UFA Namestnikov could be available if/when Detroit falls out of playoff contention. Likely cost a 3rd Rd pick.

Definitely a possible scenario since he performed so well with kuch and stammer. Could see him playing first line again if they do end up losing palat.

Pens are tracking to make the playoffs, so it's highly unlikely they move Rust this year.

True but do the penguins plan on resigning him or are they letting guys walk this off-season. I feel like every year I hear people count out the penguins so I don’t think they move him either but he was included in the post.

Sharks ask for more for Hertl

I really have no sense on his future and not much has been reported. If he's happy here and thinks he has a chance of winning the maybe he takes a little less to stay, but I can totally see teams throwing $6.5/$7M at him.

Yeah I didn’t really know what Tampa could or would give up for him as they don’t really have the prices that the sharks would want for a player that good. What would u want in return from Tampa?

The sharks do need center and right defense prospects, or another goaltender prospect. So Finley is a C but I know the ask, according to local insiders, is a first and a top prospect. I just think they would want maybe another pick since that 1st is likely to be very late. I don’t know much about Tampa’s prospects to even pick someone they could be interested in.

Tampa had 2 of their better prospects go to the team Canada U20 tryouts unfortunately they didn’t make the final roster but that was jack finley and jack thompson. Thompson is a Right handed right d man who is dominating in the ohl rn for the wolves. Don’t think he’s enough to make San Jose accept but definitely could be a price of the puzzle. Maybe Finley, Thompson a first and a 3rd?

That seems like more than enough to me, I guess it would come down to what the sharks think of those guys.

If you go for Hertl, why not go for Malkin with Pittsburgh?

Same problem as rust. Penguins might be reluctant to give him up if they have a shot at playoffs. Also the ask might be higher for Malkin because we would need retention

While Hertl would be a great add, I can't see Brisebois giving up the team's best RD and C prospects, plus a 1st and 3rd, for a rental. Tampa would need retention regardless, and they would have to trade one of Palat or Killorn at the tdl to fit Hertl in. While Hertl is better than Palat or Killorn, doesn't he primarily play C, a position Tampa isn't really in need of? If Tampa and Hertl had a handshake extension in place then I could see something like this, but since Tampa may not be able to keep both of Palat and Killorn after this year, it's hard to see how they could keep Hertl beyind this year. For a rental Hertl.with some retention, I could see a 1st, 3rd and one of the bettee prospects, but not both. Someone like Rakell, Namestikov, Jarnkrok or McCann may be a better fit and not cost as much.