If anything the pens sign Mack in FA

there is literally 0 chance of that happening on the fact that Pens do not even have the cap space to give him an realistic offer.
Add in the fact there is talk that the Avs and MacKinnon already have an understanding what his next deal is going to be in Colorado and will be hammered out this summer.

Pens would have the cap space next summer with Zucker and Dumoulin coming off the books. That’s 9.5 M and you can replace it from within with Ty Smith and POJ both being young options on the left side + we get byrham in this scenario

Obviously extremely unlikely and I think Mack signs this summer but i think the most likely way for sid and Mack to play together is Mack signing with out in FA

Honestly definitely an overpayment for Crosby if I’m Pittsburgh I’m accepting and starting a rebuild

you still have to fill out a team. You would have roughly 8m in cap space after a Mack contract to sign 7 more guys, including a starting goalie and RFA Ty Smith. The cap space currently doesnt allow for it ot happen without being competitive or other trades

I will make an armchair gm to see how it would fit. What should I give Mack in terms of contract? I think he would take a discount but how much?

If he hits markets. 12.5m is probably the number that gets him.
He wont be taking a discount to leave the Avs. If hes going, its at his full market rate

I disagree.

I think his market value is more like 13-14 M.

And in this scenario, if he goes to Pittsburgh it would be to play with his idol and mentor Sid. Sid famously took a discount too play and has been big on the ideology that everyone has to take a bit less. If mack goes to Pitt it will be to win with Sid and he knows and Sid knows that they won’t be able to win if mack makes 13M.

Obviously this won’t happen but i think he would take a bit of a discount on market value to play in Pitt in this scenario - some bottom feeder team would definitely offer more but that wouldn’t be what Nate cares about

An overpayment? The guy is one of the ten or so best players in the league. It’s not a good payment. 1st rounders that will be late aren’t anything great. Newhook and Byram look like they’ll be decent players but they aren’t special talents. It’s really not great and Pittsburgh wouldn’t consider it.

overpay for crosby. hes 35 now no need the sell the future for him.

WOULDN’T THAT BE COOL

Overpay for sure. Olausson, Bryam, 1st, 2nd would be enough imo.

I wouldn’t even give up Bo and Newhook for Sid lol

Bryam is absolutely a special talent. You’ll see

Very good player but not that good. When I think very special defenceman it’s Paul Coffey types and he isn’t that.

Well he practically just led the team in TOI in a Cup clinching game 6, on the road.. at 21 years old

They are not giving him up for a 35 year old.. especially with a TON of extra assets thrown into that trade

I made an ACGM a while ago where I did it. I dont remember but yes we could. It would ruin us but I mean

He’s probably the 10th best center now and he’s like 35 he’s got like 2-3 good years left