So what's your take on it?

I think its a good hockey trade. Gives the ducks a RD and helps the Pens with cap relief. It also gives anaheim some time to let the kids play down in the AHL and grow before they have to make the jump to the NHL.

I think you add in a pick and this deal goes through. Pens have 5 picks this year, 2 of which are in the 7th. Throw in a 5th or 6th and its pretty fair value. Really like taking on those shorter contracts too. Helps the kids work their way in the line up naturally.

We save a considerable amount of money swapping Rico for Bjugstad but I think we get the lesser player. If he bounces back, sure. But I don't want Gudbranson. This was only the second time he cracked 70 games since his rookie year, he provides very little offense and he's pretty slow. I want a RHD that can skate and will stay out of the box, Gudbranson does not fit that bill.

That is my exact thought process. Probably trade Gudbranson the following year at the trade deadline.

Who would you like us to target? I think BM could turn Gudbranson into something more, maybe more picks or something at the deadline and a team needing a depth d-man. I agree with not wanting him but we do not have much depth for a RHD.

Ideally I want PK Subban but I don't think that's realistic. Leafs fans seem to eager to get rid of Zaitsev and I think he could be a good fit, as long as the price is right. Signing someone like Tyler Myers would be easiest but Murray never lands big fish in free agency and honestly we're usually better off for it. Bringing back Ben Lovejoy could be good for depth as well provided we draft a really promising d-man.

I wouldn't be totally opposed to Gudbranson is we got him for cheap but I fear he'll get exposed on this team. Every time we played him when he was with the Canucks he looked slow. If he isn't a fit he'd be another expensive-ish player we're stuck with.

I actually wouldn't mind having PK on the team for the next 3 years. Allows us to draft a d-man and groom them in the AHL. Also, I wouldn't mind Myers, my only worry is Murray loves giving these older guys a term of 5-6 years and I would only want Myers for 3-4.

What are your thoughts on the Ducks drafting a d-man instead of a forward for the 9th pick?

I'm usually a proponent of taking the best player available but I think it's imperative that we take the best d-man at 9. We really need to restock the cupboard with legit, top-4 d-men and I would think we can find one at 9. I'll be really disappointed if we take a winger.

I tried a PK trade to see what made sense https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1177003
I assumed that Nashville wants scoring help and a young D so they can shed cap but still be good now and in the future.