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2024-25 NHL Misc. Thread

I was legitimately surprised that the Pens couldn't figure out a depth role for Ponomarov. Given the bums they had banging around their bottom six this season you'd have thought they could spare some ice time for a guy who actually had upside and who can be used in a checking role. Instead he got a 7 game cup of coffee (10 whole minutes a game) in Pittsburgh and otherwise had a fairly productive season in the A. That was his third season mostly playing in the AHL, so I don't blame him for just heading home to play in the KHL.
 
Speaking of the Penguins, LeBrun says he’s hearing that Ron Burkle, Mario Lemieux and David Morehouse are investigating buying the Pens back from Fenway Sports Group. Burkes and Lemiuex sold to them in 2021. Morehouse was President of the Pens starting in 2007 and added the CEO title in 2010. He left in 2022 and was hired by the Steelers as a senior advisor to the President.


View: https://x.com/pierrevlebrun/status/1932873428488573302?s=61
 
We will see if the Pens make a qualifying offer to Ponomarev so they can continue to retain his rights. I can't imagine that they won't at least go through that exercise, even with Ponomarev electing to flee back to Russia. No reason to completely cut all ties (yet).
 
cmaleski2 said:
We will see if the Pens make a qualifying offer to Ponomarev so they can continue to retain his rights. I can't imagine that they won't at least go through that exercise, even with Ponomarev electing to flee back to Russia. No reason to completely cut all ties (yet).
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The Canes have done that before (Joey Keane?). It’s a no cost administrative task.
 
Yup. Even if they don't see a role for him, they'll want to keep the rights in case somebody else wants to give him some run. Somebody like the Canes, maybe? They were pretty high on the kid in a utility, grinder with skill role and he fits Carolina's general system profile ... multiple skill sets, high motor, good forechecker.
 
jeffbear said:
Yup. Even if they don't see a role for him, they'll want to keep the rights in case somebody else wants to give him some run. Somebody like the Canes, maybe? They were pretty high on the kid in a utility, grinder with skill role and he fits Carolina's general system profile ... multiple skill sets, high motor, good forechecker.
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He was one of the guys most impacted by the lack of an AHL affiliate in 23-24. Rees, Honka, Suzuki, Gunler, Pashin, Seeley, etc. Suzuki, Gunler and Seeley came out OK, but Ponomarov, Rees and Honka saw their development pretty much destroyed.
 
Kreider waived his NTC to go to the Ducks, so it’s Kreider and a mid-round pick to the Ducks for Carey Terrance and a mid-round pick. Terrance just finished his 4th season with OHL Erie but had already signed his entry deal.
 
CanadaCanes said:
I swear Pat Verbeek is a secret agent working for the Rangers in disguise...
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He thinks he's working for the Coyotes. That said, Kreider isn't totally worthless and he did manage over 20 goals in what was a seriously down year for him. So much of his game was about speed down the wall and timing to get open for the stretch pass that losing a step or two has really hit him all at once. Anaheim badly needs been there, done that guys up front and Kreider is definitely that ... and if he can pitch in another 20-something goals and help their power play along the way, cool. But not getting any retention is a big issue for me, same it was was when Verbeek traded for Trouba.
 
jeffbear said:
He thinks he's working for the Coyotes. That said, Kreider isn't totally worthless and he did manage over 20 goals in what was a seriously down year for him. So much of his game was about speed down the wall and timing to get open for the stretch pass that losing a step or two has really hit him all at once. Anaheim badly needs been there, done that guys up front and Kreider is definitely that ... and if he can pitch in another 20-something goals and help their power play along the way, cool. But not getting any retention is a big issue for me, same it was was when Verbeek traded for Trouba.
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They still have more than $32 million in cap space. But it does feel like GM malpractice to take Kreider and Trouba at full freight.
 
andyt said:
They still have more than $32 million in cap space. But it does feel like GM malpractice to take Kreider and Trouba at full freight.
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Yeah ... mostly because they are obviously not worth those wages anymore and it's not like Verbeek evened it up by gaining additional assets in either trade. Honestly, if NYR had retained 25% or so, he'd have probably made exactly the same deals in terms of what he gave up. It's obvious he never explored it or got told no and accepted it too easily. Yeah. GM malpractice just about covers it.
 
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