Poll
Which player do you expect makes the biggest training camp impression this fall?
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20%
Harrison Brunicke
(1 vote)
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40%
rutger McGroarty
(2 votes)
5 votes total
Vote Now
(1 vote)
(2 votes)
5 votes total
Vote Now
Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the financial implications of potential trades for the Penguins:
Key Players and Their Salaries:
Tristan Jarry: $5.3 million
Bryan Rust: $5.125 million
Rickard Rakell: $5 million
The Core Problem:
The Penguins’ recent roster moves suggest a focus on acquiring younger, cheaper players, prospects, or draft picks. However, a hypothetical scenario where they trade Karlsson and one of the listed forwards (Jarry, Rust, or Rakell) presents a important financial challenge due too the salary cap floor.
the Hypothetical scenario:
Trades: Karlsson + one of Jarry, Rust, or Rakell.
Salary Off the Books: Over $15 million (assuming no salary retention).
Resulting Payroll: $67 million.
Problem: This drops the payroll $3 million below the salary floor.
the Salary Cap Floor Implications:
To stay above the salary floor, the Penguins would need to:
Retain Salary: Keep over $3 million in salary on the hypothetical deals (they have three salary retention spots available).
Take on Salary: acquire at least $3 million in salary in return for the traded players.
Find Other Salary: Acquire $3 million in salary elsewhere on the roster.
Why “Full Tank Mode” is Tough:
The author argues that the penguins cannot simply “jettison everybody for draft picks or prospects or cheaper players to go full tank mode.” This is as trading away significant salary without taking on comparable salary in return would drop their cap number too far below the floor.
Challenges in the Current Market:
The salary cap is increasing, meaning fewer teams are desperate to dump salary.
This makes “Dumba/Kevin Hayes/Cody Glass type of trades” (presumably trades where a team takes on a bad contract for assets) less likely.Potential Strategies and Their Trade-offs:
Retaining Salary or Taking Bad Contracts: This could increase the return in draft picks or prospects for players like Karlsson or Rakell.
Swapping Jarry: Trading Jarry for a player with a comparable contract might be a more straightforward move. Money Must Be Involved: The author emphasizes that any significant salary dump will require some money to come back in return; it can’t be purely salary dumps.
Reasons to Keep Players:
The author is not convinced the Penguins will entirely empty the roster. Reasons for keeping players like Rakell and Rust include:
Productivity: They are still good players who could be productive for a few more years.
No Rush: the team doesn’t need to rush trades for salary cap space. Patience for Return: They can afford to wait for the right trade offer.
Credibility: Having good, invested players around a young roster brings credibility and prevents the team from becoming like struggling franchises (Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo).
Conclusion:
Regardless of the specific moves, the Penguins will have players on significant contracts for the 2025-26 season. If they trade any of their high-earning players, they must* acquire some salary in return to avoid falling below the salary cap floor. The author’s prediction is that the roster might look “vrey similar” to its current state, with perhaps one of the mentioned players being traded.
As the NHL draft week arrives, the hockey world focuses on off-ice maneuvers. Several teams are poised to make significant changes, setting the stage for potential trades and player movement that could reshape the league.
The **Pittsburgh Penguins** are drawing significant interest, operating as a seller in the current market. They are open to discussing deals involving several veteran players. This approach contrasts with other teams aiming to improve their rosters.
Lots of activity already, but how much action will there be over the next week? Here’s my latest on some of the trade talk swirling around, some UFA chatter, and more… https://t.co/rIUoitO4o6
โ David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 21, 2025
โWith the **Pittsburgh Penguins** leading the sellerโs market by a landslide, **Kyle Dubas** will be a popular man over the next few weeks. **Erik Karlsson**, **Bryan Rust**, **Rickard Rakell** and **Ryan Graves** are all up for grabs for the right price, and the **Penguins** may also be willing to take on a contract or two given their cap space.โ
โ**David Pagnotta**, The Fourth Period
The NHL’s salary cap has become a crucial factor, with teams managing player contracts carefully. For example, the league’s cap for the 2023-2024 season was $83.5 million, and teams must stay under this limit (NHL.com 2024).
The value of veteran players is increasing due to limited availability and high demand. The **Penguins**’ **Bryan Rust** is particularly interesting. His no-movement clause expires on June 30, and he does not have trade protection in the contract’s final three years.
Although a trade may be delayed, it’s anticipated that **Erik Karlsson** will be with the **Penguins** when the season starts. Other moves could still happen during the draft.
The **Tampa Bay Lightning** could be interested in acquiring a right wing, but have other options. **Julien BriseBois**, the general manager, intends to reinforce the forward group. Their interest might extend to a player like **Rust** or **Rakell**.
