Team: 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 25, 2024

Published: Mar. 27, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Let's break it down.

Well before we break it down, I want to just talk about the season for a second. Obviously, things didn't go as planned. I appreciate Dubas' efforts, but he came up short. Trying to make a team younger while trying to win is hard. He's made it clear he wants to win with this core (Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Karlsson), but he is running out of time. Sid proved to be superhuman this year. Geno has looked, well, old. Tanger is starting to make some mistakes we wouldn't usually see from him. Despite his incredible offensive instincts, Karlsson has been a liability defensively. This doesn't mean we need to trade everybody, and start from scratch. It shows that these guys aren't immortal, so Dubas must make calculated decisions. The pieces Dubas brought in are good players, but they don't necessarily fit this system. Maybe under a different coach they could work, but it seems like Sully is staying. So if Dubas is committed to keeping the core and Sullivan, this is how I would do it.

In this scenario, I have Carolina winning the cup, which gives us their 1st Round and 5th Round selections this year. The Penguins have been notoriously unpredictable this past season, so it's hard to say if they're gonna stay in the bottom 10 and get to keep their 1st Round pick. After seeing the Carolina game, I think they'll manage to end up out of a playoff spot, but above the bottom 10 teams. Essentially, this gives us a first rounder this year and next, instead of two this year, or none.

I think we can all probably agree on the RFA signings, and resigning some of our current UFAS.

I liked the addition of Reilly Smith last summer. I liked it even more early in the season. Since then, Smitty has fallen off a bit. He doesn't seem to want to be here, and I think he'd benefit going back to Vegas. It's possible he could bounce back next year, but with his age and inconsistency, I think it'd be best for both parties two go their separate ways. If kept next year, he'll probably be dealt at the deadline. I have the Penguins retaining 50% of his contract. It should be pretty manageable. In return, the Penguins would be getting Paul Cotter and a 3rd Round selection in the 2025 draft. I really like Cotts. He's hard to play against, you can plug him pretty much anywhere in the bottom six, and he can bring some scoring to the 4th line, which is much needed.

Next I have Noel Acciari going to Boston. Cookie brings a lot to this team, and he seems to be liked in the dressing room. He probably won't be moved, but Boston could use another center. Cookie plays a distinct role on this team, and he does it very well. But when I think of the Penguins, I think of contributions up and down the lineup. He's been incredible as a defensive forward, but with his injury history, lack of scoring, and other reasons, I think it'd be best for the Penguins to move on from him.

Justin Holl has been a healthy scratch most of the season in Detroit. They seem to like having him, but that contract is a little too much for the role he plays. I don't think the Penguins would have to pay anything for him. Now that I think of it, I'm not sure Detroit will necessarily pay a 4th if they end up retaining 50%, but let me know in the comments. I think if we got him at 50% retained, he'd be perfect as our 7th D. This team is in dire need of another right shot defenseman. I expect they'll prolly get some more depth pieces this summer. We'd be stupid to think Letang and/or Karlsson can stay healthy again for a full year. Plus, Dubas has experience with Holl and we all know he likes to bring in pieces he's familiar with.

I appreciate Rickard Rakell's effort every game, but he's kind of lost his touch. I think Ottawa is in search of a veteran winger. They wouldn't have to worry about resigning him because his contract is set in stone. I think it'd be best if the Penguins moved on from Raks. It's possible he could make a comeback next year. But, we don't have time to hope guys can return to their old selves. I'm not sure how much we could get in return. Dubas might prefer prospects over picks, but let me know in the comments.

I think we have to bring Ned back if we can get it done at a reasonable number. He's been very good this year. Good goaltending is hard to find, so when you have it, hold onto it.

I thought Carrier might get dealt at this year's deadline, but he didn't. That leads me to believe Nashville wants to resign him, because they could've gotten a lot of value if they were to trade him. But, if he doesn't resign, he'd be a great add for the Penguins. The Pens are desperately in need of a lockdown defenseman. I never thought I'd want Jan Rutta back. Anyway, Carrier is a great player who could really help this blue line.

It seems as though Vegas won't be able to resign Marchessault this summer. I'd love to have him. I think he could get more than $5.5m. We could probably figure something out, but he's at like 40 goals. That's nuts. Dubas should seriously consider bringing him in. I know he's a little old, but he's better than Reilly Smith. I really think this would be great for Pittsburgh.

I'm not sure what the status is between Boston and DeBrusk's team. But if they can't figure something out, he could be a great add for this team. He has Bryan Rust numbers, so I think $5m is fair. Not to mention, it's a 6-year deal. Not sure if Dubas wants that sort of commitment, but who knows. DeBrusk's numbers would definitely increase if he were to play with Sid.

This is all very lofty, but I think we gotta shoot for the stars if we want to win. We must return to "Penguins Hockey". Mike Sullivan describes it as "fast and fearless". Penguins Hockey is rolling all four lines. It's being predictable with your teammates, but unpredictable with the opponent. It's defenseman joining in on the rush. it's standing up for your teammates, and especially your Captain. Penguins Hockey is Sidney Crosby. Kyle Dubas' sole job until Sid is gone, is making this team competitive. Get this team in the playoffs, and good things will happen. We may be down, but we're not out. There is still more sand left in the hourglass. I'm not giving up on this team yet.

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