Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Trade Rakell, he's on fire!
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I had a dream last night that the Pens traded Rakell to the Jets for 3 players I never heard of
I think I need to get a life if I'm now dreaming about Pens trades ...

I think I need to get a life if I'm now dreaming about Pens trades ...
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
If these three players turn out to be key contributors moving forward, I'd suggest it's indeed a dream worth having.KG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:00 amI had a dream last night that the Pens traded Rakell to the Jets for 3 players I never heard of![]()
I think I need to get a life if I'm now dreaming about Pens trades ...

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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I sincerely hope we move Rakell but extract very good value in doing so. It's a sellers market, gotta strike while the iron is hot! This is a golden opportunity to secure potentially present and future assets, fortify the system and add a key cog for the latter part of the decade.
To me this is where Kyle will earn his money. The trade deadline as well as the draft. The value he garners as well as hitting on these high draft picks and having the organization develop them well.
To me this is where Kyle will earn his money. The trade deadline as well as the draft. The value he garners as well as hitting on these high draft picks and having the organization develop them well.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Freidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Winnipeg - Brad LambertKG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:20 amFreidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
Los Angeles - Liam Greentree, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence
Tampa - Connor Geekie
Detroit - Marco Casper
Those are who i would want as center pieces of a Rakell trade. Greentree is the furthest from the NHL. All others have played NHL games.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I think it's the latter part that will define Dubas's tenure for me--can he actually hit on a good percentage of the picks he's accumulating and develop those players well. I don't think it's that hard to sell off players for picks. It's what the GM does with those picks that really separates the truly good GMs from the mediocre.Michael74 wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:13 amI sincerely hope we move Rakell but extract very good value in doing so. It's a sellers market, gotta strike while the iron is hot! This is a golden opportunity to secure potentially present and future assets, fortify the system and add a key cog for the latter part of the decade.
To me this is where Kyle will earn his money. The trade deadline as well as the draft. The value he garners as well as hitting on these high draft picks and having the organization develop them well.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Hard pass on Lambert. He was once viewed as a top pick in his draft class, then fell to near the bottom of the first round. There have been rumors about his lack of effort despite having talent. Pairing him with Sullivan sounds like a terrible idea.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:32 amWinnipeg - Brad LambertKG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:20 amFreidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
Los Angeles - Liam Greentree, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence
Tampa - Connor Geekie
Detroit - Marco Casper
Those are who i would want as center pieces of a Rakell trade. Greentree is the furthest from the NHL. All others have played NHL games.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I'd be dubious on Lambert. If he were the only piece coming back hard pass. Geekie is ok, but Nothing to get overly excitted about.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:32 amWinnipeg - Brad LambertKG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:20 amFreidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
Los Angeles - Liam Greentree, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence
Tampa - Connor Geekie
Detroit - Marco Casper
Those are who i would want as center pieces of a Rakell trade. Greentree is the furthest from the NHL. All others have played NHL games.
The LA prospects out of that list are far more intriguing to me. Anyone of those three I would prefer over Lambert or Geekie. Well, depending what other components would be involved. I doubt the Wings would part with Kaspar. Not clear as to where his potential would go, middle six I guess?
LA has IMO the best options for us. Also, Rakell is familiar with the area so that'd seemingly help the cause.
I'd like to get a '26 1st though.
Last edited by Michael74 on Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Thanks, was going to ask who the prospect target might be from Winnipeg. Would be funny if Yager ended up back here though.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:32 amWinnipeg - Brad LambertKG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:20 amFreidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
Los Angeles - Liam Greentree, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence
Tampa - Connor Geekie
Detroit - Marco Casper
Those are who i would want as center pieces of a Rakell trade. Greentree is the furthest from the NHL. All others have played NHL games.
Any chance Nemec could be pried out of Jersey, or do you think that ship has sailed?
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Huh? Why wouldn't they be? I assume they are on most players' NMCs.KG wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:35 pmWinnipeg definitely has the assets to get Rakell if they wanted to. Assuming Winnipeg isn't on Rakell's no trade list.FLPensFan wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 3:54 pmI've had my questions about this guy in the past. I believe he has claimed to be a previous NHL scout....and I do see that Kevin Weekes follows this guy.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I'm not that high on Lambert also, even though he is a RH center and he was great as a pro rookie in the AHL last year with 21 goals, 55 points in 64 games. This season he has 4 goals, 25 points in 43 games.Michael74 wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:59 amI'd be dubious on Lambert. If he were the only piece coming back hard pass. Geekie is ok, but Nothing to get overly excitted about.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:32 amWinnipeg - Brad LambertKG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:20 amFreidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
Los Angeles - Liam Greentree, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence
Tampa - Connor Geekie
Detroit - Marco Casper
Those are who i would want as center pieces of a Rakell trade. Greentree is the furthest from the NHL. All others have played NHL games.
