Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[Michael74]

There's a guy that has started doing Penguins podcasts on YouTube called Penguins Digest. I don't think this guy has any inside info and is just regurgitating news from around the league.

On today's episode, he claims that Sportsnet's Jason Bakula suggests Winnipeg is interested, and should offer a 2025 3rd plus a 2026 5th for Noel Acciari.

If that deal was on the table, I'd be running to the phone, driving Acciari to the airport personally.

Acciari has an 8 team NTC, I would imagine Winnipeg might be on it.

[FLPensFan]

There's a guy that has started doing Penguins podcasts on YouTube called Penguins Digest. I don't think this guy has any inside info and is just regurgitating news from around the league.

On today's episode, he claims that Sportsnet's Jason Bakula suggests Winnipeg is interested, and should offer a 2025 3rd plus a 2026 5th for Noel Acciari.

If that deal was on the table, I'd be running to the phone, driving Acciari to the airport personally.

Acciari has an 8 team NTC, I would imagine Winnipeg would likely be on it.

Not so sure about that. It's one thing to go to Canada to be stuck on a crappy team. It's another thing to go to Winnipeg, who has the most points in the NHL, most goals for, 2nd fewest goals against, and the league's best PP. He'd be crazy to pass up that chance. It's not like he has 6 years left on his contract.

[Puck-Lurker]

There's a guy that has started doing Penguins podcasts on YouTube called Penguins Digest. I don't think this guy has any inside info and is just regurgitating news from around the league.

On today's episode, he claims that Sportsnet's Jason Bakula suggests Winnipeg is interested, and should offer a 2025 3rd plus a 2026 5th for Noel Acciari.

If that deal was on the table, I'd be running to the phone, driving Acciari to the airport personally.

Acciari has an 8 team NTC, I would imagine Winnipeg might be on it.

I will personally drive him over.

[Michael74]

There's a guy that has started doing Penguins podcasts on YouTube called Penguins Digest. I don't think this guy has any inside info and is just regurgitating news from around the league.

On today's episode, he claims that Sportsnet's Jason Bakula suggests Winnipeg is interested, and should offer a 2025 3rd plus a 2026 5th for Noel Acciari.

If that deal was on the table, I'd be running to the phone, driving Acciari to the airport personally.

Acciari has an 8 team NTC, I would imagine Winnipeg would likely be on it.

Not so sure about that. It's one thing to go to Canada to be stuck on a crappy team. It's another thing to go to Winnipeg, who has the most points in the NHL, most goals for, 2nd fewest goals against, and the league's best PP. He'd be crazy to pass up that chance. It's not like he has 6 years left on his contract.

To be clear I'd be all for the move! But Winnipeg is often on these NTC lists, in addition they don't have much cap space.

[Michael74]

There's a guy that has started doing Penguins podcasts on YouTube called Penguins Digest. I don't think this guy has any inside info and is just regurgitating news from around the league.

On today's episode, he claims that Sportsnet's Jason Bakula suggests Winnipeg is interested, and should offer a 2025 3rd plus a 2026 5th for Noel Acciari.

If that deal was on the table, I'd be running to the phone, driving Acciari to the airport personally.

Acciari has an 8 team NTC, I would imagine Winnipeg might be on it.

I will personally drive him over.

I sincerely hope it happens.

[Daniel]

Heard on 32 Thoughts, Freidman was questioning if KD is going to keep the Rangers 1st round pick or flip it for a younger now player. He said many GM's value the Rangers pick. We will see. He didn't speculate as to what players KD could target with it.

I also wonder if he could get a 1st round pick for Rakell or Bunting and trade the Rangers 1st round pick for a young now player. This way retooling the team with young talent while also adding future 1st round picks etc.

DK doesn't think KD is going to trade anyone big from the roster. DK is all excited about how this Pens team goal is the make the playoffs. Whoopie. Players goal is always to win now. But that's not what this team needs. I hope DK is wrong.

I thought this draft class was considered good, but I'm hearing it is a weak 2025 class, while 2026 is supposed to be much better. Supposedly, that's why we are starting to see a lot of 2025 picks traded, because teams value 2026 picks more.

