Pittsburgh Penguins

[Pengwin7]

Yeah, the Puustinen signing, now (pre UFA day), at league minimum $775k is a Dubas trademark move.
Get 4-5 guys at the league minimum so the Pens can plug-and-play $775k options in the line-up.
(Follows my own "high-low" theory for auction leagues, where you roster as many "bottom" contracts as possible simply to work as much upper space as possible.)

Drew O'Connor and Ryan Poehling are probably going to be asked to accept these numbers as well... though they may not like it.
But it does guarantee them a better shot with the team.

Dubas did this with Malgin/Gaudette last Jul.13 for forwards... and Mete/Benn last Jul.13 for defense.
In summer 2021 it was Amadio/Gabriel/Biega/Dahlstrom/Woll all at $750k... which followed extending Simmonds for $900k and Spezza $750k.
https://www.capfriendly.com/staff/kyle-dubas

The slightly larger contracts he signed: Kase ($1.25m), Jarnkrok ($2.1m), Engvall ($2.25m)... they come a day or two after he's create cap space with his minimum signers.

I wouldn't be surprised if players know it as his "MO" - that you don't want to ask on more than the minimum because it might hamper your chances to flex-into-lineup's dedicated "Cap Space for that 14th F or 7th D".

[and yes, a lot of GMs do this... but I've noticed it more with Dubas than any others]

[rataylor22]

There goes Puustinen's top 6 spot

[lucafen4]

There goes Puustinen's top 6 spot

Depends if they keep Granlund.
I think some would like to see Rakell go, but Malkin/Crosby like playing with him.

[Grapes]

I was surprised at the pick up of Granlund last season. If they are trying to squeeze the remaining years out od Crosby, Malkin and Letang, Granlund isn’t going to help move the needle.
Could be a buy out ?

[lucafen4]

I was surprised at the pick up of Granlund last season. If they are trying to squeeze the remaining years out od Crosby, Malkin and Letang, Granlund isn’t going to help move the needle.
Could be a buy out ?

that's been the big fat rumour for the last month.
unless someone else wants him for nothing.

but Pitts won't rebuild as long as Sid plays

[tweetdrivr]

There goes Puustinen's top 6 spot

Yep - Pens won’t make any more roster moves. Nailed it.

[rataylor22]

Yep - Pens won’t make any more roster moves. Nailed it.

They're gonna trade for a top 6 winger so they can trade away a top 6 winger and give a top 6 spot to a 24 year old rookie lmao agreed.

[newper114]

So are they gonna buyout granlund or what?? Based on signings so far I believe they are over the cap so something’s gotta give.

[kovalchuk17]

So are they gonna buyout granlund or what?? Based on signings so far I believe they are over the cap so something’s gotta give.

the first buyout window is over. the second buyout window isnt till august if theres a pens player going to arbitration but a player thatd command a big salary in arbitration doesnt come to mind.

i believe granlund's salary has to be moved for a potential erik karlsson to penguins trade. or petry. or both lol.

[newper114]

So does that mean PIT doesn’t get another buyout window since they settled and resigned O’Connor before arbitration?

No granlund buyout coming

[Pengwin7]

Signing a player before the arbitration still counts to activate the 2nd buyout window.
PHI did this with Noah Cates (didn't go to formal arb) and then 4ish days later, bought out TonyD.


Personally, I think the DoC arb was just a stall-tactic for PIT-SJ to work out the Karlsson trade.
Granlund being bought out is a lock.

Case 1: The Karlsson to PIT trade is agreed to in principle. PIT used what cap room it would have after trade to sign DoC - and they'll fit just barely under cap limit after Karlsson trade.
Case 2: The Karlsson to PIT trade fizzled out and PIT just decided to give DoC a fair number and move on with current roster.

We'll know in 5-6 days time.
(There's now a 3-day required wait UNTIL the 2nd buyout window... and then PIT has 48hrs FOR that buyout window. Granlund WILL get bought out... I think that's a lock. They need the cap space either way: Karlsson or not.)

[newper114]

Thanks! Super helpful info and yeah I also thought they somehow got one player to go to arbitration just to give them more time to work out any deals then buy someone out if needed.

Granlund actually provides decent stats in my league but at $5m I also need to dump that salary and buyout would be awesome!

[2014olympicgold]

The team can create enough space to not buyout Granlund. But I do expect them to buy him out tho:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Smith-Malkin-Rakell
OConnor-Carter-Acciari
Nylander-Eller-Granlund

Graves-Petry
Pettersson-Letang
POJ-Rutta

Jarry-DeSmith
Cap hit = $83,091,842 ($408,158 in space)

Nieto, Ruhwedel, Smith, and Nedeljkovic all sent to through waivers and penalties are taken accounted for.

But again, I doubt Granlund isn't boughtout.

[newper114]

Can’t imagine them sending smith through waivers. I get that he has bounced around and just not living up to hype but he did show promise in a short amount of games last season. Someone I think would grab him.

They would need to come up with another plan I think ??

[PenguinHunter]

Can’t imagine them sending smith through waivers. I get that he has bounced around and just not living up to hype but he did show promise in a short amount of games last season. Someone I think would grab him.

They would need to come up with another plan I think ??

If Smith hits the waivers - the Flyers better be all over making that pickup.