IMO you've really overrated Gaudette, Virtanen and Holtby.

Ya, I’m a Gaudette fan!! He won the Hobey Baker award!! I think there is still potential there to unleash.

Not a fan of Holtby, but the Pens need a veteran goalie. Although it hasn’t been all Jarry/DeSmith fault.

Jarry hasn’t played well, DeSmith has though. But the Defense has been awful infront of both of them. The Pens defense has been injured all season too. Its not totally all Jarry’s fault.

I think Pettersson for Virtanen value is close either way.

I would be iffy about trading DeSmith/W.Reilly for Holtby just b/c of Holbty contract.

I would be ok with a 2nd for Gaudette, Pettersson for Virtanen and Jankowski for Benn though.

Virtanen and Pettersson are absolutely not close value lol. People have really soured on Virtanen who just doesn't have very much hockey IQ and doesn't provide consistent effort. MP is a solid #4 defenseman signed long term at about what he's worth.

Virtanen has like 5 points in his last 35 games or something and has been health scratched. You are way off here.

Should Pens really move Pettersson if their D is already struggling?

As for this deal, I think both teams decline.

The only actually valuable assets going to VAN are Pettersson+2nd. Rest are iffy add ons. For Nucks, giving all of their younger mid-6 guys for this makes them worse, and it doesn't really help Pens either. If Pens have hard time sustaining a Jarry-Desmith goalie tanded, boy would VAN struggle with Demko-Desmith tandem.

I think there's no winners in this exchange. Only losers.

Has Pettersson fallen out of favour already? If he's a competent Dman, he certainly is worthy more than the very erratic and often meh Virtanen. Holtby just isn't worth his contract anymore. Don't think he's the guy you want if front of leaky defence. Just don't believe he has the mentality to be on a middling team, after his successful run with the Caps.

Pens Defense has been injured. That’s the major problem, that can’t get consistent pairings playing multi games together. But back healthy it’s a really good defense.

It’s why Benn would be a good add. He’s on a expiring contract.

With PO-Joseph playing well, a LHD is expendable when Dumoulin is back healthy. It will probably be either Dumoulin(29 years old) or Pettersson(24 years old).

It leaves Dumoulin/Letang, PO-Joseph/Marino, and Matheson/Ceci,Ruhwedel platoon(and Maniscalco is one of Pens top prospects and almost NHL ready. The 3rd pairing next year should be Matheson/Maniscalco).

Gaudette is a RFA and will have to be signed to a bigger deal this summer.

Holtby’s contract is horrible. DeSmith has played well
This year even with bad defense infront of him. That’s the only trade I would be iffy on. DeSmith/W.Reilly(a good RHD prospect) for Holtby.

But Gaudette for a 2nd round pick is good value.

Pettersson for Virtanen is probably over-value(according to other commentators in this thread too).

And Jankowski( a RFA) is good value for Benn( a UFA).

I don't think Holtby's contract is horrible. Yes, he's been underwhelming, but VAN defense has also been bad in front of him.

I'm not questioning the value - I think it's decent. I just don't see the benefits.

Especially considering the expansion draft. Adding more mid-6 assets means more assets you're risking to lose. You guys already have 8-9 decently valuable forwards, and you're guaranteed to lose one of them. Virtanen and Gaudette added to the pile is gonna be a huge struggle for you.

Pens couldn’t resign all 3 of ZAR, Blueger, Gaudette this summer. All 3 are RFA. One of them would be taken in the expansion draft most likely, and the Pens would be able to sign the other 2.

I think Blueger is gonna get taken. Blueger would probably be taken over Gaudette too. He’s having a really good season. He’s gonna get Selke votes again(had some last year too). And he’ll probably beat his 22 points from last year.

Holtby contract is more than Jarry’s. Jarry was an All-Star last year. It’s not a great contract.

Jarry played well last year. Combined to Jarry, Holtby's contract is bad. But it ain't horrible. It's a sustainable two year deal.

I personally think Hextall likes Blueger's ability to defend and protects the guy. He'd expose McCann over them.

As for Seattle's pick, it'll most likely be Virtanen who they take in, should a trade like this happen. PIT has no room in their 7 slots to protect the guy I reckon.

Pettersson alone is worth more than the entire Canucks package

McCann is a former 1st round pick, won a roster spot at 19 years old and hasn’t looked back.

He’s still just 24 years old, back to back 35 point seasons. 19 goals and 14 goals.

And 14 goals and 35 points last year in a shortened season and playing out of position. Playing Center, trying to carry a bad line and play make for his line mates.

He’s a better wing, great shot, a scorer. He’s gonna be a 20 goal a season scorer.

I’m a Blueger fan, believe me. But McCann is better now and more potential too.

McCann is one of the Pens top 5 players under 25. McCann > Virtanen too.

McCann 28 points, 35 points(19 goals), and 35 points.
Virtanen 20 points, 25 points, 36 points(18 goals).

McCann a better two-way player too.

To answer your question....NO.
They aren't moving MP. People keep with that nonsense because they think POJ is some next coming.
They wont touch their young defense. They have a very decent young core to build off of in the future. It's not going anywhere.