Pens 19-20 Final Trades

Team: 2019-20 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 5, 2019

Published: Jul. 5, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Not expected for if any of these trades to happen (nor for all of them to happen all at the same time) but these are more ideas as to what the pens can do.

Idea Behind Trades:

Again, it was speculated that ANA/LA/MTL were all looking for a player like JJ, but given that the Pens already tried and "ALMOST" traded him to the Wild with the vetoed Phil Kessel trade, it may be something that GMJR will want to revisit. Trading both JJ and Nick Bjugstad for Rask, a serviceable (and overpaid) forth liner and adding the fifth round pick is essentially for JJ feels like a justified trade.

Even after the Johanson signing is that BUF is still looking for a Top 6 forward and are shopping Ristolainen to get that player. Now, Hornqvist isn't the same player as he once was, but he is tenacious and difficult to play against when he is at his best and can slot really nicely next to Eichel, but the bonus would come in adding Simon who will most likely command a raise when his contract expires and it is one that the Pens may not be able to give out, so instead of losing him for nothing, he ends up being the sweetener on this trade. (Also in my mind, Simon will and should be a Top 6 forward if given the opportunity)

Which leads to our last trade since now, the Pens have a glut of RHD and after trading JJ to the Wild, it will be almost impossible to move the EG contract, but there are other ways to work around it. It was rumoured that the Jets and Sabers were talking in swapping a RHD (Ristolainen) for a Top 6 forward, but I feel the Pens can give out a better deal IF they can grab Risto first. Trading away Shultz, a pending UFA may be risky for the Jets, but they also need immediate help and if it doesn't work out, they also can look elsewhere during next year to see who they can bring in at a cheaper price. The player going to the Pens is most likely a far and beyond stretch, but I like Little's game and I think he would fit in nicely as the teams third-line centre alongside his former teammate and Rusty.

Note: I am not a big fan of ZAR and I feel he is expendable, once signed or if the Pens provide his rights to a team willing to sign him, I think he could easily be packaged in any of these trades.

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