Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[EndO FanEra]

I was curious what the roster would look like if Dubas were to pull a Billy Beane and started getting rid of some of Sully's vet-pets and/or the players that aren't part of the future or expected to be traded by season's end. I know it's easier said than done, and there it would require other moving pieces to make it all happen. However, if no roster players come back the other way, hypothetically we'd have:

Nieto - waive or trade for future considerations
Hayes - trade for future considerations. May have to add a pick or prospect. May have to eat a little of the contract.
Acciari - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Beauvillier - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Grzelcyk - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Petterson - trade for a 1st or a 2nd and other assets.
Jarry - figure out a way to make it happen. May have to add picks or prospects. May have to eat some of the contract.

That leaves us with something like this:
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
Ponomarev-Poulin-Glass
(Puustinen/Koppanen/Koivunen/Broz/Gruden/McGroarty/Howe)

Pickering-Letang
Graves-Karlsson
POJ-Shea
St. Ivany

NED
Blomqvist

Roughly $18M in cap space.

That lineup isn't horrible, but it needs a lot of work (especially on the defense). The good thing is that there is a ton of cap space. I didn't include Karlsson/Graves in this year's moves, as I have a feeling that might have to wait until the offseason. But if you can get out from underneath them this season as well, all the better. I think we can work around having one of those guys in the lineup going forward, but not both of them. Getting rid of one of those contracts in the offseason will also create a nice chunk of cap space.

I don't know what the FA class looks like next year, but we could have a lot of room to bring a couple of impact players in. Similarly, we could be looking to acquire or trade for effective players that maybe are overpaid a bit. A guy like Josh Anderson comes to mind (physical middle 6 winger, but yikes on that contract) or even a guy like Hoglander (decent bottom 6 guy but probably overpaid a bit at $3M). We can take some chances on guys for once and even overpay a little bit if necessary.

If we could somehow finish out the season with a roster like that (which likely means we miss the playoffs and end up with a low-mid round pick), there should be a lot of flexibility to shape the roster around a new coach/system/mentality.

[Daniel]

Assuming the team is near a playoff spot, perhaps they take a different path and deal Pettersson for futures (including a 2nd rounder) and then turn around and deal those futures + to Buffalo (who's reportedly listening on just about everyone) for Bowen Byram. That way, they're still getting younger and are revamping on the fly.

Speaking of BUF and assuming the Pens are in a playoff spot at the deadline, would anyone consider bringing Zucker back? While not a move for getting younger or revamping on the fly he could slot back on Malkin's LW fairly seamlessly I would think. He's a UFA at season's end so it's not a long term commitment but I'm not good at guessing what it would take to get him. Mid-round pick?

I didn't want Zucker the first time and he hasn't gotten better.

Curious why. He had good numbers when healthy, 27 goals his last season with the Pens. He's a heart and soul energy type player who can put up some points. I've always thought of him as a Kunitz-light type guy. Can slot into the first line if injuries occur. So far nobody's stuck on Malkin's LW, Glass or O'Connor haven't been great as far as production for a second liner.

They gave up too much and Zucker really seems to perform at his best in the last year of. his contract. His two highest goal scoring and points years are in contract years. Since he's only getting 1 year contracts that's changed. He was on the Penguins 3 full seasons and the only season he didn't get hurt was his UFA season? Did he play through injuries more or was he unlucky? I honestly don't remember, but I expected more due to his contract.

[Daniel]

I was curious what the roster would look like if Dubas were to pull a Billy Beane and started getting rid of some of Sully's vet-pets and/or the players that aren't part of the future or expected to be traded by season's end. I know it's easier said than done, and there it would require other moving pieces to make it all happen. However, if no roster players come back the other way, hypothetically we'd have:

Nieto - waive or trade for future considerations
Hayes - trade for future considerations. May have to add a pick or prospect. May have to eat a little of the contract.
Acciari - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Beauvillier - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Grzelcyk - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Petterson - trade for a 1st or a 2nd and other assets.
Jarry - figure out a way to make it happen. May have to add picks or prospects. May have to eat some of the contract.

That leaves us with something like this:
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
Ponomarev-Poulin-Glass
(Puustinen/Koppanen/Koivunen/Broz/Gruden/McGroarty/Howe)

Pickering-Letang
Graves-Karlsson
POJ-Shea
St. Ivany

NED
Blomqvist

Roughly $18M in cap space.

