Not a fan of Marcus Pettersson?

how does trading Rust and Björkqvist, bring speed to the team? Honestly Rust is one of their fastest players.

Detroit isn't trading AA! Yes Kessel is a very good player but at 31 it just isn't worth trading AA who is just starting to come in to his own and is only 24. Plus Kessel isn't waiving for Detroit who will most likely miss the playoffs next season.

Anthinasiou is a great player but you people are acting like he is a top 5 centre in the game. Kessel may be older, but he is still an elite winger who produces at a point per game rate with a cap hit of under 7 million dollars. Plus he’s got tons of playoff experience which is extremely valuable to younger teams looking to make the playoffs. In addition to that, the Red Wings are also getting Bjugstad, a solid top 4 centre with great puck protection skills and strength who is still very young. Plus they are also getting a first round pick, which to me should be more than enough to get a player of Anthinasiou’s caliber.

Yes it’s very difficult to trade Bryan Rust because his speed and physicality is invaluable to the team. However, the player I am looking to get in return is Jake Virtanen, someone who isn’t as proven but has a higher ceiling. It is true that he hasn’t reached his potential and is looking like a bust in Vancouver, but his talent level is very high. He’s a really fast skater like Rust plus has got an excellent shot as well as great dekes and dangles. The goal is to get younger, faster and more skilled. With this trade I definitely believe they are doing that.

I forgot about him. Of course I would like him to return. He’s formed a really solid shutdown pair with Erik Gudbranson, exactly what the Penguins need.

Detroit isn't trading AA for Kessel he has no place in Detroit's rebuild. AA and Mantha are 24 and the 2 oldest players in the core Detroit is building upon and Kessel is 31. Kessel has 2 years left on his contract and probably has 2 or 3 years left playing at the level he has been at the last 2 seasons. AA at 24 and finally playing center is starting to breakout. Since Detroit is still rebuilding they benefit a lot more with AA than with Kessel. You should be looking to move him to a team looking for that final piece to put them over the hump. Kessel has turned down going to teams that are a lot closer to the cup than Detroit.

let me guess, you are an insane Detroit fan?

Me?

Yes you are right, Kessel would probably benefit a cup contender more like the Flames, Predators or Stars.

Plus you can probably get a tier 1 prospect and a few draft picks

Kessel ($1.8M retained), Bjugstad ($2.0M retained), 1st for Athanasiou is definitely insane. The only thing more insane is the guy saying that Detroit says no. "Gross overpayment" by Pittsburgh is potentially the politically correct constructive criticism for that trade suggestion.

I had originally offered just Kessel (1.8 million retained salary) for Anthinasiou but Red Wings fans told me it was too low. I increased it but they believe it’s still too little. Maybe a McDavid level player would be able to get the deal done.

The Wings used to be a good team. Used to be a great team. Wings fans are now grasping onto any straw that they can in order to feel any greatness or glory that they can. They GROSSLY overvalue Athanasiou. I know that you joked, but I am sure some would balk at a Athanasiou for McDavid deal.

So I am curious to ask, what would you offer from the Penguins perspective for Anthinasiou?

I'm not a fan of his so its a rough call. i think last year was more the fluke than his future path...

I could go Bjugstad or Maatta plus a little something. No salary retention. Bjugstad and Athanasiou aren't that far apart offensively. Bjugstad is no Selke-guy at all but is better defensively. Bjugstad is considerably more physical (Athanasiou is near Kessel levels of physicality). Bjugstad and a 3rd or a 2nd if pushed. For argument sake, I'll go Bjugstad and a 2nd. Bjugstad being the better all-around player but the 2nd being to offset for the "potential" and the cap difference.

$2 and "potential" will get you a cup of coffee at Get-Go.

But I am fine with just having Bjugstad.

I would do Bjugstad and a 3rd for him, (no retention…) anymore than that and I pass.