If the Pens decide to trade Blueger it would have to mean the Pens are either out of the race, or someone has stepped up proving they can do his job. That said, he's a funny player to value in a trade. He's a 4C with 3C value because that's really what he's capable of at the end of the day.

I'm not trying to be a MTL fan here and want way more than you're proposing, but DEPENDING on what the deadline market is looking like, I think the Pens can get an overpay. I'm not saying FOR SURE, but especially with retention I think the Pens can squeeze a 2nd or at the very least a 3rd + middle of the road prospect.

Borgen seems like such an Avs player idk why lol

A 3rd round pick seems appropriate for a rental 3C/4C. Any higher value than that and you could get a middle 6 or maybe even top 6 forward instead. If it makes it work though just add a C prospect though, no big deal.

Btw, what do you think Blueger's next contract will look like, in term and caphit? His skating would make him a nice fit in Colorado in UFA if not at the TDL.

Blueger is a very good player and makes any team better. He really should be in the 3C position at this point. My guess is he's in the low to mid $3's. Hextall really shouldn't have extended Carter like he did. I would have been very happy to have Blueger as our 3C.

I’m giving in house guys shots for at least half the season before I would trade for a bottom 6 guy, same thing with the 7th d. I

Yeah I agree with the above comment, Blueger is a weird player to value even because hes just so loved by the team and the fan base. Like as a pens fan, it would take a good overpay for me to happy with trading Blueger because I find him so underrated and clutch, and if no one wants to overpay, I wouldn't want to trade him as I don't think Pens can replace what he brings (without overpaying a UFA). Some bias here obviously but with literally anyone else in our bottom 6 Id be more then fine with trading, he's just weirdly a special player. I think on his next contract he should get around $3M as well.

I assume Pens will extend him but in the crazy scenario where he says hes gonna walk and were out of the playoff race I would want a high 2nd or a low 2nd + 3rd/4th. The problem with getting Colorado picks is there essentially worth a round less then there face value

We'll yeah, obviously guys will get shots before the TDL. But adding a 3/4C and a 7D would hardly be groundbreaking and would simply constitute shoring up the depth so you have a deep lineup.

Blueger is also considerably better than Sedlak, Maltsev, Blidh, etc, so adding him would at the very least improve the 13th forward spot (he'd be a regular though).

Also the Avs are thin at RHD so adding a RHS Dman who can fill in on the bottom pairing if EJ or Manson get hurt would be prudent. Avs are well stocked with LHD's who can move the puck but there's no one who can replace the big RHD's in the organisation. Borgen is also an RFA which has benefits with regards to extending him.

Blidh isn’t an NHL player, not really either is Sedlak. Avs approach to their own guys development is so puzzling.