That lineup isn't horrible, but it needs a lot of work (especially on the defense). The good thing is that there is a ton of cap space. I didn't include Karlsson/Graves in this year's moves, as I have a feeling that might have to wait until the offseason. But if you can get out from underneath them this season as well, all the better. I think we can work around having one of those guys in the lineup going forward, but not both of them. Getting rid of one of those contracts in the offseason will also create a nice chunk of cap space.

I don't know what the FA class looks like next year, but we could have a lot of room to bring a couple of impact players in. Similarly, we could be looking to acquire or trade for effective players that maybe are overpaid a bit. A guy like Josh Anderson comes to mind (physical middle 6 winger, but yikes on that contract) or even a guy like Hoglander (decent bottom 6 guy but probably overpaid a bit at $3M). We can take some chances on guys for once and even overpay a little bit if necessary.

If we could somehow finish out the season with a roster like that (which likely means we miss the playoffs and end up with a low-mid round pick), there should be a lot of flexibility to shape the roster around a new coach/system/mentality.

I wouildn't give up a pick to get rid of Hayes, I'd rather just make him the 13th forward. I like your plan, but I'd add Rakel, Rust, Bunting, Graves, Karlsson, Sullivan (couldn't resist, lol) to the list as well and figure out the replacements later.

[EndO FanEra]

I was curious what the roster would look like if Dubas were to pull a Billy Beane and started getting rid of some of Sully's vet-pets and/or the players that aren't part of the future or expected to be traded by season's end. I know it's easier said than done, and there it would require other moving pieces to make it all happen. However, if no roster players come back the other way, hypothetically we'd have:

Nieto - waive or trade for future considerations
Hayes - trade for future considerations. May have to add a pick or prospect. May have to eat a little of the contract.
Acciari - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Beauvillier - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Grzelcyk - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Petterson - trade for a 1st or a 2nd and other assets.
Jarry - figure out a way to make it happen. May have to add picks or prospects. May have to eat some of the contract.

That leaves us with something like this:
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
Ponomarev-Poulin-Glass
(Puustinen/Koppanen/Koivunen/Broz/Gruden/McGroarty/Howe)

Pickering-Letang
Graves-Karlsson
POJ-Shea
St. Ivany

NED
Blomqvist

Roughly $18M in cap space.

That lineup isn't horrible, but it needs a lot of work (especially on the defense). The good thing is that there is a ton of cap space. I didn't include Karlsson/Graves in this year's moves, as I have a feeling that might have to wait until the offseason. But if you can get out from underneath them this season as well, all the better. I think we can work around having one of those guys in the lineup going forward, but not both of them. Getting rid of one of those contracts in the offseason will also create a nice chunk of cap space.

I don't know what the FA class looks like next year, but we could have a lot of room to bring a couple of impact players in. Similarly, we could be looking to acquire or trade for effective players that maybe are overpaid a bit. A guy like Josh Anderson comes to mind (physical middle 6 winger, but yikes on that contract) or even a guy like Hoglander (decent bottom 6 guy but probably overpaid a bit at $3M). We can take some chances on guys for once and even overpay a little bit if necessary.

If we could somehow finish out the season with a roster like that (which likely means we miss the playoffs and end up with a low-mid round pick), there should be a lot of flexibility to shape the roster around a new coach/system/mentality.

I wouildn't give up a pick to get rid of Hayes, I'd rather just make him the 13th forward. I like your plan, but I'd add Rakel, Rust, Bunting, Graves, Karlsson, Sullivan (couldn't resist, lol) to the list as well and figure out the replacements later.

Hayes should be gone by the start of next season, one way or another. I just don't want him in the lineup over younger players that we need to find out more about, and waiving him or burying him at $3.5M isn't going to work. Not sure what our buyout options are next offseason. I suppose you could try to trade him in the offseason, but that probably won't be easy then either. I don't know what it would cost, but I wouldn't have any issues throwing out a lower round pick to a third team to eat 50% of his contract. Scuderi for Daley, so anything is possible...

I would be fine moving any of those other players as well, in the right deal. Except for Sullivan, I'd even take a bad deal in order to move on.

[Daniel]

I was curious what the roster would look like if Dubas were to pull a Billy Beane and started getting rid of some of Sully's vet-pets and/or the players that aren't part of the future or expected to be traded by season's end. I know it's easier said than done, and there it would require other moving pieces to make it all happen. However, if no roster players come back the other way, hypothetically we'd have:

Nieto - waive or trade for future considerations
Hayes - trade for future considerations. May have to add a pick or prospect. May have to eat a little of the contract.
Acciari - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Beauvillier - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Grzelcyk - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Petterson - trade for a 1st or a 2nd and other assets.
Jarry - figure out a way to make it happen. May have to add picks or prospects. May have to eat some of the contract.

