NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the ongoing concern over Sidney Crosby’s contract talks while the Blues’ addition of Philip Broberg leaves them with a logjam on defense.
LATEST ON SIDNEY CROSBY
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jason Mackey last weekend observed the “weird amount of silence” regarding Sidney Crosby’s contract extension talks with the Penguins. He considers the situation “worrisome”.
Mackey suggested the 37-year-old center’s best shot of winning his fourth Stanley Cup isn’t in Pittsburgh and it might be best for the Penguins to blow up the roster and start over. However, he doesn’t expect Crosby to depart or the Penguins to start rebuilding.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Nevertheless, the longer this situation goes the more Mackey believes one side doesn’t want to dance.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Josh Yohe believes Crosby wants to finish his career with the Penguins even if it means he might not get another shot at winning the Cup. Calling the future Hall-of-Famer “a man of integrity and loyalty”, Yohe thinks that winning the Cup with Pittsburgh over the next five years means more than winning it with another team.
Asked by a reader what a hypothetical Crosby trade might look like, Yohe doesn’t see the Penguins captain getting moved. However, if it came to pass, he expects the return would be “a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, a top prospect, and a young NHL player.” He also thinks they’d have to take on a heavily salaried player to make up the difference under the salary cap for whatever club took on Crosby.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the dog days of the offseason for Penguins followers so there’s little to talk about other than Crosby’s contract. It’s a bit surprising that it hasn’t been done yet but not concerning. As I said before, there’s plenty of time between now and the start of the season to get it done.
It could take until sometime during the season before it’s done However, both sides probably want to avoid that situation as it would become an unnecessary distraction for Crosby and the club.
BLUES FACE A BLUELINE LOGJAM
STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks noted that the addition of Philip Broberg leaves the St. Louis Blues with 10 defensemen on one-way contracts, joining Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, Scott Perunovich, Matthew Kessel, Tyler Tucker, Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
At most, the Blues will keep eight defensemen on their roster, leaving two as the odd men out.
Krug’s status is uncertain as he receives treatment for pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle. He could need season-ending surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Surgery for Krug will partly address that crowded blueline. Olivier, Tucker and Kessel can be sent to the Blues’ AHL affiliate.
A trade is also possible but demotions seem the easiest way to address this situation.
Jason Mackey was a main Pirates writer and his opinions often go against the public. Mackey speaks for the hillbilly prince Pirates owner Bob Nutting – all about profits, profits, profits! Now Mackey writes for other sports teams. Question Mackey’s knowledge with his connections to the Penguins.
Seems to me that’s what motivates the owner of any business – profits.
same thing that motivates agents
Sounds like John Henry the owner of the Penguins,Fenway sports group and the Boston Red Sox
… and Liverpool FC
Mackey is actually a pretty decent reporter. As is yohe.
St. Louis Blues
with the adition of Philip Broberg thats 10 defensemen on one-way contracts,⁉️
they are going to have to Trade and or Wave the bottom 3 d/men🤔
1/ Justin Faulk, $6.5M
2/ Torey Krug, $6.5M
3/ Colton Parayko, $6.5M
4/ Nick Leddy, $4.M
5/ Philip Broberg, $4.6M
6/ Scott Perunovich, $1.15M
7/ Pierre-Olivier Joseph, $ 950,000
8/ Matthew Kessel, $800,000
9/ Tyler Tucker, $800,000
10/Ryan Suter $ $750,000
Williew,
Matthew Kessel = waiver exempt.
Torey Krug = ltir (Could miss entire 24-25 season if surgery to ankle)
With respect to Crosby he did sign off on the signing of Malkin,Letang and obtaining Karlsson! This has just added to the Penguins demise! The non signing of Guentzel shows you where the team is pointed!
Sr……The Penguins will better ! They missed the playoffs by 3 points with a s**t power play and a horrible bottom six.
Are they wining the Stanley Cup No but they can be a playoff team no doubt.
Dubas was much better getting them younger and adding picks.
Lizotte 26 22 goals two years ago out here in LA. He is fast, plays with an edge, energy and is an upgrade.
Beauvillier 27 a proven goal scorer and solid player for the Islanders (yes weak season and a half bounced around ) but he will be fine and bounce back…he is proven..
