Idk MB88... for Blackwood to become an $8M goalie he’s going to have to be quite outstanding. Ty Smith is a long way from a huge payday. I think your point about cap management is right on but it’s not quite so dire. The Penguins have been paying a lot of money to Crosby, Malkin, Kessel and Letang for years. Plus MAF for a while and Murray. It’s not easy but manageable. Not to mention you can move some of these guys out when needed. Maybe.

i don't remember what the compensation was.. 4 1st round picks? That's a mighty lot. But if we're picking in the 20s for the next 4 years.. plus he's so young. The problem with him, or a Panarin.. or anyone we're adding that will cost 8-10mil for 6+ years.. is we'll already have Hall and potentially/hopefully Hughes, Hischier, and Blackwood and maybe even a dman to be giving big-time contracts to. Annnd.. you can only afford so many 8-12mil players. It just becomes a simple cap issue for the longterm. Not considering PK right now because Hischier and Hughes shouldn't command 8+ during the time PK is on the books for 9, so that's a wash.
but long-term...
Hall 11mil?
Hughes 10mil?
Hischier 10mil?
Blackwood 8mil?
Smith/whoever 7mil?

That's half the cap in 4 players, not including another 10mil winger in Marner/Panarin. So idk if it would be best to add a top-dollar guy to a long-term plan. Makes me think shorter term 4-6mil wingers would make more sense.. like a Nyqvist, because it assures we'll have the cap space to fit Hall, Hughes, Hischier, Blackwood 5+ years from now. Gets a little tight when you throw in another top-dollar guy.

But.. I could be wrong.

In the future..

Hall-Hughes-Marner
Bratt-Hischier-Palmieri
Boqvist-Zacha-Coleman

would be a VERY healthy top 9 to work with.. providing everyone develops to at least 75% of what we dream their ceilings are. It's just a LOT of top dollars wrapped up in 4 forwards, and that typically isn't a thing in this league.
- MartysBetter88

If Blackwood commands 8 million and Smith 7 on their first big contacts, we're winning the cup in the next two years.

I see Blackwood getting 5 AAV or less if he wants long term, but he'll probably get more of a prove it bridge deal to see if he can take on full duties without Schneider.

Smith may get to 7 if he pans out completely, but it won't be his first big contract unless he completely kills it Calder style.

I also tend to think players of Hischier's breed make a little less than they maybe deserve. Responsible, not flashy. He'll get a lot, but I can see it being more in the realm of 8 than 10 million.

Just my $.02. You're right about another top dollar player being a tight fit, but if it's available, it's a good gamble to take. Marner and Panarin are that good.

Difference between FA contracts and team controlled will differ a lot. Everybody sees Hayes and thinks it all goes higher, but he is more of an outlier than the rule.

Difference between FA contracts and team controlled will differ a lot. Everybody sees Hayes and thinks it all goes higher, but he is more of an outlier than the rule.
- Pomegrant

Seems like that difference has been shrinking for the higher end players but it’s still true for the average ones. The elite RFAs get great contracts and when they become UFAs they get insane contracts.

Seems like that difference has been shrinking for the higher end players but it’s still true for the average ones. The elite RFAs get great contracts and when they become UFAs they get insane contracts.
- Queenie_5_hole

Market is adjusting to higher cap and top end contracts, however teams are overspending now and trading low on better assets to compensate. This trend won't continue.

Has anyone brought up potentially trading for Kessel? I get that the Penguins would probably not want to trade him within the division, but it seems like they really want to move him and probably could be convinced to for an unimpressive return. Another guy like Subban who's contract is up in three years.

Has anyone brought up potentially trading for Kessel? I get that the Penguins would probably not want to trade him within the division, but it seems like they really want to move him and probably could be convinced to for an unimpressive return. Another guy like Subban who's contract is up in three years.
- MannySilvers

He's a RW which is good and has 3 years left at $6.8M. He's 31 but he's been pretty productive. I think Ray Ray might want to see if he can land a big fish when free agency opens up but could circle back on this. But I think they want real assets back so it's unlikely. That's just based on the Minnesota deal going bad.

Has anyone brought up potentially trading for Kessel? I get that the Penguins would probably not want to trade him within the division, but it seems like they really want to move him and probably could be convinced to for an unimpressive return. Another guy like Subban who's contract is up in three years.
- MannySilvers

eh. I feel like he'd be too much in the room. I know that sounds stupid.

eh. I feel like he'd be too much in the room. I know that sounds stupid.
- MartysBetter88

I feel like he'd do well in NJ. Smaller, chiller market, surrounded by other USA Hockey guys. Not to mention a top RW is a huge need. Apparently a big part of his beef in Pittsburgh is that he wants to play on one of the top two lines and Sullivan wants to have him on a third line to spread out him, Sid, and Malkin. Kessel would certainly get lots of ice time and be locked into the top 6 in NJ.

eh. I feel like he'd be too much in the room. I know that sounds stupid.
- MartysBetter88

PK and Phil in the same locker room would be entertaining.....

I feel like he'd do well in NJ. Smaller, chiller market, surrounded by other USA Hockey guys. Not to mention a top RW is a huge need. Apparently a big part of his beef in Pittsburgh is that he wants to play on one of the top two lines and Sullivan wants to have him on a third line to spread out him, Sid, and Malkin. Kessel would certainly get lots of ice time and be locked into the top 6 in NJ.
- MannySilvers

6.8mil for the next 3 seasons, same timeline as Subban. hm. You think he's slowing down already? I feel like he may be.. and will only slow more and be more of a liability. He's not known for being a 2-way hustler right? Just not sure he's the best fit, especially with Hughes. I'd like him more with Hall and Hischier.

