Quoting: LetsTalkNHL
I agree with you. In terms of player value, DAL is winning. However, I think Honka has to most potential and can be a solid player if given the chance. As for that cap space, it'll be huge. Next season, the Penguins have a lot of players to resign. That extra $2M+ is huge and in two years, when Cogs' contract expires, thats another $3M+. They are definitely winning in terms of current player value, but in terms of potential and cap space, its huge for a team like Pittsburgh. If anything, I could see Dallas throwing in a draft pick to compensate.
look the thought process here is backwards.
1st, they don't have space in the D core for Honka. They aren't sitting Guddy or trading him. They need a player like him on the ice. Hell I wish they had another one just like him. He keeps teams honest. You may not appreciate that, but it is what it is. On top of it, he has looked very solid back there. He was in a bad situation prior. That's over. On top of it, they got the right people to help him develop into the player they need.
2nd While I agree in trading Hornqvist, not for this and not giving up ZAR as well. Both those guys have value. ZAR is a great PK guy. They need that.
3rd they will create cap space, they don't need to take on players to do that. That 3.25 million for Cogliano is dead weight. He wouldn't even crack the line up. At least hornqvist is useful.
They will create space if they need it. My guess is JJ is out the door this year. That creates 3.25 million right there.
If they do trade Hornqvist, they will get a better return aka one that is useful. He's a better player than that. People want to act like he didn't knock in 18 goals last year. He had injuries set him back. The best case they trade him for a return, worst case, they convince him to retire. He goes on LTIR and they save 5.3 million. No one would question it with his history.
But either way, this team isn't going to have the cap problems you think. AG is gone after this year. They know that. He was moved for cap reasons, and POJ was the real prize. Schultz is also gone next year.
I'm not saying I know what the answer there is, but that is going to happen. I don't have an issue with that. I'd rather see an upgrade there somehow. Maybe that's Marino if he can get it together. I don't know from what I've seen there. But you also have Addison who if sheltered could be a good 2nd pairing guy. It's hard to say at this point. But next year they will open up a lot of cap space.