Glass 25 15 goals two years ago can easily match that with the Penguins. Great shot too..
They Have Vasily Ponomarev 22 will get a spot Koivunene 21 a finish star who has excellent skills.
I believe they aren’t done! I think Lars Eller goes and maybe Noel Acciari too before camp.
Karlsson needs to be in between the 60 point guy he was last year and the 101 point guy he was a couple years back in San Jose..
I think Kevin Hayes will rebound and has something to prove.
God can only hope Graves is better and he should be because he will be third line minutes now.
Jarry is the X factor…He has to be better
The Penguins roster as is, as of opening day this year is actually older, shorter, lighter than last year’s opening day roster
All of those by just fractionally, but true
We have only two NHL RHDs (Letang and Katllsson), St Ivany best RD in pipeline but not quite ready for full year of primetime
We only have 5 top 6 players (no replacement yet for Guentzel)
Bottom 6 Centers…. Hayes in Carter out. So we lost strength and grit and a 200’ game; and brought in a slower (even though he’s 7 years younger) , softer, player that rarely plays in his own end
Bottom 6 wingers…. IF they let the likes of O’Connor; Poulin, Puustinen, Yaeger, Pulljarvi, Ponomarev ; even Bemstrom play instead of:
Accairi, Nietto, Lizotte; then yes bottom 6 wingers will have improved
That said; from all that has been posted it appears that Sully will sadly continue with Accairi, Nietto and will be playing Lizotte
Left D-
P-O J out; Grezelcyk in…. This is going to hit us huge. This is a big big downturn
The rising (performance and career wise) young and very swift P-O J is replaced by a player who is inferior play wise; far far slower; 4” shorter; 11 lbs lighter; 5 1/2 years older AND more importantly close to 3 (THREE) times the cap hit
Blomquist is better than Nedjelkovic and at 1/3rd (third) the cap hit
We lost our top line scorer
We’ve missed two playoffs in a row; and this team as is; is weaker, slower; less gritty; and expected to produce far less than last year’s squad
This will be (unless Dubas pulls off a positive trade) the 3rd successive year missing the playoffs
Sad but true
That s an awful lot of question marks in that report!You have a lot of beat case scenarios there!
Two firsts, a prospect, and a young player?
I love Crosby and respect his talents but…that’s mortgaging a LOT of future for one guy who MIGHT make you a cup contender for a couple years… quite the gamble.
Yep – if that’s what it takes he’s a Penguin for life for sure.
Or he plays out his contract and signs elsewhere as a UFA with the Pens getting nothing in return.
Just like Alfredson eh George? Wait….someone wasn’t taking calls from his GM in Sweden over the summer and ended up moving himself and his family.
I don’t see Crosby doing the same. But I never believed Alfie would either.
There was some underlying reason for Alfredsson’s move that involved Murray. We’ll probably never know the true story.
I definitely see 2 1sts; after that it’ll be much less than a roster and a prospect
Crosby with 50% retained and Pens accepting an underperforming player in the $4 M – $4.5 M range (with two years to go)
Then 2 1sts and a good prospect seems fair
This would only be to a contender
But a contender who can replace a seriously underperforming player with Crosby (with little/no Cap change) moves them from contender to top 2 or 3 fav’s for Cup
That team also would have Crosby’s rights (to re-up) up until next July
Has to be worth 2 1sts and a good prospect
Would I like to see that happen? No
Likelihood of a trade was nigh zero at the end of last season
Still near zero approaching UFA season
After the recent moves and non moves…. Probability is NOT near zero anymore
All Crosby’s decision
For painful reasons here is a suggestion:
Crosby (50% retained) for 1st (‘26), 1st (‘27); Middelstadt; Ritchie
Avs must move to top 3 Cup favs with that move
If somehow Crosby OK’d s move to Habs
Crosby at 50%
For 2 1sts (both ‘25), Anderson. Mailloux
@8787
Dude Crosby isnt going anywhere! You just doing fantasy hockey.
If you think Carter is bettee than Hayes at this point..dude cmon not close
I live in la was here in Carters best years last two fears he sucked has id better.
