Quoting: pharrow
I don't think they are too high on Calvert. He's a hot head. After that playoff game I don't think you will ever see him in a Pens uniform. Nor do I think he would ever want to play for the Pens. I don't think he has much respect for the Pens organization.
JVR would cost about 6 mil. But if you can dump Hagelin, you are only looking at 2 mil more. I think it's worth the extra two mil. You can find that 2 mil in trading Sheary. You count on the top 2 lines to carry you with a strong 3rd line. I mean really if I'm building a hockey team from scratch, I only invest on the top 3 lines. You know a player can play 20 minutes + a game. Come the playoffs you don't really need 4 lines. You could roll 3 and use the 4th very sparingly. The only problem being injury. But if your stars get injured you are probably done for anyway. But your top 3 on the left would be Jake, JVR and ZAR. I take that. On the right you got Kessel, Horny, and Sprong. You also have Rust to move around up there if needed. 4th line of Rust, Riley, and pick your poison. I think that is the best possible team they can field next year. Mainly because JVR brings not only scoring but size and physical play.
I agree on Tom K. I don't see him back. Simon I don't know what to make of him. He's only 23, but he's been bouncing back and forth for 3 years now. This year he showed a knack for the puck. But really who knows. You can't have a winning team without cheap talent some where, and that is usually the 4th line. You need those under 1 mil guys to pull minutes somewhere.
The thing about Hunwick is you can move him, but don't expect a return. It only cost a team 1 mil to bury him in the minors. Knowing that, I think that makes him a movable piece. My guess is he finds a new home next year. He could be a guy who does a Niemi next year. Bouncing from team to team as needed due to injury, until he finds a fit. Mainly because it doesn't cost a lot to hold onto him especially if you know you can move him if needed. Someone can take a chance on him, and then if it doesn't work they can send him to a team with injury knowing it's only a mil cap hit (less depending on how long he's been on another team) when they bury him. That's not bad for a team in injury need. He played out of position last year on right side. So that may attract people to him knowing he needs to play on the left.
They do need a RH defense though. But I think they can find that they are gonna have to cough up 2+ mil for it though. I was kicking myself last year when they didn't sign Roman Polak. I think he'd be a great 3rd pair signing or swing man.
I would move Matta too. He's so slow. But I have to give him credit, his stats are better than I would have thought.
I don’t disagree with any of that. I think Polak would look out of place of a defence that already includes Maatta. It really slows the back end down.
First pretty crazy deal out of Ottawa today. That is a lot less than the rumoured asks at the TDL. Given the drama I guess it’s to be suspected. Also seems to be a fair bit of smoke coming out of Pittsburgh regarding a possible Kessel trade. Let’s be clear here first, I don’t want to see him moved. But let’s say he is what’s that realistic return here? And to where. I think there is a way to win a Kessel trade, but easier said then done.
I could see Arizona being a possibility, not sure what the return would be.
I was chatting with a Buffalo fan regarding a Maatta, Sheary and Hunwick trade for BOGOSIAN with some retention,
MCCABE And Buffalo’s 2nd. Buffalo is apparently looking for added scoring wingers and a Left defence, 2nd pairing.
I actually don’t mind that deal. I played with Bogosian, and I think if healthy he could be a the perfect 3rd pairing Dman that could eat some minutes and move up the chart if needed. McCabe, is fast and plays all out, both could be interesting additions to the back end and looking at the draft, that 2nd round pick could be real nice. Plus it clears some needed cap space.
Both have good puck moving skills.
A defence of Dumoulin Letang, McCabe Schultz, Oleksiak Bogosian could be good. All decent skaters and fits nice in the Pens systems.
I’m warning up to the idea of Roussel, not flashy, fast, plays hard and is great on the PK. He could change the dynamic of the 4th line and would be a sure bet for 20 plus points. Pretty dynamic under rated winger that could bring a lot to the Pens bottom 6.
I’d be looking at moving on from Simon (decent skill set, I just don’t know where he plays here), Dea, Kuhnhackl (I think he hold some value for a team looking for a 4th line winger, possibly added to another deal).
The next couple weeks is going to be interesting. This is a real deep draft. Lots of good talent in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. I wouldn’t mind the Pens moving up here, even into the early 2nd round. Or picking up an additional 2nd or 3rd round pick.
The other thing to consider is the idea the Brassard is a UFA after this year. That leave a huge hole on the 3rd line. I wonder if Duchene is still a thought, pens were rumoured to be after him, UFA at the same time Brassard is, he fits the system well, friends with Sid and he can PK. Just something that crossed my mind the last few weeks, and I don’t see him staying in Ottawa.
Speaking of Ottawa first round pick this year or next... hard decision there.... Colorado is in a good spot.
I actually thought that Domi was going to be in a Pens uniform to start the season. Numerous rumours had the pens linked to him.