Official 2025 trade deadline

[Michael74]

My read on KD press conference was overall positive. I think it was evident that he had a busy day; he was mentally tired.

He said all the appropriate PR things about Rakell.

He praised EK65 but did say they will see market in summer (I think EK65 will be traded this summer, moreso now based on press conference.) KD did "slip" and say he brought EK65 for one last go and it did not work.

He made it clear that he made tough decision to rebuild and it started with Guentzel.

He wants value. He likes having picks but he indicated he might use some for trade bait. He indicated not trading their 1st round this year. He has cap space now.

He dis say the goal is to compete for cups as soon as possible but also indicated it will take time. To me, he pretty much said next year ain't gonna be good. He does seem to think maybe before Crosby is done.

..........
I think the speed of the rebuild will depend on draft lottery this year and next year.

After watching press conference, I expect EK65 to be traded this summer. Maybe others. I expect more 1 year UFA signings and possibly take on some cap dumps. I think he will try to trade for higher end NHL ready player as well.

I agree on EK65. A few others in the media seem pretty confident he'll be moved this summer as well.

On the "goal to compete," sorry to say I think he's lying to himself or just spewing the company line. I don't see Dubas acquiring the right types of players to speed the "quick rebuild" along at the pace he discusses...basically meaning rebuilding and still being competitive while any of the core are still here. Why do I say that? Look at these numbers....

3(1), 9(4), 37(2), 49(7)

What are they? They are the number of draft choices that have played in the NHL since their draft year from the past 3 years.
--2024, 3 players from the recent draft have played NHL games. Only 1, Macklin Celebrini, has played the full season
--2023, 9 players from this draft have played NHL games. Only 4 have played all/most games this season & last season (Carlsson, Benson, Bedard, Fantilli)
--2022, 37 players from this draft have played NHL games. Only 2 have played all/most games in the 22-23, 23-24 and 24-25 season (Cooley, Slafkovsky)

So over the last 3 draft years, only 49 players have played in NHL games, and only 7 of them have played 80% or more of NHL games from their draft year on. Of those 7 players, Zach Benson at 13th overall is the highest drafted player. Everyone else was lottery, top 7 pick. BTW, 655 players were drafted over the last 3 drafts. Only 7% have played an NHL game, and only 1% have played 80% or more NHL games since their draft year.

Dubas is going to need probably 3 top 6 forwards under age 24, and 2 top pairing d-men under age 24 to truly get this team where it needs to be. We don't have a legit top 6 forward in our pool. McGroarty and Koivunen MIGHT BE able to do well enough to count, but that is far from a guarantee. We don't have any defensemen that project to be top pairing d-men.

This is why I am overly critical of Dubas passing on trading Rakell. If he is truly going for a quick rebuild and to even only give Sid one more legit try at another Cup, he can't bypass chances to stock up on 24 and under NHL ready talent. The hope would have been to get someone like a Nemec, Clarke, Greentree, etc PLUS another 1st. Even if we get a top 5 pick this year, it is unlikely that that player suits up for NHL games on a regular basis before Sid retires.

How many top 50 drafted prospects got moved from a contender to a team out of the playoff race. I think the answers is zero, and that's why Rakell is still a Penguin. Teams don't give up that kind of asset at the trade deadline.

I honestly don't think that's the reason. We undoubtedly could have gotten a quality package, particularly if you look at what we got for cast offs. I think KD got too finicky as to what the assets were. I heard from a couple ppl I know, who know, that we could have gotten Brandt Clarke. Or so they thought, but the brain trust wasn't overly high on him so they passed. Likely a draft pick for us as well as a camp dump were involved.

I'm not sure how good he is, I know some were questioning as to if he was more a PP specialist but...

[Victor]

Interesting to see how a trade call is made at NHL offices. Seems like an outdated approach to be honest.

I mean, it's the NHL, can't expect too much

Do teams still need to fax paperwork to NHL HQ?

[FLPensFan]

My read on KD press conference was overall positive. I think it was evident that he had a busy day; he was mentally tired.

He said all the appropriate PR things about Rakell.