Please explain to me how
Lizotte 26
Glass 25
Beauviller 27
Isnt younger thN
Carter 39
Smith 34/35
Nieto 33/34
Nieto will b on long term IR
Carter 39 is gone
Riley smith is gone
Eller 35 will benoved soon center trade coming
Shopping Accairi as well.
Bottom six is younger.
Poj is weak and inconsistent..Grzelyuk is way..better
As is every defenseman except graveses.
Poj had 4 years to prove himself he didnt
Ponomarev will make thebottom six and he is 22
Penguins are better
@8787
you keep mentioning we lost Guentzel..yes we did but we didnt make the playoffs with him the last two years…so???
We couldn’t afford him
We got good stuff in return
Bunting fit in so well 20 goals a d fiesty
Ponomarev 22 iwill be in the line up this year
2nd round pick
Koivunen 22 is a finish stud and is super close he is better than puustinen.
I hope you’re right re Crosby. I’d have agreed in May
Now certainty has literally waned
He has currently not asked for a trade only because he is the unselfish person he always is
All logic for other player would have demanded a jet airplane out of Dodge
Team roster is not playoff bound as is
We’ll see if Eller is moved; that will only make team worse…. He’s far better than Hayes
Carter is stronger, faster, grittier than Hayes. Carter plays 200’. Hayes has trouble remembering where his own end is, id slow slow slow; and plays light and doesn’t use his size. So defensively Carter is leaps and bounds better than Hayes
Looking at offensive numbers and then drill down taking into account minutes , where Hayes played in the line up; and who he played with. Compare that with 4th line minutes with underperforming line mates for Carter
Then look at Hayes Cap hit
In no way at all did this improve team; quite the contrary
Re team older: Remember I said average age game 1 last year for Pens Roster, vs Game 1 (this October) as is now
All players here from last October are 1 year older. P-O J out; Gryzlyk in; brings up average
The ins/out you stated don’t make up fog the above
Don’t believe me…. Look at 23 roster last year and get their age to the day. Do that for team as listed now on Puckpedia for this October 8th. Team id older. Only very slightly but actually older
Now if s fee of the ones I listed are in snd Accairi and Nieto ard out; then team is slightly younger than last October
If you look at last year’s 23 man roster and take their average age and do the same for this year’s roster…, you’ll see team will have average age slightly higher than last year’s starting 23
You’ll also see that average height is slightly shorter and average weight is about a lb lighter
Not sure Ponoromev will play
I have no idea why you dislike P-O J. You always wanted to trade him.
His numbers are better than Gryzlyk; and Grzlyk often had better D partners. P-O J is way faster. He moves puck better, quicker, easier. He’s better defensively. He’s bigger, stronger, taller, heavier, 5 1/2 years younger; knows the Pens system; and is 1/3rd the cap hit
He in no way had 4 years to prove himself. Sully kept putting in Vets and not giving him s chance at all for the first 3 years
Last year P-O J played very well when paired with Letang
The only way Pens make playoffs is vis all of below happening
Acquiring top 6 winger
Acquiring at least one Rightie Dman
Moving (or never playing) Accairi and Nieto
The big stumbling block was the Cap space lost with the dump on us of Hayes
No Hayes; we could have taken on Laine (with Accairi and Grzelyck going the other way to keep Cap sound). Seeing as what Monteal paid; we could have done this for 2 2nds; Broz and Gruden
Don’t play Nietto; use any of two I suggested from within to replace Nietto and Accairi
We could have got a Rightie D (for 3rd pairing); still can; from UFA
That team makes playoffs
With that team Crosby already would have re-upped
Current team does not make playoffs
No one really thinks Crosby has delayed re-upping for any reason other than the crap roster that surrounds him
To be clear…., comparison average age is 23 roster as at opening night last October (Age on opening day) and current roster shown on puckpedia and that 23’s average age on October 8,2024.
The latter as is, is slightly older
Dont doslike poj he just isnt that great. He is not better than Paterson letang kasson Grzelyuk st ivany..aho
I was messaged earlier the bottom six is you ger this year….not the whole team
Top six isnt the problem
Jeff Carter was slow old and weak offensively the last two years. I saw him in his prime here in la ..he was a shell the last 2 years…hayes currently is better and i bet every coach and gm would agree
Carter in his prime ur roght not last two years.