Dubas himself said his mission, in acquiring assets is 1) Young NHL players 2) near ready NHL prospects 3) draft picks. He knows that #3 take much longer to turn into NHL players...likely past Sid's playing days. I'd love to see Dubas get one of Brandt Clarke or Simon Nemec on defense, dump Karlsson, and find a young NHL center that he can trade for, like Cozens, Pinto, etc.

As for DK, man if that article doesn't come off as flag-waving, cheerleading for the team, I don't know what does. Let's just pretend that, with this now being the 3rd year in a row we are in this position, that the switch is going to really flip this year??? Gimme a break. Too many teams ahead of them, too many games in hand, too many games lost in October and November that leads to them delusionally chasing an unattainable goal.

Yeah Bob McKenzie was saying that there is a drop off in this draft after the top 8 and most 2nd round picks this draft would be 3rd rounders in deeper drafts. Great! hopefully we can get into the top 8 and maybe we will deal the Rangers 1st. I don't see the Rangers staying at 13 or below so we would have their pick this year.

That's a bummer. If the Pens end up drafting around the 10th spot, I wonder what kind of draft capital would it take to get into the top 5.

San Jose & Chicago already have 2 1sts this year, and Philly & Nashville have 3 1sts, so they may be willing to deal.

Would our 10th + the NYR pick (assuming it's 13-20) would get the job done? I don't think we have a 2nd this year, so unless a player is involved, I doubt a 3rd would be enough.

If we can't get in/near the top 7/8, maybe it is better to use the pick(s) in a trade for young prospects/players?

Hoping we end up close to or in the top 5 without having to trade up. But if we keep getting points, we're going to end up closer to the middle of the pack again than the top 5.

If next years draft is going to be much deeper, I'd keep both 1sts and hope to get a superstar next year. I'd rather 3 1st round picks than 2. If they can move from 10 to 5 and give up a 2nd, I'd be good with that but I think 2 1st is too much. Now if the Rangers win the cup and maybe you can get a 3rd/4th/5th then maybe.

[Daniel]

Grzelchyk and Beauvillier are my two picks to go as well. Acciari and guys like Heinen have term remaining and would be a harder sell. Maybe next year's deadline for them. I like Lizotte and hope they keep him but, like with pretty much anyone not named Crosby, if a great deal arises for him, then they should do it. I like Bunting and his game and would like them to hold onto him at least until next year's deadline. But, as I said above, if a good offer was on the table...

EK is a wildcard because of his offensive upside. In the right pairing (one with someone who can cover for his horrendous defensive mistakes), he'd really make a team more dangerous to deal with. Pens would have to retain but might be able to wrangle the retention into a first, or at least a prospect and a couple of 2nds.

All speculation on my part. I do love the intrigue of the deadline.

Let's also remember they didn't end up retaining on Marcus Pettersson. So, if they retained, say 3.5M on EK65, he's a lot more attractive to another team at 6.5M versus 10M.

I'm also not expecting a firesale. I've come around recently to the idea of leaving the young guys in WBS the rest of the year. They seem to be playing well for the new coach, they're winning, let them be in that environment. If we can ditch Beauvillier and Gryz, great. But beyond that, I'm not expecting much, because we still need to field a team while the kids are playing well in WBS.

I agree with keeping the kids in WBS. At this point, there's no reason to call them up, other than maybe a quick stint for a few guys just to travel/practice w/ the team and get a taste of the NHL life.

I don't expect a fire sale either, but I hope there is at least 3 or 4 moves, with 1 or 2 big names involved (Rakell, Rust, Bunting, Karlsson...). I could also see us taking back some cap dumps in a trade or for a pick like Glass/Hayes. They should be able to trade multiple players and still be able to ice a full roster without the kids.

I can see a firesale with NHL players and prospects in return. See if some of Poulin, Puustinen, Koppanen, Gruden, Bemstrom, Katchouk can work their way into the future with this team. Obviously not all of them, but maybe 3 or 4.

[KG]

Servalli said that the Oilers tried to acquire DOC last week. Guess once the Rangers/Canucks trade went through and they got the 1st round pick, KD made sure to make the Vancouver trade happen to get that 1st pick.

