Team: 2019-20 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 2, 2020

Published: Jan. 3, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

PIT: Guhle is hopefully Pettersson 2.0
ANA: taking one of PIT's older D that fits PIT's system less than theirs (albeit while still posting decent numbers) and allowing them to play their preferred style has worked well for them before (see: Gudbranson, Erik)
PIT: Kase as the Sid line's version of Rust. Kase is a breakout candidate that seems tailor-made for PIT's style of play. Injuries early in his career have held back that breakout he seems due but a contender like PIT that only has so many assets it can afford to part with has to take discounts where it can. Especially for a player that would fit us like a glove. Addison is a tremendous prospect and it looks good that he's a key piece for Team Canada at the WJC but Marino has made him slightly expendable if the trade will help us now.
ANA: seems like there's a dearth of RHD options for ANA going forward outside of Manson. Gudbranson is a good stop gap for now but down the road Addison is the perfect prospect to address that hole.


PIT: Ehlers is another guy that seems just right for our system. Malkin gets Ehlers and keeps this new awesome version of Rust so when Crosby gets Kase and eventually Guentzel when he does come back they are both appeased and lines are balanced.
WPG: Schultz would do a lot to help WPG's RHD situation and make up for some of the offensive production that WPG has lost with the departures of Big Buff and Trouba. They've performed admirably despite the losses and Schultz, with his potential to score over 50 points on the backend if relied upon offensively, would be the reinforcement they've very much so earned. Additionally, with some cap space to work with, they seem to me like the perfect landing spot for Schultz to sign his next contract. They also get Bjugstad who gives them another option on the wing with a winger departing as well as another potential option at C should they choose to move Wheeler back to his natural position. At worst he's a better depth option at wing than Gabriel Bourque for the 3L. He should mesh well for their team which seems to allow big, rangy players with reach to thrive. I chose to include picks in here as well because Ehlers is a good player. PIT should be willing to capitalize on a good team and add a perfect complement to the team to replace Guentzel even if it means selling some of the future to seal the deal.


PIT/BUF: Gally is on the upswing but is an expendable piece if PIT upgrades at LW which they surely will with Guentzel out for a while. Colin Miller can be PIT's replacement for Schultz (who will price himself out of PIT's 3rd pair). Miller has excelled in a 3rd pair role in the past and this season aside has put up good underlying numbers and even points while doing so. Both players involved here seem like they could use a change of scenery and could better complement their destination teams.

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