feels like a failure.

Bunting has had 2 good seasons in his career, both were playing on a line with Matthews and Marner. He is no Kunitz, but you are right that he could actually improve our PP without Jake. I like that he is scrappy around the net, we were missing that. Carolina overpaid him and we took him as the main piece in a trade for our best winger... That's why I'm not thrilled.
- MacPatty

Bunting is on pace for about 50 points this year. Same as last year but six goals less. He didn't drop that much.

Why the hell shouldn’t you get cap relief because someone is being treated for substance use disorder? Maybe players shouldn’t seek help for mental illness?
- ChrisMS

Players should do whatever is in their personal best interest. I think players that can't show up and play hockey after a certain period of time because of mental health/substance abuse issues should have their contracts voided or sacrafice pay while they are out. You don't get that anywhere else in the real world. Carey Price, Robin Lehner... they would probably get their poop together if they had millions of dollars on the line.

Teams shouldnt get cap relief for signing guys with drug habits to huge contracts.

Please list the trades GMJR made that "handcuffed the team"

Kessel for Galchenyuk and POJ (soon to be washed Kessel)
Galchenyuk/Addison for Zucker (Addison is a BUST)
Hornqvist for Matheson (Horny had 1 good start to a season then was washed up)
Hagelin for Pearson, Pearson for Gudbranson, then dumped Guddy on Anaheim)
3rd Round Pick for Marino
Matta for Kahun, Kahun for Rodriguez/Sheary
Matt Murray for a 2nd
Sprong for Petterson

Brassard Trade? - He turned Brassard into McCann

Kapanen for #15 overall - Thats about it. Is that the one that "handcuffed the team"?
- RoloTahmasee

You look back now, and GMJR actually was starting to retool with younger players who would be in their prime now. Kapanen was a big miss, but McCann, ERod, Petterson, Marino, Matheson, maybe Tanev could have filled out the line-up. Hextall lost most of those guys for nothing, and we instead got older, more expensive guys for those spots.

I’m aware of the rules. But salary cap should be there.
- j.boyd919

That's no fun though.

Poulin is never making the show lol his knock will always be on his skating, which is hilarious that we acquired 2 prospects with poor skating.
- j.boyd919

Nobody really has complained about Poulin's skating for years. He's gotten better, it's average, not a liability. Legare on the other hand...

The only real question on Poulin is how much of his offensive potential will he reach. Everything else is fine to the point he should still make it as a fourth line PK specialist with grit even if he can't put the offense together to be a third liner or middle six. (Top power forward seems off the board).

You look back now, and GMJR actually was starting to retool with younger players who would be in their prime now. Kapanen was a big miss, but McCann, ERod, Petterson, Marino, Matheson, maybe Tanev could have filled out the line-up. Hextall lost most of those guys for nothing, and we instead got older, more expensive guys for those spots.
- Tojo.

Hextard (frank)ed a lot up. McCann being the biggest.

If the Cap is 84 Million you can ice 84 million worth of players based on their Cap hit

It wouldn't be that hard
- RoloTahmasee

And the players who come off injury in the middle of the playoffs are what… sol? Or do teams not get to try to find help at the deadline for injuries as they go for the playoff push? Your solution doesn’t work.

Now an independent auditor of the players to prevent deliberate cheating somehow might work but that’s tough too as it would be one md calling another a liar. Sounds like a law suit. But the current cap system is fine.

You look back now, and GMJR actually was starting to retool with younger players who would be in their prime now. Kapanen was a big miss, but McCann, ERod, Petterson, Marino, Matheson, maybe Tanev could have filled out the line-up. Hextall lost most of those guys for nothing, and we instead got older, more expensive guys for those spots.
- Tojo.

You really have to wonder if the wrong management employee left......cough, cough sully.

Putting up a bunch of stats only to get scored against due to lazy disinterested play isn't of any real benefit

Would you take a 50 point producer who shuts down his opposing line and is hard to play against or a 70 point producer that trades chances and breaks even?

Kadri at 7 million or Malkin at 6.1

This year and for the next 3

Which one you taking?

Lets ignore that Kadri is actually outproducing Malkin this year
- RoloTahmasee

I’d take Trochek.

Players should do whatever is in their personal best interest. I think players that can't show up and play hockey after a certain period of time because of mental health/substance abuse issues should have their contracts voided or sacrafice pay while they are out. You don't get that anywhere else in the real world. Carey Price, Robin Lehner... they would probably get their poop together if they had millions of dollars on the line.

Teams shouldnt get cap relief for signing guys with drug habits to huge contracts.
- MacPatty

Then players who get concussed or other injuries should also be subject to contract voiding? Players are required to enter a program and follow the sometimes draconian rules. If the don’t follow the player assistance program then they can be termed. If a player refused treatment for an injury of another type and just hung out in ltir without participating in their physical recovery then they too can be termed.