[Michael74]

Servalli said that the Oilers tried to acquire DOC last week. Guess once the Rangers/Canucks trade went through and they got the 1st round pick, KD made sure to make the Vancouver trade happen to get that 1st pick.

The value extracted for two impending UFA's was very solid! I'm not all that enamored with DOC anyhow. We got a return we should be very comfortable with IMO. I look at DOC being more ''show'' than ''go''. He's a decent player, but with his size, skill and speed you'd think his production would be more substantial.

[Daniel]

Servalli said that the Oilers tried to acquire DOC last week. Guess once the Rangers/Canucks trade went through and they got the 1st round pick, KD made sure to make the Vancouver trade happen to get that 1st pick.

The value extracted for two impending UFA's was very solid! I'm not all that enamored with DOC anyhow. We got a return we should be very comfortable with IMO. I look at DOC being more ''show'' than ''go''. He's a decent player, but with his size, skill and speed you'd think his production would be more substantial.

We'll see how he does in Vancouver, but I think Sullivans holds back a lot of players. It's like he preaches defensive first to the point of ruining creativity for younger players trying to make it in the NHL.

[Michael74]

Servalli said that the Oilers tried to acquire DOC last week. Guess once the Rangers/Canucks trade went through and they got the 1st round pick, KD made sure to make the Vancouver trade happen to get that 1st pick.

The value extracted for two impending UFA's was very solid! I'm not all that enamored with DOC anyhow. We got a return we should be very comfortable with IMO. I look at DOC being more ''show'' than ''go''. He's a decent player, but with his size, skill and speed you'd think his production would be more substantial.

We'll see how he does in Vancouver, but I think Sullivans holds back a lot of players. It's like he preaches defensive first to the point of ruining creativity for younger players trying to make it in the NHL.

I don't subscribe to the theory that Sullivan stifles creativity, but I do think he's very demanding of his players, well, ''role'' players away from the puck and on their respective assignments in our end of the ice. I think DOC was afforded some fairly good opportunities here TBH. That said, does Sullivan give some players more opportunities than others for dubious reasons? I'd say so. I don't think that applies to DOC however. Tomasino, yes. And several others through the years to be sure.

[KG]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

[Antonio]

Acciari having any manner of ntc nmc. HI-larious. Literally sums up all the problems with contracts and nmc clauses. **** absurd.

[100565]

Acciari having any manner of ntc nmc. HI-larious. Literally sums up all the problems with contracts and nmc clauses. **** absurd.

FSG bought the Pens in 2021 for $875mil. Estimated worth now is $1.75billion. That is (unrealized) gain of $900 million in 4 years. Additionally, last year Pens Revenue was $223 mil. Operating expenses of $52 mil. Player expenses of $96 mil. therefore profit of $75 mil for the year. Assume $70 mil per year of profit for four years. Add $900 mil of unrealized gain in team worth. Plus $280 million sum of annual profit. That is $1.18 billion in four years! In those four years, they have paid Crosby $18 million.

If a vet is able to negotiate a ntc or nmc in their contract, I am ok by that. Even a player like Acciari.

[Daniel]

Servalli said that the Oilers tried to acquire DOC last week. Guess once the Rangers/Canucks trade went through and they got the 1st round pick, KD made sure to make the Vancouver trade happen to get that 1st pick.

The value extracted for two impending UFA's was very solid! I'm not all that enamored with DOC anyhow. We got a return we should be very comfortable with IMO. I look at DOC being more ''show'' than ''go''. He's a decent player, but with his size, skill and speed you'd think his production would be more substantial.

We'll see how he does in Vancouver, but I think Sullivans holds back a lot of players. It's like he preaches defensive first to the point of ruining creativity for younger players trying to make it in the NHL.

I don't subscribe to the theory that Sullivan stifles creativity, but I do think he's very demanding of his players, well, ''role'' players away from the puck and on their respective assignments in our end of the ice. I think DOC was afforded some fairly good opportunities here TBH. That said, does Sullivan give some players more opportunities than others for dubious reasons? I'd say so. I don't think that applies to DOC however. Tomasino, yes. And several others through the years to be sure.