He praised EK65 but did say they will see market in summer (I think EK65 will be traded this summer, moreso now based on press conference.) KD did "slip" and say he brought EK65 for one last go and it did not work.

He made it clear that he made tough decision to rebuild and it started with Guentzel.

He wants value. He likes having picks but he indicated he might use some for trade bait. He indicated not trading their 1st round this year. He has cap space now.

He dis say the goal is to compete for cups as soon as possible but also indicated it will take time. To me, he pretty much said next year ain't gonna be good. He does seem to think maybe before Crosby is done.

..........
I think the speed of the rebuild will depend on draft lottery this year and next year.

After watching press conference, I expect EK65 to be traded this summer. Maybe others. I expect more 1 year UFA signings and possibly take on some cap dumps. I think he will try to trade for higher end NHL ready player as well.

I agree on EK65. A few others in the media seem pretty confident he'll be moved this summer as well.

On the "goal to compete," sorry to say I think he's lying to himself or just spewing the company line. I don't see Dubas acquiring the right types of players to speed the "quick rebuild" along at the pace he discusses...basically meaning rebuilding and still being competitive while any of the core are still here. Why do I say that? Look at these numbers....

3(1), 9(4), 37(2), 49(7)

What are they? They are the number of draft choices that have played in the NHL since their draft year from the past 3 years.
--2024, 3 players from the recent draft have played NHL games. Only 1, Macklin Celebrini, has played the full season
--2023, 9 players from this draft have played NHL games. Only 4 have played all/most games this season & last season (Carlsson, Benson, Bedard, Fantilli)
--2022, 37 players from this draft have played NHL games. Only 2 have played all/most games in the 22-23, 23-24 and 24-25 season (Cooley, Slafkovsky)

So over the last 3 draft years, only 49 players have played in NHL games, and only 7 of them have played 80% or more of NHL games from their draft year on. Of those 7 players, Zach Benson at 13th overall is the highest drafted player. Everyone else was lottery, top 7 pick. BTW, 655 players were drafted over the last 3 drafts. Only 7% have played an NHL game, and only 1% have played 80% or more NHL games since their draft year.

Dubas is going to need probably 3 top 6 forwards under age 24, and 2 top pairing d-men under age 24 to truly get this team where it needs to be. We don't have a legit top 6 forward in our pool. McGroarty and Koivunen MIGHT BE able to do well enough to count, but that is far from a guarantee. We don't have any defensemen that project to be top pairing d-men.

This is why I am overly critical of Dubas passing on trading Rakell. If he is truly going for a quick rebuild and to even only give Sid one more legit try at another Cup, he can't bypass chances to stock up on 24 and under NHL ready talent. The hope would have been to get someone like a Nemec, Clarke, Greentree, etc PLUS another 1st. Even if we get a top 5 pick this year, it is unlikely that that player suits up for NHL games on a regular basis before Sid retires.

How many top 50 drafted prospects got moved from a contender to a team out of the playoff race. I think the answers is zero, and that's why Rakell is still a Penguin. Teams don't give up that kind of asset at the trade deadline.

By the Athletic, Calum Ritchie is considered the 21st best prospect under team control. Colorado traded him, at this deadline, for Brock Nelson...who was a rental. So the answer is not zero.

He's a little higher on the list, but last year Vegas traded David Edstrom (ranked 71st) in the trade to acquire Tomas Hertl.

That's why it wasn't outlandish to think Rakell could have obtained something similar. Ritchie was Colorado's top prospect. Nelson is older and was a UFA, but he was a center. For his level of production, that made him the top target. Of all other players out there (aside from Rantanen who was never thought to be in play until he moved), Rakell was considered the next best player at the deadline.

Brandt Clarke and Simon Nemec weren't just picked out of the blue as, I like those guys, they'd look great here...so I think they are attainable and Dubas should do it. Brandt Clarke is a very good young RHD, but he's been healthy scratched I believe 8 out of the last 14 games for LA. Clarke is stuck behind Doughty, 25 year old Mikey Anderson, and 24 year old Jordan Spence. In fact, Clarke was sent down to the AHL after the trade deadline. So, there was more than just "he's good, I want him" speculation there.

