3 of the 4 trades are great for Pittsburgh? Only Ott trade is fair.

Kessel and especially Hornqvist are on the decline.

Didn't know Phil having a 82pts season that ranks tied for 2nd in his career is a decline??? Guess you can make that argument when he had his career best year of 92pts last year ha. Horny I can see your agreement and definitely looked slower but in fairness the dude hit at least 25 posts this year. It was sickening all year.

I don't see the Pens trading to get high picks back. JR will not give up on any team that has Sid still looking in his prime, so he will be looking to add dept players with control like he always does. Maatta is a victim of being in the wrong system and a team that always leaves its D-man on an island. Maatta will bring back more than everyone expects. A young player with size and his skill set will always bring teams to the table thinking their system will get more out of him. He just needs a team that doesn't think run and gun. I don't like adding Karlsson. That doesn't make the d-core better. Johnson, Pettersson, and Gudbranson showed they can't handle the speed and the heavy forecheck that comes with playoff hockey. At least Pettersson is young and will improve. Granted its hard to make that case when almost no one protected the puck or back checked. Also look at all the teams that have won it all. You can't pay 3 guys over 8m and win. No one has done it yet. Doing so usually creates an average 3rd and 4th line and that 100% doesn't win