After a week of getting over The Pens Sharting the Bed in Play-offs. I started on this yesterday (changing these Trades like 12-15 times, lol)
BUT Started to think ......
WHAT DOES THIS TEAM "NEED" TO DO?? ----------- "THE {5} THINGS The PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - MUST DO" ---------
#1) - The VERY 1st Thing This Pittsburgh Penguin Organization - MUST DO - is .....
** Bring Back - Jason BOTTERILL as Assistant / Future GM on DAY 1 - To watch over GMJR bc he has had like = 10 - Bad trades, 2 - Ok Trades, 1 - Good trade, & 1- Lucky Trade since Botterill left.
#2) - Assistant Coaches to be Hired : * I would target former NHL Head Coaches to challenge Sully & Not agree w/ him always !!!
Ast. 1 - Forwards - Gallant OR Laviolette - and teach Sully how to line match.
Ast. 2 - Defense - Boughner OR Nassreddine
Ast. 3 - Maybe bring in a young up & coming College coach or former player like Gonch was to relate to players.
#3) - Must Trade For ....
1- A Top 6-9, RH-Winger, that is a Good 5 on 5 guy, Can play the Left Wall Spot on PP #1, Is Elite at Zone Entries on PP, is a Play-maker / Shooter type, and isn't another 5' nothing usual Penguin winger.
2- A Real 3rd Line Center, I think everyone knows that McCann is a better LWer w/ his speed & his Elite shot.
3- A new 3rd pairing or a JJ & Schultz Replacement on Defense.
4- At least 1 Physical player on this "Picnic Table Butter on a 95 degree day w/ 100% humidity" team we have. NO NOT a fighter, just 1 player that isn't scared & will actually make contact back.
#4) - Do NOT TRADE LETANG - The dude plays 25min Per Night, Plays The #1 PP, The #1 PK, and Is the Engine that Drives this Team.
~ How in the F'ing F do u replace that every Night??
~ It would be beyond Dumb, Stupid, Foolish, absurd, Insane, Crazy, senseless & regretful to Trade #58
#5) - Trade Possible Players :
FORWARDS : 27, 16, 46, 9, 18 / D-MEN : 3, 50, 2 / GOALIES : 30, 1 / PROSPECTS : All but Poulin
NOT TRADING : 87, 58, 53, 13, 6, 8, 28, 35, 72-(giving 1 more yr bc only guy that cares), 19-(Not moving only young Forward w/ Upside = Dumb to move)
ONLY TRADE IF INSANE OFFER :
17- Rusty - I love Rusty but after a career year if I got offered a Ridunkulous package, I'd Pause but 17 does so much for team. I don't think I could?
71- Geno - I hate to say it bc I love Geno BUT the ONLY way this team w/ No assets ~ Is able to Inject some Legit Young Star Power back into Line-Up is this way.
* The ONLY way I'm moving 71 is if : Pens get [2] - 1- Top Liner "or" 1st/2nd Line Center AND 1- Top Pairing D-Man BOTH under 25yrs old & move JJ at the same time.
[3] - TEAM TRADE "Break-Dahn" ~~~~~ [PIT] - [ARZ] - [DET] -------- The {10} Player - Start of New Season on Day [1] - TRADE
[PIT] gets :
~ C/LW- D. LARKIN #7 (71) - [$6.1m] --- A fav. of mine w/ Elite Speed, Top skill, & plays Hard + is a Great #2 Center & after a down yr (buy-low) - Wants out of DET after 4 strait Losing / Horrible seasons.
~ LHD- J. CHYCHRUN #5 (6) - [$4.6m] -- Dad was a Penguin. Is a young Big, physical, great Off. & get better Defensivly -LHD-man w/ a fair Cap #. ** A Top 4 of Chyk, Tanger, Dumo, & Marino is Crazy Sick.
~ RHD- M. BOWEY #74 - [RFA] ------------ A #6-#7 Dman, is Solid w/ good size but at 25yrs old- being waived & sent down this past yr, Maybe he fits Pens D-System?