That leaves us with something like this:
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
Ponomarev-Poulin-Glass
(Puustinen/Koppanen/Koivunen/Broz/Gruden/McGroarty/Howe)

Pickering-Letang
Graves-Karlsson
POJ-Shea
St. Ivany

NED
Blomqvist

Roughly $18M in cap space.

That lineup isn't horrible, but it needs a lot of work (especially on the defense). The good thing is that there is a ton of cap space. I didn't include Karlsson/Graves in this year's moves, as I have a feeling that might have to wait until the offseason. But if you can get out from underneath them this season as well, all the better. I think we can work around having one of those guys in the lineup going forward, but not both of them. Getting rid of one of those contracts in the offseason will also create a nice chunk of cap space.

I don't know what the FA class looks like next year, but we could have a lot of room to bring a couple of impact players in. Similarly, we could be looking to acquire or trade for effective players that maybe are overpaid a bit. A guy like Josh Anderson comes to mind (physical middle 6 winger, but yikes on that contract) or even a guy like Hoglander (decent bottom 6 guy but probably overpaid a bit at $3M). We can take some chances on guys for once and even overpay a little bit if necessary.

If we could somehow finish out the season with a roster like that (which likely means we miss the playoffs and end up with a low-mid round pick), there should be a lot of flexibility to shape the roster around a new coach/system/mentality.

I wouildn't give up a pick to get rid of Hayes, I'd rather just make him the 13th forward. I like your plan, but I'd add Rakel, Rust, Bunting, Graves, Karlsson, Sullivan (couldn't resist, lol) to the list as well and figure out the replacements later.

Hayes should be gone by the start of next season, one way or another. I just don't want him in the lineup over younger players that we need to find out more about, and waiving him or burying him at $3.5M isn't going to work. Not sure what our buyout options are next offseason. I suppose you could try to trade him in the offseason, but that probably won't be easy then either. I don't know what it would cost, but I wouldn't have any issues throwing out a lower round pick to a third team to eat 50% of his contract. Scuderi for Daley, so anything is possible...

I would be fine moving any of those other players as well, in the right deal. Except for Sullivan, I'd even take a bad deal in order to move on.

If you can't trade Hayes, just make him the 13th forward and that's fine. I wouldn't expect the Penguins to need the cap space next year. Next year at the deadline he'll be a UFA so might get a playoff team to take him for minimal in return.

[100565]

I was curious what the roster would look like if Dubas were to pull a Billy Beane and started getting rid of some of Sully's vet-pets and/or the players that aren't part of the future or expected to be traded by season's end. I know it's easier said than done, and there it would require other moving pieces to make it all happen. However, if no roster players come back the other way, hypothetically we'd have:

Nieto - waive or trade for future considerations
Hayes - trade for future considerations. May have to add a pick or prospect. May have to eat a little of the contract.
Acciari - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Beauvillier - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Grzelcyk - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Petterson - trade for a 1st or a 2nd and other assets.
Jarry - figure out a way to make it happen. May have to add picks or prospects. May have to eat some of the contract.

That leaves us with something like this:
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
Ponomarev-Poulin-Glass
(Puustinen/Koppanen/Koivunen/Broz/Gruden/McGroarty/Howe)

Pickering-Letang
Graves-Karlsson
POJ-Shea
St. Ivany

NED
Blomqvist

Roughly $18M in cap space.

That lineup isn't horrible, but it needs a lot of work (especially on the defense). The good thing is that there is a ton of cap space. I didn't include Karlsson/Graves in this year's moves, as I have a feeling that might have to wait until the offseason. But if you can get out from underneath them this season as well, all the better. I think we can work around having one of those guys in the lineup going forward, but not both of them. Getting rid of one of those contracts in the offseason will also create a nice chunk of cap space.

I don't know what the FA class looks like next year, but we could have a lot of room to bring a couple of impact players in. Similarly, we could be looking to acquire or trade for effective players that maybe are overpaid a bit. A guy like Josh Anderson comes to mind (physical middle 6 winger, but yikes on that contract) or even a guy like Hoglander (decent bottom 6 guy but probably overpaid a bit at $3M). We can take some chances on guys for once and even overpay a little bit if necessary.

If we could somehow finish out the season with a roster like that (which likely means we miss the playoffs and end up with a low-mid round pick), there should be a lot of flexibility to shape the roster around a new coach/system/mentality.

