Minnesota Rumors

Team: 2019-20 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: May 23, 2019

Published: May 23, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Based on Josh Yohe's latest article, it sounds a lot like there is a deal in place between the two. GMJR is truly shackling the fans with this trade, because he would be getting rid of a fan favorite as well as the worst player on their team.

I am a big anti-Johnson guy, but I still don't know if I love this. They'd also be taking back Rask's contract, which has a higher AAV hit but with one less year. I used to love to watch him play in Carolina, but he has been barely getting minutes in the backend of the season.

Zucker has scored something like 75 goals in the past 3 seasons, but he won't be the same PP player Phil is. Maybe he does better playing with Sid or Geno, but I don't know if it's just a gamble at that point. The good thing would be that the team would get younger, which is obviously a need at this point.

I had to trade Rust to be cap complaint. There were other ways, but with the lineup I made I don't see him jumping and consistently staying in a top6 position. He has been a stellar player for the Pens ever since his call up in 2016, and it would suck to lose him just like it would suck to lose Kessel, but unless they can move Gudbranson I don't know who else would go. Maatta doesn't need to go if JJ is gone, so I say have him stay put and find a new bottom6 winger down the road if you need to.

Doesn't have to be Motte, I just thought he was a pretty good player and I think a lot of teams that are churning their wheelhouses of prospects/young players like Vancouver would be happy to take a run with Rust. He is still young and has proven he can play in big games and was pretty solid on the PK.

I'm going to expect a bounce back season from Hornqvist. He struggled with some droughts this year, but he looked great in Worlds and if he can stay healthy (ha) he should be able to do some good things. Hopefully he can hop back on PP1 and continue to do his dirty work.

Big Season for Jared McCann. He has so much talent to me and I can really see him shining if he plays significant time in the top6. Could be dangerous, of course, as he is due for a contract next year as well.

Murray will be fine again. He gets more hate than he deserves. He was fine in the playoffs and his regular season play did a 180 so he has earned my benefit of the doubt. Contract year for him coming up, too.

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