Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[thehockeyguru]

Dubas answered questions via email after the trades. The highlights of his answers (from DKSports, Kingerski, and Yohe):

--He really viewed the two moves as one...Desharnais, Bunting and the 4th for Schenn, Novak, and a 5th

--Said Novak had been on the priority list for a few years. He's younger than Bunting, he's cheaper than Bunting, he has an extra year of term than Bunting had, and they feel he is primarily a center, which they need more depth at that position.

--Was asked if the intent is to flip Schenn....Nope. He said they feel Schenn's "defensive play, character, leadership, toughness, and spirit are what we need here to help push our program through this phase and preserve our culture and standards as we work to return to contention." Dubas also has a long history with Schenn from his time in Toronto.

--Was asked why Bunting didn't fit. Said he wouldn't say he didn't fit, talked about him coming in at a tough time, transitioning from playoff team that went all in every year. Said he started off slow this year, but in the end, he was key in Nashville wanting to do this deal. Mentioned his long relationship with him (from Toronto).

--Didn't tip his hand on anything else but said they are positioned well for the next few days, and into the draft and the summer.

Novak is drawing rave reviews. NHL Network guys said they aren't sure why he hasn't taken the next step in Nashville, as they see him as a potential 50-60 point player. Saw some saying he's a #2 center on a bad or average team or an exceptional #3 center on just about any team.

The comment I didn't like by someone, don't remember who, was talking about Dubas going after younger players. 27 is not what I had in mind for going after younger players. I think of 24 and under as younger players that should be targeted.

Two more days to see how the rest unfolds.

Schenn is an upgrade over Desharnais at 3RHD but is a short term fix. Play him with Kolyachonok the rest of the season

If the plan is for Novak to play C I want Rakell moved and Malkin moved to Sid's LW. Let Novak play 2C at let him sink or swim.

[lemieuxReturns]

They probably will play Geno on Sid’s wing if Rakell is traded and see how it goes for the rest of the season. That will help Dubas figure out what he needs to do this summer in the UFA pool if Geno and Sid don’t work. At this point of rebuilding it’s about keeping Sid’s points coming.

[100565]

--Didn't tip his hand on anything else but said they are positioned well for the next few days, and into the draft and the

"positioned well". I think they were position well during summer of 2016. They are positioned well now to get high draft picks.

I get what he means, but it made be chuckle.

[Victor]

I don't understand why Nashville wants Bunting the same way why Pittsburgh wants Schenn.

If neither team makes a secondary move with these players, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

[ahawk9]

I notice that Schenn's cap hit is the same as Grzelcyk's - probably just a coincidence - so my assumption is that Grzelcyk is gone today or tomorrow, and the extra year on Schenn's deal essentially gives KD one more guy to trade at the 2026 deadline. Sure, he'll be 36 but by all accounts he's a great teammate and a good guy for depth for a playoff team. I was stupefied when I first learned of the trade but it's settled in a bit, and I don't look at it as bad at all. Schenn can stick around for a bit and mentor the young guys then bring an asset in March 2026. Assuming Grzelcyk is gone, I'm thinking it's a decent trade. Not a "wow!" one but also not horrible.

And to add, Novak's deal isn't bad, he has no NMC or trade protection, and if he plays half-decent, he is a guy who can help bridge the team for a year or two before also being dealt for something at 2026 or 2027 deadline.

[Michael74]

I think we should wait until friday after three before jumping to any conclusion beyond the obvious. Which is Novak will be part of this team and won't be flipped. Beyond that the situation is in flux. So far I'm happy with what I've seen, but bigger fish need to be fried. So, only 29 hours to go. We'll know a lot more by then, or shortly after.

[EndO FanEra]

--Didn't tip his hand on anything else but said they are positioned well for the next few days, and into the draft and the

"positioned well". I think they were position well during summer of 2016. They are positioned well now to get high draft picks.

I get what he means, but it made be chuckle.

I choose to interpret that as "don't worry, we're getting crazy good offers for Rakell & EK".

[dark_forces]

I think we should wait until friday after three before jumping to any conclusion beyond the obvious. Which is Novak will be part of this team and won't be flipped. Beyond that the situation is in flux. So far I'm happy with what I've seen, but bigger fish need to be fried. So, only 29 hours to go. We'll know a lot more by then, or shortly after.

I'm optimistic about Novak. Lack of offensive center depth behind Malkin and Crosby has been silently hurting this team for awhile. Add in the fact that Koivunen and McGroarty are wings, and it's not a bad move to bring in a younger, skilled center for players like that to potentially play with.

