Team: 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 23, 2024

Published: Mar. 23, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I hope by the end of the draft the team looks something like this.

The biggest issue this team has had is these idiot GM's coming i n thinking they have to "fix" it all in 1 year and they end up making horrible moves.
Slow and steady rebuilt step by step.
Step one, get Cap moved around.
EK is a really good player. But he's not the player the penguins ever needed. They move EK and bring in JT who TOR wants to dump. The JT contract is only 1 year. They aren't going to be cup contenders next year anyway so it's easy to swallow it.
They add in a good young 3rd liner in Knies and pick up a 1sst. It's a decent return on moving EK out, and taking JT on. For TOR they gain the defenseman who can really push play that they really need.

PIT also move out Smith's contract, again, it's only 1 year so they can handle the cap hit on the retention. EDM needs cost controlled wingers and getting one with no term makes sure it doesn't weigh the team down in the future.

This can also helps the Pens long term, as they move on from Eller they can resign JT to be the 3C at a reasonable cap hit.

This gives the team 1 more year of development on OP and BY before bringing them into the fold.
A 2 year plan to build the team out is really what is needed at this point. There is no magic solution to make this team a contender next year. The best they can do is make a 2 step process.

Move money out, pick up a young player or two, let prospects develop and attempt to fix the blueline picking up 2 guys at decent cap hits who can help but with contracts that won't sink the team.

This team also needs to bring in a new coach. They need someone who can actually realize they need to adapt. The old core can't run put and down the ice anymore. They need to slow the game down. Have a more cycle possession offense while letting the defense actually play defense instead of constantly trying to jump up in the play.

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