I wouildn't give up a pick to get rid of Hayes, I'd rather just make him the 13th forward. I like your plan, but I'd add Rakel, Rust, Bunting, Graves, Karlsson, Sullivan (couldn't resist, lol) to the list as well and figure out the replacements later.

Hayes should be gone by the start of next season, one way or another. I just don't want him in the lineup over younger players that we need to find out more about, and waiving him or burying him at $3.5M isn't going to work. Not sure what our buyout options are next offseason. I suppose you could try to trade him in the offseason, but that probably won't be easy then either. I don't know what it would cost, but I wouldn't have any issues throwing out a lower round pick to a third team to eat 50% of his contract. Scuderi for Daley, so anything is possible...

I would be fine moving any of those other players as well, in the right deal. Except for Sullivan, I'd even take a bad deal in order to move on.

If you can't trade Hayes, just make him the 13th forward and that's fine. I wouldn't expect the Penguins to need the cap space next year. Next year at the deadline he'll be a UFA so might get a playoff team to take him for minimal in return.

I agree.

Kevin Hayes cap hit for Pens is $3,571,429.

Maximum cap savings for a buried contract is $1,150,000 (this year and next year have same maximums).

If the Pens bury Hayes’ contract during the off-season, he would cost $2,421,429 towards their cap.

If the Pens trade him with 50% retained, he would cost them $1,785,714 towards their cap for one season (25-26)

Therefore, the difference is $635,715 plus 1 of 3 retention slots on him plus whatever asset that is moved to entice a team to take him.

IMO, it would be better to keep him than trade with retention.

[Antonio]

Hayes is not the problem with this team especially given that they deliberately took him on to get the draft pick, which was a fine choice. The problem is someone keeps playing him like he deserves a line up spot as opposed to what he is, which is just trash we scooped up to polish the draft options.

[EndO FanEra]

I was curious what the roster would look like if Dubas were to pull a Billy Beane and started getting rid of some of Sully's vet-pets and/or the players that aren't part of the future or expected to be traded by season's end. I know it's easier said than done, and there it would require other moving pieces to make it all happen. However, if no roster players come back the other way, hypothetically we'd have:

Nieto - waive or trade for future considerations
Hayes - trade for future considerations. May have to add a pick or prospect. May have to eat a little of the contract.
Acciari - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Beauvillier - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Grzelcyk - trade for whatever you can get or future considerations
Petterson - trade for a 1st or a 2nd and other assets.
Jarry - figure out a way to make it happen. May have to add picks or prospects. May have to eat some of the contract.

That leaves us with something like this:
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Lizotte-Puljujarvi
Ponomarev-Poulin-Glass
(Puustinen/Koppanen/Koivunen/Broz/Gruden/McGroarty/Howe)

Pickering-Letang
Graves-Karlsson
POJ-Shea
St. Ivany

NED
Blomqvist

Roughly $18M in cap space.

That lineup isn't horrible, but it needs a lot of work (especially on the defense). The good thing is that there is a ton of cap space. I didn't include Karlsson/Graves in this year's moves, as I have a feeling that might have to wait until the offseason. But if you can get out from underneath them this season as well, all the better. I think we can work around having one of those guys in the lineup going forward, but not both of them. Getting rid of one of those contracts in the offseason will also create a nice chunk of cap space.

I don't know what the FA class looks like next year, but we could have a lot of room to bring a couple of impact players in. Similarly, we could be looking to acquire or trade for effective players that maybe are overpaid a bit. A guy like Josh Anderson comes to mind (physical middle 6 winger, but yikes on that contract) or even a guy like Hoglander (decent bottom 6 guy but probably overpaid a bit at $3M). We can take some chances on guys for once and even overpay a little bit if necessary.

If we could somehow finish out the season with a roster like that (which likely means we miss the playoffs and end up with a low-mid round pick), there should be a lot of flexibility to shape the roster around a new coach/system/mentality.

I wouildn't give up a pick to get rid of Hayes, I'd rather just make him the 13th forward. I like your plan, but I'd add Rakel, Rust, Bunting, Graves, Karlsson, Sullivan (couldn't resist, lol) to the list as well and figure out the replacements later.

Hayes should be gone by the start of next season, one way or another. I just don't want him in the lineup over younger players that we need to find out more about, and waiving him or burying him at $3.5M isn't going to work. Not sure what our buyout options are next offseason. I suppose you could try to trade him in the offseason, but that probably won't be easy then either. I don't know what it would cost, but I wouldn't have any issues throwing out a lower round pick to a third team to eat 50% of his contract. Scuderi for Daley, so anything is possible...

