Is it another year buried in the AHL for Mittelstadt? I think if he's not in the lineup plans for this season, move him for a better Top 4 LHD than spending UFA money on Dillon.

I don't think that teams would trade a top 4 LHD for Mittelstadt.

Bjugstad isnt that good. I wouldnt want to gamble on him becoming any sort of 2c

We get absolutely fleeced in the Pittsburgh trade. B-stad is worth no more than a 4th. Doubt Simon is on the trade block but he'd be worth TT and maybe a 4th or 5th. Definitely not moving Risto for anything short of a true top 6 player and no need to trade a speedy, creative, defensive center prospect and a high pick

Not really in my opinion. We move Risto who needs a change in scenery along with 2 prospects and pick for a winger who can put 30-35 points a year and a center who not too long ago in Florida was putting up 40 points. I think it evens out. I would rather get 2 NHL players in exchange for 1 dman and 2 prospects any day especially when the 2 prospects are likely bottom 6 players.

that pens trade is an absolute joke

There's probably something workable around Bjugstad for Risto but I don't see the Pens moving Simon without Crosby's RW locked up somehow else. In the scenario that type of trade occurred, Pens would have to add

This would be like a last-resort situation for San Jose

Bjugstd has negative value. He has a 4.1 cap hit and has had very serious injuries the last couple of years that have limited his availability and performance. He is not a play maker more of a defensive center grinder type that would be a decent 3C center option if he were healthy. With the injury concerns he is not worth the cap hit and is not a good 2C option even if healthy