Quoting: Pensfan89
Absolutely no to the trade. The pens can get at least a 2nd for Maatta. Just cause he is a pens fans whipping boy doesn’t mean he lost his value. He is still a solid top 4 dman
Quoting: awesome
minimum to get Maatta is a second if its just draft picks.
Let's not be Yinzer's for a few moments and actually be smart about a Penguins thread.
Is a 4th round pick for Maatta a good return? NO. Would he fetch a 2nd or better? NO.
What GM in their right mind would give up a 2nd round pick for a 24 year old player who has had multiple shoulder injuries and illnesses and is slower than a sloth? Were you two not around this past draft deadline? Way better players were traded for less. Regardless of contract status, it's a fact.
Regardless of the positioning order of where that pick (high or low) is in the draft could make a difference however but the assumption he will undoubtedly command such has no factual basis. Unfortunately, he appears to have lost his spot when he returns from injury. We all know Johnson won't be sat or moved. Pettersson is playing too well and Johnson will not be moved to the right side in place of Gudbranson as he is also playing well. Where does that leave Maatta? It leaves him being scratched waiting for a spot to open.
Come playoff time, it provides the Penguins with the defensive depth needed for a possible long run but longterm, someone will be moved in the offseason. If some of us on here can recognize the players strengths and weaknesses, who has moved down the depth chart, become unfavorable or just aren't working out with the team, don't you think REAL NHL GMs are aware of it as well and know way more about these players than any of us? They are the ones getting paid to do this while we sit here and bicker back n forth in our free time.
Maybe Rutherford has something planned under his sleeve. Maybe that's why he saved that draft pick. Could he be planning on a big splash on draft day? Who knows? Nobody has a crystal ball. In my opinion, which is all that it is, an opinion, if Maatta is packaged with another player, prospect or pick, the return would be greater.