I would be fine moving any of those other players as well, in the right deal. Except for Sullivan, I'd even take a bad deal in order to move on.

If you can't trade Hayes, just make him the 13th forward and that's fine. I wouldn't expect the Penguins to need the cap space next year. Next year at the deadline he'll be a UFA so might get a playoff team to take him for minimal in return.

I agree.

Kevin Hayes cap hit for Pens is $3,571,429.

Maximum cap savings for a buried contract is $1,150,000 (this year and next year have same maximums).

If the Pens bury Hayes’ contract during the off-season, he would cost $2,421,429 towards their cap.

If the Pens trade him with 50% retained, he would cost them $1,785,714 towards their cap for one season (25-26)

Therefore, the difference is $635,715 plus 1 of 3 retention slots on him plus whatever asset that is moved to entice a team to take him.

IMO, it would be better to keep him than trade with retention.

It wouldn't be the worst thing if he's still around. I suppose I just have no faith that he'd be treated as a 13th forward. If he's on the roster, he's likely to hold down a regular spot on the 4th line. Maybe with a new coaching staff, things will be run differently, but I can't see them sending a veteran like him to WBS.

I guess I don't really care what they do with the contract, as long as he's not taking up a spot on the active roster. Whatever is the least painful way to make that happen, so be it.

[KG]

We are seeing that this team isn't good enough to compete for a Cup or bad enough to bottom out and get a top 5 pick, which is why Dubas said that this isn't going to be a rip it down re-build.

I would look to move MP, DOC, Acciari, Ned (and or Jarry), Beauvillier, Gryz, Nieto. Maybe get a young ready NHL player and a pick for MP to help the re-tool. I want to clear out a lot from the bottom 6 and leave some spots open next season for McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, Ponomarev etc.

I would be surprised if they move on from Rust or Rakell, or even Bunting. They are still trying to compete. I actually wouldn't be surprised if we made a run for Marner if he makes it to UFA. We need a top 6, really top 3 wing badly.

Something like this I could see at or around the deadline:

MP & DOC to Vancouver for Hoglander, the other Elias Pettersson, 2nd round pick
Acciari for a 4th
Beauvillier for a 5th
Gryz for a 3rd
Nieto waived, please.
Ned might be tough to move since he has another year left on his contract. But I would move him and let Blomqvist backup Jarry, since it looks like we are stuck with Jarrsssss.

Clear out some spots and let the kids that earned it in WBS get promoted and actually play. Enough of the 32+ vets that are on the roster only because they can kill penalties.

[FLPensFan]

We are seeing that this team isn't good enough to compete for a Cup or bad enough to bottom out and get a top 5 pick, which is why Dubas said that this isn't going to be a rip it down re-build.

I would look to move MP, DOC, Acciari, Ned (and or Jarry), Beauvillier, Gryz, Nieto. Maybe get a young ready NHL player and a pick for MP to help the re-tool. I want to clear out a lot from the bottom 6 and leave some spots open next season for McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, Ponomarev etc.

I would be surprised if they move on from Rust or Rakell, or even Bunting. They are still trying to compete. I actually wouldn't be surprised if we made a run for Marner if he makes it to UFA. We need a top 6, really top 3 wing badly.

Something like this I could see at or around the deadline:

MP & DOC to Vancouver for Hoglander, the other Elias Pettersson, 2nd round pick
Acciari for a 4th
Beauvillier for a 5th
Gryz for a 3rd
Nieto waived, please.
Ned might be tough to move since he has another year left on his contract. But I would move him and let Blomqvist backup Jarry, since it looks like we are stuck with Jarrsssss.

Clear out some spots and let the kids that earned it in WBS get promoted and actually play. Enough of the 32+ vets that are on the roster only because they can kill penalties.

Without some bad years where we pick in the top 5, this team isn't going anywhere.

I have a feeling Rust retires a Penguin. Would love to move him this summer, but I could easily see him as the one winger we keep long term. We should be looking to sell high on Rakell this year.

[Puck-Lurker]

We are seeing that this team isn't good enough to compete for a Cup or bad enough to bottom out and get a top 5 pick, which is why Dubas said that this isn't going to be a rip it down re-build.

I would look to move MP, DOC, Acciari, Ned (and or Jarry), Beauvillier, Gryz, Nieto. Maybe get a young ready NHL player and a pick for MP to help the re-tool. I want to clear out a lot from the bottom 6 and leave some spots open next season for McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, Ponomarev etc.