[Pitts]

Bunting for Novak + Schenn is already getting robbed, in my eyes.

I'll wait to roast Dubas until after the deadline.

But what if adding Schenn is a pre-cursor to moving out Karlsson or Grzelcyk? I think we all need to let the next 36 hours play out.

[Mad City Mike]

I am willing to let it play out, but I haven't been impressed with hat Dubas since he arrived, and nothing this week has changed that.

[Michael74]

I think we should wait until friday after three before jumping to any conclusion beyond the obvious. Which is Novak will be part of this team and won't be flipped. Beyond that the situation is in flux. So far I'm happy with what I've seen, but bigger fish need to be fried. So, only 29 hours to go. We'll know a lot more by then, or shortly after.

I'm optimistic about Novak. Lack of center depth behind Malkin and Crosby has been silently hurting this team for awhile. Add in the fact that Koivunen and McGroarty are wings, and it's not a bad move to bring in a younger, skilled center for players like that to potentially play with.

Jesse is pretty high on him. Now, underlying analytics isn't the be all end all in my book. But It's a helpful tool and should be factored in. But he needs to produce and the end result has to be the quality of our depth improves. Relative to what we gave up I see this as a move in the right direction. To what degree time will tell.

[KG]

Hoping to trim some more fat off the roster by tomorrow. Gryz, Beauvillier, Acciari, Hayes, Heinen. Would be good to open some more spots up in the bottom 6 for next year.

[KG]

CJ is insider Chris Johnson:

[dark_forces]

Hoping to trim some more fat off the roster by tomorrow. Gryz, Beauvillier, Acciari, Hayes, Heinen. Would be good to open some more spots up in the bottom 6 for next year.

I would lean toward keeping Heinen into next season. He's versatile, has some offensive punch, and can play with skilled players.

[Mad City Mike]

Hoping to trim some more fat off the roster by tomorrow. Gryz, Beauvillier, Acciari, Hayes, Heinen. Would be good to open some more spots up in the bottom 6 for next year.

I would lean toward keeping Heinen into next season. He's versatile, has some offensive punch, and can play with skilled players.

He has been absolutely invisible since the trade. Good riddance.

[Pens4Life]

I think we should wait until friday after three before jumping to any conclusion beyond the obvious. Which is Novak will be part of this team and won't be flipped. Beyond that the situation is in flux. So far I'm happy with what I've seen, but bigger fish need to be fried. So, only 29 hours to go. We'll know a lot more by then, or shortly after.

I'm optimistic about Novak. Lack of offensive center depth behind Malkin and Crosby has been silently hurting this team for awhile. Add in the fact that Koivunen and McGroarty are wings, and it's not a bad move to bring in a younger, skilled center for players like that to potentially play with.

I think Hayes would be solid this year as 3rd line C if Sullivan wouldnt be Sullivan.. swapping lines, linemates, etc like crazy people

Novak I expect will play with Tomasino, because I think they played together a bit in Nashville.
Malkin - Novak - Tomasino would be solid 2nd line until this season's end. I dont wanna see Glass nowhere close to top 6 role again.

[Victor]

[Victor]

[dark_forces]

CJ is insider Chris Johnson:

I think this is easy speculation. I put Schenn in the same category as Rakell—if the offer absolutely blows Dubas away, it happens, otherwise, they'll keep him.

[KG]

Ryan Reaves on waivers. Toronto is up to something.

[EndO FanEra]

Ryan Reaves on waivers. Toronto is up to something.

Something around Schenn for Robertson, perhaps?

[Victor]

[FLPensFan]

There were no Penguins on waivers today. You may find that normal, however, Boko Immama is still on the NHL roster. By not placing him on waivers today, he's going to be on the NHL roster rest of the season. He won't be eligible for AHL playoffs.

[Puck-Lurker]

There were no Penguins on waivers today. You may find that normal, however, Boko Immama is still on the NHL roster. By not placing him on waivers today, he's going to be on the NHL roster rest of the season. He won't be eligible for AHL playoffs.

The Next Nieto.

[thehockeyguru]

There were no Penguins on waivers today. You may find that normal, however, Boko Immama is still on the NHL roster. By not placing him on waivers today, he's going to be on the NHL roster rest of the season. He won't be eligible for AHL playoffs.

The Next Nieto.

I can't spell his name to me he's this years Harkins