LOL, seems PuckPedia has a bad case of the hiccups
under each of Cole Silinger (I would assume he signed today with Columbus), Tanner Pearson, Ryan Johansen, Matthew Beniers they show the same message about McCrearey signing with the Marlies
https://puckpedia.com/transactions
They sure aren’t Capfriendly are they
Not even close
And if you go into the site on the above link and click on, for example, Tanner Pearson, there you’ll get the same message about McCleary.
Puckpedia put out a statement that what you see now isn’t the finished product. Many changes yet to come and they’re willing to listen to suggestions. There’s hope for them
As a Jets fan I’d be completely fine with Chevy offering up 2, even 3, 1st round picks plus Perfetti and McGroarty if Crosby was willing to sign for 4 years. He’s one of the all time greatest players and still has quite a bit in the tank.
Sid has done a lot in his career. maybe he will be the first(did i miss someone?) who gets traded at the TDL and then comes back to sign in Pitts
It would be the best move for the Penguin organization.
Don’t believe it ever happened with a Pittsburgh player – but each of Keith Tkachuk, Roman Polak, Antoine Vermette, Matt Moulson and Zbynek Michalek all went back to their original teams after being dealt
Which is why you see GMs no longer selling the farm unless they are guaranteed an extension is signed.
ds,
In 2018 Tomas Plekanec was traded to TML at tdl and re-signed with Habs in the summer.
Side benefit from the trade, Habs got Rinat Valiev who was traded to Calgary for Brett Kulak who was traded to Edmonton for a draft pick that became Lane Hutson.
There were other add-ons who never amounted to much.
call me cynical but I think that 37yo Crosby may be thinking that it might be nice to forego training camp and a way for the pens to accomodate this is by not having a contract in place.
I expect he will sign mid-late camp and get a pre-season game in.
He’s already under contract for this season…
say Detroit is getting into the playoffs… they are loaded with prospects…
Cossa or Augustine + Carter Mazur orMax Plante or Red Savage + a pick
how could either team say no?
Montreal has a deep pool too but not 2 very good goalie kids like Detroit is holding
no D in those prospects
They really need RD’s, and ASP is at least 2 yrs away
Detroit has D kids too
Pens need it all
Antti Tuomisto?
Doubtful Yzerman is going to part with any of his 3 Swede D-kids yet
Simon Edvinsson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka and William Wallinder
Simon is on the team, the rest are 2 yrs away if ever.
Regarding Blues/Defence:
In reality, both Tucker AND Kessel are AHL quality players anyway. Although each have had some brief NHL time, I think they are no better than 3rd pairing options at best. I also think that neither would have much trade value. Maybe Perunovich could still bring some trade interest.
I AM excited to get BOTH Broberg and POJ in the mix for this year and future.
Re Macky:
“suggested the 37-year-old center’s best shot of winning his fourth Stanley Cup isn’t in Pittsburgh “
Absolutely true
There is no more Captain Obvious point than that
As is Pens don’t make playoffs for the next 5 years; zero chance at a cup
Re
“and it might be best for the Penguins to blow up the roster and start over. “
Here I disagree. Blow up chance was before the key extensions.
Right now they are in loserland: not playoff bound, not top 5 pick. Blow up noe must wait.
A couple of strategic moves and they can become playoff bound; get Crosby signed; with little damage done to blow up plan (‘26 or ‘27)
Re” However, he doesn’t expect Crosby to depart or the Penguins to start rebuilding.”
Yes agree with not starting rebuilding yet; but Crosby’s potential departure (which was almost zero in May) has climbed in probability
I truly truly believe that if Dubas had not traded for Hayes; had kept P-O J (not signed Grzelyk) ; had promoted Blomquist (not resigning Nedjelkovic); and had rid Accairi…. Note that above would have Pens with an extra $9.4 M in space…. That Crosby would have already re-upped long ago
The only thing above NOT fully in Dubas’ control was trading Accairi… he’d have to find s trading partner (and of course add a sweetener)
Roster as is; there id no one that could blame Crosby for not re-upping yet
This is so sad but true