Team: 2018-19 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: May 31, 2018

Published: Jun. 1, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

My ideal Pittsburgh Penguins offseason (as a fan).

-Trading Hunwick and Sheary for picks.

-Signing Thomas Vanek. The last couple seasons Vanek has signed cheap deals later in the offseason, perhaps due to a fear of regression. Thomas Vanek could be a cheaper option for a very good third line scorer. He had 56 points in 80 games for the Canucks. If he doesn't see much regression, he could provide near elite 3rd line numbers with brassard. Obviously Pens fans shouldn't expect the same production he had this year, because he would be playing third line minutes, but he may be able to provide another bottom 6 scoring option that, at times, the Pens lacked last season.

-Bring Ian Cole back. Trading Ian Cole (in my opinion) was a major blow to the Pens defensive depth. Bringing him back provides the Pens with a reliable defensive force, along with the offensive prowess to make crisp passes on the breakout, something Hunwick was never capable of.

-Most importantly:
DON'T TRADE THE MAJOR PIECES!
PHIL KESSEL IS COMING OFF AN 89 POINT REGULAR SEASON!!! DON'T TRADE HIM BECAUSE OF A LACKLUSTER PLAYOFF THAT HE WAS QUITE OBVIOUSLY HURT FOR!
Don't trade Letang! He was pretty lackluster this season, I get it, but why would you sell when his value is at its lowest? Put trust in Tanger to bounce back after a long offseason. He's only a year removed from back surgery, give him one season to figure it out.

Overall, I think this is the best action plan for the Pens. This team could easily have won last season if not for Kessel and Brassard being (probably) hurt in the playoffs.

Let's go Pens!

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