My ideal scenario for next year would be getting Campbell or Peterson from LAK, and ideally a first (obv not theirs) that they could get from a Toffoli trade, move Bjugs JJ Hornqvist and DeSmith, then run with lines like these
Simon/ZAR-Sid-Kahun
Guentzel-Geno-Rust
Simon/ZAR-McCann-Tanev
Lafferty-Blueger-x
Noesen and Johnson/Blandisi as HS's

Dumo-Letang
MP-Marino
Riikola/Almari-guy like TvR/Demelo

Jarry
Campbell/Peterson

I think id keep DeSmith as backup. He's been solid IMO.

here is the answers.

1. they keep Murray, because Goalies are streaky and Murray tend to get hot at the right time. He won't cost all that much on the next deal if he plays all season like this. So it's a win win. Also goalies don't usually get huge returns. So it's not worth it.
2. Hornqvist is productive when he's on the ice. Next year will be his last one way or another. Seattle is calling most likely.
3. They should put Simon at center and see what happens. He is not a winger. He has no shot. If he can't play center at the NHL level, he use to in the AHL, then they should trade him if they can get something.
4. Bjugstad should be moved. He has played well when on the ice. But he's not the best option at 3C.
5 Schultz is currently a self rental. His contract will expire and he's gone. That changes if they can't stay in the playoff hunt.
This is a bubble team right now. It's 50/50 what happens. It's not necessarily their play but that of the other teams around them. They aren't making up any ground in the Metro. It's a log jam. They are a wild card. Maybe they can finish as high as 3rd as it looks right now. They might be 8 points behind 2nd place if NYI win those two other games. It's not a lot but given how NYI are playing and how the penguins are playing, it's looking like a good sized lead with over 1/3 of the season done.
That in lies the problem for the penguins. The metro is tight. They are injured. They have to stay afloat to even think of making it. They are doing that, but it's a long road ahead.

1. I am looking more at the future. I rather move Murray/Jarry than lose one for nothing at the expansion draft. A team will give value when its for a starter. Schneider got a first years ago. Murray's pedigree and age is enough for a team to fork out some value for him. Jarry's solid play would get a decent return.
2. If Horny cant come back, we should look for a RW for Sid.
3. Simon plays solid when alongside Sid. I am wondering if he should be there or if he could be used to acquire an upgrade.
4. I know we should, but I doubt there is much demand right now. We probably move him in the summer. Maybe, before the deadline.
5. Schultz staying is a good insurance, but Marino has proven his worth. If Schultz is a piece that can get us a good winger for Sid, I would consider it.

1. I wouldn't worry about the expansion draft. This team is in real trouble with it. No matter what you do, they are exposed to lose a good player.
Which is why they will use it to dump Hornqvist. They will cut a deal. No sense moving Murray worrying about it.
2. We should look for a winger for Malkin. We all know Jake is going back to Sid's line. Malkin gets the shaft again.
3. Simon can't score no matter who he plays with. My god he's missed wide open nets for 3 feet away. They need to play him at 3C and see what happens. He's not a top line winger. No finish at all. He's no threat and lets teams focus on other players more because of it.
4. I think they could move Jugs when he gets back from injury. He's got 1 year left teams always need centers. Just don't expect a huge return. Accept the cap space.
5 Marino is their number 2. no doubt on that. But if you trade Schultz then you have to replace him. Right now, when we can get back to hiding him, he's a good offensive weapon. If you trade him, god knows who you end up stuck with. He just can't be hidden now because of injuries. It is what it is. Patience.

On defence, we protect Letang-Dumo-Pettersson, since Marino is exempt. No risk of losing anyone there. On offence, Sid-Geno-Guentzel-Rust-McCann-Kahun-potential winger you acquire, so once again, no real threat exposed. In nets, we would be losing someone solid. I rather trade a goalie for assets and lose someone who isn't that important to the core. As for Sid's return, I would still keep that Guentzel-Geno-Rust line intact, no need to change it.

I'm not sure it looks like that. I mean 1st you would say it's ok to lose Tanev. I'm not ok with that. He's a really good player and brings a lot that fixes problems with how he plays. He's been probably the most important addition to this team in the last 2 years by helping the physical play and defense and constantly being a pest with his speed.
Second him and Horny have NTC and I'm not sure how that is going to effect things. So you may lose a spot because of Horny.

Which is why I'm saying, they are going to make a deal. If we are going to lose a goalie ok, we lose him one way or another by the way you are looking at it. Wouldn't you rather use that goalie after next year to say hey, we can trade him, or you can take the goalie and Hornqvist and we'll call it even. That way they get something out of it that is probably more worth it. I mean they are going to have to dump Honry on Seattle one way or another for cap reasons I think. So lets just start with that assumption.
Which is why I think when you look at everything that's going on with the team and the numbers, they are going to have someone who's a pretty solid player exposed one way or another.
We don't know who yet because it's still another year away. We can get close to an idea though. AsI think instead of losing a guy like Blueger who is better than a 4C and could play 3C for us honestly. Or who ever they bring in to replace Chucky, which is another body. The right move is to cut a deal. If that deal is one of the goalies and Horny, I'm saying ok. That's the better move.

As fas as the Geno line. Come on, we both know Sid is getting his winger back man. There is no arguing that. Geno has always had second pickings. I'm not saying that's right but it is what it is.
Sid will go out there and not see Jake, and he'll look at Sullivan Just 1x, before Sullivan is graveling sorry to Sid.
You are talking about a guy who forced the team to carry JJ. He's getting his winger back.