If Devils hadn’t traded for Siegenthaler, Pettersson would have made more sense. Think it’s less likely now.

Morin
Marino
Mironov

I think we should protect Zucker over Pettersson if we can. idk, I really like this team, not sure if Ceci's gonna keep it up next year but to have some more protection for Marino in a top 4 role would be nice

i would re-sign ceci, blueger, zar, freddy and the other rfas. i think hyman stays a leaf or take even more somewhere else (compared to other wingers who recently signed he could get a lot), trading petty to Detroit might make more sense and a return of a third and 4th would do. zucker is a tuff one cuz of his contract but i think seattle is the only move unless they can get something better in a trade. signing someone like granlund on a 1yr deal would be nice. if they make a solid run this year i would not tweak much

Pens protect Sid, Geno, Guentzel, Rust, Kappy, Zucker, McCann, Letang, Dumoulin, Matheson.

Blueger, ZAR, Tanev, Carter, Pettersson exposed.

And I’m a huge Blueger fan!! He’s great, him and Zucker are just 2 different caliber of players though.

Zucker is a top 6, skilled goal scorer and even being injured and not having a chance to get chemistry on a line with the Pens, he still has 30 points in 52 games with the Pens. 15 goals.

Pens traded a 1st round pick(Minnesota gets it this year), Calen Addison(who is a top 100 prospect in the NHL on any list, and is a RHD that came off playing on the 1st pairing RHD on the gold medal WJ Canadian team last year). And A.Galchenyuk( who still holds trade value right now). That’s a lot to give up to just let him walk.


Pens have been looking for a top 6, 20 plus goal scoring wing for the last 10 years. And so has/is every other team. You can’t just find another one.

I could see Seattle taking ZAR or Tanev or Pettersson/Matheson over Blueger if that was the group left unprotected( I would take Blueger though).

But if Zucker or McCann are unprotected, they are 100% gone. They just a different caliber of player.

Especially now with J.Carter coming in and playing well as the 3C and even Gaudreau can be re-signed cheaper and take over the 4C for Blueger.

Blueger is great, played great the last 2 years, way above expectations and a great 2 way center. It’s just the difference b/ween Blueger and his best season/seasons compared to Zuckers wouldn’t even be close.

Blueger will never be a top 6 or score 20 plus goals a season like Zucker. And again, I’m a Blueger fan. That’s just facts.

It should be more clear after the play-offs. If Zucker plays just ok in the play-offs. They still should protected him but could give them a reason to leave unprotected. If he plays up to his potential, no way they don’t protect him.

protected.
Malkin, Crosby, Jake, Rust, Kap, Blueger, one of (Zucker, McCann, Tanev)
Letang, Dumo, Pettersson.

Ceci is out the the penguins price range. ZAR is probably traded. Gaudreau probably leaves too.
Matheson or one of the two forwards not protected above to Seattle. It's most like Matheson and a 2nd round pick.
Blueger resigned. OConnor plays next year.
Team gets bigger in the bottom 6, most likely with prospects and not FA.