I would be surprised if they move on from Rust or Rakell, or even Bunting. They are still trying to compete. I actually wouldn't be surprised if we made a run for Marner if he makes it to UFA. We need a top 6, really top 3 wing badly.

Something like this I could see at or around the deadline:

MP & DOC to Vancouver for Hoglander, the other Elias Pettersson, 2nd round pick
Acciari for a 4th
Beauvillier for a 5th
Gryz for a 3rd
Nieto waived, please.
Ned might be tough to move since he has another year left on his contract. But I would move him and let Blomqvist backup Jarry, since it looks like we are stuck with Jarrsssss.

Clear out some spots and let the kids that earned it in WBS get promoted and actually play. Enough of the 32+ vets that are on the roster only because they can kill penalties.

I'm not high on Höglander but if it means E.N. Pettersson is coming as well, yes please. DOC seems to be a dead end, but I could see he has some value. Cheap body that would be fine on any fourth line and wouldn't cost much to resign for depth.

For my money, Beauvillier was only ever signed to be traded. Or at least I hope that was the thinking. Acciari is a burden on this team's future. Will continue to get time on ice and do nothing. You can call up someone from WBS and they will do at least as much -- but they might grow into something. Acciari's ceiling is known. Someone might have a use for him, but he's got another year. Grzelcyk, hurrrghh... I think he can be tolerable if paired with a really solid defenceman, but he's looked horrible at times, thankfully his contract is running out. Ned has had a rough season, don't see he has value to anyone and another year on the contract.. Nieto, .

If you can get anything for any of the above, trade immediately. We don't get worse as a team for trading any of them, I feel. Bring in any of the prospects and let them play. Make it so that whoever is our coach (you just know it's going to be Sullivan for EVER..) cannot play old geezers that don't bring anything. Because they are not there.


I don't see how in the world you can trade Jarry. His contract, the eye test, his stats. I've advocated passing on resigning him, that we were as good of, or better, with just some cheap veteran stopgap and some prospects. And I know there weren't any "good alternatives" at the time on the market -- but not signing him was still better. Addition by subtraction. Jarry would have to be out of his mind crazy good and consistent for about a year, to draw interest. The moment he has any value, hit that eject button, take the bag of pucks and run.

I think if you pick up Höglander, you try to move either Rust or Rakell. Right now, I think that would be Rakell, but I can see how either play might get interest.

Pens need a few years of good drafting, too, to make any of this stick though

[Cow_Master66]

Remember the "Ned should be the starter" posts.

Easy formula: Everyone available for futures.

[Puck-Lurker]

Remember the "Ned should be the starter" posts.

Easy formula: Everyone available for futures.

That was when Ned was putting up solid performances and Jarry was trash. We wanted Jarry to be at least as good as Ned on a nightly basis, then.

We got what we wanted, but that's because Ned fell off.

[Sigwolf]

Not to mention it still would have been a better move than the money and contract they handed to Jarry...

[100565]

The lowest point percentage that made the playoffs in each of the last 10 years (*covid, no playoff. I took point% of 16th place in NHL)
23-24 .555
22-23 .561
21-22 .591
20-21 .527
19-20 .565*
18-19 .549
17-18 .579
16-17 .573
15-16 .530
14-15 .591

.562 average over those 10 years. For this season, Calgary currently has 16th best point% at .574. Ottawa has 17th best point% with .559. So this season seems to be typical.

The Pens have 36GP with .514 point%.

With 46 games remaining, they need to play .600 the rest of the season. For comparison, Dallas currently has .606 point%. So, the Pens making the playoffs is possible.

The 5th worst point percentage over the last 5 seasons are:
23-24 .463
22-23 .415
21-22 .384
20-21 .429
19-20 .472
18-19 .463
17-18 .445
16-17 .476
15-16 .470
14-15 .433

The average 5th worst point percentage over those 10 years is .445.

This year Detroit is currently in 5th worst with .441. Again, this year is typical regarding 5th worst.

The Pens would need a point percentage of .391 to finish 5th worst. For comparison, San Jose is at .378 and Buffalo is .400. Although not impossible, it seems very, very unlikely.

I still think this team would not do well in playoffs and needs top draft picks. It seems (without ping pong luck) top 5 pick ain’t happening but the higher the pick, the better.

Trade Pettersson. Trade Rakell. Trade DOC. Use any created cap space and take short term, bad contracts.