~ G- Adin HILL #31 - [RFA] ------------------ A underrated young Goalie & my fav. younger Goalie in the NHL. IMO, is Matt Murray 2.0 w/ his size & Calmness. Would be a Perfect 1B to Jarry.
PENGUINS lose : C- GENO #71 / G- MURRAY #30 / LHD- JOHNSON #3 / UFA Rights of - RHD- SCHULTZ #4
* REASON WHY - I will always love Geno & Murr's but The Pens need an Injection of Youth & "BIG" Change on this team. It sucks trading Geno but "IF" u want good / young NHL players back, You have to give up part of the core & getting back players like Larkin & Chychrun would be the only way I'd do this. Well that & being able to move JJ.
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[ARZ] gets :
~ C- E. MALKIN #71 - [$9.5m] ------------ [ARZ] gets the best player in deal in - Geno who still has 2-3 Top Great yrs left being in best shape of career & decides to go play w/ his BFF - Phil.
~ LHD- J. McISAAC #3 - [$778,] ----------- Very good LHD "Prospect" - future 2nd or 3rd pairing - Good all around D-man w/ physical edge. Replacing POJ & Bahl Prospect losses.
~ RHD- J. SCHULTZ #4 - [UFA RIGHTS] ------ HCRT knows Schultz can still be an Offensive threat when paired w/ a good LHD.
YOTES lose : C- DVORAK #18 / LHD- CHYCHRUN #6 (5) / G- HILL #31
* REASON WHY - A Vet Core of - 23, 81, 21, 40, 13, 33, 4, 55, 35/32, & maybe 9? - A young core of 9, 8, 83, 36, & 67 AND w/ C- Hayton & RHD- Soderstrom both future Top 6 & Top 4 guys & starting next yr. ARIZONA is the perfect place for Geno to go ~ (not hurt a team by losing young players) AND have a chance at being a Legit Cup Team w/ an all-time Great in Geno & still get other pieces back.
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[DET] gets :
~ G- M. MURRAY #30 - [RFA] ------------- The (only) 26yr old / 6'-4" / 2- Time Cup winning Goalie had a down & Injury riddled yr but "Real GM's" knows the worth of big time Goalies. Plus a change is needed.
~ C/LW- C. DVORAK #18 - [$4.45m] --- An underrated & better Defensive Center than Larkin, not as flashy but good on Off. side. #18 is also a very good #2 type Center w/ insane Speed too.
~ LHD- J. JOHNSON #3 - [$3.25m] ------ Is a "Cap Dump" & a 3rd pairing D-man. BUT w/ so many [DET] players w/ a NTC - J.J. will be an option for Seattle Exp. Draft.
RED WINGS lose : C- LARKIN #71 (7) / LHD- McISAAC #3 / RHD- BOWEY #74
* REASONS WHY - Lets the hometown kid (Larkin) a chance at winning BUT still gets = Value by getting a similar young #2 Center back, A Starting & Proven Goalie (only in mid 20's) for long term, to be there when re-build is complete, AND also a younger LHD that can start now & still has upside after just his 1st yr.
* I kno I have [24] Roster Players = [Real Cap Space left will be - $3m] ------- But isn't there always at least {1 or 2} Penguins that are hurt?
2020 - 2021 ~~~~ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ~~~~ Roster : Break-Down - of New Players & Positions
~ [UFA] - LW/C/RW - M. Granlund #64 - [1yr @ $3.75m] ~ I've always thought Granlund would be a near perfect wing for 87, w/ how plays a shifty / fast give & go game like Simon BUT 25 times more skilled. PLUS after a down year w/ NASH - Pens can get him on the cheap for a 1 yr - "prove it deal". Granlund could even play Top 6 Center if needed bc of injury to Sid or Larkin.
~ [UFA] - LHD- N. Beaulieu #88 - [2yrs @ $975,] ~ I have always liked Beaulieu's game as big, fearless D-man that can also push offense too. + Can play both sides = as good.
~ The 3rd Pairing RHD Spot - I would let Juulsen, Bowey, & Beaulieu all battle for that last spot in line-up. Or could rotate them to keep them all playing?? But "If" healthy - IMO, Juulsen #56 wins it. With Beaulieu & Bowey being our #7 & #8 D-men.
