NHL 2021-2022

[technomancer]

Shocker, Malkin did sign after all... 4 years $6.1 million. Salary isn't bad, term will likely be a problem but given the other contracts they've signed the team will be a dumpster fire at a geriatric home by then anyways so why not

Now they need to shed a defenseman and find a replacement for Heinen. They've got capable younger guys that could probably fill the LW spot but I suspect they'll sign a "veteran" just because that's the Pens way...

 

[eaeolian]

Slafkovsky 1st overall by the Habs

That dude is HUGE.

 

[eaeolian]

Colorado looking like they're serious about a repeat - although that seems like too long a term for Nichuskin.

 

[JD27]

Salary isn't bad, term will likely be a problem but given the other contracts they've signed the team will be a dumpster fire at a geriatric home by then anyways so why not

Taking a page from the Caps playbook. Would have been weird seeing Malkin in another uniform anyway.

 

[technomancer]

Taking a page from the Caps playbook. Would have been weird seeing Malkin in another uniform anyway.

Yep and I agree... can't be upset about any of it either as for the most part the deals are better than they would have gotten for a similar caliber player in free agency. The only issue is player age (well and maybe that Rakell's performance is still questionable to give him an extended deal). Despite the yinzer outcry Malkin was by far the best option available. I mean Malkin is literally a guy that delayed knee surgery so he could play in the playoffs and was the best performer on the team against the Islanders in that series.

I can't even be upset about the first round exit this year given they were on their third string goalie for all but 2 games and still took one of the better teams in the East to 7 games... and played a starter that really shouldn't have been back in net yet for game 7.

My main curiosity at this point is seeing if some of the younger players FINALLY get a shot given the number of open bottom six slots and what they do with D since we have 8 guys signed on one way deals... and if they put PO on waivers he is pretty much guaranteed to get claimed by somebody. Oh and if DeSmith actually cuts it as a backup this year... they really can't afford to burn Jarry out and have him either be exhausted or injured again for the end of the season.

 

[eaeolian]

My main curiosity at this point is seeing if some of the younger players FINALLY get a shot given the number of open bottom six slots and what they do with D since we have 8 guys signed on one way deals... and if they put PO on waivers he is pretty much guaranteed to get claimed by somebody. Oh and if DeSmith actually cuts it as a backup this year... they really can't afford to burn Jarry out and have him either be exhausted or injured again for the end of the season.

There should be some backups available this year, I think. They would be wise to explore options. They should also play the young guys to build some continuity with the old guys. As long as most of them are signed for, you can afford a year of knowing you're not a cup contender to build long term.

 

[sakeido]

Gaudreau is leaving Calgary ... right when we got good! We had the best line in the NHL!

Now he's probably going home to Jersey... goddamn it. It's one thing to lose him, it's another thing to lose him for nothing. Ouch.

 

[technomancer]

There should be some backups available this year, I think. They would be wise to explore options. They should also play the young guys to build some continuity with the old guys. As long as most of them are signed for, you can afford a year of knowing you're not a cup contender to build long term.

Agreed on all points. I am really hoping to see some young guys actually get a shot, but the Pens have been TERRIBLE about letting younger talent on the ice for a long time. In addition to the couple good guys that were already in the system they signed four or five undrafted college free agents late in the season so would love to see what some of those guys can do.

I'm not sure why they signed DeSmith to a 2 year deal with a raise when there are better options available. If he was consistent it would be one thing but like I said before Jarry was basically exhausted because he carried the first 3/4 of the season mostly on his own. DeSmith was literally only getting starts in back to back games because he was really off his game. Guy is just WAY too streaky. Fortunately he ended up hot at the end of the season after Jarry got hurt, at least until the core muscle injury that required surgery for the second season in a row.

 

[JD27]

Gaudreau is leaving Calgary ... right when we got good! We had the best line in the NHL!

Now he's probably going home to Jersey... goddamn it. It's one thing to lose him, it's another thing to lose him for nothing. Ouch.

Ouch that one hurts for sure. Surprised they wouldn’t have shipped him out earlier if they got the feeling he wouldn’t resign. Or maybe they really thought a solid run at the cup was possible and kept him anyway. I don’t think he will live up to whatever he signs, especially if it is NJ or PHI. He’s a good player, but kind of strikes me as a guy that would need some good line mates like he has to put those numbers up consistently

 

[Crash Dandicoot]

The Kane signing was surprisingly not horrendous. 4x5.125 is about right, though I would've preferred a 3 year offering.

 

[technomancer]

The Kane signing was surprisingly not horrendous. 4x5.125 is about right, though I would've preferred a 3 year offering.

If nothing else it will be interesting to see if he turns back into a complete douche bag now that he was an extended contract again...

 

[technomancer]

NINE... NINE D on one way deals I actually like the signing just wondering who is going to go.

Penguins Sign Defenseman Jan Rutta to a Three-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Jan Rutta to a three-year contract worth $8.25 million, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall.

www.nhl.com

They have got to have some trades lined up...

 

[JD27]

I don’t think Kuemper is an elite goalie, but he is solid. And if they are going to continue to leave the goalie out to dry with that defense, I guess Kuemper/Lindgren should fair better than Vanecek/Samsonov.

Guess the Leafs are aiming for another 1st round loss with Murray/Samsonov… that’s an ugly tandem.

 

[eaeolian]

I don’t think Kuemper is an elite goalie, but he is solid. And if they are going to continue to leave the goalie out to dry with that defense, I guess Kuemper/Lindgren should fair better than Vanecek/Samsonov.

Clearly Colorado agrees with your assessment of "solid", which makes this deal (until he's 37) kinda...nuts?

 

[AdamMaz]

NINE... NINE D on one way deals I actually like the signing just wondering who is going to go.

Penguins Sign Defenseman Jan Rutta to a Three-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Jan Rutta to a three-year contract worth $8.25 million, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall.

www.nhl.com

Ex-Lightning

Some thoughts on today's headlines...

- Red Wings make next year more interesting with Chiarot and Copp.
- Happy for Kulak (4y EDM)
- Happy for Lehkonen (5y COL)
- Didn't think NYR had room for a contract like Trocheck (7y)
- Giroux to OTT 👍 (3y)
- Edmonton finally has a goalie in Campbell (5y x 5m)
- Even with salary retention, I'm surprised Carolina were able to acquire Brent Burns in their cap.
- Tampa Bay locking up their core, the following three all got 8 years extensions... Sergachev (8.5m is too much), Cirelli (6.25m) and Cernak (5.2m). Now we know where McDonagh's cap hit is going. When you consider this and the other players they already have signed long term, the tax advantage is absolutely insane. I don't know that there is anywhere else in the league where you can have a core like this + have it signed longterm.

- Slafkovsky max-value ELC

 

[AdamMaz]

Pacioretty traded to Carolina.

 

[MFB]

Honest to God I forget Giroux finished this year with the Panthers, and I was just thinking it's going to be weird seeing him not weird the white/orange anymore. Wonder why Florida bounced him so quick, they're a fairly young team so I can't imagine it hurt having some veterans helping them out.

 

[eaeolian]

Pacioretty traded to Carolina.

Damn. Vegas disassembles.

At least maybe I can see Pags now.

 

[technomancer]

Honest to God I forget Giroux finished this year with the Panthers, and I was just thinking it's going to be weird seeing him not weird the white/orange anymore. Wonder why Florida bounced him so quick, they're a fairly young team so I can't imagine it hurt having some veterans helping them out.

Simple: salary cap

 

[technomancer]

Gaudreau is now a Blue Jacket