Team: 2019-20 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 2, 2020

Published: Jan. 8, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

It has been awhile since I have posted on here, but even after all the injuries this year the Pens have held high and are playing the right way to a top 5 record in the NHL. When Sid/Dumo/Schultz went out, I never felt like worrying too much. Then this Jake Guentzel injury happened, and it has me shook. I am worried.

Kinda crazy to worry about the hottest team in December that is days away from Crosby joining the team again, but losing Jake for potentially the entire season is not something you can throw a bandaid on. Through all the injury-plagued season, Jake was one of the constants that kept the ship afloat. No matter if he was playing with Sid or Geno, he was making the top line exactly that - a top line. Losing your best winger is not something that you can tread water with. The Pens are going to have to (and will) make a splash to acquire a top6 winger. If we are being honest, GMJR probably won't wait til deadline to do so. Fun fact, GMJR has made more trades in January than any other month. Don't expect that to change this year while Penguins are still in the playoff picture.

What will be interesting, however, is what he is willing to give up to acquire said top6 winger. We have obviously seen what they can do without players like Bjugstad, Schultz, Sid, Rust, etc., but that doesn't mean all of those guys should be available. I would not trade Bjugstad or Hornqvist, they are semi-large cap hits but they bring a lot to the team that the Penguins need. Penguins finally found a solid 3C after searching for multiple seasons, and I don't see the need to dump him off already. Keeping him on the 3rd line allows McCann to go back to wing and play in the top6 in the meantime. Hornqvist costs a few sheckles and cant seem to stay healthy, but when he is in the lineup he adds strength, goes hard to the net and agitates the **** out of opponents. I also feel like he consistently scores when he is in the lineup, so hopefully he can avoid the bug for awhile here and show his worth.

Guys I would be okay with parting with include Schultz, Galchenyuk, and DeSmith. 2/3 are due contracts this summer, and frankly just seem replaceable. Schultz can probably fetch the biggest return, which is why I am going to use him in armchair trades. I don’t want to give up on Galchenyuk, but I don’t see the Pens resigning him and perhaps he can fetch someone with a little longer on their contract. DeSmith can stay, for now..

It will also be hard finding the right trade partner, as we are barely half way through the season and there are only a handful of teams that are essentially "out of the race". Some teams need a spark and would take looks at Galchenyuk & Schultz, but also won’t be willing to give up a current roster player to do so.

I decided to go after J.T. Miller. I am really uncertain how committed VAN is to him even after paying big for him this past off season. For my ideal situation, they would be open to trading him. Vancouver gets the first that they traded for him back, and gets a solidified Offensive Defenseman as well. Schultz is almost certainly not going to resign in Pittsburgh unless he takes a pay cut, and Vancouver would have a chance to resign him if they move out J.T’s salary. Vancouver sends PIT a 4th back to balance the field.

I figured the Penguins would also be smart to add another defenseman. I will say that Jack Johnson has been less of a problem this year, but that doesn’t mean he is an automatic slot in the lineup. I brought in Mike Green. Detroit is floundering and would probably take anything for their expiring contracts. He hasn’t really done a lot to be worth $5.5M, but I assume he is still better than what his previous 2 years have shown.

I also went after Brandon Saad, as he is destined to play in Pittsburgh, right?? Chicago is probably looking to move out some $$ (depending on what happens with Seabrook) and Galchenyuk can either be a spark or they can move on after the season. Hallander is still a solid prospect even though he is hurt this year. 4th rounder is still good value as well. Some team might out-bid this trade option, but for the fun of the site I’ll pretend it goes through.

There you have it – your 2020 Stanley Cup Champions. Kidding, of course, but it’s fun to dream. I still would prefer Guentzel in the lineup over Miller & Saad, but I think both of these players can fit in Pittsburgh style and produce with 87 & 71. Of course, when Letang, Malkin, Rust, Marino & Jarry all get hurt for the rest of the year in the oncoming months this post will be meaningless.

1.

2.

3.