~ The #13 & #14 Forward Spot goes to Simon & Lafferty but w/ the Pens Injury luck, I'm sure they will both get plenty of starts.
~ The Lines - with so many options & players that can play Center & Wing, The Line-Up Options are limitless .........
"THE ANNUAL [PIT-ANA] TRADE"
{Days After Geno Trade}
~ RAKELL- is a very good player w/ a great Cap Hit but since his [34] G & [69] Point yr, #67 has had 2 very average Seasons. And IMO a change to a better team would Re-boost Rakell's play.
**PLUS Pens finally get the RH-RWer we needed to play in Top 6, good 5 on 5, Can play - Left-wall spot on PP#1, & great at zone entries on PP.
~ STOLARZ- IDK why but I have always thought Stolarz was better than he was when he was a prospect & it always stuck w/ me. I would love to have him as the #3 Goalie.
~ DREW- is a hard hitting & mean but only 6'-1" 195lb Defensive RHD-man that could be a future #6-#7 D in NHL in 2 or 3 yrs. Has some decent Hockey sense & can PK good tho.
- ZUCKER- Tough to trade w/ how he has played here but the "Need" is a RH-RWer. Zucker is the faster, quicker, & feistier player by going to the net & getting dirty goals & W/ Rakell being the better shooter / play-maker. They are very similar good players just w/ dif skill sets.
- E-ROD- a fast Bottom 6 Center that can also play all 3 Positions at Forward. Can be a good stop - gap for younger players coming up or could fit system & stay in [ANA]. A RFA but should take a $1m - $1.4m Tender to sign.
- ALMEIDA- is a solid prospect who struggled his 1st yr in Pro's but his past 2 seasons in WHL he finished w/ 98 & 111 Points, so the skill is there.
**CONDITIONAL - 21' - 4th Rdr [MTL]**
** PICK returns to [MTL]
"If" - Juulsen plays {70} gms or MORE
~ DOMI - Finally comes to [PIT] to play for his God-father {MARIO}. 3- yrs later after the [ARZ] deal fell threw, when [MTL] came in w/ the Chucky offer (will always hate MB for this).
Domi would fit here perfect (another C & W) & bring his "tough" play to a team of softies. IMO, he is a better LW but he has played better than I thought at Center. ** Domi & McCann will battle for the 3C spot, unless another 3C is brought in.
~ JUULSEN - a French-Canadian, RHD-man, that wears #58?? ~ Um, Yes Please? But seriously, Juulsen- a fav. of mine & has upside as a 3rd D-man & maybe a Future 2nd pairing guy "IF" he is healthy from concussions & migrains. **I have read he is fully healthy & will be ready in 20'-21'.
**CONDITIONAL - 22' - 2nd Rdr [PIT]**
** PICK Becomes a - 22' - 4th Rdr [PIT]
"If" - Bjugstad plays {70} gms or MORE
** PICK Returns to [PIT]
"If" - Bjugstad Resigns w/ [MTL]
- BJUGSTAD- IMO, still has worth even tho, he's had bad luck w/ Injuries here bc U can't teach 6'-6" Center size & Top 9 proven play. PLUS has versatility being able to play Top 9 C or RW. Plus being in contract year, this could be Juggs last shot at another decent contract.
- P-O.J.- Is going to be a beast & is finally starting to grow into body but still needs more lbs to add. Really hate to trade but w/ addition of Chyck, MTL is getting a Future Top 4 LHD that can skate & play physical. POJ could see NHL in 20'-21' but will be ready to start in 21'-22'
6.
PIT
2020 1st round pick (NSH)
Additional Details:
{Draft - Day Trade}
Move up [4] spots in Rnd. 1
To #11 OVERALL for :
C- ANTON LUNDELL, HIFK
#15 Overall Pick
~ LOWRY- Had a down year & a buy-low Trade here but is Exactly what the Pens need - a Physical Forward but still a good/smart player that actually puts fear into other teams w/ his size & hitting ability. IMO, Lowery as a 4th line Center w/ Tanev (again) & Teddy B would make the best 4th line in NHL. PLUS, Lowery can play 3rd line Center too in close gms or in a shut-down role, then move Teddy B back to 4C.
