Why would Anaheim trade for someone who has less ppg, is more expensive, and older than the player they are trading away let alone add in a 4th round pick?

Riikola is an AHLer while Armia is a middle 6 winger. I think the answer is pretty clear

Zucker is signed longer term. Rake ll will need a new contract after next year and it will be about the same or higher than Zuckers probably.

There PPG’s are on par. Zucker 41 points last year, 42 the previous year, 62, and 47 points. Rakell, 42 points last year, 43 the previous year, 69, and 47 points. And Zucker has more goals the previous 2 years. Zucker has been a 20 goal scorer the previous 2 years. Rakell hasn’t been.

Riikola has been injured most of the year. Played two seasons in NHL getting used to the smaller rink size. And has played well. And cheap. You have no clue who he is if u think he’s an AHL D-Men. He’s an offensive D-Man, that can move the puck and wicked shot from the point. He’s been hurt this year. He’s a top 5-10 7th D-man in the NHL at worst. And he plays both LHD/RHD equally well. Obviously u have no clue who is is. Joel Armia isn’t even being used in Montreal and Montreal needs a LHD.

@Tony21 has it right: If we trade Rickard Rakell, it won't be for another LW and it will be for a high draft pick and a young player or prospect.

Welcome to CapFriendly!

Armia has covid that why he isnt being used, after Gallagher going down last night and being out long term i dont think Armia will be moved for a dman when that leaves another hole on the wing.

Again, Zucker is signed longer term. After next year Rakell will need a new contract and will be equal or more than Zucker is making. The longer term contract does has value. Welcome to capfriendly..lol.

I would be alright with Zucker for S.Steel and a 3rd. But I would rather keep Steel than Rakell if I was ANA. Rather keep the RFA. Not the guy after next season I probably won’t re-sign. But they would have Zucker for 4 more years.

Our need isn't for a high-hit veteran LW; we're looking for help at RW and RD. Length of contract isn't a plus when it belongs to a player we don't want.

A top 5 7th Dman! 🤣🤣🤣👌

First time I see that one.

Well Armia is top 3 13th foward in the league then, whatever that means!

Ana should be looking for any player good signed to a contract in their window. Rakell probably won’t be re-signed after next year. And I don’t see them competing next year either.





Again, Zucker is signed longer term. After next year Rakell will need a new contract and will be equal or more than Zucker is making. The longer term contract does has value. Welcome to capfriendly..lol.

I would be alright with Zucker for S.Steel and a 3rd. But I would rather keep Steel than Rakell if I was ANA. Rather keep the RFA. Not the guy after next season I probably won’t re-sign. But they would have Zucker for 4 more years.

Lol.. A 7th D-men in the NHL is really important. Good luck then my man. Don’t be mad cause u don’t know who a player is. I won’t hold it against u. Riikola, who was the top signed free agent out of Europe two years ago.

Let alone Riikola would be a 3rd pairing D on most NHL teams.

Sooo, what you are saying is that Riikola is a top 31 6th defenceman? 🤣🤣🤣, or maybe a top 62 5th Dman?

You are writing stuff, but it doesn't mean anything.

Let me help you out. Keep it simple. Riikola is a depth player and a defenseman that doesn't play on a good Dcore.

Montreal has no interest in overpaying for a below fringe NHL defender.

All I know is that we have a thousand mediocre LHD already in our pipes. Adding one more (a small one too) gives us nothing. Armia is on the COVID list dude. He's not a healthy scratch just like Riikola

A play-off defense. Not a good d core..lol. Better record than Montreal. Not a good D-core..??

Dumoulin /Letang, Pettersson/Marino, Matheson/Ceci, Riikola/Ruthwedel. And PO-Joseph is a top 100 prospect in the NHL.

Have u seen what Matheson and Ceci have been doing in a good Defensive system and on a good D-core?? Lol. Coming from Toronto and Florida, both are having career years/rejuvenated years playing on a good Dcore.

Again, Riikola/Ruthwedel are top 5, depth, 7th-8th, D-men in the NHL. Either would be a 3rd pairing on most teams. Riikola was the prize FA signing from Europe 2 years ago. You just have no clue who he is, it’s ok bud.

Just watch, I’m pretty sure the Pems will trade a defensemen. Either Pettersson or Riikola probably. And most teams arnt looking to take on a long contract. Even a young D-man like Petterson. So I think it will be Riikola. You’ll see what his return will be.

Riikola is 6’0, 190. He has good size, good defensive stick but is mostly an offensive D.Men. Good puck mover and wicked shot from the point. Played well in limited games.

Riikola has been injured this season. Not a healthy scratch either.

Just watch, I’m pretty sure the Pems will trade a defensemen. Either Pettersson or Riikola probably. And most teams arnt looking to take on a long contract. Even a young D-man like Petterson. So I think it will be Riikola. You’ll see what his return will be.

My mistake It was probably someone else that was 5' 10" lol. I mean I'm sure Rikkola would be a great acquisition but just not for us . Though I think if we could have a decent pick and a guy like Puustinen on the left side Armia could be dealt. Puustinen and a 3rd seems like a right price. (only if we have another move on the ice though)

Pens don’t have a 3rd and it’s cool u know who Puustinen is. I hope they don’t trade him. He’s a good wing prospect. Which the Pens don’t have many in their system.

Ya, Riikola came over from Europe as a top European D-Man FA signing 2 years ago.

Has played well in limited games(not limited minutes, plays 16-20 minutes a game when he plays) getting used to the smaller rink in America. Finland has a huge ice surface. Takes D awhile to get accustomed to it and some never get it. Riikola has.

The Pens rewarded him this offseason with that contract. He’s a great 7th-8th defender on a play-off team. And a 3rd pairing D, potential 2nd pairing on a lot of NHL teams. Plays both LHD/RHD equally well. He tough, and a wicked shot.

I’m a fan, and if he gets traded so will the fans of the team he goes too.

He’s not just like a Depth D-man. Everyone; announcers, beat-writers, fans, call for him to get more playing time.

He’s not just like, “a guy”. A D-man that comes up and down and plugged into the 3rd pairing and takes acouple games while a player is injured.

There is usually no drop off from him coming into the line-up and when he plays. He shows he belongs and everyone wants to see him more.

That’s why he was rewarded with that contract this off season.

He’s better than M.Lehtonen who the Leafs just got a return for.

Riikola is a waiver player. Nothing more.

I know It's kind of a butt move, but I need to underline the fact Riikola was not claimed as a undeniable fact of his value beeing lower than a NHL top 6.

Hey, I thought Mete was a top 6 too at some point ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Lol..I was wrong. Not too big to admit it. I thought he would have value in the trade market. The Funniest quote I saw on Twitter was:

“Find someone who loves you unconditionally, the way Pens fans love Riikola”. Lol.

From a Pens beat writer yesterday when Riikola was waived in order to drop him to the practice squad and AHL.

Nothing I said is a lie though. Except what I believed his value was.

He is an offensive D-man, that was the biggest FA signing out of Europe 2 years ago(just like M.Lehtonen/A.Zub were this year).

That moves the puck and has a great shot from the point. And plays both LHD and RHD equally well. And has played well in limited games the last 2 years getting used to the smaller ice surface. Which some European D-men never get used to.

And the fans, announcers, beat-writers all love him and all call for him to get more playing time. And he was rewarded with that contract this summer cause the organization, management loves him too(old management now). All true statements still.