Nemec is in a similar position. NJ has Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and newly extended Jonathan Kovacevic down the right side. NJ actually has THREE good, NHL ready RD behind those 3 in Nemec, Casey, and Silayev. Nemec hadn't come out and asked for a trade, but kind of let it be known that he wasn't happy being stuck in the minors. So again, this wasn't a dart board throw of saying I like this guy, we should be able to get him. These were 2 playoff bound teams that needed scoring help and had a surplus of young RHD.

[Pruezy11881]

My read on KD press conference was overall positive. I think it was evident that he had a busy day; he was mentally tired.

He said all the appropriate PR things about Rakell.

He praised EK65 but did say they will see market in summer (I think EK65 will be traded this summer, moreso now based on press conference.) KD did "slip" and say he brought EK65 for one last go and it did not work.

He made it clear that he made tough decision to rebuild and it started with Guentzel.

He wants value. He likes having picks but he indicated he might use some for trade bait. He indicated not trading their 1st round this year. He has cap space now.

He dis say the goal is to compete for cups as soon as possible but also indicated it will take time. To me, he pretty much said next year ain't gonna be good. He does seem to think maybe before Crosby is done.

..........
I think the speed of the rebuild will depend on draft lottery this year and next year.

After watching press conference, I expect EK65 to be traded this summer. Maybe others. I expect more 1 year UFA signings and possibly take on some cap dumps. I think he will try to trade for higher end NHL ready player as well.

I agree on EK65. A few others in the media seem pretty confident he'll be moved this summer as well.

On the "goal to compete," sorry to say I think he's lying to himself or just spewing the company line. I don't see Dubas acquiring the right types of players to speed the "quick rebuild" along at the pace he discusses...basically meaning rebuilding and still being competitive while any of the core are still here. Why do I say that? Look at these numbers....

3(1), 9(4), 37(2), 49(7)

What are they? They are the number of draft choices that have played in the NHL since their draft year from the past 3 years.
--2024, 3 players from the recent draft have played NHL games. Only 1, Macklin Celebrini, has played the full season
--2023, 9 players from this draft have played NHL games. Only 4 have played all/most games this season & last season (Carlsson, Benson, Bedard, Fantilli)
--2022, 37 players from this draft have played NHL games. Only 2 have played all/most games in the 22-23, 23-24 and 24-25 season (Cooley, Slafkovsky)

So over the last 3 draft years, only 49 players have played in NHL games, and only 7 of them have played 80% or more of NHL games from their draft year on. Of those 7 players, Zach Benson at 13th overall is the highest drafted player. Everyone else was lottery, top 7 pick. BTW, 655 players were drafted over the last 3 drafts. Only 7% have played an NHL game, and only 1% have played 80% or more NHL games since their draft year.

Dubas is going to need probably 3 top 6 forwards under age 24, and 2 top pairing d-men under age 24 to truly get this team where it needs to be. We don't have a legit top 6 forward in our pool. McGroarty and Koivunen MIGHT BE able to do well enough to count, but that is far from a guarantee. We don't have any defensemen that project to be top pairing d-men.

This is why I am overly critical of Dubas passing on trading Rakell. If he is truly going for a quick rebuild and to even only give Sid one more legit try at another Cup, he can't bypass chances to stock up on 24 and under NHL ready talent. The hope would have been to get someone like a Nemec, Clarke, Greentree, etc PLUS another 1st. Even if we get a top 5 pick this year, it is unlikely that that player suits up for NHL games on a regular basis before Sid retires.

How many top 50 drafted prospects got moved from a contender to a team out of the playoff race. I think the answers is zero, and that's why Rakell is still a Penguin. Teams don't give up that kind of asset at the trade deadline.

By the Athletic, Calum Ritchie is considered the 21st best prospect under team control. Colorado traded him, at this deadline, for Brock Nelson...who was a rental. So the answer is not zero.

He's a little higher on the list, but last year Vegas traded David Edstrom (ranked 71st) in the trade to acquire Tomas Hertl.

That's why it wasn't outlandish to think Rakell could have obtained something similar. Ritchie was Colorado's top prospect. Nelson is older and was a UFA, but he was a center. For his level of production, that made him the top target. Of all other players out there (aside from Rantanen who was never thought to be in play until he moved), Rakell was considered the next best player at the deadline.