Idk. I think Shero knows what's best and he'll find a way to get the deal done. .. whether it's Nyqvist, Zucker, Marner, Kessel.. he knows what's best. Wish we could've pulled off that Marleau deal though.

Kessel sucks. Not a possession driver at all and declining quickly. That contract is going to look horrid by the end.

6.8mil for the next 3 seasons, same timeline as Subban. hm. You think he's slowing down already? I feel like he may be.. and will only slow more and be more of a liability. He's not known for being a 2-way hustler right? Just not sure he's the best fit, especially with Hughes. I'd like him more with Hall and Hischier.
- MartysBetter88

Kessel scored 82 points last year. Even if he's slowing down (not a ton of evidence for that aside purely age), he's still a great value for 6.8M. Similar to PK, his cap hit wouldn't really matter for the next three years.

Kessel sucks. Not a possession driver at all and declining quickly. That contract is going to look horrid by the end.
- Pomegrant

This past year was tied for his second most points in a season (82), the year before was the most points he's ever scored in a season (92). I get that hockey has become a young man's game and you always need to be a little concerned of players declining as they reach their mid-30's, but people now act like once a player turns 30 they're garbage and are washed up and done. It's gotten a little silly.

Kessel's cap hit is under $7M and he's been around a point-per-game forward for the last few years (including this past season), he's only signed for 3 more years (contract ends when he's 34). Baring him completely falling off a cliff I doubt that that contract will ever look horrid.

Kessel scored 82 points last year. Even if he's slowing down (not a ton of evidence for that aside purely age), he's still a great value for 6.8M. Similar to PK, his cap hit wouldn't really matter for the next three years.
- MannySilvers

hm. 82 is pretty good lol. I thought he looked slower in the playoffs. We need speed to our game. I don't want him to be a liability. Idk. Just want the best possible situation for us.

7 years 11.25 rumored to be the Rangers first and only offer to Panarin. We were talking about what would be an overpayment. That might be an overpayment, especially with Trouba also getting some big money.

hm. 82 is pretty good lol. I thought he looked slower in the playoffs. We need speed to our game. I don't want him to be a liability. Idk. Just want the best possible situation for us.
- MartysBetter88

Not everybody has to be a speedster. You need guys who can finish.

If Blackwood commands 8 million and Smith 7 on their first big contacts, we're winning the cup in the next two years.

I see Blackwood getting 5 AAV or less if he wants long term, but he'll probably get more of a prove it bridge deal to see if he can take on full duties without Schneider.

Smith may get to 7 if he pans out completely, but it won't be his first big contract unless he completely kills it Calder style.

I also tend to think players of Hischier's breed make a little less than they maybe deserve. Responsible, not flashy. He'll get a lot, but I can see it being more in the realm of 8 than 10 million.

Just my $.02. You're right about another top dollar player being a tight fit, but if it's available, it's a good gamble to take. Marner and Panarin are that good.
- willschulme

Let's hope that we hit a similar scenario to the Jets. Blessed with so many quality young players, that we don't know how to afford them. But for now, we can pay Greene 5M and not bat an eye. Hell, We could bring back LJ as our 8th D, and pay him 12M this year........Man would trading for Kapanen be an absolute steal tho. 3.2M cap hit for each of the next 3 seasons followed by RFA rights????? That is a contract I would love to have on the books.

7 years 11.25 rumored to be the Rangers first and only offer to Panarin. We were talking about what would be an overpayment. That might be an overpayment, especially with Trouba also getting some big money.
- willschulme

holy smokes. well, they need talent. Panarin-Zibanejad-Kakko will be a solid top line. Zibanejad's fantasy value went up with Kakko, but will really get a boost with Panarin in the fold.

Let's hope that we hit a similar scenario to the Jets. Blessed with so many quality young players, that we don't know how to afford them. But for now, we can pay Greene 5M and not bat an eye. Hell, We could bring back LJ as our 8th D, and pay him 12M this year........Man would trading for Kapanen be an absolute steal tho. 3.2M cap hit for each of the next 3 seasons followed by RFA rights????? That is a contract I would love to have on the books.
- bikeguy99

it's also a contract Toronto would like to see on their books lol.

We'd have to give to get with Kessel. What are we really willing to part with for what will be a 32 y/o 82 pt. winger with 3 years left on his deal? eh.

We'd have to give to get with Kessel. What are we really willing to part with for what will be a 32 y/o 82 pt. winger with 3 years left on his deal? eh.
- MartysBetter88

I have a feeling the return for Kessel will not be good. Pittsburgh really wants to move him and everyone knows that. Only thing is would maybe have to pay a premium since we're in the same division.

I have a feeling the return for Kessel will not be good. Pittsburgh really wants to move him and everyone knows that. Only thing is would maybe have to pay a premium since we're in the same division.
- MannySilvers

I wonder what the deal with Minnesota looked like involving Jason Zucker.

Burakovsky to the Avs for a 2nd and a 3rd. That team is scary.

Burakovsky to the Avs for a 2nd and a 3rd. That team is scary.
- willschulme

Disappointed the Devils couldn't get him