[Maestro]

Graves and O”Connor for Trocheck

[FLPensFan]

I still think this team would not do well in playoffs and needs top draft picks. It seems (without ping pong luck) top 5 pick ain’t happening but the higher the pick, the better.

Trade Pettersson. Trade Rakell. Trade DOC. Use any created cap space and take short term, bad contracts.

I agree with the playoffs sentiment. They now seem to be better than 50% odds to make the playoffs, but I still have little faith that they can win a round because they aren't built for playoff and they won't start Blomqvist in the playoffs.

This team has had a few things go their way the last month or so:
1) They finally started playing better.
2) They started playing better at the exact right time, which was a "death stretch" of 7 games against playoff teams where they could have went 0-7 and instead had a winning record.
3) Rangers and other East team have imploded, allowing the Penguins to make big headway in standings.

It's hard to measure defensive contributions on the stat sheet, but I still don't see guys like Acciari or Nieto performing at a level that deserves a sweater every game while Puljujarvi sits. As I do every year, it's time to start beating the drum for certain AHLers to get a stretch of NHL time. Right now, I really want to see Tristan Broz get a handful of NHL games.

On the trade front, I have my concerns that Dubas is going to use ahort-term brain instead of long-term....and make few long-term moves. Like maybe he keeps Pettersson and just let's him walk, cuz...ya know, Sid deserves it. Would be a huge mistake. Like you said, trade MP, Rakell, DOC and any of the UFAs that teams call on. Take on some players that still have some use but have bloated salaries ie trade Pettersson and Rakell...then have a team pay us to take on a decent but older, overpaid player so they can clear space for more suitable playoff adds to their roster.

[FLPensFan]

Graves and O”Connor for Trocheck

Pettersson (50% retained) and Rakell to Utah for Jack McBain, Juuso Valimaki and OTT 2026 2nd round pick. Please and thank you.

Rakell replaces McBain at 2LW. McBain comes here and is 3LW or 3C.

MP moves to 2nd pair LD, Ian Cole moves to 3rd pairing. POJ, Pickering, Valimaki become our main LD. Grzelcyk to 3RD, Shea and Graves can rotate in.

[Maestro]

Graves and O”Connor for Trocheck

Pettersson (50% retained) and Rakell to Utah for Jack McBain, Juuso Valimaki and OTT 2026 2nd round pick. Please and thank you.

Rakell replaces McBain at 2LW. McBain comes here and is 3LW or 3C.

MP moves to 2nd pair LD, Ian Cole moves to 3rd pairing. POJ, Pickering, Valimaki become our main LD. Grzelcyk to 3RD, Shea and Graves can rotate in.

That’s interesting but I don’t see them breaking up that top line.

[FLPensFan]

Graves and O”Connor for Trocheck

Pettersson (50% retained) and Rakell to Utah for Jack McBain, Juuso Valimaki and OTT 2026 2nd round pick. Please and thank you.

Rakell replaces McBain at 2LW. McBain comes here and is 3LW or 3C.

MP moves to 2nd pair LD, Ian Cole moves to 3rd pairing. POJ, Pickering, Valimaki become our main LD. Grzelcyk to 3RD, Shea and Graves can rotate in.

That’s interesting but I don’t see them breaking up that top line.

Fair point, but not selling on Rakell this year if there are teams interested would be a mistake. So would be holding onto Pettersson for a "playoff run."

[Maestro]

Graves and O”Connor for Trocheck

Pettersson (50% retained) and Rakell to Utah for Jack McBain, Juuso Valimaki and OTT 2026 2nd round pick. Please and thank you.

Rakell replaces McBain at 2LW. McBain comes here and is 3LW or 3C.

MP moves to 2nd pair LD, Ian Cole moves to 3rd pairing. POJ, Pickering, Valimaki become our main LD. Grzelcyk to 3RD, Shea and Graves can rotate in.

That’s interesting but I don’t see them breaking up that top line.

Fair point, but not selling on Rakell this year if there are teams interested would be a mistake. So would be holding onto Pettersson for a "playoff run."

So you think they’ll be sellers?

[TexasPenguins]

Graves and O”Connor for Trocheck

Pettersson (50% retained) and Rakell to Utah for Jack McBain, Juuso Valimaki and OTT 2026 2nd round pick. Please and thank you.

Rakell replaces McBain at 2LW. McBain comes here and is 3LW or 3C.

MP moves to 2nd pair LD, Ian Cole moves to 3rd pairing. POJ, Pickering, Valimaki become our main LD. Grzelcyk to 3RD, Shea and Graves can rotate in.

That’s interesting but I don’t see them breaking up that top line.

