I like the deal as a Pens fan, but I think they keep Maatta and sign a less expensive free agent (Grabner?).

I understand wanting to keep Maatta, but then there's not a spot in the lineup for either Oleksiak or Andersson, and Ruhwedel, not to mention Riikola if he's able to make the jump. Hard to carry 8-9 NHL dmen for very long, and I figured Maatta had the most trade value. His lack of footspeed also concerns me a bit.

For the free agents, I really just went with JVR to show that a high contract value could fit. Theoretically, it could be Grabner, JVR, even Tavares at $10M would fit if he wanted to look at that.

Anderson and Rikola are both waiver exempt, so moving them up and down is easy. Maatta-Oleksiak is a solid defensive 3rd pair and both are capable of joining the rush. Ruhwedel is a perfect #7D that could fill in for a game or two.

I don't blame Maatta for all the times he gets burnt. The Penguins played pretty terrible defense all year. If the forwards back check and cover the points, you don't see it as a problem.

I do agree, but Andersson is NHL ready now and is a much better skater than Maatta. For me, it's a chance to sell high on Maatta after he had a really good year last year, but with Letang, Dumo, Schultz, and Brodie, the top 4 is full already and $4.6M is a lot for a bottom pair guy when you have other NHL ready options.

Middle ground....trade him between December and Trade Deadline when someone has a top4 get hurt and panicks ro make the playoffs

Think you only need to move him in the summer if you have a chance to go after Tavares and have to open the cap space. Otherwise in season is totally fine.

As awesome as itd be to have Tavares, I don't think it happens. I'd be happy moving Brassard to Malkins LW and having Sheahan at 3C w/ Grabner and Rust on the wings.

Yeah, I don't think it will either, but if they do clear all that cap space, GMJR could at least get himself in the conversation.