One More Trade

Team: 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 10, 2022

Published: Aug. 10, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I can see Hextall making one more trade to create a little more wiggle room with the cap space. In the trade, McGinn goes to Winnipeg who needs an upgrade in their bottom-six over options like Harkins and Reichel. The return is Barron who could start in the AHL since he is waivers exempt. Barron could also be an option as a call up if Poehling does not work out. Though I would not prefer McGinn to go, I would much rather the Penguins have the little extra cap space and roster flexibility.

With the top-six, I see Sullivan most likely starting with Guentzel-Crosby-Rust as the top line and then swapping Rust with Rakell based on production. I could see the same swapping with Heinen and Zucker in the middle-six.

O'Connor wins a NHL roster spot and starts with Blueger on the PK. With the McGinn trade, this gets Archibald the final forward spot but I see Poehling and Zohorna getting some time in as well depending on needs. The 2023 Trade Deadline could be used getting a stronger bottom-six forward if the internal options don't pan out.

It will be a dog fight between Ruhwedel, Friedman, Joseph and Smith for the last spot on the third pairing. I ultimately think Smith wins out and I don't think he was acquired to spend a lot of time in the AHL. Not sure what this means for Joseph, maybe a midseason trade?