** This Add could make for so many different Line-Up options & MATCH-UP problems - w/ Domi, McCann, Lowery, & Blueger all being able to play bottom 6 Center or at LW, w/ Domi & McCann being able to play Top 6 LW too.
~ STANLEY- is a 6'-7" Ginormous former 1st Rdr that has looked like a bust in WPG but could still be a Depth Dman or possibly a #6-#7 in NHL if he improves w/ a change. Bc he is Huge, w/ a nitemare reach, & is very physical to play against.
- RIIKOLA- had a great 1st yr in NHL (look at his Lytics) and is only 25yrs old but got stuck behind Sully's true love JJ, lol. But the LHD-man is def at least a 3rd pairing guy that can actually play the Right side better.
- DeSMITH- even tho in AHL, DeSmith is still a good back-up for a Legit #1 like Helly & would be a better back-up than Brossoit. PLUS is signed at only $1.25m per for 2 more yrs.
- RUHWEDEL- is the best #7 RHD-man in NHL & would prob. be a 3rd pairing guy for 40% of NHL teams. When he played for [PIT] & its a lot w/ our injury luck.... U never notice Ruhwedel (In a good way). IMO, Ruhwedel beats out Poolman for that last RHD spot.
Detroit effectively gets spare/inconsistent/bad parts and give up their franchise player. Appreciate your effort in the description but that's probably the quickest "no" from a team I've seen on this website in a while
Detroit effectively gets spare/inconsistent/bad parts and give up their franchise player. Appreciate your effort in the description but that's probably the quickest "no" from a team I've seen on this website in a while
Franchise player - 19 Goals - 53 Points ?? Larkin is a very good player & a good #2 on a good team but a Franchise player? Common bro.
Good explanation, enjoyed reading it but Montreal has no need for another top four prospect and to be fair that trade offer's far left field from what Montreal would be looking for. Juulsen's been hit with a puck twice and now feel great for the past four months (Symptom free for over 6 months) but is still projected as a top four so him and PO are kind of a push (RD holds more value than LD but PO has an edge so I figure it's even-ish). Domi for Bugs and a swap of far away conditions packed picks' not what I'd call .... a good deal.
We'd hard pass.
OMG how much time did this take you?
I'll just pipe in and say I'm pretty sure Pitts had confirmed time and time again they are keeping Malkin and Crosby until they retire.
I don't see Malkin going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe if he doesn't recover from his injury as they expect him to and start producing regularly again.
While I appreciate your energy and description, there is no way Wings trad Larkin. He is a hometown boy, Best player we have and he maybe a #2 center but there is zero chance of that happening. Murray as had two medicore seasons, Dvorak is not a #1 center and why in God's name would we take JJ. Easy pass on most of these deals for teams not named Pens.
Credit for your post, it is a pretty deep dive into the Pens. I like some of your moves, the value is a bit askew in most of your trades. Also look to aquire a better 3c then Domi, still get Domi but just play him on Sids lw. 1 piece you didn't move is Guentzel I get that but he has a large cap hit and some real value.
I'm very confused as to how this makes sense for Anaheim?
-If Anaheim is trading Rakell, wouldn't it make sense to move him for picks, prospects, or something that actually fills an area of need, instead of a lateral move that costs them more?
-I may be wrong, but Rodrigues is making $2 mil this year, which means that if he were tendered, he'd make at least that on his next deal. He's a non-tender candidate, and has zero value in this trade. The Ducks also have Getzy, Zegras, Steel, Rico, Lundestrom, and a bunch of other guys that can fill any role that he's apparently being a stop-gap for.
-Almeida isn't really a solid prospect...there's a reason why he was picked in the 5th round.
I have no issue trading Rakell to the Pens, but you don't really have the pieces that the Ducks are after.
Edit: Props on the effort put in on all the deals, they're just off.
Also Murray maybe big but, but do not care size, if you can not stop a puck, you are bad. And it was pointed out during play in round, has a average glove hand.