I don't think he tries to, but I think younger players play like they're walking on egg shells a lot of times. DOC did have some good opportunities and I think for the most part he did well. He got 3rd line minutes and was on pace to score 3rd line goals, or just under. He played 1st/2nd line minutes earlier this season but never scored.

I'd have liked to have kept him, but indifferent either way. I hope he does well with Vancouver.

[Daniel]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

[Michael74]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

At this point I consider Poulin a bust. IMO He holds no value whatsoever. Regarding Zegras we'd have to give up more than we'd likely want to part with. I don't think the Ducks are likely to sell low on him. If so it would behoove them to just keep him. Then again it only takes one GM who gets enamored.

[FLPensFan]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

Knee surgery this year. Ankle surgery AND a lower-body injury last year. Zegras seems to be all offense, no defense, and he's atrocious on faceoffs. In 4 years, he's taken 1400 faceoffs and only won 540...40% win rate. That's sub-Geno level.

The offensive upside is there, but, Sullivan would hate his play without the puck. Sullivan trying to correct his defensive play likely turns him into a 3rd line producer.

Out of Zegras and Cozens, both aren't great defensively, but I think Cozens is better. He's also taken 3 times the amount of faceoffs in the same # of years, 3950, and won 1870, for a 47.3% win rate. Much more confident in coaching can improve him to over 50% annually.

If given the choice, I'd choose the 6'3" Cozens over 6' Zegras. Dubas should be on the phone with Buffalo seeing if they'll move Cozens or Kulich. Cozens has 5 more seasons at 7.1M AAV. Zegras has one more year at 5.75M AAV then an RFA.

[FLPensFan]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

At this point I consider Poulin a bust. IMO He holds no value whatsoever. Regarding Zegras we'd have to give up more than we'd likely want to part with. I don't think the Ducks are likely to sell low on him. If so it would behoove them to just keep him. Then again it only takes one GM who gets enamored.

Yeah, I'm not sure if Poulin can even be considered a tweener at this point. He's not lighting up the AHL.
Even Puustinen is leaning towards bust, as he was really good his first 2 seasons there, but has dropped off considerably this year.

The Penguins need to get out of the habit of drafting guys with average or worse skating, especially as long as Sully is here. Poulin and Legare were the 2 most recent whose skating really held them back.

[Daniel]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

Knee surgery this year. Ankle surgery AND a lower-body injury last year. Zegras seems to be all offense, no defense, and he's atrocious on faceoffs. In 4 years, he's taken 1400 faceoffs and only won 540...40% win rate. That's sub-Geno level.

The offensive upside is there, but, Sullivan would hate his play without the puck. Sullivan trying to correct his defensive play likely turns him into a 3rd line producer.

Out of Zegras and Cozens, both aren't great defensively, but I think Cozens is better. He's also taken 3 times the amount of faceoffs in the same # of years, 3950, and won 1870, for a 47.3% win rate. Much more confident in coaching can improve him to over 50% annually.

If given the choice, I'd choose the 6'3" Cozens over 6' Zegras. Dubas should be on the phone with Buffalo seeing if they'll move Cozens or Kulich. Cozens has 5 more seasons at 7.1M AAV. Zegras has one more year at 5.75M AAV then an RFA.

I thought I had read that analysis, why I gave such a low offer.

[Daniel]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

At this point I consider Poulin a bust. IMO He holds no value whatsoever. Regarding Zegras we'd have to give up more than we'd likely want to part with. I don't think the Ducks are likely to sell low on him. If so it would behoove them to just keep him. Then again it only takes one GM who gets enamored.

Shame because he seemed to be getting it right before his mental health issues. I don't think he'd have been a top 6, or even top 9, but he could have been a ZAR kind of player and make a living on the 4th line.

[Daniel]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

At this point I consider Poulin a bust. IMO He holds no value whatsoever. Regarding Zegras we'd have to give up more than we'd likely want to part with. I don't think the Ducks are likely to sell low on him. If so it would behoove them to just keep him. Then again it only takes one GM who gets enamored.

