Quoting: kaljakori
Bad dman for a meh, but overpaid, mid-6 forward. What is GMJR doing?
Quoting: toque
Can't believe any team would be in on Gusbranson with that contract. Him and Jack Johnson as a pairing..
Quoting: ProfessorFuzzymuffins
I am now convinced that Jim Rutherford lost his mind after winning consecutive Stanley Cups.
Quoting: CFMan
Gudbranson is Badbranson. Vancouver Wins, Pearson is a good 3rd liner.
Quoting: MountRoyal514
Gudbranson was a perfect d-man for a different era : really big and really mean. Those attributes are far less useful now, he hasn't surpassed 15 points in a season. But Pitts has injuries and I guess that forced their hand. And the per-season cost is pretty much the same.
Quoting: jasondomitrovic
I think Pittsburgh wins because Tanner was doing nothing for us. Gudbranson could improve greatly with the influence of Gonchar because the skills that Serg has Gudbranson needs. This is the key element and Pittsburgh had to add a D man.
Quoting: rangersandislesfan
I think Vancouver wins the trade. Pittsburgh adds defence to help them out but I don't see it as a fair deal. I see Pearson having more value than Gudbranson.
Quoting: pharrow
They needed someone to keep teams honest. They got a guy who went toe to toe with wilson who tried to jump him and won.
People aren't looking at this trade right. The penguins won this trade. He'll help clean up some of the thuggery. They unloaded pearson which had to happen. I hope they bring in Angelo for the forward spot now.
Too worried about his defensive stats. He'll be fine. He has a lot more talent around him now.
Quoting: PrisonBull
I can't believe the Canucks got an NHL playerer in return for Guddy. He has the worst +/- in the league. Much like the Spooner/Gagner trade, the contract is a wash with the Canucks saving $250K in cap space. Big win for GMJB.
Quoting: punchmaster11
What in the name of Mike Lange is GMJR doing?!
Quoting: oilersfan089
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.
Quoting: Missouri
OH! Penguins
Horrible deal. He is a large defenseman but still. You had to trade forward help for him!
Quoting: awesome
Should have got Vancouver to retain a bit, Gudbranson is not worth 4mil a year from the looks of it, it is nice to have somebody to beat the other teams goons up but 4mil is a lot for an enforcer that Sullivan may or may not play(I.E Reaves)
Quoting: BoltsPoint21
If you think Pittsburgh in anyway won the trade... I have no idea what to say.
Quoting: gregb569
all wrong once again
Quoting: thelastlongbow
Gudbranson is also an RHD while only being 27. I don't think this is as bad a trade as they're saying.
The trade verdict at this point is:
58 - Vancouver wins
4 - Fair deal
4 - Pittsburgh wins
Gudbranson possession stats for 5on5-close: 59.2% CF, 58.3% FF
Gudbranson has led the entire Penguins in Corsi/Fenwick since the trade, without sheltered zone starts.
Crosby not getting punched is just a bonus
Pearson is scoring at 1.8 G/60, 85.9% CF, 56.1%.
Both have played 6 games. It's early, but there is a good chance of this trade working out for both teams.
Let this be a lesson to all the negative nancies who pooh-pooh any potential trade. You can't win anything if you don't take action, and there's no trophy for the person who wishes the hardest to get the lopsided trade of their dreams. A dozen opinions on a forum weigh up to diddly squat in reality.
It's so comfortable to go after UFAs, but most of them end up being anchors. A GM with guts can get a better deal in the trade market.