Please explain to me how this trade makes the Pens better.

I’m not a marner fan, but I’d still make this deal 150% lol. Just because of the age difference. Leafs would never do it. If they were closer in age though, then pens would never do it

why would the pens do it

Yup, the pens look improved...

I would say yes as a Pens fan just cause we would be getting the best and youngest player in the deal. But it’s close. Rust value might never be higher than now. If he has another Point per game season or close, then I’d say no, cause the difference b/ween Letang and J.Holl
Is major. Letang is still a top 10 Defensemen in the league. And top 5 D-man at running the point on the PP. And took less than the 8M a year that top RHD are paid and are valued at. Cause Sid and Geno took less too though, so he did too. Cause everyone needs to take alittle less for it to work. But right now I’d say yes!! But depending on this year, I could regret it. Rust could continue producing like this for the next 3-4 years and then it’s a bad deal for the pens!! It definitely makes Toronto better for the immediate future.

I think this makes the leafs better next year potentially. However it’s a risky short term investment for a core that hasn’t shown they are ready to win. I would pass for that reason.

this would make the pens a better offensive regular season team, but NOT a better playoff contender.
I would like to see this from a Pens perspective, but look at how it weakens the D core.