Yeah, I'm not sure if Poulin can even be considered a tweener at this point. He's not lighting up the AHL.
Even Puustinen is leaning towards bust, as he was really good his first 2 seasons there, but has dropped off considerably this year.

The Penguins need to get out of the habit of drafting guys with average or worse skating, especially as long as Sully is here. Poulin and Legare were the 2 most recent whose skating really held them back.

I think Puustinen's development was awful. Going up and down and barely playing and not being used correctly has to have it's toll on a young player. If he were a couple of years younger, maybe MacDonald can do something with him. He's almost a point a game player, but not sure what line he's playing on.

[FLPensFan]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-202 ... -on-zegras

Zegras is another young player that is available and could use a change of scenery. Would think we would have interest.

Kinda eh about him. If Anaheim would sell low, ie Poulin and a 3rd with something thrown in, maybe. Had a couple of good seasons, then looked to be injured most of last season, but what is happening this year? if just a bad year, I'd be intrigued for sure.

At this point I consider Poulin a bust. IMO He holds no value whatsoever. Regarding Zegras we'd have to give up more than we'd likely want to part with. I don't think the Ducks are likely to sell low on him. If so it would behoove them to just keep him. Then again it only takes one GM who gets enamored.

Yeah, I'm not sure if Poulin can even be considered a tweener at this point. He's not lighting up the AHL.
Even Puustinen is leaning towards bust, as he was really good his first 2 seasons there, but has dropped off considerably this year.

The Penguins need to get out of the habit of drafting guys with average or worse skating, especially as long as Sully is here. Poulin and Legare were the 2 most recent whose skating really held them back.

I think Puustinen's development was awful. Going up and down and barely playing and not being used correctly has to have it's toll on a young player. If he were a couple of years younger, maybe MacDonald can do something with him. He's almost a point a game player, but not sure what line he's playing on.

100% agree. First every callup, plays a game, has a nice setup to Jeff Carter....yanked out of the lineup and eating nachos next game. It's the same thing with Puljujarvi. Guy was coming back from a serious injury that ends about 80% of hockey players careers with that hip resurfacing. Played well towards the end of last season. Had a great camp. Had a fairly decent start to the season. Had 2 goals in his last 4 games he played, then banished to the bench. What frustrates me about Puljujarvi beyond the usage is...they signed him for 2 years. They could have easily said we'll sign you for this season, see how you recover, and then consider re-signing you over the summer. Signing him for 2 years would indicate to the most sensible person that they were pleased with his recovery, and they saw enough skills that they liked to sign him for last year plus this season. So, I have a hard time understanding how he was good enough to earn the extra year last year, and now, suddenly, his play without the puck isn't good enough for Sullivan. It's just very odd decision making.

[Pens4Life]

Servalli said that the Oilers tried to acquire DOC last week. Guess once the Rangers/Canucks trade went through and they got the 1st round pick, KD made sure to make the Vancouver trade happen to get that 1st pick.

The value extracted for two impending UFA's was very solid! I'm not all that enamored with DOC anyhow. We got a return we should be very comfortable with IMO. I look at DOC being more ''show'' than ''go''. He's a decent player, but with his size, skill and speed you'd think his production would be more substantial.

We'll see how he does in Vancouver, but I think Sullivans holds back a lot of players. It's like he preaches defensive first to the point of ruining creativity for younger players trying to make it in the NHL.

this

[DeHaven162]

Acciari having any manner of ntc nmc. HI-larious. Literally sums up all the problems with contracts and nmc clauses. **** absurd.

100% agree with this. The amount of NTC and NMC given out anymore is ridiculous.

The Spittin Chiclets guys were talking about the expected rise of the salary cap these next three years will open up space for player movement and big trades, which is good for the league and fans love. But with scrubs getting trade protection, it might not matter. Marcus Pettersson, a 2nd pair defensive dman, got a full NMC in the first three years of his Vancouver deal. That's insane. And fourth line vets, come on. I understand if they can get it, great. The issue is with the teams giving them out. They should be reserved for the top players.

Would love to see some kind of rule put in that limits teams to giving out 2 NMC at a time. It's gone over the line and then some with Noel Acciari getting them.