The LA prospects out of that list are far more intriguing to me. Anyone of those three I would prefer over Lambert or Geekie. Well, depending what other components would be involved. I doubt the Wings would part with Kaspar. Not clear as to where his potential would go, middle six I guess?
LA has IMO the best options for us. Also, Rakell is familiar with the area so that'd seemingly help the cause.
I'd like to get a '26 1st though.
He started the season well with 11 points in 16 games before getting called-up to Winnipeg in December. He played 4 games in the NHL and was sent back down to the AHL. He had rough months in December and January. No goals, 5 assistis in 13 games. Since, he has been better, but not as great as last year, with 1 goal, 9 points in 12 games.
Manitoba has been terrible this season. Their record is one of the worst in the league and their GF is the worst by a distance - they scored 119 in 52 games, second worst scored 140 goals also in 52 games. As a comparable, WBS scored 177 goals and is 8th in the league.
So it's fair to put a share of Lambert's inconsistency on playing for a bad team.
I'd be fine with him not being a center piece, but I don't think what a trade with Winnipeg would look like in a case like this.
Conor Geekie's biggest weakness, like his brother, is his skating. A big no-no with Sully still here.
Marco Kasper looks like a solid 2-way center, possibly a future 2C. I don't see Detroit parting ways with him for a player more than 10 years older than him just when they starting to compete again.
As mentioned, Greentree is the still a while away from the NHL, so probably Dubas would prioritize any of the others over him.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I wonder if KD would have real interest in Perfetti in Winnipeg. He's only 23 still.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I've thought of that. I just don't think Winnipeg gives him up.KG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:58 amI wonder if KD would have real interest in Perfetti in Winnipeg. He's only 23 still.
Another darkhorse on Rakell....Columbus. They could use a veteran scorer, as right now they have Marchenko, Fantilli, Chinakov, Sillinger, Voronokov and Johnson all under the age of 25. Waddell said today he'd like to add "around the edges" (I take that to mean more bottom 6 or bottom pair), but also said he'd rather make a hockey trade for a player with term.
I'd love to get Cole Sillinger, but doubt that happens. Another interesting player would be Gavin Brindley. He did play 1 NHL game last year. He's small but doesn't play small, good two-way center....and he was teammates and linemates with McGroarty at Michigan.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
If NJ went after a player, yeah I would still be looking at Nemec. I believe I heard yesterday that NJ is very interested in Rantanen, and told Carolina if they are thinking of flipping him at the deadline they would be interested.EndO FanEra wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:59 amThanks, was going to ask who the prospect target might be from Winnipeg. Would be funny if Yager ended up back here though.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:32 amWinnipeg - Brad LambertKG wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:20 amFreidman on NHL radio now. Says price for Rakell is very high. Winnipeg is interested but he speculates if they are on Rakell's no trade list. He also said the Pens want to keep some veterans around. He basically hedged. We would move him if we get our price.
Los Angeles - Liam Greentree, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence
Tampa - Connor Geekie
Detroit - Marco Casper
Those are who i would want as center pieces of a Rakell trade. Greentree is the furthest from the NHL. All others have played NHL games.
Any chance Nemec could be pried out of Jersey, or do you think that ship has sailed?
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I saw that too, but like the article said, I seriously doubt Carolina would make a deal with Jersey since they might play in the first round. NJ would have to have by far the sweetest offer on the table.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:24 am
If NJ went after a player, yeah I would still be looking at Nemec. I believe I heard yesterday that NJ is very interested in Rantanen, and told Carolina if they are thinking of flipping him at the deadline they would be interested.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Very good point.Mad City Mike wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:46 amI saw that too, but like the article said, I seriously doubt Carolina would make a deal with Jersey since they might play in the first round. NJ would have to have by far the sweetest offer on the table.FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:24 am
If NJ went after a player, yeah I would still be looking at Nemec. I believe I heard yesterday that NJ is very interested in Rantanen, and told Carolina if they are thinking of flipping him at the deadline they would be interested.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I've turned heel here on a possible Rakell trade. With his skill and age and that contract, he's a player I want to keep. He seems very happy here despite the record, and he is producing. History shows that last year's performance was an anomaly. Plus, like it or not, you have to keep Sid happy; that's certainly part of this equation.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Vanecek to Florida for prospect Patrick Giles
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Sid knew what he was signing up for. Sid was "kept happy" by re-signing Malkin and Letang. Rakell could have a similar year next year...what does that actually do for the team as a whole? His best value is being traded for a good return that propels this team to getting more younger, skilled players in their organization.Gunnerfan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 12:11 pmI've turned heel here on a possible Rakell trade. With his skill and age and that contract, he's a player I want to keep. He seems very happy here despite the record, and he is producing. History shows that last year's performance was an anomaly. Plus, like it or not, you have to keep Sid happy; that's certainly part of this equation.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
No, no you don't actually. First, Sid is not going to be "happy" here until he retires because this is a losing team and will be that for years, and more than anything, I think he hates to lose. Rakell isn't changing that. Second, keeping Sid and the "core" happy at all costs is part of why they are where they are. Three, Sid is a legend beyond description but even still, the franchise has to continue beyond him so you can't worry about handicapping the team for years by making some token move to make it a hair less terrible for him in his last 2 years.Gunnerfan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 12:11 pmPlus, like it or not, you have to keep Sid happy; that's certainly part of this equation.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
Seeing Vegas has interest in Rakell as they are looking to bring in a player with term.