Brandt Clarke and Simon Nemec weren't just picked out of the blue as, I like those guys, they'd look great here...so I think they are attainable and Dubas should do it. Brandt Clarke is a very good young RHD, but he's been healthy scratched I believe 8 out of the last 14 games for LA. Clarke is stuck behind Doughty, 25 year old Mikey Anderson, and 24 year old Jordan Spence. In fact, Clarke was sent down to the AHL after the trade deadline. So, there was more than just "he's good, I want him" speculation there.

Nemec is in a similar position. NJ has Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and newly extended Jonathan Kovacevic down the right side. NJ actually has THREE good, NHL ready RD behind those 3 in Nemec, Casey, and Silayev. Nemec hadn't come out and asked for a trade, but kind of let it be known that he wasn't happy being stuck in the minors. So again, this wasn't a dart board throw of saying I like this guy, we should be able to get him. These were 2 playoff bound teams that needed scoring help and had a surplus of young RHD.

For NJ, probably a good thing they didn't trade him. Hamilton got hurt and may be out extended time so they may have regretted it

[thehockeyguru]

Yeah I'm hoping that we can make a deal with the Kings or Devils at the draft.

I don't really see a need for Dubas to be a player in Free Agency

My hope is that McGroarty and Koivunen both an NHL impact next season and to do that we have to move a Rakell or Rust

[DelPen]

Yeah I'm hoping that we can make a deal with the Kings or Devils at the draft.

I don't really see a need for Dubas to be a player in Free Agency

My hope is that McGroarty and Koivunen both an NHL impact next season and to do that we have to move a Rakell or Rust

I can still see EK or even Rakell, and possibly both, to the Wild since they have a ton of cap space opening up next year. And do it at the draft by also including Fleury so he retires as a Penguin.

[KG]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

[FLPensFan]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

[pekkasteele]

Maybe the prices was so high now at the deadline that no team felt they could trad for the top F available now? Because that would harm the team going in to the playoffs?

But come draft day, when the season is over, they might be able to do a trade. Maybe there already are on at the table, some GM said, "Ok, I want Rakell, but I can give you this package after the season is over" Maybe Toronto or NJ and our part in that 3-way trade was a start for that?

[Tico Rick]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Dubas will certainlly have the cap space to make this happen. Do it, KD!

[KG]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Would be great. We need to address the goaltending situation too. Not sure what the plan is there.

[Wyopen]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Not to put a damper on things, but what if this type contract ends up being an albatross like EK65? Who knows how he’s going to play in Pitt. That’s a long time for a lot of salary.

[FLPensFan]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Not to put a damper on things, but what if this type contract ends up being an albatross like EK65? Who knows how he’s going to play in Pitt. That’s a long time for a lot of salary.

At his age and what he has done to date in Toronto, if for some reason he didn't fit in Pittsburgh, I don't think the Penguins would have much problem flipping him somewhere else.

[SteelCityFan]

What is the board going to say when the Draft passes and we still have Rakell and Karlsson on our team? Is it a good thing, or have we missed a massive opportunity to add young talent to our roster? No matter what Dumbass does, there is a faction on this board that thinks he can do no wrong. There will always be excuses for Dumbass just like there was for Hextall. Not saying that the naysayers know more than NHL GM’s, but some things are so obvious they can’t be ignored. And the results of the last several years prove that.

[Daniel]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Would be great. We need to address the goaltending situation too. Not sure what the plan is there.

I think between Murasov and Blomqvist one of them will fill the franchise goalie need. Probably Murasov since he's 20.

[SteelCityFan]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Would be great. We need to address the goaltending situation too. Not sure what the plan is there.

I think between Murasov and Blomqvist one of them will fill the franchise goalie need. Probably Murasov since he's 20.

Murasov has looked really good.
7-0 - 2.13 gaa, .931 save%
Larsson has also looked good.
10 - 5 - 2.35 gaa, .926 save %

Future is bright in Pittsburgh for goalies.

[Daniel]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Would be great. We need to address the goaltending situation too. Not sure what the plan is there.