Given the availability of top prospect **Isaac Howard**, the **Lightning** could be a strong contender. A skilled winger, such as **Rust** or **Rakell**, coming off a successful season could be appealing to many teams. The coming week is when significant changes are expected.
Table of Contents
A group including hockey legend Mario lemieux, businessman Ron Burkle, and former team president david Morehouse is exploring the possibility of reacquiring the Pittsburgh penguins from Fenway Sports Group (FSG). News of the potential penguins reacquisition comes as FSG had previously considered selling a partial share in the team.
According to a tweet by hockey insider Pierre LeBrun, the Lemieux-Burkle-Morehouse group is actively investigating a potential purchase. Fenway Sports Group acquired the Penguins in 2021.
Did You Know? the Pittsburgh Penguins have won five Stanley Cup championships in their history: 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017.
LeBrun also noted that the Burkle/Lemieux/Morehouse group declined to comment through a representative. Moreover, FSG is reportedly engaged in discussions with another potential ownership group, indicating a dynamic situation.
Fenway Sports Group finalized its purchase of the Penguins on December 31, 2021, for approximately $900 million. The investment appears to have been a sound one, as the penguins’ valuation has since increased significantly.
In the latest Forbes rankings, published in the fall of 2024, the Penguins were valued at $1.75 billion. This valuation reflects the overall surge in franchise values across the National Hockey League (NHL). According to Statista,the average value of an NHL franchise in 2023 was $1.03 billion, a significant increase from previous years.
Statista
The relationship between Mario Lemieux and Fenway sports Group has been closely watched since the 2021 acquisition. While Lemieux retained a small percentage of ownership, his presence at games has become infrequent. Tensions are believed to stem from disagreements over how FSG handled disputes involving Lemieux Group minority owners.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on official NHL announcements and financial news outlets for the latest updates on the potential ownership change.
It remains unclear whether Lemieux, Burkle, and Morehouse would seek a controlling interest or a smaller share in the team. However, the involvement of a franchise legend like Lemieux adds considerable intrigue to the situation. The potential for a Penguins reacquisition by a group with deep ties to the team’s history has generated excitement among fans and observers alike.
The situation is further complex by the fact that FSG is reportedly in talks with another group. This suggests that multiple options are on the table, and the future ownership structure of the Penguins remains uncertain.
| Name | Role | Previous Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Lemieux | Potential Owner | Former player, Previous Owner |
| Ron Burkle | Potential Owner | Previous Owner |
| David Morehouse | Potential owner | Former Team President |
| Fenway Sports Group | Current Owner | Acquired Team in 2021 |
Will Mario Lemieux’s potential return revitalize the Penguins’ legacy? How will this ownership change impact the team’s future performance and fan engagement?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a rich history in the NHL, marked by periods of both success and struggle. Founded in 1967, the team has cultivated a loyal fanbase and established itself as a prominent franchise. The Penguins’ success is closely tied to iconic players like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby, who have led the team to multiple Stanley Cup championships.
The potential reacquisition of the team by a group including Mario Lemieux could signal a return to the franchise’s roots and a renewed focus on its legacy.This move could also have significant implications for the team’s management, player development, and overall direction.
Q: why are mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle, and David Morehouse interested in buying back the Penguins?
A: While the exact reasons remain undisclosed, speculation suggests a desire to regain control and influence over the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise, particularly given Mario Lemieux’s legendary status and previous ownership stake.
Q: When did Fenway Sports Group acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins?
A: Fenway Sports Group (FSG) finalized its acquisition of the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 31, 2021, for approximately $900 million.
Q: What is the current estimated value of the Penguins?
A: According to Forbes’ latest rankings in fall 2024, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ value was estimated at $1.75 billion, reflecting the rising franchise values across the NHL.
Q: Is Fenway Sports Group looking to sell a controlling or minority stake in the Penguins?
A: Initially, Fenway Sports group (FSG) was reportedly looking to sell a minority stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the potential buyback by Lemieux, Burkle, and Morehouse introduces the possibility of a controlling interest being negotiated.
Q: What was Mario Lemieux’s involvement with the Penguins before the FSG acquisition?
A: Prior to Fenway sports Group’s acquisition in 2021, Mario Lemieux held a significant ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins since his retirement in 2005. However, his visibility and involvement decreased after the FSG takeover, reportedly due to disputes over minority owner handling.
Q: Who are the other potential buyers interested in the Pittsburgh Penguins?
A: Besides the group led by Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle, and David morehouse, Fenway Sports Group is reportedly in discussions with at least one other group regarding a potential stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Stay tuned to world-today-news.com for the latest updates on this developing story. share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insights!