They don't have a good prospect pool at all and they don't have 1st round picks this year or next. No idea what they could offer. They tend to find a way to make deals happen. They don't have the LTIR game to play this year though.
They don't have a good prospect pool at all and they don't have 1st round picks this year or next. No idea what they could offer. They tend to find a way to make deals happen. They don't have the LTIR game to play this year though.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I don't buy the keep Sid happy angle.
What I perceive makes him happy.. is staying in Pittsburgh. Cool! Very cool. We are fortunate to have him, guy hardly ages compared to other NHLers and he's a phenomenon beyond measure.
What I think made him happy before, is keeping on Letang, Malkin, making a big splash for Karlsson and so on. Now the outcome of that hasn't measured up to expectations in most cases. But Dubas fave it the old try.
I kinda believe Sid likes playing with Sullivan too, although that's just vibes and speculation. Might be off with that.
Starting the season, Dubas kept a squad of (what were supposed to be) competent vets around the core. That didn't pan out either. Prospects were judged too far from the NHL to make an impact at that time (I am guessing.. else why not any of half a dozen of them on the roster)
As the wheels started to come off (atrocious goal tending and / or same defense) Dubas made trades. Eller for a couple of meh picks. Pettersson and DOC for a 1st and some random dudes. More parts are coming off the wagon now.
I'd say Dubas has every right to move players. Like Rakell, perhaps the best acquisition since we traded for Daley. Hate to see him go, but I really want some 1st round picks and some legitimately good prospects that are a sure bet to contribute.
What I perceive makes him happy.. is staying in Pittsburgh. Cool! Very cool. We are fortunate to have him, guy hardly ages compared to other NHLers and he's a phenomenon beyond measure.
What I think made him happy before, is keeping on Letang, Malkin, making a big splash for Karlsson and so on. Now the outcome of that hasn't measured up to expectations in most cases. But Dubas fave it the old try.
I kinda believe Sid likes playing with Sullivan too, although that's just vibes and speculation. Might be off with that.
Starting the season, Dubas kept a squad of (what were supposed to be) competent vets around the core. That didn't pan out either. Prospects were judged too far from the NHL to make an impact at that time (I am guessing.. else why not any of half a dozen of them on the roster)
As the wheels started to come off (atrocious goal tending and / or same defense) Dubas made trades. Eller for a couple of meh picks. Pettersson and DOC for a 1st and some random dudes. More parts are coming off the wagon now.
I'd say Dubas has every right to move players. Like Rakell, perhaps the best acquisition since we traded for Daley. Hate to see him go, but I really want some 1st round picks and some legitimately good prospects that are a sure bet to contribute.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
That’s certainly an opinion…FLPensFan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 12:46 pmSid knew what he was signing up for. Sid was "kept happy" by re-signing Malkin and Letang. Rakell could have a similar year next year...what does that actually do for the team as a whole? His best value is being traded for a good return that propels this team to getting more younger, skilled players in their organization.Gunnerfan wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 12:11 pmI've turned heel here on a possible Rakell trade. With his skill and age and that contract, he's a player I want to keep. He seems very happy here despite the record, and he is producing. History shows that last year's performance was an anomaly. Plus, like it or not, you have to keep Sid happy; that's certainly part of this equation.
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Re: Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?
I'd definitely trade Rakell if there's a good offer, but I also see the argument for keeping him. As a fan, I'm interested in seeing Crosby keep climbing the all-time scoring ladder, and that's going to be harder for him playing with Rust and Rico Fata 2.0. And it's not like having Rakell on the team will prevent the Pens from tanking, as this season shows.
Of course, maybe they can draft an NHL-ready, high-end guy that can play with Crosby (Martone?), and it won't matter if he loses Rakell as a winger.
Of course, maybe they can draft an NHL-ready, high-end guy that can play with Crosby (Martone?), and it won't matter if he loses Rakell as a winger.