I think between Murasov and Blomqvist one of them will fill the franchise goalie need. Probably Murasov since he's 20.

Murasov has looked really good. Larsson has also looked good. Future is bright in Pittsburgh for goalies.

Taylor Gauthier in Wheeling is only 24 and played pretty well at WBS too and is only in the ECHL because of the tremendous depth. This franchise probably has 6 legit NHL goalies under 30 (including Jarry and Ned).

[Daniel]

What is the board going to say when the Draft passes and we still have Rakell and Karlsson on our team? Is it a good thing, or have we missed a massive opportunity to add young talent to our roster? No matter what Dumbass does, there is a faction on this board that thinks he can do no wrong. There will always be excuses for Dumbass just like there was for Hextall. Not saying that the naysayers know more than NHL GM’s, but some things are so obvious they can’t be ignored. And the results of the last several years prove that.

I'm really no fan of KD, think he's over rated and some good, some bad, but the draft isn't really the end of the story in my opinion. I think the goal for both is to load up on 19-24 year old kids so once free agency weeds out the teams still in need of W and D it'll open up the trade market.

Surprised Rakell didn't go, but no need to get draft picks and that's likely what the market was. Karlsson's contract makes a trade incredibly complicated so offseason is necessary for his trade.

[SteelCityFan]

What is the board going to say when the Draft passes and we still have Rakell and Karlsson on our team? Is it a good thing, or have we missed a massive opportunity to add young talent to our roster? No matter what Dumbass does, there is a faction on this board that thinks he can do no wrong. There will always be excuses for Dumbass just like there was for Hextall. Not saying that the naysayers know more than NHL GM’s, but some things are so obvious they can’t be ignored. And the results of the last several years prove that.

I'm really no fan of KD, think he's over rated and some good, some bad, but the draft isn't really the end of the story in my opinion. I think the goal for both is to load up on 19-24 year old kids so once free agency weeds out the teams still in need of W and D it'll open up the trade market.

Surprised Rakell didn't go, but no need to get draft picks and that's likely what the market was. Karlsson's contract makes a trade incredibly complicated so offseason is necessary for his trade.

Agreed, the trade deadline and the draft aren’t necessarily the end of the story, but given Dumbasses history nothing is going to change. I’m starting to get the same sinking feeling with the Pens that I have with the Steelers and the Pirates. They genuinely don’t care about winning they're more concerned about public optics and turning a profit.

[Daniel]

What is the board going to say when the Draft passes and we still have Rakell and Karlsson on our team? Is it a good thing, or have we missed a massive opportunity to add young talent to our roster? No matter what Dumbass does, there is a faction on this board that thinks he can do no wrong. There will always be excuses for Dumbass just like there was for Hextall. Not saying that the naysayers know more than NHL GM’s, but some things are so obvious they can’t be ignored. And the results of the last several years prove that.

I'm really no fan of KD, think he's over rated and some good, some bad, but the draft isn't really the end of the story in my opinion. I think the goal for both is to load up on 19-24 year old kids so once free agency weeds out the teams still in need of W and D it'll open up the trade market.

Surprised Rakell didn't go, but no need to get draft picks and that's likely what the market was. Karlsson's contract makes a trade incredibly complicated so offseason is necessary for his trade.

Agreed, the trade deadline and the draft aren’t necessarily the end of the story, but given Dumbasses history nothing is going to change. I’m starting to get the same sinking feeling with the Pens that I have with the Steelers and the Pirates. They genuinely don’t care about winning they're more concerned about public optics and turning a profit.

The Steelers and Penguins biggest problems are ownership and head coach. They've both gotten it into their heads that they can't fire a coach "because we don't do that" and are stuck with head coaches that have let the game pass them by. Both are good coaches, but they're both Andy Reid during his last years in Philadelphia. The game passed him by, he got fired, reinvented himself (more updated but still), went to KC and the rest is history. Mahomes wasn't rated to anywhere near as good as he became and I think the offense was tailor made for him and he found success. Do either of the Mediocre Mike's in Pittsburgh adjust the game to the talent?

