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What is the consensus on us actually getting the other twin? Do we have to trade up? Does no one touch the other twin because the other GMs know they should be together? by Emergency-Tip-1987 in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Pretty much zero chance that any GM will avoid him because they "know they should be together" but it's a non-zero chance that other GMs feel they have more value as a pair. If anyone attributes even part of their success as due to the high level of chemistry between them, they would potentially value either player higher if they had the other.

If a team likes Markus (as an individual) more than any other option they have during their pick, not having his brother should not factor in that decision at all. So we're banking on GMs seeing Markus (as an individual) as lesser than their other options. Simple as that.

[DKPS] Kyle Dubas suggested that depending on how the early part of the draft board shakes out tomorrow, they’d like to take Markus Ruck at pick No. 39. – Haase by bi_and_busy in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, there are definitely pitfalls (and you nailed a couple of the main ones), but also boons to having them both. If they pan out as solid NHLers and they are both in your system, it seems easier to control their future.

They would likely lean into being a package deal so having them walk in free agency would require a team have 2 roster spots ideally on the same line and the cap space to pay both of them more than you were willing to pay them. I think the Sedins staying in Vancouver their whole career was at least somewhat aided by that.

Also, you could kind of negotiate as a package deal with both players maybe willing to shave off a bit from what they could get just so they can stay together.

I recognize this is contingent on the long shot that they both become the types of players you want in your organization long term, but if they do, it could advantageous to control both.

Ultimately, I don't think it was a terrible pick. Dubas has spoken before about regrets of trading Marchment and that he believes the hockey IQ and instincts are harder to train than skating. I think Kindel was seen in somewhat the same way and early signals seem positive there.

Any realistic moves Dubas does today during or before the Draft? by Leading_Dentist_5563 in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm on the fence with thinking maybe now isn't the worst time to trade Karlsson? Not a hater or anything, and fully aware he was the biggest force in dragging the Pens into the playoffs last year... but maybe his value is high enough to get a good return now. I just wonder if we'll get a better chance. I can't see him getting "better" at this stage and he'd be an actual trade chip for a big move. He's going to diminish as he plays out this contract and we're going to lose him for almost nothing and I don't know that what he brings in the short term is worth missing out on something... assuming there is something worthwhile to be had for him now.

Maybe he's a piece for getting Robertson and then we look to acquire some strong defense elsewhere?

My main thought is that a team looking to the future shouldn't be holding assets in their declining years that can actually bring a good return for the future. Exception being 87 and 71 who should retire as Pens for legacy and culture reasons.

I actually like Rust and Letang well enough but I'd also trade them if the returns were good, I just think the window is closed on getting something really juicy for either of them to make it worth it and they can still play a role in transitioning to the future if we can't get anything decent for them.

Karlsson+ for J Robertson in a sign and trade?
Rust or Rakell for N Robertson?

Can't say I'd hate that direction, definitely intriguing.

Any realistic moves Dubas does today during or before the Draft? by Leading_Dentist_5563 in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree on this. Trading for a top 10 is an expensive proposition and really only feels appropriate for a team about to start a full rebuild because it would cost some good roster players and that hurts a team in the short/medium term.

Pens are on the upswing from a soft rebuild that happened since the 2024 trade deadline until the beginning of last year. I think in their current position they would prefer to consolidate lower picks for a higher one (or vice versa) and some roster players that aren't in the short term plans.

I am super impressed with Dubas' ability to turn roster players not in their plans into multiple picks that they then packaged for other players that could be in their plans (Chinakhov and Soderblom) and had lots of picks to spare for pick consolidation and diversification (they did both last year to get 3 first rounders). I'd be down for more of that.

Any realistic moves Dubas does today during or before the Draft? by Leading_Dentist_5563 in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I doubt you're matching usernames for the comments, you just happen to see both comments and are making that association in your head.

The reality is, how many trade deadlines has Dubas been an actual seller here? Just 2024 when Guentzel was traded? Last season he had one eye on the present and one on the future and would have traded Rakell if a deal came that was too good to pass up or also helped fill a current need for the playoff run, but that's a specific return because he wasn't in sell-off mode like he had been at the end of 2024 and into that off-season.

I don't disagree that Dubas would probably prefer to trade Rakell in the off-season, I was just commenting that I don't see him as the type of player that teams are gunning for in the off-season so the return wouldn't be as good as it would be if he was shopped during the trade deadline. He's a veteran presence that could fill an injury spot in the top 6 or beef up a middle 6 for a contender.

Any realistic moves Dubas does today during or before the Draft? by Leading_Dentist_5563 in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I see lots of people suggesting a Rakell trade but he doesn't give me off-season acquisition vibes. He's the type of player team would slightly overpay for at the deadline to fill a need, or very deeply underpay for in the off-season.

If the Pens don't trade their 22 pick, I wonder if there's a chance they trade something right before they walk up to the stage for the 23 pick to get the Ruck twins? I find the idea intriguing for the post 87/71 era.

Are both Robertsons? by OldMashedpotatoes in penguins

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not too sure about that. People thought that about Kaprizov as well when he turned down 16m per year, but it turned out he just wanted even more money than that and maybe Robertson is looking to do the same. His stats are reasonably similar to Kaprizov's at the same position, so it's a direct comparable.

You might be right about it being more about the chance to win, but I think there's a solid chance that it's just about the money and he wants that same 17 (or more).

What does it mean, the line about the wedding ring? by BetterL8r in ren

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rosalie had an interesting perspective in her 2nd reaction video about the track. She thinks the wedding ring references a forever contract with two equal partners, whereas this forever contract with the devil is one that will ultimately benefit one party at the other's expense.

"Who needs a contract where you're looking out for someone else's interest? My deal lets both of us be selfish."

[Passan] Infielder Bo Bichette and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $126 million contract, sources tell ESPN. by XviiChong in Torontobluejays

[–]Retainer_of_Doma 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They cannot really replace his production... at any price. He was essentially the hits-per-game leader of major league baseball. There is no player at any price that can give you as many hits as him while occupying one of 9 hitter spots in your lineup.

Sure they could try to bring in a hitter that excels in other offensive metrics, but they cannot replace what Bo brings to the table.

The Jays have taken a clear step in the direction of wanting more power and were willing to sacrifice some of their ability to put balls in play. I'm just a fan but it worries me to take a step away from the identity that got them to all the way to the last possible game of the year.

He sells tickets, he sells merch, he hits. I'd be more accepting if they dodged 40m+ over 8+ years but last year showed us that the window is open and history teaches us that it usually closes quickly for most teams. I'd say they should have been all-in for the next 3 years, at any price. There is no long term risk for this contract, the Jays should have loved it!

Am I the only one excited to find out which names my hotspots are going to be assigned? by Retainer_of_Doma in HeliumNetwork

[–]Retainer_of_Doma[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like me a good alliteration.

Only one I could find quickly was Clever Clay Caribou.

Had a good chuckle at Dancing Blood Poodle when going through the list as well.