I think they'd rather have Kulikov over Franson for a rental. And probably that third being a second. I'm unsure though because Maatta has had such a bad year

Sorry, I've only watched every Penguins game this year, he's having a bad year you say?

Injuries have definitely been a problem for him. And from what I've seen he isn't as dominant as he was yet before those injuries. But I'm not really sure what you mean by your comment seeing as you said practically nothing

The injury was tough and he didn't come back strong immediately and was put on the bottom pair for a while, but to be fair thats not easy to do and he's playing pretty well now back on the 2nd pair getting pretty good minutes.

I'm definitely not in the trade maatta camp. He's a young defenseman and is gonna have some lapses.

The way I can see this happening is if the pens are set on protecting 7 forwards and 3 defensemen in the expansion draft. (With dumo pairing well with letang and Schultz's play this year maatta is the odd man out, unless one of the others is asking for ridiculous money)

If that is the case I would prefer kulikov as a rental since he helps fill out the left side. Also dropping the pick for franson would help with depth (he'd probably get the sabres a later 3rd than their own or a 4th anyways). That would require working out the salary though.