Fair point, but not selling on Rakell this year if there are teams interested would be a mistake. So would be holding onto Pettersson for a "playoff run."

So you think they’ll be sellers?

It’s too early for anyone to make even a reasonable guess as to whether or not they’ll be buyers or sellers.
I think we’re all hoping they end up be being sellers, but who knows how things will go between now and the trade deadline.

[Daniel]

Pettersson (50% retained) and Rakell to Utah for Jack McBain, Juuso Valimaki and OTT 2026 2nd round pick. Please and thank you.

Rakell replaces McBain at 2LW. McBain comes here and is 3LW or 3C.

MP moves to 2nd pair LD, Ian Cole moves to 3rd pairing. POJ, Pickering, Valimaki become our main LD. Grzelcyk to 3RD, Shea and Graves can rotate in.

That’s interesting but I don’t see them breaking up that top line.

Fair point, but not selling on Rakell this year if there are teams interested would be a mistake. So would be holding onto Pettersson for a "playoff run."

So you think they’ll be sellers?

It’s too early for anyone to make even a reasonable guess as to whether or not they’ll be buyers or sellers.
I think we’re all hoping they end up be being sellers, but who knows how things will go between now and the trade deadline.

I think they're delusional if they aren't sellers. Unless it's a 1st or 2nd, I don't think they should just sell for draft picks, Rakell is having a nice season, but he's not going to elevate this team to a cup win and if he can bring in a younger ELC player, why not? The defense is terrible with or without Pettersson and he's a UFA and there is no reason to keep him. If they can get something for pretty much anyone on the bottom six, trade them. Bunting and Beauvillier are kinda whatever players and they might as well see if they can get something in return. I'd trade Rust too, but not going to happen. If they can trade Jarry and Graves, great, but both are unlikely.

The bottom six is where I'd make the exception for any draft pick just because they can rotate WBS players and probably improve the team.

XXX - Crosby - Rust
XXX - Malkin - Tomasino
O'Connor - Glass - XXX
XXX - Lizotte - XXX

Pickering - Letang
XXX - Karlsson
Graves - Shea

Puljujarvi in one spot, fill the rest with the return from the trades and WBS players and improve the team, make the team younger for the future, and start the complete rebuild. They'll probably be buyers and go into July wondering what happened, but I hope they do at least some of what I said above.

[Antonio]

This team is a seller. If they doubt it even a little, they're dumber then they've already shown.

[longtimefan]

The deadline is still a couple months away. It's doubtful they make a meaningful deal prior to that. UFA's like MP are going to be dealt. Assuming they have any value. Someone like Acciari or even Lizotte might be moved if the offer is strong enough. But guys like Rakell will have his availability based where they are in the standings.

Fans have different viewpoints. But Dubas has to thread the needle. You have an all-time great superstar in the twilight of his career. I suspect one of the holdups 0n his contract was assurances about trying to compete. Frankly, they owe him to that. So do we. For past services rendered. The fact he's still going strong is a bonus. And his presence alone makes it unlikely that they will be able to tank to the level many want. Maybe after he's gone. Not now. Last season he sulked for a bit after the Guentzel trade. Everyone else followed suit. After he snapped out of it, his play almost carried them to the playoffs. I don't think he'd react well to a complete tear down at the deadline if they're in the race. But I also think he understands Dubas is trying to thread the needle.

If they're in it, Rakell will stick around. Rust is a moot point for the deadline. He has a NMC and won't waive it. In his case, I think he's positioned himself as just below the core. I could see them moving on for the right return this summer, but I think it's more likely they keep him around. Plus the guy seems to keep getting better! He's not on the level of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. But he's carved a pretty nice niche and has always wanted to be here. Remember his contract was a surprise that came out of nowhere. At a bit of a discount. He could have been a UFA 10 days or so later. He's married to a Pittsburgh girl. And he's always been a class act. In a vacuum, none of that matters. But we don't live in a vacuum. Perhaps in his walk year. If they don't resign him for a team friendly deal.

IF they're in the race, they'll hold onto Rackell. He's having a career year, and, unless his game falls off a cliff, he won't be too difficult to move over the summer. Especially if he pots 30 goals. There will also be more teams with cap space to take him on over the summer. I do think they move on. He'll have a couple seasons left. His offensive game has been inconsistent over the course of his career. At 30 goals, he's worth his cap. He should be able to garner a nice return.

So whether they are buyers or sellers is TBD. But as long as Crosby remains on the roster, they will try to compete. Dubas has a really difficult job. Threading the needle.