Disclamer-i'm not an NHL GM and neither are you.
opinions are like armpits. everyone has a couple, and they both stink. -M. Horner
Ok first my thoughts on the "Matheson/Sceviour for Hornqvist deal".
It's downright confusing on so many levels. Although I doubted he'd waive his NTC, I have wanted to move on and get younger and faster. I did not think for a second we'd have to take on what is right now a WORSE contract--an absolute albatross and gong show of a contract. Exhibit A of how Florida (not Tampa) had been just awfully mismanaged as an organization. No I'm not already a Mike Matheson basher, I will watch him play before I form an opinion. There are some that say Matheson was used poorly and is better than the results and I sincerely hope that's true. it's hard for a defence man to look good on a team that almost no one looks good on (except Barkov and Huberdeau and Hornqvist just had to put him in there...miss you horny72!). I don't know whether of not Sceviour was included in the original trade (was there 2 IDK?) so he strikes me as a throw in. (see Rodrigues, Evan--both times) I would not be surprised to see Sceviour thrown in to a bigger deal to move his small but existent cap hit.
Situation 1-Matheson plays #3RD
STOP-this is a nightmare. a JJ-Matheson pairing might have the potential to be worse than JJ-Schultz--which was awful! This is highly unlikely in my book and worst case scenario for sure.
Situation 2-matheson plays #2LHD
This one might be even dumber. if they think he is a " Top-4 D who can play both sides and clear bodies...blah blah blah..that sounds familiar. See JJ!!! on second thought don't, you'll have nightmares. GMJR said a firm "NO" to trading Dumo or Petey which he should. Either he is pulling a Kessel and saying one thing and doing another or he is being realistic and realizing he has a chance to have a GOOD D core for the first time in a bit...
Situation 3-[THE RIGHT DECISION] Matheson plays #3LHD
the only positive that SHOULD come from this trade immediately is JJ no longer has a spot in the top-6. sully loves the righty lefty thing unless it's chad Ruhwedel playing his off side...if it's Ruhwedel or JJ on the right side I think its Ruhwedel. I think GMJR will get a #6/7 RHD type and trade JJ. there's no room for him. we have 6 LHD right now...with Vellucci on the bench he will be beating the drum for PO Joseph. with Riikola's 2 year contract they will probably try I think to sneak him through waivers to the AHL. Dumoulin-Letang, Pettersson-Marino, Matheson-____?____, and Riikola-Ruhwedel + Joseph-Maniscalso is a pretty good top-10 of D. maniscalso, Ruhwedel and maybe a minor FA I can see fighting for the #3RHD spot.
What do the Pens do next?
1-First the Murray deal and fallout from that. I think he'll probably go to one of: COL, CGY, BUF, OTT, TOR, or MIN. IDK which is the most likely. Because they have some decent pieces, cap space and a young core, I like COL as a trading partner. yes, I know COL has two goalies and didn't lose because of them. I get it. now speaking in theoretical, IDK if COL would want PIT to take back a goalie or not...if so I'd prefer francouz but COL would probably say Grubauer. GMJR is supposedly asking a 1st plus. COL has a plethora of young D men in Byram, Makar, Timmins, etc. Timmins was a 2nd round pick in 2017. Jost is listed at C but doesn't play there much I don't think and can't win a face-off to save his life meaning he'll fit in with McCann and Bleuger...although he's worse than they are. I'd prefer if McCann was the #3LW and we got a different #3C but I think PIT views McCann as their #3C.
2-another disclaimer: IDK what Anderson's value is! don't kill me CBJ fans! he has had some major injury probs and supposedly wants out so the price should drop a little. I put a college FA D man with some actual upside in Lee + a 3rd round pick that fell to us in Legare. he has a wicked shot and put up 40 G in the QMJHL. I like him but he's slow and won't be in the NHL for 2-3 years--too late to help us WIN NOW. I'd give more for Anderson I think because I think he can rebound, but I put this as a starting point.
3-DUMP JJ RIGHT NOW!!!!!
by the Bjugstad trade I realized because of teams internal budgets + flat cap teams won't be as willing to take on salary. to take JJ, OTT receives (in this strictly hypothetical deal) : Bjorkvist (2nd), Lindgren (4th), and a 3rd. is a 2nd/3rd/4th enough? I have no idea. I'd give more like another mid round pick and a B prospect...
4-How does the team stack up now? + random thoughts
-GMJR said they wanted to get younger and faster. mission sort of accomplished...Poulin and Joseph will be given a shot in training camp but I think both will start the season at lower levels.
-Simon/ZAR are both injured and I wonder if both are even back next year. I'd keep both of them $$ permitting.
-PP1 setup: I wonder if we've seen the end of the PIT net front presence. I know I don't want guentzel getting beat up and crosschecked in the neck and hit with Geno slappers while trying to deflect pieces of rubber coming at you that could easily deflect up into your face. remember Crosby, marino, werenski, etc... Maybe PIT moves the net front guy into the slot and relies on quick passing, getting the goalie moving side to side, and maybe an occasional high tip. as long as they SHOOT THE PUCK and DON'T MAKE US LOSE MOMENTUM I don't care if they are only 20%. and please no regression into dumb passes and SH goals against (looking at you Geno.) [Sid down low as a puck distributor making the goalie look back constantly (Hey Sid, how 'bout a 'Svech'? JK), Geno at the right half wall blasting slappers top corner, Letang up top with some slap passes down low for Sid deflections, Rusty on the left half wall sniping (NOT A LH SHOT! PLEASE RIERDEN DON'T BE LIKE RECCHI!!!), and finally Guentzel doing what he does best in the slot (get open, let Sid find you, shoot puck, score goal, rinse and repeat, 40 goals, boom!) -and an occasional high tip for good measure.
-the PP2 has some decent weapons on it with the potential to keep a net front guy if Anderson can do it...going around the horn: Zucker down to do a Sid-lite job, McCann to shoot the puck as hard as he can (breakout time), Matheson to give him opportunity to succeed, and kapanen because he's a RH shot and hopefully can hit the net every once in a while.
-PK units...alot of PK options for sure. ZAR (when healthy), Tanev (hit TURBO BOOST!), bleuger (How about a Selke vote for a DEFENSIVE AWARD? IT"S not supposed to be a good defence combined with decent offences award!) Sceviour (takes the face-offs on the PK which is good. PKing one of his strengths), Kapanen (Good PKer with loads of speed. anyone else want to see a goaline to blue line Kapanen VS Tanev VS Rust race??? (hello key bank challenge!) LET'S GOOO!
-I'd like a veteran backup goalie in case of injury, even if he's not great. I'm just not 100% comfortable with Jarry/DeSmith and no one as a decent #3--unless Larmi can do better than the ECHL...
-I hope the college kids and prospects are given every chance to make the team. I'd love to see them push for a spot.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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