Edited Mar. 5, 2022 at 7:36 p.m.
If Pens are moving a 2nd round pick they are moving one of Matheson or Pettersson.
And with what D-man are being paid nowadays. Especially D-man in their prime. A 2nd pairing LHD, in their prime, that contributes and plays 17-20 minutes a game on play-off/winning team, might only be a 3rd.
And a team can pick from either type of D-man too.
An offensive D-man in Matheson. Super fast, with consistent offensive numbers. People need to look at his stats. 7 goals and 14 assists so far this season. Not even his best year and actually just the norm for him. Top 20 in D-man scoring in the NHL this year. And playing much better 200 foot game this season too. Does he still join the rush and pinch too much; in my opinion, yes. But a lot better this season.
Or a stay at home, defensive D-man in Pettersson. Long stick, long reach. Plus(+) 44 for his career. Just 26 years old and has play-off experience and contributes year in and year out on a winning team. He’s physical and “hits” and blocks a lot of shots. Moves the puck well too. His assists numbers every year prove that.