Franchise player - 19 Goals - 53 Points ?? Larkin is a very good player & a good #2 on a good team but a Franchise player? Common bro.
He had 73 points last season. Doesn't matter what your perception is of him, but Larkin is 100% Detroit's franchise player. Home grown kid. Young and full of potential. Murray, Dvorak (who btw career high is 38 points) and a pure waste of space in Johnson doesn't equal Larkin on any planet
Calling Murray a big time goalie is the same as calling Larkin a franchise player. He hasnt shown up for 2 playoffs in a row. His value is in the gutter. Detroit gives up the better center, a D prospect for a camp dump, and bowey for Murray. Id say they are kinda getting doodled in this trade
Great job thinking this through and articulating. While I think these trades are in favor of the Pens for the most part and that you missed meeting the other team's needs on some of these, your understanding of what the Pens needs is thought provoking.
Larkin > Dvorak.
Murray is overrated and will demand too high a price for his worth.
Pit will have to pay Det to take JJ, we don’t need seattle bait, we already have plenty of that without losing a potential middle pairing prospect
you are basically saying 1 and done. Because the team falls apart due to cap the next year.
as for Lundell, I'm not sure you have to move from 15 to get him. We'll see on draft day. Defense will go fast. That is my guess. This will push other guys down the list, he'll be one of them.
Even so, I don't think the penguins will choose him. I think they will go for defense depending what is on the board. Depends how many are taken before they pick. I think if the top 3-4 are gone they go else where. But I think you'll see 4 go in the top 15. Dry, Sand will both go high. Then Guhle, Scnheider, and Grans will go quickly after. I also think people will target speed. Which will also push Lundell down. Lundell is a 2 way forward, people are going to want more offensive pop. Think how Liam foudy and Tex from CBJ have panned out. They aren't looking to bring in guys who are 2 way in the top of the draft. That will hurt him. There are just more skilled and faster players out there and I think teams will be looking for it.
This is the worst wings trade on the site isn't he month of August. Pass because you forgot to add in 50 first round picks, just a Terrible take on a deal for the wings
Good explanation, enjoyed reading it but Montreal has no need for another top four prospect and to be fair that trade offer's far left field from what Montreal would be looking for. Juulsen's been hit with a puck twice and now feel great for the past four months (Symptom free for over 6 months) but is still projected as a top four so him and PO are kind of a push (RD holds more value than LD but PO has an edge so I figure it's even-ish). Domi for Bugs and a swap of far away conditions packed picks' not what I'd call .... a good deal.
We'd hard pass.
Thank You, appreciate it bud & appreciate fair judgement from ppl on here (its a nice change, lol)... And I prob agree w/ u about Juulsen (I just have always loved the kid) but what do u think MTL would be looking for instead of POJ?
OMG how much time did this take you?
I'll just pipe in and say I'm pretty sure Pitts had confirmed time and time again they are keeping Malkin and Crosby until they retire.
I don't see Malkin going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe if he doesn't recover from his injury as they expect him to and start producing regularly again.
LOL, Well considering I changed the trades like 8 times each ... I did it in over 2 days of an hr here & there.
BUT I def agree that we will prob keep all 3, But I'm just stating that the time is now to strike if we want a max value from a Geno trade.
While I appreciate your energy and description, there is no way Wings trad Larkin. He is a hometown boy, Best player we have and he maybe a #2 center but there is zero chance of that happening. Murray as had two medicore seasons, Dvorak is not a #1 center and why in God's name would we take JJ. Easy pass on most of these deals for teams not named Pens.
I think I mite agree with u now... I think I had Dvorak, Murray, Riikola, & Bjorkqvist going to DET in 1 of the 12 times I changed it & prob should have stayed with that trade?
But Thank You for commenting like an adult
Credit for your post, it is a pretty deep dive into the Pens. I like some of your moves, the value is a bit askew in most of your trades. Also look to aquire a better 3c then Domi, still get Domi but just play him on Sids lw. 1 piece you didn't move is Guentzel I get that but he has a large cap hit and some real value.
Thank You, I think u are rite and need to make some changes and I usually throw ideas out there and then usually re-do my ACCF teams