[Pens4Life]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

Would be great. We need to address the goaltending situation too. Not sure what the plan is there.

I think between Murasov and Blomqvist one of them will fill the franchise goalie need. Probably Murasov since he's 20.

Murasov has looked really good.
7-0 - 2.13 gaa, .931 save%
Larsson has also looked good.
10 - 5 - 2.35 gaa, .926 save %

Future is bright in Pittsburgh for goalies.

We need to trade away Jarry with some retention or Ned in summer, get Larsson in NHL. Murashov must be no.1 in AHL.

At the moment I think Larsson should be our no.1 goalie for next 2 seasons, then slowly Murashov takes over more and more. Blomquist will be that backup level guy I think..

[Pens4Life]

Freidman reporting that the Leafs asked Marner to waive his NTC to get traded to Carolina for Rantanen. He declined. Guess he'll be gone this summer. Dubas guy.

Imagine adding Marner for 7 years, 15M AAV, NMC for 2 years, 8-team NTC for 2 more, then no trade protection. That would be a big jolt towards getting into the playoffs. There would still need to be work on the defense, like trading EK65 and adding a better LD, but....this would be an interesting concept.

Keep drafting and piling up picks for the future, while adding Marner, McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke, and some other UFA/RFA types.

Hmmmmmm.

For god sake NOO! 15M AAV 12M tops..

But yeah, Koivunen, McGroarty, Broz, Ponomarev, A.Hayes, Pickering, Brunicke all should get extended looks in camp and preseason with the team. Dont know when is Chase Pietila available for pro hockey, he is older draft pick, who could slot soon (2026-27) on 3rd pair with his defensive maturity and a bit more physical game.

I'm kinda surprised Sullivan didnt call up Katchouk as he prefers older guys (even tho he is still just 26) from WBS as he is having a pretty good season. He would be much better option for 4th line LW regular 10min than Imama for 4-5min lol..

Defense wise we have some younger options for blueline now under 27 years for future :

LHD - Pickering, Kolyachonok, Kral, Pieniniemi, M.Lindgren,
RHD - Brunicke, Timmins, Pietila, Harding, St.Ivany, Vaisanen

And few draft picks, for next 3-4years to rebuild new core of D

[BigMcK]

Based on this trade deadline, one thing is clear in that Ownership (oh yeah, those guys with the Corporate checkbook), are not going to support any plan to play kids over adults to move this franchise forward. They own the Penguins for profit, not for what the fans want. Jan Hrdina is the best player they can afford to sell Corporate boxes in a barn they pay for their team to play in??? Think again.

FSG have deep, deeper, deepest pockets to field *A* team, not some crazy plan four years away that might bare fruit of a first line player.

They will sell at some point, and Penguins fans will be tucked by Corporate owners who churned and burned a storied franchise.

I will preserve the VHS tapes for my viewing pleasure of a starving franchise trying to fund the expenses of a team of honest players.

[TexasPenguins]

Maybe the prices was so high now at the deadline that no team felt they could trad for the top F available now? Because that would harm the team going in to the playoffs?

But come draft day, when the season is over, they might be able to do a trade. Maybe there already are on at the table, some GM said, "Ok, I want Rakell, but I can give you this package after the season is over" Maybe Toronto or NJ and our part in that 3-way trade was a start for that?

I don’t understand the need to try to put a positive spin on KD screwing up. He should have traded Rakell at the deadline period!
He’s not going to get a better deal in the summer than he would have at the deadline. And if he would have traded Rakell and Grzelcyk at the deadline he would have improved our chances to have a top 3 or 4 1st round pick. Which is actually pretty important to the Pens.

[john66]

I don't have a problem keeping Rakell. Here's why.

Friday I was on I-95 for about 1000 miles so I had the Sirius NHL channel on until the deadline passed. Obviously, the drama playing out was Rantanen.
When it was all said & done, the analysis was it a great contract for Dallas. With the cap going up, you have a 40 goal scorer getting 10% of your cap in a couple years. Smart cap management. If you use the same logic with Rakell, a 25-30 goal scorer getting 4.5% of your cap is a bargain and a half. And there's no guarantee whatever you swapped him for works out. Just something to consider.