Joined: Jun. 2018
Posts: 88
Likes: 30
Wow, another weird one. I guess Pitts really need a dman to fill some holes caused by injuries, but Gudbranson? I'm sure they could have traded Pearson to Edmonton for Russel, who is at least more useful and doesn't take as many penalties as Gudbranson (*_* )/`83pms`\( *_*) and a glorious -27 (but who really cares about +/- in our advanced stats age "\(~.~)/"). Don't even ask about his advanced stats. Vancouver gets another overpaid bottom 6 "vet", which I'm sure they're fine with. Speed on the back end (skating and puck movement), a youthful top 6 that is offensively potent, and a bottom 6 full of overpaid "vets" that will probably throw everything at a playoff run when it comes. But an aging roster in Pittsburgh isn't winning anytime soon utilizing Pearson in a bottom 6 role; they have enough players that can slot in there right now. I'm guessing they look at how the Islanders have been winning and realize they need more grit, strength, and size on their back end, simply to get out there against the Isles big 4th line (Martin, Clutterbuck, Cizikas); that is a mean line that isn't well contained in the East style of play.