IG vincemark78
Joined: Jul. 2019
Posts: 252
Likes: 82
Basically, you're using draft capital to shed salary and set yourself up for a run at the Cup this year.
Kulikov is where I started with this; he just fits with the GRIT aspect Burke loves, and would be a great bottom pairing D, especially for the playoffs.
Wedgewood is insurance, but experienced and talented insurance.
Severson is to make the salaries work, but you're also paying for cap flexibility in two seasons as opposed to Matheson's 5 remaining years. We could use another right handed D as well.
For Jersey, I mean, you're paying for draft picks, basically. But, Matheson, while his contract is indeed bad, does have some good play left in the tank; he is by no means an empty cap number, just an inflated one. I've seen him make some pretty awesome plays this year, to be honest. Aston-Reese is a Staten Island boy and puts up decent enough bottom 6 numbers. You could see him being granted a leadership role as one of the older players on the forward group, and more of an opportunity for offensive responsibility as well.
Fitzgerald, the Jersey GM, might want someone else though, like Lafferty or Joseph. I'd say do it anyway. He is clearly somewhat familiar with the organization so that piece is somewhat interchangeable.
Either way, I feel like this deal helps both teams, especially the Pens in the short term.